The next ride that I am to lead

Bike log 2010 I found an error in February's input page. Column "I" should have calculated columns C to H. The corrected spreadsheet is here.

Perimeter Bicycling Assn of America I am listed for riding the perimeter of the State o Delaware and the perimeter of Philadelphia. I rode the perimeter of Montgomery county but hasn't recorded it yet.

Sunday February 7, 2010 Cross country Ski Ft Washington State Park. I made tracks around 75 percent of the perimeter of Ft. Washington Park 2.6 miles The flat area along the Railroad did have tracks. As I made tracks up from the bike trail, there is a BCP sign with its arrow pointing down to the railroad tracks area, the flat part of the XC trail. I look for voice mail on my cell and there were none. I was going down to that area when I notice the street side of the sign had a "No Parking" sign taped to it. Seem that a Jeff made Century sign was left there.

Thursday February 4, 2010. 67 miles I did the Coatesville thing today. Rode the R5 out from 30th street station. Usually I ride to Overbrook but I look for level platform now, however, the R5 docked on the north tracks and that track platform isn't raised. I have used Swede ford road the last few times for the ride to and from Coatsville. It is 10 miles more but the direct route uses roads that parallel Rt. 30 and has more traffic. The Chester County Bike Trail goes under Swede ford Road. I noticed it before and asks a BCP member who lives in Chesterbrook and he told me what it was. Today I turn into a industrial park West of the overpass and rode down to the trail. It is pave through the park but before and after it is hard pack. I tries it but there was soft spots. Below is my tracks from Delorme Topo8 map. The 10 miles extra is the loops away from Rt. 30.

The purpose for the ride to the VA for lab work. When I got there and had to pee, there was two people ahead of me, so I peed a river. I should've asked the tech for a jar, but I didn't. I don't get a request for a urine sample each time I get lab work. He did ask and I couldn't do it. I decided to keep the jar, go to lunch and bring it back. It is a 300 feet climb from Rt. 30, see below, to the dinner that I usually eat after fasting for the lab work. I decided against the climb and went to the food court at the VA. I went back to the lab and I just about covered the bottom of the cup.
I think this was the first real use of the Cree replacement for the Luexon LED . Very bright, It is too close to the tire but for my speed it was ok. 9.5 average. I will adjusted it later.

My turn from Swedesford Rd. to Chesterbrook is Duporttail Rd. I saw a French sounding road, LeBoutillier Rd. and turn into it. Wasn't long before I realized my error, but watching the gps screen, I decided to continue. Once I saw Mill Rd. I was at ease and turn back in the direction toward Swedesford Rd.

Thursday Jan 21,10. 65.9 miles 1900 ft of climbing. I left home about 8:30, must remember that traffic is very heavy at that time. Not sure where to ride, I decided on Woodbury. I arrived at Woodbury about 11:30 and had brunch. I decided that I would ride to Glassboro using Rt 553 out of Woodbury. As soon as I left Woodbury I notice that the roads weren't flat. Since the NUVI elevation isn't reliably, I had to wait to get home and upload the route topo to see the elevation. The highest is 156 feet, however, the lowest is 16 feet. 7 hours of riding today.

Friday January 15 2010

Ride from West Trenton to New Brunswick. I am working on getting routes from Delorme Topo to the Garmin NUVI. On Today route I didn't change to bicycle from car and I was on Rt 206 and Rt 27. They were doable since both has wide shoulders. However, I found that route made in Topo cam be saved as GPX. I upload this file to Mapsource and recalated the route then I could download to the NUVI 500. One advange is that Topo can create routable roads. I have to see how it is handle. I left home at 6:40 and caught the 7:18 train to west Trenton. Temperature was 28 degree. There was a overcast most of the day but it warmed up to 50 degree about the time I got home.

Monday January 11,2010

First ride of the year. I have a training route from Cheltenham to Mason Mill, ten miles with a few hills. Roads are busy enough to get the coating but very light traffic. there was only one area of ice from melting snow and it was heavy salty. Data in in the screenshot except for elevation gain of 1623.9 feet. This is gotten by opening the GPX track file from the gps or the save track as a draw file in Delorme Topo USA 8.0. and import to Topo. Then click on Profile to see the elevation gain. 28 degree when I left home at 11:30 am. I wore three layers top, wool tight and shorts on oy bottom, balaclava for head and neck and shooter gloves with flannel gloves liners. Four pair of socks, one metallic, two wool blend and a special type military sock. The top covering is the bottom of a Seal skin bootie. The bootie are air tight so the full bootie would hold perspiration, so I cut the top away. I actuality could feel sweat on my chest and back. If any one ever used Delorme map, you may remember that cue sheet made from Delorme direction had compass degree to indicated turns. I produced a spreadsheets that converted the reading to "left/Right Mario Nappa of White Clay bicycle club made micro for the program and we made it available free. Now The Topo 8.0 direction do give turns. I have learned to import GPX tracks from Garmin to Delorme as draw files.

Monday December 21, I XC skied at Valley forge. Some of the tracks were on the walking paths and were removed with the plowing of the walk way. I did find some good track away from the paths

Saturday December 19, 2009. I was reminded of my leading bike or xc ski event back in the day. One of my webpages list the events in 2000. http://www.billcotton.com/xcski.htm Saturday I cross Country
ski to the post office about 2 miles total. I was able to ski on sidewalk that wasn't shoveled at the time. The streets had been plowed but new snow allow enough that I could cross the street without removing my skis. Today I went to Ft Washington and skied one loop. about 2 miles. The sledding hill was packed and the parking lot also. I found some tracks. One set was made by a guy on Bushwack skis and his turns were to sharp for me to follow so I found another set later. One area along the tree line, the walker tracks were parallel to the ski track and not in the same tracks. I thanked the walker silently.

Tuesday December 14, 2009 Finish putting up the Christmas light about 10 am and decided to ride a few miles. On the way to Valley Forge, I met a BCP member who commuted to work. We chatted a while, since I don't get to ride with the club now. My speed is such that I either hold the group back or lose my rhythm trying to stay up with the group. Since I am the exploring type, I am always looking for new places to ride. My intention was to ride to Chesterbrook and ride the section of the Chester County trail that I notice that goes under Swedesboro Rod west of Chesterbrook. I am also tetting the feel of the Garmin NUVI 500 gps that I am now using http://www.billcotton.com/nuvi500.htm As I noted on that page, the elevation is of no use for anything, it varies + and - 100 degree in use. I ordered Delorme Topo v8. I was told that I could upload from the NUVI. I see that I can download routes but I haven't seen hoe to upload tracks. I did however upload the track file to Mapsource and open that file in Topo I then trace a route on the track overlay and recorded that elevation gain.

