NY to Baltimore for a Newbie

jsirabella

Hello All,

Live in NYC and used to be a bike messenger but now 39 and suddenly decided that I am tired of working so much and got back to the gym, after a year of getting somewhat back into shape, I got back on the bike everyday to work and Central Park/Spinning. Never felt so alive again...but I set a goal for myself that I will do a tour to Baltimore this summer.

I figured I should give myself 3-4 days and finally bought a decent bike. I got a Cannondale Bad Boy and rides well in the city but wonder how it will hold up for tours. Also I have no idea of how to find directions and just general rules of how to handle a ride like this. Obviously being a newbie, all help is appreciated. I need to make sure I do not get too many mountains this time and what to take.

I figure I will go into hotels day to day but where do you find maps for such a ride that can give you details about the rode. And how about equipment??

-John

Again thanks for all your posts

Trekker2017

Several years ago, I cycled from Connecticut to Key West with a side trip to Havre de Grace, Maryland (about 40 miles north of Baltimore). I used the maps provided by Adventure Cycling and an east coat bicycling route book called Bicycling the Atlantic Coast: A complete route guide, Florida to Maine.

It's actually a very easy ride if you keep a close look at the Adventure Cycling maps, the book and a Rand McNally map. Adventure Cycling likes to take you over one or two steep climbs a day. If you carry a lot of gear, like I do, you can always find away around them. AC maps are topographical so you can see the climb coming and choose an alternate route.

As for staying in places, I found that once across the Hudson River, there were campgrounds virtually every 40 miles apart. So you have your choice: camping or motelling.

The route I took from CT got me to Matamoras and the Deleware Water Gap. From there, you have two choices: you can either ride the New Jersey side of the Deleware River (lots of hills) or the Pennsylvania side (rolling hills virtually no steep climbs). Around Easton, I swung west and cycled down through Amish country. There are some very good campgrounds on either side of the Maryland border with swimming pools and jacuzis and as a cyclist you pay the lowest rate since you don't have any electircal hookups. (Ask for a primitive site and your camping cost will be well below your motelling cost.)

I did my ride on a Trek 803. I added racks so I could mount front and back panniers. I rode from about 6 am to 5 pm and covered an average of 60 miles a day without pushing it. And I had the time of my life and would do it again in a heartbeat. (I was 43 at the time.)

Hope this helps.

PS: The route guide was written by Donna Ikenberry Aitkenhead and published by The Mountaineers Press.

jsirabella

Thanks for all the great information. It is amazing I go to a bike shop and ask them the same question and get very little to no info. I go today and mention the Adventure Cycling Maps and suddenly "Oh Yeah those maps are great and a must."

Great Guys but sometimes they make me wonder.

Also I can not seem to get a straight answer on the bike. The cannondale I have is good and they all said should not have a problem. Than as I pushed the issue he said when he goes on long rides he uses a steel bike because they are easiest to fix. He explained you want it to be a Macguyver bike,,,

He showed me this Bianchi which looked exactly like a touring bike should look, not very sexy but you can tell can take the damage and go the distance. They only had one as he explained touring bikes are a dying art as most people want the sexier faster bikes. Being I am passed that part in my life, what do you guys think would be a better bike? It can have paniers in the back and front with no problem and has a crank/gear which looks it can be great on mountains.

Last I am thinking of maybe doing boston first, since you are from CT, which is easier? Or any real difference?

Thanks for the info, I am ordering the maps and book now.

-Blaster

Trekker2017

I have the same problem at my favorite bike store. Every one there is into club riding or racing. No one at the store has ever taken off and vacationed on their cycles. That's my big thing. I love throwing my sleeping bag and tent on my bike and taking off for a week or two.

The first thing to consider is your own comfort. What position will you want to spend your whole day in? How much gear will you be carrying on your bike? Will you have a follow car or some one to meet you at the end of each day? How many miles a day are you anticipating?

On my trips the shortest day was 30 miles and the longest was 158 miles. For my day hops around my home, I use a Cannondale road bike with thin tires. For my long trips the old Trek 830 with fat tires. I've never had any trouble with either bike. As far as flats go, I carry a patch kit and am notorious for cycling with tubes that have four, five or six patches on them. Basically, I only change tubes when they won't hold air any more. But that's me. Some of my friends won't ride a patched tube. And I don't care. You're going to get flats. For me, it's easier to carry patches than to pack extra tubes. I do carry a spare Micheline folding tire in case I get a major tear in the tire wall. I've had to use it a couple of times and it has worked really, really well. I carry two sets of maps (Adventure Cycling and Rand McNally) because with the amount of gear I carry (I also pack a lot of camera gear) I really don't like the climbs that Adventure Cycling sends you over. On whatever route you choose, they will find you the steepest hill and take you over it. So I'm always looking for at least some portion of my daily route to be an alternative road.

