Trip Report - Philadelphia/Savannah/Milwaukee

Bike Trip Report
Philadelphia-Savannah-Milwaukee
April 22, 2005 through May 7, 2005

April 22, 2005

I took YX Flight 156 to Philadelphia. I had to check my saddlebag as
baggage because I have a Swiss army knife along. Arrived more or less on
time at my son Matt's apartment in Center City, Philadelphia around 8:30
p.m. He had picked up and tested my bike, which I had sent ahead of time
via UPS to a Philadelphia bike shop. After visiting and dinner, I went to
bed around 11:00 pm.

April 23, 2005 (Day 1)

Left at 5:40 a.m. (sunrise was at 6:00 a.m.) and rode 5 hours (79 miles)
before I took a food/beverage stop near Bel Air, Maryland. The starting
temperature was 49 degrees, rising soon to about 60 degrees. The wind was
from the South, but rather light. With intermittent light rain, I got wet.

Route: Miscellaneous Philadelphia streets to 291 by the Airport, then
continued on 291 to Chester, which took me to 13 into Wilmington, then 2 to
Newark, Del., then 273 to US 1.

Roads are safe so far, with not too many hills until I reached Maryland.

I rode in Pennsylvania for 22 miles and Delaware for 23 miles. Delaware is
the 43rd state I have biked in.

The spring trees and flowers are in full bloom! Some examples a
flowering crabs, red bud, pink and white dogwoods, and forsythia bushes.

After lunch in Bel Air, I rode through Baltimore, mostly on US 1, except
when I lost the route, and continued toward Washington on US #1, making a
short stop for beverages 10 miles past central Baltimore. I was confident I'd
get to Washington in time for the 5:30 Mass at the Shrine, but near Laurel
(mile 124), I got a rear flat from a sharp 1" long nail that went right
through the Kevlar liner and thick tube.

Fixing it was a chore. My LBS had recently put on a new rim, which was a
deep "V" and the stem barely fit through it. After several unsuccessful
efforts, and lost CO2 cartridges, I got it partially filled.

Fortunately, I found a bike shop in Laurel (3 miles ahead) that was open and
their repairman filled the tire properly. He said I should use a long
stemmed tube with that rim, but they only stocked it for a narrow tire. I
bought one and also bought some replacement CO2 cartridges.

Just as I left the shop (about 5:30 p.m.), a thunderstorm broke out, so I
took cover in a nearby fast food place, where this note was written. My
plans were to stay tonight with my daughter Margaret, in Washington, whom I
called and left a status report.

I did eventually make it at 7:30 p.m. to her trailer/apartment at Catholic
University of America, from which she is to graduate next month.

With mud from 3 states on me, thanks to the rain, Margaret washed my
clothes, which were far beyond benefiting much from a short rinse job in the
sink (my usual practice). She also went on the internet and helped me
locate a couple alternative on-route churches and Mass times for tomorrow
morning.

We had Chinese food for dinner and some wine. After dinner, Margaret went
out with friends, and I went to bed.

Mileage for the day was 143.

(22 miles in PA; 23 miles in Delaware; 97 miles in MD; 1 mile in DC)



The temperature peaked at around 70 degrees. There was a net head wind
(from the south)..

April 24, 2005 (Day 2)

I left at 5:40 a.m. and rode through the D.C. mall in the a.m. twilight,
crossing into Virginia after 9 miles. I caught a 7:00 a.m. Mass in
Alexandria, as planned, and then rode to Fredericksburg, stopping at 11:30
a.m., with 62 miles. It's been rather cold (40's) so I've had my heavy
shirt on all morning. The wind was out of the south, despite the cold, so
it's another headwind. And the hills are constant, with no level ground
since Alexandria. There were no high hills, but little hills one after
another, so my speed has not been very good.

After lunching in Fredericksburg, I stayed on US 1 another 32 miles to
Doswell, where my brother and I had stayed four nights during a tour of
Civil War battlefields in 2003. Riding through that area brought back
bittersweet memories about my brother, who had terminal cancer and died
later that year.