Friday December 4. Feels like old times riding twice in one week. Today I went to Swedesboro.
I had a ride once to a Under Ground railroad stop near Swedesboro, I went there. I did 67 miles. I did a few screen snapshots. I am impress with the 3D view. Riding on Kings Hiway I could see which side road goes through. On
the way back, I use Creek road, turn on to Park and cross Browning to King Highway after I go under 295 I see that these streets goes to Market. I use to go down to the railroad and come back up to cross Newton Creek. I would then get on Merchant street and at the "T" I would go left to Culbert Blvd.and heavy traffic. With 3D I saw where a right would take me. When I saw Crystal Lake Rd, I use that road. I miss some features of the Quest,but now I think that the 500 is my main stay.
The bicycle mount broke today. It would rotate forward as I hit bumps. My mount is on a piece of PVC, I had thought of roughing the surface but didn't get around to it. I would rotate it back without loosen the screw.
Hindsight, I see I was putting the torque on the mount. I do have a lanyard so it didn't fall off. I let it dangle with the usb cord and the lanyard hold the gps. I found a strap on the road and ties the gps to the goose neck. I think I will just drill a hold in the part with the ball and mount t to the top of my light housing.

I am being captured with the advance features.

No need to type in the stats from the ride It is here as a snapshot from the NUVI. Another feature that I am enjoying is the 3D map view

The orange lines are Frankford Ave. down and left, Cottoman Ave Right and Roosevelt Blvd. ahead. The blue lines are my track. Ahead it the go tracks and behind the arrow is the return track line. Down side is the name of the streets doesn't show in this view.. I used this features to return via a different route with less traffic, avoiding the worst part of Culbert Blvd. .

December 2, 09 I rode to Valley forge 52 miles 9.8 average. I waited for the weather report before starting the ride. One late prediction forecast rain to start about 3:30 pm. I head this and plan to return home before 3 pm. I got home about 2:30 and I looked out about 3:30 and it was raining. I consider using the Quest gps but decided that since he ride would br mostly on the SRT I didn't need elevation data and ent with the NUVI 500.

November 26, 2009 I updated the bikelog for 2010 today. I name it without space after Jack Elisa explained the reason for the question marks in the download file name. It is on my Training page

November 18, 2009 28 miles I plotted a route to Horsham using roads with less traffic. I used Jenkintown road to Easton Rd. In Willow grove I use Old Rt. 63 to Twinning Rd, making a few turns from North Hill Rd to Twinning Rd. Using Rt 63 to cross the turnpike and the Computer Rd, Maryland Rd that changes to Witmer.

November 16 40 miles, I return to Bike line. However, I found the Horsham trail that is enter from Bbylon Rd. Not far from it intersection with Limekiln Pike. The three mile trail is entered from the other end on Prudential Rd. northeast of Witmer Rd.

November 10 40 miles I bike to Montgomeryville to Bike line to pick up a cassette that I had ordered, The shop is closed on Tuesday,

November 4, 2009.28 miles A friend has a NUVI 500. I have experienced elevation change from 100 feet to minus 100 feet in less than 3 tenth of travel. I contacted and was told that the NUVI is design for speed on acquiring signal at the expense of accuracy. I loaded the laptop in the pannier and rode to Bill May. Once there we drove with both units recording. We returned and uploaded tracks from each unit. Bill NUVI had the same errors but not at the same time.

Oct 21, 2009 70 miles 9.5 average.70 miles total I planned to ride to Coatesville for my flu shot. I left home about 8 am. i rode to Valley Forge and through Chester brooks to Swedesboro Rd. My speed was a little slow and I got to the VA about 1:30 pm. I shouldn't stopped for lunch before doing the hill up to the VA. I stopped for a break on the hill. Leaving the VA I went to the diner in Coatesville and was too tired to eat all of my order, a half roosted chicken. I decided to ride SEPTA back to 30th Street station. I was rested some and rode the 20 plus miles home.

Oct 1 2009. 60 miles, 9 mps average 3556 altitude gain. I left not sure of a destination. I did Put the address of Bethie Cafe on the Perimoen trail in to the GPS. It wanted to use Rt. 73. It is doable as the BikePA "S" Route used about ten mile of Rt. 73. I rode through Ambler and West Point, the way I would have routed on the computer map. At Kriebel Road where I would make a choice between Hatfield and Perkomenville, I turn the gps routing for Bethie. It took me to Skippack use Rt. 73 for one mile I was looking for the Skippack trail that join the Perkiomen The gps had me turn off Rt 73 a block too soon on Mensch Rd. However, the Skippack trail crossed Mensch about 3 tenth mile later I cross it and rode the trail to Bethie for lunch stop. I return to the end and found it to be the Trolley Stop. There are sign that parking is for customer only. To get to the trail through the Trolley stop parking lot, But it's unmarked and you have to go to the back of the first parking lot then through a Chinese gate and over a creek into another parking area, before you get to the trailhead which is hardly noticeable, even when you get to it. To see GPX tracks of this and other trails and rides, Click on The tracks a index page open up, if your Browser is set to open files, highlight a GPX file and save it to your computer, To upload in Goggle, Do File, Open and point to the GPX file, the track lines will be in Goggle on your computer. It also can be loaded into Mapsource or Openstreet map. A map is here Skippack township map

Sept 26 BCP picnic. The Picnic was on a Saturday this year. With my duty of videoing our church services each Sunday I don't get to any Sunday events Three years I fried fish for the BCP picnic in Oaks PA. I fashion a wagon hitch for my bicycle using the wagon tong that didn't work. I loaded the wagon loaded with my fish fry gear in the station wagon and drove to the picnic area. Just pulling the wagon from the parking lot. My plans are to use the wagon hitch to my bicycle for local grocery shopping that I do about three times a week. It is one mile from home. I have walked using a shopping bag cart, Cross county skied with a backpack and dove the car. Orange Juice carton is usually the heavy item that make walking and backpacking hard.

The picnic gave me the motivation to complete the project. Details and picture on the bicycle hitched to the wagon is here. http://www.billcotton.com/BCPpic.htm It is 9.9 miles from Cheltenham to Flourtown using back roads through Glenside and Oreland. A few hills along the way . Moving average for the total trip including a test run to the market, 6,2 mph, 24.2 miles, Two miles extra as I remember that I didn't pack the thermometer and turn around to get it. I arriver at the picnic about 2:30 and the fish was being consumed as fast as it was cooked. I put the fish, whiting and Swai in gallon Ziploc bags and cover the fish with milk. in separated bags, I put two third flour, one third corn meal and baking power, Old Bay and Mrs. Dash. At the picnic I use tongs to dip the fish in to the coating mix and into the hot Canola oil at 325 degree. When a bag of mix became wet I open another bag of coating. The wet mix was made wetter and formed into balls to become "hush puppies". However, with conversation I let the oil get over heated and only made a few hush puppies. Six pounds of Whiting and two pounds Swai was fried and consumed. Profile and tracks of the ride is here; http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm

Sept 17 2009. Chester County Senior Picnic. I met Steve Trovic at the Brandywine history Museum in Chadds Ford for a ride that looped along the Brandywine creek and return to the picnic area. Five of us enjoyed a cool somewhat hilly ride and a meal at the picnic. 24 miles, 9.6 mph average.