When I'm planning a trip, I tend to plan it from campground to campground with a couple of choices for campgrounds just in case I want to cycle longer or shorter daily hops. Usually depends on what I want to see for the day. Usually on my trips, I cycle to at least one Civil War battlefield. If you peek at my website: www.ericruark.com you can see some of the photos I took while on my trips under the Civil War and Re-enactment sections.

As far as which trip you should do... NYC to Baltimore or NYC to Boston. Both are good runs. My personal preference is the NYC to Baltimore route only because there are more campgrounds and things that I like to see and I have a lot of friends in Maryland because I went to college there.

jsirabella

Good questions about the comfort issue, currently with the bike I have I kind of describe as an SUV of bikes. That Niesne seat even with the sping action I added will not cut it for all day. I also have to wonder if I should go over or upright position. I have mountain bike style handlebars which I am not sure will be good for a long, long ride.

I wonder how you were able to keep the speed with fat tires (How fat? more like cyclo cross size or mountain bike?), they make me feel much slower but much more stable. I could only have two paniers as I can not add it to the front fork. The guy suggested a trailer which seems to me, really crazy.


I plan on going for a week. Meaning three days to get there (I hope) and than I work a convention for the weekend and put the bike in the truck/van and drive back. I will not have people meet me everyday but in case of emergency, I get a car and keep going. Also I can wait for them a day or so and they can come pick me up. I will probably not have alot in my bags except some extra clothes (do not have to dress up too much for cons) and whatever I will need for the ride. Tubes a must, tools (any advice on which) phones, some medicine and toilet stuff, phone ... Maybe I am forgetting and you can let me know.

On the days you did 30 miles, is it because of hills and 158 because of wind and roads?? I am still think about that Bianchi but those damn magazines have so many different styles, I kind of like the cyclo cross but they remind me of touring bikes just different. Any bikes you like lately?

I have two sets of tires, fat and thin tires. When I bought this bike, I wanted a bike that I could go fast when I want, carry paniers for commuting to work, good in all weather and if one day I want to go off road I would be fine. It seems I did pick the bike that was good at all my requirements but not great at any one of them. When I go fast can never go too fast with my gears and weight.

Your pictures look great. I am hoping to do some sightseeing but for me it is more of just doing it. In my office they think I am crazy and my wife and kid wants to steal my bike the night before I leave. I may start with Boston since that convention is sooner.

Do you have any advice when the weather gets hotter, as far as water, stretching and such.

-John Sirabella

Trekker2017

For me, sitting up with the mountain style handlebars was the way to go. Speed was also not a factor. My daily distance was solely based on what I wanted to see or in the case of my 158 mile day/night, I needed to cross the Mojave Desert so I rode from 9 pm to noon the next day from Earp, CA to 29 Palms.

As far as saddles go, I favor a Terry Vindicator style (very reminiscent of the US Cavalry saddle it has a gap in the middle to take the pressure of that vein in the crotch.

Riding a mountain bike with fat tires, I was at least 25% slower than if I had been on a road bike with road tires. But as I said, I wanted the up-right positon. It was easier to grab at my cameras than when in the bent over position. If you go with a trailer, and I ran into people who did, you will be much slower than that. The trailer will keep all the weight off your bike, but you will be pulling it instead plus the weight of the trailer.

Water -- If you ride mountain style, you can carry all you need in a camelback. If you ride road style, that camelback is very uncomfortable and you will need to carry a couple of water bottles. The roads along the NYC to Boston route (as well as the Baltimore route for that matter) are studded with convenience stores, just the place to buy a bottle or two of liquid refreshment and use the bath room. When I traveled across the country, I carried a roll of toilet paper and never had to use it because of diners and other fast food restaurants along my route. A camping towel like the kind LL Bean sells came in handy. It dries you off then wrings out and folds up to fit in a plastic bag.

Plastic bags -- quart size -- roll your cloths up and put them in plastic then squeeze the air out of them before sealing. They will take up less room and stay dry no matter what kind of weather you have to cycle through. Whether you stay dry cycling is immaterial. You need to stay warm at all costs. I found that a wool sweater under an anarak kept me warm no matter how wet I got. Wool retains heat while cotton wisks it away.

NYC to Boston in three days... It could be done, minimal equipment, staying in motels each night. You'd be doing more of a sprint than a tour.

jsirabella

Great idea about the plastic bags!! I will take your advice about the keeping warm and using wool. I bought quite a few clothes for the winter now and it has been doing me well for the commute back and forth to work.

I will look into that saddle and I agree all the way on the trailer. I would not use a trailer and feel I should be fine with a couple panniers. I am amazed you did 158 miles in one day but it can be done. I will have to think about fat vs. road tires. I am leaning toward road but not as skinny as the ones on my cannondale, I mean those are really thin!!