At Doswell, I turned east on Route 30 and continued to West Point and later
to Williamsburg on Route 60. With a bit of a tail wind and fairly flat
roads, the riding went well, but . . . . . . . . .the rear gear started
jumping, especially when I stood up to pump, which I do a bit on flat roads,
because it helps my rear end.

The problem got worse, and I could see that the sprocket was wobbling,
especially in the top gear, and also when I put substantial pressure on the
right pedal. More or less limping into Williamsburg (can you limp on a
bicycle?), I flagged down a local biker, who gave me directions to a shop in
town. I would have never found that shop on my own. Anyway, I located the
shop and then had to ride back to Highway 60 (3-4 miles) to find a motel.

At dinner, I guzzled down a pitcher of water, a bottle of wine and 2 cups of
coffee. I was obviously a bit dehydrated.

Mileage for the day was 168.
Mileage for the trip was 311.
(PA: 22; MD 97: VA 159; DEL 23; DC 10)
Temperatures were in the 40's and 50's. I wore my heavy shirt all day. The
winds were mostly out of the SW winds, moderate to light, and netted out to
be about neutral for me.

April 25, 2005 (Day 3)

I rode locally in Williamsburg, and attended a weekday Mass. I had ridden 20
miles by 10:00 a.m., and was at the bike shop (Bike Beat) when it opened.
The news was bad; my frame is cracked at a weld above the bottom bracket,
and is un- repairable. TREK couldn't get a new frame here until Friday, but
the dealer had another shop in Newport News with a TREK 520 bike in stock
with that frame size. With luck, I'll be back on the road tomorrow. The
frame itself is warranted. I'll have to pay the labor and deal with TREK
later.

Robert Maye at the shop "went the extra mile" to get me a replacement bike
for the day, as they have neither rentals, nor used bikes. But he put one
together for me.

There are certainly worse places to be laid up day than Williamsburg. I
looked around the "Colonial" area, took a nap in a nearby park, and biked
over to Yorktown.

Temperature's rose from around 40 to the mid 60's, but it was sunny and
rather windy.

Mileage for the day was 60, with 21 on my 520; and 39 miles with borrowed
bike.

April 26, 2005 (Day 4)

I got up and had a big breakfast, then went to a 9:00 Mass, checked out of
the motel and was at the bike shop before 10:30 a.m. Robert was hard at work
transferring all my parts to the new frame, which in turn had to be stripped
of its parts.

I biked to Jamestown and back into Williamsburg, had lunch and read a book
until the bike was done. I can't emphasize too much for the good service I
received. So I was able to leave Williamsburg at 2:00 p.m. and catch the
2:30 pm. ferry across the James River at Jamestown.

Temperatures were between 50 and 65 degrees, eventually rising to 69
degrees. There were some sprinkles, but no substantial rain.

I stopped for the day at Suffolk, because of doubts about motel availability
ahead. In fact, I actually backtracked 3 miles back inot downtown Suffolk,
when I found out there were no motels to the south. So I had quit before
7:00 p.m.

The terrain was mostly flat to low hills, with mixed woods and farms with
sandy soil.

Mileage for the day was 77, which were all in VA (52 miles with new bike and
25 miles with borrowed bike). The routes that I took were 31; then 10; then
13.

April 27, 2005 (Day 5)

I left at 5:40 a.m. to ride 77 miles to Williamston, NC; arriving at 11:05
a.m. Roads were flat, with no hills. Shoulders were narrow, but traffic was
light enough for it to be no great problem. There was a light to moderate
head wind. The temperature was in the 60's. There were thunderstorms last
night, but no rain yet today. I put on sunscreen here, first time on the
trip. I hit the NC line at 7:00 a.m. after 18 miles. The route 13 to 17.
After a 35 minute break in Williamston, I rode another 56 miles to New Bern,
arriving at 3:40 for a snack and beverages (much needed). Temperatures in
the 70's, with a moderate head wind.

The roads were fair; some stretches had a few feet of paved shoulder, some
not. There were lots of lumber trucks on the road. I deviated from 17
because of traffic and took Route 43 in Ernul and the last 11 miles into New
Bern, then returned to 17, going to Jacksonville, NC. After a trip to the
grocery store, I stopped for the day in Jacksonville NC with 172 miles for
the day.