Sept 15 2009. Car service in Trevose PA, I loaded the bike in the car for a ride in Buck county while the car was being service. Also a chance to test the NUVI handling of uploaded route. The handle was dead on I might thing better than the Quest. With the Quest all of the changes from auto to bicycle had to be changed, with the NUVI just changing from one to the other allows the route to be followed. If the mile per hour was fast for a bicycle, the NUVI asked if you wanted to change. With the Quest, I would find myself being routed on back roads because I didn't change back to auto. 24 miles 9.6 mph.

Wednesday Sept 9, 2009, 50 miles ride to Yardley I uploaded a route from my MapSource to Trenton, saved as GPX. The NUVI followed giving turn by turn voice directions. The forecast was for spotted rain, but I manage to complete the ride before the rain came.

Thursday Sept. 3. First ride with the NUVI 500 One feature of this gps is screen shot.

Save a few key strokes in this report. The ball socket bicycle allow movement of the gps, I will work on a solution. Otherwise, the I can settle for the uses on the NUVI in place of the Quest. The ride was to Yeadon to visit a friend. I use the Cobb Creek Bikeway to get to his house. To make more miles I follow the bikeway to the airport. A sign at on the Bikeway at 61st Street reads "Start of Cobb Creek Bikeway was there before the path was paved along the creek and under the rail line. The bikeway (on road section) starts at 70th Street. One sign was missing a right turn on Lindbergh Blvd. At 84th Street and Bartram Ave. Rt 291 connection is with the E Route signs. On Rt.291 I saw four pieces of camping gear. I wasn't able to carry it and I thought that if was missed the bike tourist may come back and find it. If it is still there the next time I am in the area I will get it and post to the web.

I went back today and two of the four items were gone. I retrieve two pillows. A third item was in a small stuff sack and seem to be a Kelly bug net. The fourth stuff sack and a collapsible umbrella was on a bridge about three tenth further west on Rt. 291. I didn't stop to inspect that those, however both were gone today.

My butt was ok on this ride. I thing a perfect storm of old bicycle shorts, seat too high on the touring bicycle and the heat cause my problem on my bike camping ride..

Tuesday August 25. I uploaded a route to Coatesville for my VA appointment. I had accepted a 10:30 appointment and SEPTA trains schedules was a bad mix, arriving at 9 :15 and 10:15. I plan to leave home at sunrise and ride the 40 miles. About 10 mile into the ride, the gps gave an estimated time of arrival of 10:15. I turn around and rode home to drive to Coatesville. I rode 20 miles that day. My intention were to come home and ride more miles, but the new gps, NUVI 500 was on the door step when I got home so I started setting it up.

Wednesday August 19, No riding yet, I was scheduled to ride to Coatesville for lab work prior to my exam next week. However, my butt is still a little sore. I goggle "Saddle Sore" and came up with answers to every thing that went wrong on the ride last week. Beginning with shorts that I had worn on a short ride a few days previously and the seat being one inch higher that the road bike. I was asked about the 134 mile trip when I met a BCP group
at the Bait box restaurant, if my butt get sore. I answered that yes but the euphoria over comes the pain.
Why reading the saddle sore pages I cut this quote;
"Since endorphins will minimize some of the ischemic discomfort, an individual will likely remain seated longer thus inflicting tissue damage." These are a few WebPages that I visited;

Below are the tracks from the 2009 camping, 174 miles, 20 were on the ferry. I use public transportation from Dover DE to home. DE Dart but to Wilmington and SEPTA train from Wilmington to Philly.

Monday August 10 to Wednesday August 12 2009, I left home at 7:30 am, I haven't rode my touring for two year. The seat seem a
little high but I didn't change it. I should have, I got a sore butt. Sunday was a washout, I left at 7:30 Monday for Bellplain. The thermometer on the bicycle read 100 when I stopped at the Burger king in Buena NJ. I cool down an consider going in from the east through Woodbine but the gps showed it was longer. I left Bellsplain about 7 am Tuesday, looking at the ferry schedule, I had to rush a bit. When I got to Lewis I saw that Cape Henlopen was another 16 mile south. I had the GPS plot to Killens Pond instead 30 miles and toward home. I stopped at a fast food on Rt. 1 0utside of Lewis DE to cool down, less than 5 miles of riding. the weather was suppose to be cooler, but it was still hot. I rode about another 5 miles and I saw a private camp ground. 30 dollars and water and
electric on site. I pulled in for the night. I put up the tent, laid down. I got up about an hour later and ate dinner. I was really feeling the sore but. I have a FM radio from the Dollar store, I heard the weather report for thunder showers, The plan was to ride to Luns Pond, near the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, about 60 miles toward home. 7 am I was on my way, Once in Milford I decide that I would head for Dover and the bus. By this time I was lifting off the seat when ever I coast. The gps routed to Dover, put me in the capitol complex. I remember the bus station being in that area but I asked a guy on a street bike and he was going that way and led me to it. The attendance ask if I could unpack the gear. I told him that it would be tough. He said since school wasn't in session I should be ok. The bus arrived about 5 minutes after I got to Dover, but I had to wait about two hours for the R2 train Willington has a roll-on for Track 1, It in made out of wood and seem new, glad I didn't have to roll the loaded bicycle up the train steps. I got to 30th street station at 3:30 pm, the cut off time in 4PM to bring bicycle on an outbound train. A train to Fern Rock was due at 3:45 PM. A train to Cheltenham was due at 4:03. I decided to use the Fern rock train, It was late but I was able to get on before 4PM. I felt bad as I blocked three seats, When I got back on the bicycle I thought I would have to walk the bicycle home, but I endured the pain and was glad I didn't have to ride further. Several people asked if I was riding across country? I said no but it take the same gear for one night or a month. The solar panel kept the battery topped off, it let me use the back light continuously. I did more point to point routing than ever before, with the GPS. Previously I planned all routes on the computer. The GPS sees all name streets as local roads. An example is Rt. 130 in Jersey. It is named Crescent Blvd. and I have to route around on the computer.