You call NYC to Boston in three days a sprint. I thought it is about a little more than 200 miles so I was thinking about 70 miles a day. Should I give myself 4 days on this first trip. How tired are you when you do a run like 100-150 miles in a day? I worry about my muscles and the strecthing. Did you do any routine each day?

With water I expect as we get into summer, you need alot more. Interesting that you feel you need less water when upright. I think it may be based upon distance, speed and weather for the day. Did you stop for lunches, breakfast each day? You said you meet up with alot of people, is that common on these adventure map routes? Did you ride in a pack or single?

I am leaning toward getting that Bianchi since they are pricing it low or a friend showed me a LeMond which can be great.

Oh yeah and a big thanks for dealing with all these newbie questions.

-John Sirabella

Trekker2017

I have to admit that the 158 was the extreme rather than the norm. I was crossing the Mojave Desert and I wanted to stay out of the heat so I crossed at night and I was pretty much done in when I hit 29 Palms. For the most part I averaged between 40 and 60 miles a day depending on terrain and weather.

Personally, I'd stay away from the really thin tires, but then again, that's strictly my preference. I like a modified fat boy. Ritchie makes a good tire. Smooth in the middle for reduced road resistance with the tread on the sides for stability on turns.

NYC to Boston may be 200 miles as the crow flies, but cycling you're going to have to go out of your way to keep to roads that are safer for cycling. I'd stay off Route 1. Too much traffic and drivers who are in a rush to get to work or get home and have no tollerance for cyclists in their way. The problem with the NYC to Boston route is that it runs cross wise to the hills. There's going to be a lot of climbing, short and nasty. It will cut into your time. Your flatter route will be to stay closer to the coast, but that will add distance to your trip. If you choose to head in-land, you will be crossing a lot of ridges which in CT are sharp, vicious little climbs that will take a lot of time out of your trip.

You'll have to be in peak condition if you plan on a series of 70 mile days. When I cycled from CT to Key West, FL. I wasn't doing 100 mile days until after 30 days into the trip. And then I was in Florida where the terrain was rolling with no significant hills. CT has some vicious ridges which you will have to climb.

The way I structured my daily routine was this. Got up and broke camp about 6 am. Loaded my bicycle and started cycling. Some time between 6 and 9 am I stopped at the most inviting diner for breakfast. Talked the the folks at the counter and asked them the best roads to ride to my next destination. Cycled 'till noon. Stopped for lunch. Asked the same questions at the counter. The people were always helpful and friendly especially when they realized that I wanted to stay out of their way. After lunch cycled 'till about 4 pm. (Liked getting off the road before rush hour. Drivers are bastards during rush hour.) Set up camp at the campground. Hit the jacuzzi. Read, wrote and relaxed for the night. 6am the next day started again.

I rode single and invariably ran into the same question: "Aren't you scared riding alone?" I would always answer, "Not in this town." And they would say, "Well, of course not in this town... but over in xxxxxxxxxxxx..." There would always be bad guys over the hill. But when I cycled over the hill that town filled with bad guys all turned out to be nice guys with bad guys over the next hill. The key to getting along with everyone was in letting them know that I really wanted to stay out of their way.

By the way, I'm not one for stretching. I never do it either before or after a long ride. I'm the kind of cyclist that will do a 20-40 mile ride and about mile 35 stop off for a couple of Dox Exxes and good meal then cycle home, where I put my feet up and light up one of my pipes and blow smoke rings at the ceiling.

jsirabella

It sounds like I am in for a doozy of an experience to get to Boston and better really plan my route out exactly. I will give myself 4 days since it is my first ride and I want it to be an easier ride. I have a person in my office that goes to New Paltz and tells me it takes him five hours for about 100 miles and he takes 9W but warned me about West Point and the vicious hill. I really do not want to be going up a vicious hill with cars passing me at 60 miles and no side bank.

I feel I am in good shape and will loose 10-15 pounds before the ride. I work out quite a bit with weights/spinning so I am a little bit bulky compared to the riders I see. The funny part is that I have no worry about hills since I do not mind going slow, I am more worried about going down the hill. Even in Central Park I always slow down on the hill and everyone flys by me. Than I see them on the hill and pass them up. It is the control issue of the bike.

I like your routine and think it can work for me as far as hours. I just worry about getting directions as who knows if they are right. I can go off course by who knows how long? Do you carry a lock to lock up your bike?

I will based upon all everyone is saying to me get another bike for the long tour, like the Bianchi but the cannondale I have can handle it with a slightly wider tire. I will give it more thought but especially since it is on sale, it may be worth it. I know how tough drivers can be, I do ride in NYC during morning hours and even at night it is no picnic but these cars can not go as fast given the nature of the traffiic in the city.

