PA Pine Creek Pedal

“Dude, I need to use the BOB trailer to justify the expense of buying the darn thang!! Loved it on the trip up from DC too!”

“hehe my panniers cost me about $30 but I feel the same way about them. No way could I buy a BOB.


I'll be at the Bonnell Flats site before night fall if all things hold true.

White Tail is on Rt 44 a couple miles north of 220 on the left going north. It is _just_ beyond where the rail trail crosses 44. If I remember correctly the signage may be a little lacking for the parking lot. But the rail trail crossing is very clearly marked.
last edited: 9/27/07 6:24:42 PM”

“Understood. At this point I'm not even a ? but a ?? for this trip. Should know better next week which parts if any I can participate in.

One last question: Who gets the auction proceeds?”

“I feel so special....”

“Well, I'm a gear addict. I wasn't cured until I bought a house full of appliances and some furniture. But I've only been cured for a little while, so I am always in danger of buying more gear. When I rode up from DC my butt hurt so bad and I could not stand up and pedal with the weight on my rack and panniers, so I justified it in Hancock, MD when I stopped at a bike shop to "just look around". At least then I could stand up and pedal. Some people probably can with panniers, but it wasn't working for me and I have a weak spot for gear (used to). Besides, I'm carrying all the stuff for two people (not hard to do) and I might even strap on a tripod for photos.

Heather will probably want a cut of the proceeds, because she's already an accessory.”

“Hancock MD... you know y'uns can hike there from the MST? http://www.greateasterntrail.org”

“Patsquatch... if you are not going to be there until after dark, but I am planning on getting there earlier, would you email me a copy of the permit just in case the ranger comes around to check on them? When i was camping at Black Walnut Bottom for two nights someone came around to check the permits so I know it has been done. Or at least send me a permit number or something so I don't have to stand there and mumble something about expecting the paperwork to arrive. hehehe..

My email is on my profile page. Thanks.”

“Yes, I was thinking of the same thing. We won't be there until well after dark. Perhaps not until about 10:30-11 PM. I will contact you.”

“I posted a note on the trip on the neohbackpackingclub.com site also. Maybe we'll ge some more people that way.”

“Turns out this place has a bakery. http://www.slaterun.com/ It is about 2 miles north of our Sat campsiste so I plan to stop and might even supplement my dinner with something from the store. And if they ahve fresh rolls in the AM I might be the first one in line....”

“That was to be scheduled stop in any event. They serve Ice cream there too. The prices are not too bad.”

“Looks like I might be able to meet you for the start at the Wellsboro Junction end. Seems if I get there by 9:30-9:45 am on Sat. I'll still be waiting a bit for you guys to show up. We 3 (2 in bikes and 1 in Chariot) will ride along no further than Darling Run with you then turn back to our truck. If we're not there no sweat or need to wait for us.

BTW Big Pine is on the very new and so far very short list of MST hiker shuttlers just posted to the MST web site. Maybe of interest for future outings.”

“I think Big Pine changed hands recently. For a long time it appeared to be shut down. But there recently been signs of life.”

“At first I did not get a call back, but I am glad they (Big Pine) did eventually.

I am getting pretty excited. Tonight will be comprised of packing (I have a new axe to bring) and the chores of the weekend traveler squishing it all into weeknights (so I can be gone). Looking forward to the trip. It will be a hot one, so hopefully I don't get too chaffed cycling in wet shorts (after jumping in the creek often). I'll take the chance in this heat.”

“Bikes are on the truck. Just have to remember to stop for air. :/”

“hehehe well I won't be there as early as I thought I would. But I'll be there”

“Patsquatch and limeygirl forced me to abandon my own trip!!!

Thanks guys it was undoubtedly right desicion. No question about that.

Friday night was a stellar night... in that the stars were beautiful. I got to the campsite after dark and ended up pitching my tent in an empty site because I couldn't find the number we were assigned. Nobody seemed to mind as nobody showed up except Patsquatch and Limeygirl. I left the rain fly off and it was very nice.

This morning we arose at about the same time and broke camp quickly. I did not eat my usual breakfast because we were headed for the Waterville Hotel for Blueberry pancakes. Don't pass them up if you have the chance to indulge.

I was less than limber on the bike riding to Waterville but assumed everything would be fine once I got some breakfast in me. Trying to get off my bike at the shuttle I lost control of it and fell like a tree backwards. My helmet flew off on impact. Everyone was good and scared. I have a real nice lump on the top of my head for some reason. In any event, the fall and subsequent shock caused a massive migration southward. Beyond that I will spare you the gory details as it could not be any less graphic that what you can imagine.