Temperatures were in the low 70's most of the afternoon and early evening.
There were no hills all day. More headwinds than not.

Land uses were mixed, with farms and piney woods, some of it swampy. The
farms included a few cotton fields. Soil was mostly brown clay. Lots of
azaleas were in full color in the yards. Little color in the woods, unlike
VA, which had lots of dogwood and some past peak red-bud.

Mileage for trip so far is 620.
(PA 22; DC 10; DEL 23; VA 314; MD 97; NC 154)

This is my first time to bike in NC, making it my 44th state.

April 28, 2005 (Day 6)

I started out at 5:45 a.m. and rode 56 miles, stopping 2 miles past the
Wilmington Bridge at 10:00 a.m. Temperatures started in upper 40's, making
me wear my heavy shirt for the first 25 miles. Winds were light NW; a cross
wind; as I'm now headed SW.

Route 17 was pretty good and when some construction is done, will be very
good for bike riding, until the last 10 miles into Wilmington, which is very
commercial with lots of lights, turns, etc.

The land was not quite as flat as yesterday, but still no hills to speak of.
For 25 miles from Jacksonville, the Marine's Camp Lejeune dominates the
countryside. (Maybe that's why the continental breakfast at the hotel
started at 5:00 a.m.). I reached the SC line a little before 2:00 p.m. with
102 miles in NC, for a total of 256. By the day's end (around 7:30 p.m.), I
had made it into Georgetown, with 160 miles for the day.

It was the second straight day with no hills, but with net headwinds.
Traffic was heavy through Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach; otherwise
traffic was okay. Myrtle Beach had some Palmetto trees, the first that I've
seen on the road-side, though there were some for sale in NC.

Temperatures remained in the low 70's.

Three people commented on my "squirrel" tee-shirt (the 10 "most wanted" for
stealing bird seed).

Mileage for the trip has reached 780


Friday, April 29-Day 7

I was ready to leave before 6:00 a.m., only to discover that my front tire
had gone flat during the night because of stem failure. So I ended up
leaving at 6:25 a.m. I had 24 miles of good riding before my daily headwind
appeared and it became quite brisk. This was the third straight day of flat
roads, but with a head wind.

My 60 mile ride into Charleston became more than 70 miles, because I
detoured onto Sullivan Island to see the place the family is renting for a
week in June. I had my most horrifying bridge experience ever going over
the Cooper River into Charleston - two big rises and a roadway with two
traffic lanes and no extra width. Thus I blocked one of the lanes for all
but the smallest cars. This irritated a lot of people, and I feel badly
about it, but there was no alternative I could see. A police officer who
talked to me on the other side said that the "other bridge" has a bike lane,
but with extensive construction going on, which wasn't marked. Future bike
riders into Charleston will not have this problem. A new bridge was to open
in July with a full bike/pedestrian lane. But it's definitely "high rise"
and not for a rider afraid of heights.

After a 45 minute break in Charleston, I headed out on 17 again, which goes
more west than south for the next 50 miles, making my head wind more of a
crosswind. My speed also improved. In places the riding was really
glorious, as moss covered trees almost over hung the highway, and the
temperature was pleasant, etc. You live for biking moments like these!

I ended the day riding south again for 14 miles to Beaufort, again taking on
the wind.

Miles for the day were 142.
Miles for the trip were 922
Temperatures were in the 60s and 70s degrees with net head wind.

April 30, 2005-Day 8

I left at 6:00 a.m., with temperatures around 65. The sky is clear, but
big thunderstorms now in MS and AL are heading this way. I reached the GA
border via route 170 at 8:50 a.m. after 36 miles in SC (total SC mileage
236), and rode miscellaneous streets around the Savannah Airport until I hit
US 80 West, and rode on another 43 miles before stopping at noon in
Brooklet. There I had some fried chicken and black-eye peas, which I didn't
recognize, nor believe I have ever eaten before. They were good and I am
now one smidgeon less ignorant about southern food. I told them
(truthfully) that they wer the best black-eyed peas I had ever had.

Around 1:30 p.m. and at 91 miles for the day and 3 miles past Statesboro,
the first big thunderstorm hit me. I have taken cover under the front
canopy at a nearby middle school, because of the hard rain with lightning.
By 3:00 p.m. it had cleared enough to ride again and I rode until about 6:30
p.m., through Swainsboro and another 9 or so miles beyond, when the rain
came again.

