So yesterday morning, I decided to go on a longer ride. This one was called Pinetown Covered Bridge on Lancaster Bicycle Club's website. I was looking forward to seeing another covered bridge; the ride I did earlier in the week took me to Belmont Covered Bridge as would this one. I actually got a later start than I wanted, but that's ok. Mother Nature waited until I was done to crank up the heat.
There is absolutely no way I can remember each road I was on, as I said in my other blog post this week; so much of the scenery looks the same here. I get so twisted and turned around that I can't figure out where I'm at in relation to anything else. As it turned out, I would get lost three times on this ride. When I started off I forgot to have the GPS start the course file and when I started it a mile and a half into the ride, I picked the wrong one. I turned the direction of the GPS which didn't match the cue sheet, so I had to turn around oops. It wasn't a bad error though. I got to Pinetown Covered Bridge around mile 12.5. I decided this would be a good time to enjoy my banana. I took several pictures (will post them once I get home). Watched a farmer in his field and noticed that his dog had spotted me. I hoped that she wouldn't chase me or try to bite. As it turned out, she was friendly and soon ran back into the fields with her owner.
I could have sworn the cue sheet said turn right. It was on the fold as I had it in my holder. I rode for a good bit before realizing I wasn't seeing the next road to turn on. I found a tree in the edge of someone's yard for some shade (not too many shade trees here). I grabbed my phone, turned the GPS on and figured out my mistake and worked out a reroute to where I needed to be. The roads again were awesome - mostly void of traffic. I did see a lot of bikers out. Once I was back on the cue sheet I felt more relaxed. Soon I would find myself at the Sheetz gas station we had stopped at the day before for Diesel for the truck. I locked my bike to the rack, grabbed the expensive items (I trust no one) ran inside for more water. Flopped under a nearby tree to hydrate and eat a Honey Stinger wafer (YUM). Rested there for a few minutes before continuing on my ride.
Eventually I wound my way to Belmont covered bridge and crossed Rt 30 onto some other roads. At this point I was off of the printed cue sheet and using directions I created from Google Maps. Not too bad except I didn't have distances between turns, so I turned onto a road that was unmarked thinking it was what I needed - WRONG. I stopped to ask some cows for directions - no not really, but they did have a shade tree. Grabbed the phone again and voila! I knew exactly where I needed to go. What sucked is my legs had pretty much given up on me at mile 33. I wasn't going to let it ruin my fun. I kept going forward. It was such an awesome ride.
I ended up riding 41.5 miles as best I could estimate. I can remember some funny stuff about the ride. 1 - PHONAK Floyd - there was this one guy riding near some fancy houses in a full on Phonak team kit including helmet and yellow shoes. I half wondered if this was Floyd Landis since he is from this area. I pondered for a while, had it been him, would I want his autograph? It was also funny on this one road, the vehicles were me on my Lemond, an Amish guy on his Raleigh, a horse and buggy, a tractor and a big delivery truck - I laughed at the variety. And finally, the only time that I sweated really bad was when I had to stop and figure out how lost I was. As long as I was moving I really didn't notice being too uncomfortable. I did have my jersey unzipped for a bit then felt bad about it once I rode past a few Amish people. OOPS, didn't mean to be offensive.
The road riding scene seems to be fairly active here. Their bike club has a ton of rides on their websites, cue sheets for tourists and from the markings on the roads, I'd say there's probably more to be discovered. They do have an annual fundraiser ride in August called the Covered Bridge Metric Century. I think this would be an awesome ride to do, but not so sure August would be too comfortable temperature wise.
Anyway, gotta wrap this up. Traveling back home tomorrow - bike race Saturday! YIKES! =) Will post pictures when I get home.
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