Not a pipe smoker but I can use a few beers at the end of a long ride for sure. Or maybe some wine...You were lucky to find the jacuzzis...

Was at a convention in Vegas a few months ago and another convention was going on for antique guns. You remind me of it with your Civil War pictures...

-John Sirabella

Trekker2017

That's Bear Mountain outside of West Point. That hill has been famous since Colonial times. 9W is a good ride. I've cycled 9E several times and that is also a nice ride. I'd be interested in seeing what route Adventure Cycling recommends for you on exiting NYC. I was looking through my old maps and AC had me swinging wide of the city but did provide me with a route into the city but from Northern New Jersey, not CT.

You do have another option... take the train (Metro North) to a debarkation point like Brewster North (red line) or New Haven (blue line) and actually begin your ride from there away from the city traffic. I've cycled from New Haven over to the Rhode Island line a couple of times. There are some nice roads along the coast. Metro North is (or was not to long ago) very amenable to cyclists as long as you ride in the last car.

Yes... carry a lock for you bike. It will give you peace of mind when you stop off for lunch. At night, motels will let you take it in your room of if you camp, you can chain it to a tree or bench or something.

jsirabella

What a weekend guy!! There was a convention I was scheduled to go to in Crystal City (DC) and the night before I did some google and noticed there were some bike routes not to far in DC, Crystal City and Alexandria. Well I said "what the heck?" I am taking a cargo van down so let me put the bike in and even if I do not have enough time I could also bring my trainer. Well to my surprise the trails were AWESOME.

I got up on Friday morning, asked a guy where is this Mt. Vernon Trail (VRE) and surprised how close it was. I got on it and it was just beautiful. I mean it had signs, well paved, lines, beautiful views and just perferct. I am from NYC where we have nothing and this was just like a paradise.

The second day I went towards Alexandria and made it to the park and this really quaint village where I ended at a dock with the most beautiful view of the capitol.

On the third day I saw signs for Four Mile Trail and thought I could go for it. This was the most surprising as I got into the woods and started to do trails like I see in magazines with running rivers and steep drops and climbs on angles. Honestly I was lucky I brought my fat tires but it still scared me as I got off the bike once or twice. I mean if I got hurt I was DOA with no one there. I really got to get better in the downhills!! I can go up the hills but feel I go slower down them?!?!...Go figure...I just freeze up.

I only had about one and half hour each morning but it was the best in my life. The towns are so bike friendly with those well built trails!! I know what you mean now about seeing the sights and taking pictures. Even though I could go faster I just wanted to take it all in!!

Well anyway now I am on a mission and Boston/Baltimore will happen without a doubt!!

Trekker2017

Glad you had a great time. DC is a very cycle-friendly place. When I cycled to Key West, I had a breakdown just north of the city and the cyclists there were extremely friendly and helpful. They directed me to a cycle shop who fixed my broken cable and when they discovered that I was on a cross-country trip, they didn't even charge me.

What seems to be your problem going down hill? I'm sure there are a dozen riders on this forum who can help you out in that department.

jsirabella

Well let me give you some history. I broke my ankle about two years ago, not from riding but a damn "invisible ice patch" in times square which I slipped and twisted my ankle. After sitting in times square I thought maybe I could get up and try walking, I heard a snap, fall to the floor in extreme pain, ambulance to hospital and they put two steel plates in both sides of my ankle. A couple months later I am back but the truth is I think it may have affected me mentally as I was never good at downhills before.

You see as I go faster downhill especially in the winding turn type hills I start to freeze up as I feel I am loosing control of the bike. I than freeze up and start jamming the brakes to slow down. It must be that I am not positioning myself correctly on the bike as I go faster. I believe it may be way I am leaning or lack thereof and also my hips should play a role into it.

Any advice? Thinking about a full load going downhill on a tour kins of worries me.

-John Sirabella

Trekker2017

To be perfectly honest, I get nervous going down hill when I hit 35mph. I used to get nervous at 29 so I guess you get acclimated to speed the more you do it. I found that part of my problem was style. When rounding a curve you want to stand on your outside pedal and point your inside knee in the direction of the turn. On the roads I ride that means a down hill for me will have six or seven foot/knee changes. Go on the internet and look up some articles on the proper way to break. Now, you'll get a whole bunch of different opinions. The only thing I can suggest is that you find the method that is most comfortable for you. For me, I put light breaking pressure on the back wheel and softly pump the front wheel and that keeps me at a speed that I feel comfortable with.

When I was cycling across the country, the fastest I had my Trek 830 up to was 54mph going down a long hill on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. That was scary. Realized that if anything happened, I was road kill.