Sunday August 9, 2009, Light rain at 6 am, thought that it would clear by 9am. I drove Margaret to 30th street station and on the return at 8 am rain came down in buckets. I decided to wait until Monday to leave, not only the possible of rain, but no sun for the solar panel. My GPS wasn't getting power and I could see only one day of use. I fid print out the cues and have maps of Delaware and Maryland. I thought that the power problem was because of the usb power adapter. I search the web and stores that had then only sold on the web. I reason that the super Wal-mart may have them. It did and one with a duel 12 volt outlet, so I can charge the cell also. I found a broken wire on the wire that adapter the usb adapter to the gps base. I repaired it and now I feel ready for the trip. I may cut across from Cape Henlopen rather than go south from there.

Saturday August 8, Above ready to go with solar charger. I don't plan any night riding so the battery will be for the Phone and GPS. I may leave the cell on longer now.

Friday August 7, Below is my route for a three day camping trip. Sunday August 9, 2009. I plan to leave home about 9am and ride to Bellplain State Park near Woodbine NJ. Monday I will ride to the Cape May Ferry and camp in either Cape Henlopen State Park or Delaware Seashore SP. Tuesday it is Pocomoke River SP. Wednesday it is either Tuckahoe SP in Maryland or Killens Pond SP in Delaware. Thursday it is Luns Pond in Delaware or home. It has been about four years since I last camp. Dehydrated food in sold in the supermarket now, GPS are greatly improved, I will upgrade to a NUVI when I return. My Quest is acting up so I will print out all maps and routes that I need. I plan to only turn my cell on from 5 to 7 each evening 215 559 2910 I do have a solar panel for charging but I don't expect an outlet to recharge my battery.

Wednesday August 5, 2009 Plan to ride to Trenton, Trevose road was close because storm damage. I turn on Summerton and made a loop through the northeast. 25 miles

Thursday July 30, I left home heading toward Phoenixville. I decided to ride to the Bike Line in Montgomeryville before I got there. I rode to Ambler and picked up the BikePA S route. I follow that to Horsham Rd. I return staying on Horsham road to Cedar Hill road and then Tennis Ave, 28 miles.

Friday July 24 and Saturday July 25. I did my ten mile training ride from home in Cheltenham to Mason Mill park. On Saturday I did a loop to Huntington Valley CC, to add another hill. Friday mileage was 26 and Saturday was 20 miles

Saturday July 18, 2009. 71 miles, 9.9 average, 7.2 hours of riding. I left home with plans to ride to Trenton and return via the Jersey side. Rt. 206 and Rt. 130 are the only road that goes south from Trenton to Bordentown To avoid these road, I have to travel east to Yardville. I have done this a few times. Once using Rt. 130 for about a mile. On this ride, I set the gps to find the next town and route to that town. This ride on the Jersey side missed Rt. 130, but I miss Florence also, and the river road under the Turnpike.

Tuesday July 14, 2009 32.3 miles 9.4 average I left for a trip to Loews in Plymouth meeting for a toilet flap. Half mile from home, a bad shift on a uphill and the rear derailleur cable broke. I carry a spare of each, brake and shifter. My first thought was to return home for the repair, but it is a hill, so I decided to replace the cable at that spot. Realizing that there is only one Allen key needed, I index the brefter to see the cable head, then I removed the old cable, slid the new cable in and under the locking screw. Once tighten, I was on my way. Faster that a flat repair. Now to replace that spare cable. I had lunch at Ikea and return home without another incident.

Thursday July 9, 2009 82 miles, 10.2 average 8.1 hours of riding. I rode in the direction of Reading. Pottstown was a choice, but I decided on Spring City. I got on the SRT in Spring Mill and use it to Phoenixville. Between Phoenixville and Spring City,

I had a wheel rebuilt last month, the old one had a spoke pull out. Since I didn't want to miss riding a week, I bought a ready made wheel from Performance for 90 dollars. I went back to the Bike line and got the cluster for the new wheel. I plan to use that as a spare. So when I got the old wheel back I put the cluster on it.
Yesterday I rode to Spring city using the SRT I notice that I was having trouble with the chain jumping on the middle cluster rings. I have a small free wheel tool so at lunch I remove the wheel to see if the nut was loose. Seem that I have a spacer misaligned and the nut was tight but the there is play in the cluster. I was chicken to take it apart 40 miles from home when I return home I did the repair.

I has intentions of meeting the ACS pre riders on Saturday on their return from leaving their cars at the ride finish. We had a cook-out Friday for visiting relatives and it tired me a bit. I did wakeup at 4 AM but decided not to ride, instead, I went to church with Margaret. A interview was being conducted for a new pastor. Turned out that the candidate uses PowerPoint in his sermons and I am the only one at church that handle the display screen. Had I not bike Thursday I am sure that I would've rode Saturday. The candidate reported that he is into healthy living, goes to a gym and is looking to buy a bicycle. I said to the church, hire him!

Saturday June 27, 2009 134 miles 10.9 average, 12.3 hours moving time. Bob Paradise listed a ride from Swedesboro to the Bait box restaurant in Greenwich township. A metric century, 64 miles. Since my Salem century ride goes through Swedesboro, I made plans to meet bob group and ride with them. I left home at 5:30 and met another rider on the way. The ride was slower for a few reasons, so I call Bob to tell him that we would pick up the route on Kings Highway. After 48 miles the other rider was feeling a cramp developing so I lift the her at a bus stop in Swedesboro. ( I called when I returned home and she is a public transit convert, plan to consider using transit to meet rides when possible.) I manage to connect with Bob group at the restaurant. I keep Margaret in the bicycle loop often by visiting the restaurants that I visit on my rides. Tuesday is out 56 marriage anniversary. I plan to go back to the Bait Box Restaurant using the same cue that I used for the ride. viewing the same scenery that I did on the bicycle. I realize that I was very close to down town Greenwich. On Ye Greate Street is a monument to America's first Tea dumping, before the Boston Tea party. Also a Underground Railroad stop that I documented here. NJ3 Looking at the map of my track below, Greenwich on the Cohansey River, just before a western bend in the Delaware River Allowed for a faster trip over land. This area was a busy port at the time of sailing ships.