Bo MacKenzie, a local off-duty law enforcement officer, asked if I wanted a
ride into Dublin (20-25 miles) and I wimped out and took him up on his
offer. He was on his way back from a fishing competition (he placed second)
and had a pick up truck towing his boat, with space in the truck for my
bike. He not only took me to Dublin, but on out to a motel, which was on an
intersection with the interstate, a few miles out of town, plus he drew me a
map showing a short cut back to US 80 North. (Southern hospitality in
action!!!!)

Miles for the day were 133
(36 SC; 97 GA)
Miles for trip now total 1055.
The winds were neutral on balance.

Sunday, May 1, 2005-Day 9

Left the motel at 6:00 a.m. and rode 61 miles to and around Macon before the
11:15 Mass at St. Peter Claver Church, a small church, mostly filled, with a
lively spirit-filled service, by Catholic standards. Our investigation for
Catholic Church locations (which are not that numerous in GA) didn't pick up
a much larger gothic-style Catholic Church in Macon, of the type that
dominate the landscape in many towns in the north, and were ubiquitous when
I biked through Quebec last year, but are rare in the South. But, the
schedule there (St. Joseph) was no better than where I went.

Afterward, I worked hard to get to my son and daughter-in-law, Francis and
Charlotte's, house in Douglasville (W. of Atlanta) by night fall. More head
winds (which shifted to the north after the thunderstorms went through
yesterday) were of no help. But, I still would have been okay if I hadn't
lost Route 92 in Fayetteville and seen my plan to get back on it failed. So
I rode some 11 or so extra miles. I didn't arrive until 9:30 pm. Their
expected baby is 9 days over due and Charlottes' labor is being induced
tomorrow, so I'll hang around a bit. Notwithstanding their own concerns,
they had a nice dinner for me and cleaned my clothes.

Miles for the day were 174
(271 in GA so far)
Miles for the trip are 1229.
Temperatures ranged from 55 to 70 degrees with a net head wind.

Monday-May 2, 2005-Day 10

The baby did not have to be induced. They went to the hospital at 5:00
a.m., with their 2 year old already at the babysitters. Francis called a
little after 9:00 a.m. with news that we had a second grandson. I went to
the hospital and visited with the mother, father and baby and we took
pictures. Then I left around 12:15 p.m., taking route 92 to the bike path
(The Silver Comet), the path to Rockmart and then Route 278 to Gadsden, AL,
where I am spending the night.

Temperatures were in the 60's all day, dropping below 60 degrees at night.
I quit riding at 7:50 CDT (the time zone changed at the AL line) with light
failing, reaching the west side of Gadsden. There were head winds that
were significant while traveling north but mainly a cross wind when I turned
west.

NW GA was hilly, except for the Silver Comet trail. It remained hilly the
first 10 miles in AL, then less hilly, especially after passing through a
town that was appropriately named "Piedmont.".

I had reached the AL line at 5:30 p.m. (EDT), but with the time change it
was 4:30 (CDT) in AL. After 62 miles in GA (333 total in GA), I ended day
the with 42 miles in AL for a total of 104 for the day. He countryside was
mostly wood pine forest; some farms with cattle in AL.

This is my first time riding in AL, making it my 45th state, and the last
new state on this trip. I still need to go to Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii,
South Dakota and Wyoming.

Miles for the trip now total 1333
(PA 22, DEL 23, DC 10, MD 97, VA 314 NC 256 SC 236 GA 333 (Sub-total 1291)
(AL so far is 42).

Tuesday, May 3, 2005-Day 11

I left at 5:30 a.m. and rode 67 miles to the intersection of Route 67 and
I-65, just SE of Decatur, stopping at 10:45 a.m. With cold weather (40's),
I had my heavy shirts just coming off now.

There are a lot of hills in Northern Alabama. The flat stretch yesterday
was unrepresentative. Biggest hill of the ride, so far was quite a steep 2
mile climb about 8 miles out of Gadsden. The landscape was mixed with
grazing fields and woodlands.