It took me a while to get cleaned up. Fortunately I had other clothes to ride in. But the shuttle was delayed. I was not doing real well on the bike, although I did not know how poorly I was doing until retrospect. Well... that's not entirely true. I was my slow usual self. But I think the final straw was missing, or rather not missing the end of an offset gate that caught me on the hip as I went by. Suffice it to say I had no business being on a bike going into 17 miles of nothingness. We rode to the ice cream joint in Ansonia where they dropped me off to await my wife's arrival to pick me up.

All the while I somewhat pressed my ability to get on, but when push came to shove I listened to my riding mates and send enuf is as good as a feast.

The heat was horrid and I don't do well in the heat now. Thank you guys. I am very glad I listened to your wisdom and counsel and bailed. I trust you had a good trip. My wife is grateful for your insistence as well.”

“awww.....poor rev.....i hope that u can get back to do the trip...having to drop out sucks......get well soon!”

“Suffice it to say I had no business being on a bike going into 17 miles of nothingness

Ramblinrev
10:24:09 PM
10/06/07

BS Rev. You had every business being there. And you had the great wisdom and friends that assured you got back. Everybody falls from time to time, everybody bails from time to time.


See you at Masten”

“I had every _right_ to be there. But as we say often here, people jeopardize their own safety for the right to do something. It was a self-realization that I had "no business" being there. I had fun. I enjoyed what I did. I am glad I inspired Patsquatch and Limeygirl to come do that ride. The colors were gorgeous in the canyon.”

“CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- Organizers shut down the course four hours after the start of Sunday's Chicago Marathon because of 88-degree heat and sweltering humidity that left one runner dead and sent 250 people to area hospitals with heat-related ailments.

Come to think of it... I don't feel so bad about bailing.”

“I posted some photos here: http://community.webshots.com/user/Patsquach

Suffice to say it was a hot one. The trail is great for carrying large loads because it is so smooth and flat, so we had a posh experience camping with many comforts.

Rev, just focus on the 17 miles you did ride, mostly in extreme conditions. I've had heat stroke before and I did not want you to get that bad. Besides, that trail isn't going anywhere. And they bake those sticky buns every day!!! Pretty sweet.”

“Glad I inspired you to make the trip. That makes it worth my effort. I love to share that trail.”

“Nice to see you folks however briefly due to the aforementioned schedule slippage. Our trio finally got together Monday and rode from Waterville up to Slate Run and back down although the 2 ladies bailed at Jersey Mills and I went back up to get them. That was pretty damned hot too. You could have called me for a ride out, except you presumably didn't know how to get hold of me, oh well.”

“ki0eh... given how I was feeling on Sunday it is just as well I went straight home. I had considered spending the night at the Black Walnut Bottom, but decided against it as I would "need" to ride from there down to White Tail on Sunday. I think I may have suffered more head trauma than I thought at first. I was groggy and rather foggy Sunday for most of the day. I did not keep the car when my wife went to work as a hedge against my temptation to drive somewhere. My balance seems particularly off kilter. I watched myself for the obvious signs of concussion, and while I don't think I suffered a sever one, thanks to my helmet, I am pretty sure I had a mild one.

I was symptom free yesterday and so far today so I don't want anyone to worry about me. The foggy and off balance stuff can be ascribed to my meds as well, but I think it was important for me to simply get home.”

“I meant I could have ridden you out from Ansonia, I actually had an odd feeling to drive over there after getting out myself, which I ignored having just been there before I ran into you guys on the return.

Do cell phones work there now? Found there's no longer a dead zone between Tioga and Wellsboro for the first time this weekend.”

“Do cell phones work there now? Found there's no longer a dead zone between Tioga and Wellsboro for the first time this weekend.”
ki0eh
10:12:00 AM
10/09/07

There may be service at the bridge. There was on the rail trail north of Ansonia, which is how I got hold of my wife. But there at the ice cream joint, it depends on what area of the parking lot you stand in and how hard the wind is blowing.

Into the canyon there is none. There is none at Waterville and I believe there is none at Blackwell though I can't swear to that.

As far as getting out of Ansonia, my point was... what would I do then? I would be still be waiting somewhere for my wife to get me. I might as well wait at an ice cream place as anywhere else, don't you know. It was all good.
last edited: 10/09/07 7:26:26 AM”