Saturday June 13, 2009 100.2, 10.9 average, birthday ride. How wet can one get on a bicycle, riding in 4 hours of rain? I was out to complete the ride to Spring Lake that I miss last week. The weather report was for rain later in the day. Somehow I took that to mean 7 pm. My plans was to ride the West Trenton R3 from Jenkintown. Due to track work, Elkins Park Station was closed. I never timed the distance, it s ten minutes to Elkins Park I arrive at Jenkins town station with a few minutes to spare. The route through Princeton is the best so far It join my old route at Cranbury NJ. Both goes through Englishtown and Monmouth Battlefield Park. Parts of the park is in Freehold township. Arriving in Freehold, I asked the gps to find a Wawa. On was a mile away, however to get there I had to use a ramp to Rt. 9. I gave up on that and decided to have lunch in Spring Lake. I load the route for Spring Lake and found that it would have me use Rt.9 for a few blocks. The old route use Rt. 33 which becomes a 6 lane road but not much traffic. When I tried route around Rt 33, I fail to notice the Rt. 9 inclusion. I decided to go northeast for a while, I saw a red line on the gps that looked doable. That road turned out to be Rt. 537, very busy. With 51 miles I called it a day and headed back toward home. In Freehold I stopped at a Mexican restaurant A little spicy but good. About 10 minutes from there it began to rain lightly. I hit a rock and got a flat. I stopped under a tree and change the tube in completely dryness. It rain that way for about two hours. Later it got harder, by time I got to Princeton, the rain was solid. The puddle splashing on my sandals was like a warm foot washing, I remove my glasses to see better. Traffic was light, the rain was warm. (I didn't have any rain gear, I thought of the rain gear as I was leaving home but dare not go back for fear of missing the train). The train schedule is one per hour I set the "Trackback" function of the gps to the West Trenton station and base on my average speed it gave me a time of arrival. Far out it would read between 5:00 and 7:00. I had another flat, this time it was around the vale stem, I failed to use the ring nut when I replace the tube. By now it seem that I would catch the 6:58 train. As I got closer to the station I was seeing a 4:45 ETA .How wet was I? I gave the conductor wet money and the puddle under my seat would fill a water bottle. But that was because of the touring shorts. I bet with only biking short, there wouldn't be a puddle. I felt good riding in the warm rain. I would never leave home when it is raining but getting caught in a warm rain is a hidden pleasure, No rain, no rainbow. I have to bring a zip lock for the wallet the next time.

Saturday June 6, 2009. 53.4 miles 11 mph average. After two encouraging email from biking peers. One say how he enjoyed the Spring Lake ride. That post reminded me of the pleasure of riding the area. I decided that I would do that ride on Saturday. The other post in response to my decision not to do road marking this year because of my caregiver duties. He wrote: "It sounds like your life is still full of excitement and unexpected pleasures, but of a different sort from the "old days". You are blessed,"

Time to jump on the bike and work in some Magellan type miles. I decided to ride SEPTA to West Trenton. My previous route from West Trenton, either meet heavy traffic or went through parts of Trenton. For this ride to Freehold, I plotted a route Princeton. Seeing all of the neighborhood street on the map, I was expecting a good ride. I uploaded that route from a map that had two other routes in the same area. When I call on the route, I notice that several lines were shown. Since I didn't have the computer, and the route was being followed, I didn't worry about it. However, about 10 miles out, the route made a U turn. I decided to just route to Freehold. Seemed ok until I found myself crossing Route One on Quaker Bridge Rd. I manage to cross by stopping at about four ramps and let the cars make their right turns. I follow the route into Clarksville. I stopped for lunch and notice the time of arrival in Freehold as 3:30. I decided to look for a different crossing of Route One. Old Post was on my route that was lost so I turned west on that road. I found myself in Princeton and looked for the tow path. I saw a bike ride marking and decided to follow the marking. As I pass the Princeton Country club I went into the grounds. The GPS map showed the D&R canal I went as far as cars could go. I was tempted to follow the path but didn't. I retraced back to the road that I was on and the canal was very close. (See map segment below) On the towpath, I saw the foot bridge that I would've crossed. later I could see my go tracks on the Gps and set the gps for trackback. With about ten miles to go, I saw that at the speed I was ride I would miss the train. The schedule is :58 each hour. I up the average but not enough. I got to the station at :00 and the train had left. There was a guy park with a folding chair on the opposite platform. He told me that the train had left. I took a 15 minutes ride and when I returned a senior lady and her grandson was sitting on the platform as if waiting for the train. Turns out that all were waiting to view the freight train as it passed. Another day I will try the new route and post the cue on my web.

Saturday May 30 South Philly for chicken cheese steak. I use Columbus Blvd. to Oregon Ave, for going then I return through Center city.

Thursday May 28, 77 miles Four trails, Schuylkill, Perkomen and Skippack. Skippack trail ends in Evanburg State park. I return via road to connect with the Perkomen to the Schuylkill and then the Cross County trail to Plymouth meeting.

Friday May 22, 2009, Bike to cousin Jon in Newtown for fresh caught fish. I place a lunch box cooler in a backpack, 39.4 miles.

Wednesday May 20, Schuylkill trail from Spruce street to Norristown Farm Park and return home via Townshipline road. 53.7 miles

Wednesday Mat 13 Rosenfeld Dairy. 47.2 miles I use the Pennsylvania Ave new road under the Turnpike and Rt. 309, better than using Bethlehem pike.

Saturday April 26, 2009. Phila Muriel ride led by Linda McGrane. I rode from Home to Ridge and Harts Lane. Then down to the Franklin Institute for the start of the ride. The ride was less than ten mile but some great Muriels. I return home via Tony D. steak house on Organ Ave. for a total of 49.6 miles

Wednesday April 1, 2009. Eleven mile on the bike path, should've wrote the detail down when it happen.I think a night ride with Saul and Mike.

Friday March 27, 2009. 97.9 miles, 10.2 average. On my last century ride to Salem NJ, I notice that the Salem Oaks Diner serve Shad every Friday. With the weather report that Friday is a clear day between rain before and after, I decided to ride on Friday. I didn't eat breakfast at home, expecting a full meal at noon. However, passing the first Wawa on my route, I decided to get something light to avoid bonking. I tried the flat bread sandwich. This was a meal in it self. I tried working harder to burn off some of the result. On the return home my legs let me know this was a bad idea. (I did the 48+ miles non stop after the Wawa stop, one mile from home) 50 miles for a Shad dinner isn't new for me. I led rides to Bethlehem PA for Plank cooked Shad until that ended a few years ago. http://www.billcotton.com/shad.htm Shads are a fish with many fine bones. I have heard of baking shad to dissolve the bones but the Shad I was serve seem bake on the top but the skin seem that it was grilled. There were no bones and I really enjoyed the meal. The route to Woodbury and Salem involve a traffic circle at the Big Timber River. Going on Broadway uses the bottom of the circle which is a straight line. However, return required using three quarters or the circle. I return using Creek Rd. and going through several neighborhoods to get back to Culbert Blvd. The track s uploaded to Open street Map. anyone can download the tracks here; http://openstreetmap.org/user/bcotton/traces Open street maps is digital maps that can be edited. Users can edit closed streets or add new streets. I am still learning how to show my tracks on the map. I did it once. But being able to share by download other track and load to my gps is good.

