every day's an adventure
An interesting conversation ensued between a friend and I a couple weeks ago as we were in the car driving home from a ride. I mentioned how I was glad she was willing to ride with me again -- at times in the past she said that she felt too out of shape to do …
It was 60 degrees in February, a perfect opportunity to make the most of the waning light of the day by riding my bike home. I got to work early and managed to leave at 3:30, squeezing in some time pedaling in full sun before it got low on the horizon. The clothes I'd brought …
Continue reading "20 commutes in 2020 — #2: Unseasonable warmth."
I was sure glad I had studs because Kepler was a sheet of ice. Not a smooth sheet, but one that had been churned up by car tires and turned by the daily freeze-thaw cycle into a jumble of babyhead-sized lumps. It was like riding on slippery cobbles. I knew it would be a little …
This year, I'd like to bike to or from work at least 20 times. This sounds like a very "low hanging fruit" goal -- especially considering how much I ride -- except for the fact that last year I know that I did it less than 10. For those who don't know of my bike …
A couple weeks ago, Evan mentioned that he caught wind of a new snowmobile route from Prince Gallitzin State Park to Black Moshannon State Park, traversing the Allegheny Front through mostly Game Lands on a mix of dirt roads and doubletrack trails. We did some research and found a GPX file. Time to go explore. …
Continue reading "On the Allegheny Front: Sandy Ridge to Blandburg"
I love really cold runs. I'm not sure what it is about getting outside and exercising in the frigid air that is so exhilarating. Maybe it's the empowerment it brings to have beaten the temptation to stay hunkered down in a warm house. Maybe it's the fact that everything looks and feels so crisp. All …
The wind blew so hard that I was scared if I let go of the railing I might actually be swept off the small metal platform I was standing on. I'm not one for heights, and as I'd climbed towards the top of this fire tower, I felt my stomach turn a few times. Don't …
Continue reading "Fire towers and friends with a side of history."
*I started this post last spring but never published it. I found it as I was cleaning out old post drafts and figured it was worth a share, better late than never! Last spring, I was dealing with some hamstring injury issues, meaning I was forced to cut back on the intensity of my bike …
Continue reading "Adventures in Coal Country: Exploring the Houtzdale Line Trail."
I looked up from pushing my bike to see the jumble of rocks continuing as far as I could see. I'd try to ride for a bit, challenging myself to see how far I could make it before needing to dab, but the rocks would often win. Sometimes though, I'd have a good run, cleaning …
When I learned of a work commitment in Scranton the Thursday before a family commitment in Malvern, my brain that has been jonesing for another long ride adventure started scheming. The D&L Trail travels a big chunk of the length from northeast PA to southeast, and it just seemed silly to drive 3 hours back …