I started on Route 278, turned briefly onto 231, then took 67.

Following my Decatur stop, I left again at 11:30 a.m. and rode 54 miles to
Pulaski TN, stopping a little after 3:30 p.m. Rode routes 67-31-99-127
which becomes 166 in TN, then I will pick up 31 again in Pulaski. Around
Decatur and for about 20 miles beyond, the land was rather flat, but then
the hills resumed and continued.

There was a slight head wind. Temperature rose to the upper 60's. I rode
until about 6:45 p.m. quitting at Columbia with 152 miles for the day. (106
in AL (for a total of 148) and 46 in TN-all of which was hilly). This was
one of the worst days of the trip for hills, and my knees are even creakier
than usual.

Miles for the day were 152.
Mileage for the trip is now 1485.

Temperatures peaked out around 70, net headwind, but fairly light, plus the
endless hills at least break up the wind-somewhat

Wednesday, May 4, 2005-Day 12

I left around 5:10 a.m. and immediately encountered hills, hills and more
hills, the story of the first 75 miles of today's ride, except for a 10 mile
stretch near the I-40 crossing, which interestingly, was designated a bike
route.

Within an hour or so, I had a flat front tire. A curved piece of wire
entered by the side & avoided the Kevlar lining. While I changed it, 3 dogs
at a house about 50 yards away barked up a storm, then sat down together to
watch, more curious then anything.

Because of the work climbing hills, I stopped for breakfast in Dickson,
after just 39 miles. Then the road (Route 38) to Clarksville was actually
hillier, it didn't let up until I crossed the Cumberland River about 3 miles
from town.

In town, I got directions to a good bike shop that required a bit of a
detour, but I needed more air in the front tire than my CO2 cartridge
provided, plus I wanted 2 more extra tubes. I also had some lunch and then
picked up Alternate 41 to KY, hitting the state line at 2:20 p.m. after just
90 miles of travel (I hit the TN line yesterday, at almost the same time,
but had 106 miles by that time.)

The road in KY (and to a lesser extent in Clarksville, once I crossed the
Cumberland, was markedly less hilly, though not flat. I took one break for
a snack and reached Madisonville at 6:45 p.m.

Head winds were an issue, but weren't strong. That's 4 days in a row with
north winds. It was cool early, in the 40s rising to the upper 60's.
Sunny all day.

Route 7/46 to Dickson, 38 to Clarksville, Alternate 41 to Hopkinsville and
41 from there.

Miles for the day were 145 (TN 90, KY 55)
Miles for the trip were 1630 (AL 148, TN 136)

Thursday, May 5, 2005-Day 13

Left at 5:10 a.m. and rode 51 miles to the North side of Evansville. I
crossed the Ohio River and entered IN about 8:40 a.m. with 45 miles in KY
for a total of 100. The weather was clear and the temperature was 45
degrees. The temperature warmed to the low of 70's by end of day.

Low rolling hills all day, fewer in IN and no problems with them.

After breakfast, I rode 48 miles to Vincennes for lunch and then rode until
about 6:30 p.m., when I reached Terre Haute and quit for the day with 157
miles, the last 112 in IN. I stayed on Route 41 all day, except in
Henderson, KY where one mile of 41 wasn't open to bicycles.

There were 3 work zones in IN. On the first one, I was able to ride the
shoulder, on the other two, I detoured on old 41 on the advice of local
people. It worked out okay.

41 has a full paved shoulder, but there were lot of stones on it, making it
a less comfortable ride than it might otherwise be.

Wind was light and variable all day, call it neutral.

Miles for the day were 157.
Miles for the trip now total 1787.

Friday-May 6, 2005 -Day 14

Left a little after 5:00 a.m. another cold 40 degree morning, but it warmed
up steadily to 75 degrees by mid-afternoon. It threatened to rain
mid-afternoon, and had rained at the Chicago lakefront but before I got
there.

The big story of the day was my first net tail wind. A S to SW wind came up
by 9:00 a.m. and was with me all day. The result of the tail wind was my
best mileage of the trip, in spite of having to pass through most of the
Chicago area. Specifically, my mileage today was 192 (IL 29, the rest in
IN.)