Saturday March 14, 09: 49.6 miles 10.2 average. Following a request to attend a "Open Street mapping party" on the BCP mail list, I upload a track from my files and was pleased with the results. I RSVP to attend the party. Later in the week there was a request on the list to plot a triangle route from the Ben Franklin bridge connecting 4 bicycle shop. I plotted a route connection the shops. I left home passing one shop before I got to the route on Verree Rd. The route tracks is here: Philly bike shops tracks The first shop, Bustleton Bikes, is not on Roosevelt Blvd as the address suggest, but the second row of the shopping mall. Best entered from Welsh Road. The mapping party was Near Trophy Bicycle shop. As I detoured from the route to attend the mapping party, I includes that shop. Returning to the route the next shop was in Chestnut Hill, Wissahickon Cyclery is on the corner of Germantown and Springfield Aves. I mistakenly used Willow Grove Ave and had to ride the cobble stones of Germantown Ave. for a block. Next stop was Bilenky Cyclework at 5316 North 2nd Street. The address plug in to a gps is the best way to get there! No name on the door, a dead-end street, just a sign that read "Bike Route" on the door. I uploaded this track as a trace to "Open street Map" http://www.opengeodata.org/ for a total of six bicycle shops. Every one at the map party except me are Linux users. I have uploaded two set of traces, todate. Traces are being uploaded at the rate of one per minutes from all over the world To get to my traces http://openstreetmap.org/user/bcotton/traces Russ Nelson, the leader of Saturday's party added a few of the downtown bicycle shops to my trace. While Goggle, MapSource and other maps have some of the local bicycle shops located on their maps, they cannot be edited. Openstreet maps is completely editable. Bike paths, closed streets, new street, rest stop and friendly vendors can be inserted into the maps.

March 7 Salem NJ for lunch. 100 miles 10.9 average. First century of the season.

February 28 Ikea for lunch 35 miles 10 mph. Two hotdog, coffee and a cinnamon bun for $2.50.

February 26. Plans was to ride to Coatesville doe lab work prior to a Physical. Weather report was for cool but clear. That morning there was a report of light sleet in Reading. I Left home about 8:30 bright sun. At about 9 miles it start sleeting, I turn around and got a little wet, then it stopped. I continued home for a total of 19.2 miles and droves to Coatesville.

February 9, 2009 74.2 miles, 9.8 average. I left home about 8:30 am, there was some ice on some street as the temperature was below 32 degree. I decided against crossing the Tacony bridge since it is sometime close when there is ice on the walkway. I headed for Trenton and Morrisville via Trenton Rd. The E route uses parts of Trenton Rd, so I decided to connect the E route and the S route by following the Delaware river to Washington Crossing from Morrisville. I missed a sign in Doylestown but knowing the area, I made my way to Lower State Road at the Delaware Valley College.

January 13, 2009 First ride of the year, high of 40 degree predicted, so I took advantage of the break. I rode the Trenton Road to Trenton route again. 48 miles, no other details, my gps isn't working. I was in St. Petersburg FL last week to visit a sister who is sick. I use the gps in my rental car. Yesterday I mounted the gps on the bicycle and it wouldn't pickup any satellites. I did the ride using the "Show Turns" feature when needed. I rode to Morrisville and stopped for lunch at a Burger King. This Burger King has a free computer terminals area. Cue sheets for the route from Cheltenham Tooknay Drive Park is here; From Center city to meet this route, Spring Garden to Columbus Blvd/Delaware Ave. to right on Leigh Ave. Right on Arimingo Ave, left on Castor right on Oxford Ave. and a right on Verree Rd. to join the cue.

December 31 2008 At 11 am the sun was bright and no wind. I thought that the weather reports had to be wrong, so I plan to ride to St. David for a USB cable. I have repaired my Garmin Quest power supply with a IPod car adapter. I can now use the backlight again on my rides. I got as far as Oreland and the wind started, then the flurries, so I decided to turn around. 15.3 miles for the day. IPod car adapter The set I purchase http://www.bargaincell.com/product_11723_2661.html

December 26 I decided to try a route from Mike Olszewski for Trenton 65 miles, 4300 feet of climbing, using Trenton Rd on the Pennsylvania side. Almost flat on the return following the Delaware River. Trenton Road is use by the BikePA E route for a section. I left from Cheltenham and used Veree rd and Trevose Rds. as I do for my Yardley ride. Brownville road that starts in Trosvose, as about 4 major ups and downs as it crosses the Neshamity valley. I left Trevose Rd at Somerton rd and picked up Old Lincoln Hwy and then Rock Hill Rd. to Neshamity Rd. which ends at Bensalem Blvd, then Trenton Rd all the way to Trenton. Leaving Trenton, I let the GPS guide me to Yardville, from there I set it for Bordentown. I had to ride on Rt. 130 for two miles to get to the Northern part of Roebling. Fron there I was able to stay on the river side of Rt. 130 into Burlington. On a previous ride I cross Rt. 130 a total of four times. I log a total of 3022 miles this year, about a thousand miles less that previous years. This year bilelog

Three short rides early in December, I rode from home to the rive drive to meet Saul and Mile for loops around the drives Dec, 3, 21 miles total. I rode to Ikea that same week to met Tony for breakfast a total of 36 miles, December 5. The next week I rode to Ikea again but stopped at Home Deport to buy a small item. a total of 37 miles.

November 29 2008 50 miles 10.4 average 3414 altitude gain. I left home about 10 am without a direction in mind. Left out of my street is Yardley or New Jersey. I turned right and to the west. I was thinking Valley Forge. When I got to Oreland and Papermill Road. A left to Valley Green and that direction, a right is Ft. Washington and Ambler. Heading for Ambler, I remembered that I heard on the news that Pennsylvania Ave is now open under Rt. 309 and the Turnpike. Previously it use 309 for a bit the continued with the turnpike exist traffic. I planned to use it on the return trip. With a goal of Rosenberg dairy, a 50 mile trip from home, I went through Oreland and Bethlehem Pk. through Ambler and West Point to Hatfield. In West Point I met a group of riders led by Jeff Bakely. I had plan to report that the Kriebel Rd. crossing over the turnpike is open, however, I think Jeff group was comming from that direction. On the return, I left Bethlehem Pk. at Montgomery to avoid the left turn at Pennsylvania and Bethlehem. Keeping to the right, there isn't a sign, I bear right just after the hotel. The road is two lanes with a wide should on each side. It knocked almost a mile of the distance. See tracks here.

