Conditions were absolutely perfect. The gravel roads had seen heavy snowmobile use since the snowstorm Saturday night, resulting in a packed highway for our fatbikes. It was cold -- in the low 20s -- but calm. I heated up quickly on the climb, opening up my vest and stuffing my heavy gloves in my stem …
As I emerge into openness, the wind whips across the grassy landscape and burns my cheeks. I've been climbing for a while and, as evidenced by the wall ahead, still have a while to go. But behind me, I'm beginning to see the valley far below, proof of my labors. I'd started from my office …
A couple weeks ago, I rode 212 miles from my house in central Pennsylvania to my in-law's house in the suburbs outside Philadelphia. If you missed the post about my experience, check that out here. I got a lot of questions about my bike setup, what gear I took, and how I fueled myself throughout …
I knew around mile 50 that, barring anything catastrophic happening, I would make it. The first quarter of the ride flew by. Evan and Shannon joined me for the initial 10 miles, then left me to fly solo as I headed due south down Rt. 522. The sun was dropping, the clouds turning pink and …
Continue reading "Unks to Tinker Hill: My first solo double century."
It's a little after 1 am and I just started my second leg of the Great Allegheny Passage Trail Relay. It's drizzling and temps are in the 40s. Leaves cover the trail and the smells of autumn, heightened by the dampness in the air, waft into my nostrils. My hamstrings are tight and my knee aches. …
Three years ago, Evan and I rode 200 miles from Huntingdon, PA to his parents house near Phoenixville, PA, just west of Philly. We did it on a tandem, in one shot, through the night. Ever since, I've wanted to do the ride again, but on my own. So when we decided to go to the …
The things we are most scared of are often the things most worth doing. Evan reminded me of this last week as I was having a meltdown and freaking out about going on a 3-day bikepacking trip with a group of women that I barely knew. I was scared I would somehow be in over …
In late February, I spent a weekend hiking and biking in the Quehanna Wild Area with my friend Emma. Check out part 1 here and part 2 here if you missed them. Day 3: Solo. Monday promised sun and warmth at last. The day before, after Emma made the decision to head home, I continued …
The air is still and the world is quiet except for the occasional bird song. My own breath and the sound of feet on dirt keep a steady rhythm in my head, a beat that keeps me going, step after step. I don’t know how many miles in I am but the pain is starting …
In late February, I spent a weekend hiking and biking in the Quehanna Wild Area with my friend Emma. If you missed Part 1, check it out here for a history of the area and rainy day exploration on foot. Day 2: Change of plans – again. Something felt off on Sunday morning. Maybe it …
helena kotala 