The route was 41 to 63 in Terre Haute, which closes back with 41, 62 or so
miles later. I lost 41 for 10 miles coming into metro Chicago, because it
was turned onto a freeway. But I picked it up again and took it to the
Chicago lake front bike path (at 71st street), which I took for the next 17
or 18 miles. After reaching the north end the path, I found a motel on
Chicago's north side.

I had ridden the first 80 miles before stopping at Boswell. That's more
than I wanted to do, but roadside facilities in this area were surprisingly
sparse, partly because the road avoids the towns. I stopped again at Lowell
after 135 miles, but kept going after that so I am tired and hungry at the
end, quitting around 7:50. 63/41 in IN was all 4 lane, with shoulder
quality ranging from paved and fresh, to debris covered and full of warning
bumps. City riding from Dyer IN on into Chicago is what it is. Not much
difference from big city to big city - lots of traffic lights, usually the
lanes are wide enough, but you have to watch for right and left turning cars
and trucks. It's a grind.

The SW wind continued in Chicago which kept the lake front temperature warm,
not a small deal in the springtime when lake breezes can cause a real chill.

Mileage for the day was 192
Mileage for the trip is 1979
(KY 100, IN 287, IL 27 so far)

Saturday, May 7, 2005 - Day 15

I mistakenly hoped I'd get a second day of tailwinds, but was disappointed.
The wind had shifted to the north, and I'd have still another head wind
against which to finish the trip.

I left about 5:15 a.m. and made one stop on the way home, after 70 miles, in
South Milwaukee. The route through northern IL varied - Clark Street, which
became Chicago Avenue; then I used Green Bay Road and associated bike paths
and then mostly Sheridan Road, except for local streets in Waukegan. I hit
the Wisconsin line about 8:30 a.m., after 41 miles, and took Rte 32, into
Kenosha, was detoured onto 22nd Avenue; then took Racine CTH Y, then back to
32 to College Avenue, then to Packard, Kinnickinnic, miscellaneous downtown
streets and Fond du Lac Avenue to near home in Germantown, NW of Milwaukee.
As I finally convinced my inner self I was going to make it, a sense of
exhilaration took over the last 5 miles in spite of the wind and cool
temperatures (in the 40's) and I reached home at 1:40 p.m. after 97 miles of
riding.

Mileage for the day: 97
Mileage for the trip: 2076
Net head wind

State Summary:

PA 22, DEL 23, MD 97, DC 10, VA 314, NC 256 , SC 236, GA 333, AL 148, TN
136, KY 100, IN 287, IL 67, WI 56

Nice report! Thanks for sharing. Too bad you didn't have more time to
go exploring in Chicago - great bike town.

For your next ride report, you might want to consider:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com
Which is set up specifically for ride reports such as yours. You can
report on one page, or make multiple pages. There a place for miles
and dates too. And it's free. It's just something you might want to
consider.

My last ride report:
http://nw2005.crazyguyonabike.com/

Bob Kastigar
R-Kastigar (at) NEIU.EDU

I read and enjoyed your west coast ride report. I really should do
something about getting pictures included, as they added a lot to your
report and also to the Alaska report that's on the newsgroup now.

I've ridden the lakefront path in Chicago quite a few times - half a dozen
on through rides and a dozen or so more while in Chicago for social or
business reasons. I'm not familiar with the other Chicago trails. I'm not
aware of anything in Chicago - or any other large city - that takes you
throught the whole metro area on bike paths. It's always a struggle coming
in through the outer suburbs, whatever the major city..
wrote in message
oups.com...
Nice report! Thanks for sharing. Too bad you didn't have more time to
go exploring in Chicago - great bike town.

For your next ride report, you might want to consider:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com
Which is set up specifically for ride reports such as yours. You can
report on one page, or make multiple pages. There a place for miles
and dates too. And it's free. It's just something you might want to
consider.

My last ride report:
http://nw2005.crazyguyonabike.com/

Bob Kastigar
R-Kastigar (at) NEIU.EDU

In article , Ron Wallenfang says...

Bike Trip Report
Philadelphia-Savannah-Milwaukee
April 22, 2005 through May 7, 2005

Thanks for the report. I continue to be amazed by your daily milage.