November 12, 2008, 102 miles 5818 attitude gain I left home at 6 :30 am to ride to the VA in Coatesville for a flu shot. Margaret ask, why not get a flu shot at CVS, I said if not about the shot, it's the ride. 49 mile each way I was looking for a century. I had started this ride last week but a heavy dew cause my arms to feel wet, I had on a vest. However my GPS wasn't fully charge and the power supply on my bicycle wasn't working. I wasn't sure the charge on the internal battery would last and I was using a new route. Arnie Roseman made a suggestion on a previous ride by train to Coatesville and a ride back, that why nor use Whitford road and avoid Boots road and the hill that's 3 mile from valley Rd to Rt. 100 and 375 feet of climbing. I decided to make a route on the west side of Rt 30. My previous route is south of Rt 30 until Paoli Hospital. The new route swing north and uses Swedesford Rd. From the Chesterbrook to Rt. 100.The GPS route me from Rt. 100 to Whitford Rd. using several roads. At Whitford toad I could see Rt. 30 Buseness, Looking the direction of of the GPS route I see a ridge that was up hill from that point. I elected to use Rt. 30 instead. The GPS route met Rt. 30 at Bell Tavern Rd. Seem that the route didn't go very far up the ridge. I plan to use the route on the return. I arrived at the VA with 49 miles on the odometer. After lunch in Coatesville, it was after 1:30 pm. I knew that I would need light on the return trip. the GPS battery was fully charge when I left home but the Power supply is still not working. I change the GPS holder between the charger and the auto mount, but seem that the intermit is in the speaker. So no backlight on the GPS. On the go trip, I notice Duportil Drive, a roar that I use on rides that I use to do to the Blue Church off of Swedesford Rd. and rides to Rt. 29 and Swedesford Rd. Those ride started in Valley Forge and to and beyond Chesterbrook. I decided to use the bike path for the return home by turn into Chesterbrook from Duportil Drive. twilight lasted until Spring Mills I use my Barren Hill bypass which has very little traffic. I walked up Joshua Rd to Copper Beech Rd., the entrance to that complex, exiting on Hart Rd, Just below Ridge. Speaking of walking a hill, on the return route, I turn into Bell Tavern Rd. It seem that I would be a few meters from Rt. 30. Turn that I went west a bit and around a golf course, then Whitford Hill Rd. That name is well earned as I decided to walk one of the several hill before I got to Whitford Rd. I arrived home after 7:00 pm Feeling that the elevation gain the GPS recorded was more than the 5800 ft it showed. However, I did use the bike path for the return.

November 7, 2008. I started out at 6:30 am to ride to Coatesville VA, 49 mile one way, a century I hoped. There was dew in the air but cars were not using their wiper. I bike about 5 tenth mile and my arms were soaking wet. I turned around for home. About ten thirty I left home again with less dew, but still overcastted. I rode to Ikea for lunch, about 35 miles.

November 1 2008. Plans are to get more riding days in this month. Today I rode to Woodbury, 50 miles. in route, I stopped at a light and backed away from the line and the chain came off and dropped between the spokes and cassette. Unaware, I stepped on the pedal and the chain looped almost completely in-between the spokes and cassette. I walked the bike across the road and tried to pull the chain out. I needed to break the chain to get the wheel off the frame. I now use the safety link. A few years ago I made a scene when told that the LBS only had chain with the removable link. I went to another store. Later when that store chains came with the link, I bought the chain but didn't use the link. Finally, I started using the connection link. Today with the jammed chain, the replacement link was in a open position where I could easily work with it. In seconds the chain was open and I took the wheel off. I had my "Hypercraker" in the seat bag, I was able to loosen the cassette and pull the chain out od the jam.

October two rides, one 35 and one 50 miles. Not just the care giving but the video at the church is consuming. I now feed PowerPoint into the burner and on the screen that I project recorded scene and word to hymn. I made a switch box as A/B composite switch are more than 25 dollars each. I use 4 at this time. I found a discontinued model at a computer show for 4 dollars each. I bought one and it works, so the next show is Nov 15. I plan to go to the show and get four more.

Sept. 29, 2008. I left home without a destination. I stopped at the post office which meant that I went east from home. At that point I decided to explore a route to Trenton staying close to the river. I have a route that goes through Mt Holly to get to Trenton. This time I used River Road where ever it existed. After Beverly, I looked at the GPS map and saw that I could bare left and avoid crossing Rt. 130. Map tracks this link is the tracks for this ride. 85 miles Details of the ride is up on the page with the tracks. It goes under the Turnpike bridge in Florence and through the town of Florence. The route crossing Rt. 130 several times, I see on the track that Pearl Street, if open, would avoid one crossing of Rt. 130. The After leaving Florence and east of Rt. 130, I asked the GPS to route me to Trenton. Until now, I was looking at the map as I traveled and making turns. The GPS is set to avoid major roads. However, near Trenton It put me on Rt. 130/206 with no shoulders. I cross that road and made the first left, This got me further north but put me on Rt. 206 after the split. Rt. 206 becomes Main Street in Trenton, however I was in Hamilton at this time, about a block from a circle with Yardville Rd. Rt. 206 is a local road after that point. I have a route from the River Line train that use this section of Rt. 206 and then Yardville Rd. After ride into Trenton and taking a break at Dunkin Donut, on my return route, I uses that combination and once in Yardville I set the GPS to "trackback". Yardville is where the Mt Holly route enter the Trenton area. I connect with the "Trackback" and followed every turn back home. 85.5 miles. Bike log

Sept 17, 2008. I felt the need for some hills on a ride. I decided on a ride to Quakertown. Quakertown is a rest stop on my Bethlehem ride. I made a stop in Hatfield, at the Rosenberg dairy for food. It has change and has a lost of pre package food. Leaving there, I got as far as Telford and felt that I had enough hills and turn on to Cowpath road. I found more hills that is on Allentown Rd. I did get a hill workout. 66 miles

Sept. 13, 2008 I volunteered to paint the road marking for a ride that started at the Victory Brewery in Downingtown 25, 50 and 75 miles, the 50 and 75 mile routes went to French Creek State Park. I painted use my bicycle, the 25 mile route that the others route also used for start and finished. My mentor, Emerson Custus, always paint the route he designed for SCU from his bicycle. I think that it is a easy way to paint a route. 31 miles

Sept 6, 2008. Two requests for a safe route from Marlton NJ though Camden in one week, prompt me to review my route from the Art Museum to Cuthbert Blvd using the bike path along the Admiral Wilson Blvd and the Cooper River drives. I left home about noon and bike through Frankford to Delaware Ave and on to the Ben Franklin Bridge. The route was ok, however, on the return getting back to Federal Street isn't easy, follow the detail on the cue sheet. http://www.billcotton.com/Bill%20cotton%20cue%20sheets.htm

August 30, 2008 886 miles 11.2 average 7.6 hours of riding. Steve Trovic call me to get more information about the trail that branches of from the Perkomen trail at Gradiford. The trail isn't on the county or state map. I suggested that we check the township maps. Sure enough the trail is there with a download link for the map http://skippacktownship.org/documents/SkippackTrailMap.pdf I decide to do a ride that connected some of the local trail i left home about 8 am, rode to Ft Washington for the first section of the Cross County trail, then to Plymouth Meeting for the next section, connected with the SRT and rode that to the Perkomen trail. Then I connected with the Skippack trail. I was surprise to find that the Skippack trail is the same village that we have visit many time over busy roads. Leaving Skippack Village and on to Evamburg. The path enter on Thompson from the opposite direction as the Century. I left the park on Creek road. Once on Evenburg road the return to the Perkomen Train is the same as the 65 mile of the Century. My bike log for the year is here. http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm Beiging care giver has kept me of the bike for a while, However, I tried to make up in August.

August 16,2008. 84.4 miles, 11.1 mph Ride from Oaks to Blue Marsh Lake. The ride started at 9:00 am. Mike and Ralph were waiting. Both said that this was a long ride for them. We arrive at Pottstown about 10:30 am, averaging over 12 mph, fast for me. We waited until 10:50 and left. One of BCP's current member moved to Birdsboro two years ago on the trail. He rescued two of the riders on the 2006 ride and might have been needed by me on this ride. More on that later. We stopped in Gibraltar at a Turkey Hill for drinks and continue on to the Union trail. About half way on that trail, we stopped at the Heritage center and snack bar. With 40 plus mile already and more that 5 mile to Blue Marsh Lake, we turn around from there. Walt had told us that a new connecting trail just open. I have to check that out another time. He also told us that funding has been gotten for the Chester county section of the SRT. Maybe, completion next Year? The return trip bypass the Queen City Diner, we stopped at the Turkey Hill in Birdsboro. As to the need for a sag, after leaving Pottstown on Cedarville Rd. My pedal didn't feel right, I stopped and checked it and found it to be loose. I had left my small adjustable home. I rode on for a mile or so and remember that I had a small muti-tool in my pocket. I stopped and attempted to tighten the pedal but the threads were stripped. I clipped the pedal to my shoe and with the other pedal got moving, guided the stud into the hole and made good progress to the WaWa on Bridge street and Rt. 724. I found a soda can and tried to shim the pedal in to the crank. It lasted two revolutions. I continue to ride almost one pedal with light pressure on the bade side. to my good luck, from Spring City to Phoenixville is down hill, The roads I use had only one steep hill and I almost made it to the top. But the hole in the crank was getting larger and the stud would slip out. I went into a driveway to get motion so that I could coast enough to insert the stud into the crank. We made it to the Oak parking lot 7 hour 34 minutes on riding time. Map of the SRT's Thun trail section and connection to the Union trail

August 9, 2008 Caregiver since late June. last week I did my 20 mile training ride. Today I previewed the club ride that I have scheduled for next Saturday. 80 miles. I parked at Lower Perkiomen park about 11 am and return about 6:30 pm. A Schuylkill River century from Oak PA on the Perkiomen trail to Marsh Lake north of Reading. While there are completed sections further north, only the section from Phoenixville to Pottstown is not completed on the ride I have planned. My plans were to use the Gay Street Bridge to cross the French Creek in Phoenixville, that bridge is being rebuilt. One of the detour signs is for a trail detour. I followed the signs each way and going south, it ended at a fence. Going north it parallel Bridge Street and end at the river crossing bridge west walkway. I will use this trail and Main Street bridge to cross the French Creek. I rode to the end of the completed section of the trail. The trail marking, a three foot high, about 6 inches high sign post, with a number for 11 assistance are about a mile apart along the trail. The Thun section of the Schuylkill River Trail, has SRT tags on the bollards and three sided billboard at the trail heads. There is a map of the entire trail with a mileage chart, 114 miles to Tamaqua, the longest distance.

June 24 2008. My wife Margaret has bilateral knee replacements, June 16, 2008. My riding is curtailed with visits to the rehab. Once she is home, assisting with rehab three to four times per day will curtail riding even more. Today, however, I delivered old DVD of out church services to a missionary group headquartered here in Germantown but serves in Nova Scotia. I used my backpack that fold to a belt pouch to carry the DVDs to them and added a few miles. 74 miles total.

For my 76 birthday, My current plans are to start May 31 and ride a 100 mile each day that I don't have duties, which are 3 of the 11 days until my Birthday. I want to do a 1000 miles, I will see how close I come.

Tuesday May 28 36.5 miles. I bike to the church to delivery the DVDs. I left with plans to add a few miles. There was an overcast and I plan to not ride far, I decided to check out the Cross county trail for completion, since the dedication is this Saturday. As I rode on Walnut lane, I saw BCP member in front of his house. I stopped and talked for a while. My gps directed me to use Germantown Ave for 2 miles, instead I used Walnut Ave and Henry Ave. to get to Spring Mills. I tried to pass Ikea as a food stop, but didn't make it. I enter on a foot path directly in front of Iklea and used the snack bar. A 50 cent hot dog, a 50 cent soda and a 1 dollar cinnamon bun. Leaving and getting back on the path, I found the path to be completed, with opening in the Guard rain to Germantown Pike. However, There are do not cross signs on each crossing and the complex that I use has a new No Throfare sign. I cross and use that road any way to get on Butler Pike. Flowertown Road is been rerouted so that traffic on Flowertown road no longer has to turn onto Butler Pike. It crossed Butler Pike and joins Flowertown road later.

Saturday May 24. 101 miles. This ride was listed as 100, 75 and 50 miles. I announce that I would pick up riders at Cooper River and Woodbury. The ride left Cheltenham Tooknay Creek at 8 am. I arrived at Cooper River about 9:15, but since no one called, I kept riding. The route uses Collings Ave. Where Collings Ave. goes through Fairfield Village The village was have an annual celebration that included a 5k run/walk and every street was blocked, see link to map, I use the sidewalk to enter, but then use some of the curve streets to get to the other side. I had rode through the village before. but it is a must see place. There are court yards with castle style gates. I arrive at the McDonald about 11 am, I had brunch and was on the way by 11:30. Just before Rt.40 I met a BCP member who now lives in Swedesboro and was coming back from Salem on his morning ride. I arrived at the Salem Dinner about 1pm . The return included the expected head wind. Traffic was very light, every one must be conserving gas. I arrive home about 7 pm.

Wednesday May 14, 2008 64 miles. I bike to Septa's Overbrook station and then rode the train to Thorndale and bike the few miles to Coatesville. Steve and Arnie meet me on the train. We had lunch and bike home. I use a different route that parallel Rt. 30 most on the way.

Tuesday May 13, 2008. 28 miles. I delivered DVD to our church and expanded the ride to Ambler

Wednesday May 7, 2008 46 miles. I made the same attempt to fins a way around Brownville Road, using it both time to go, this time to Yardley. Leaving Yardley I headed south, follow a bile path along side several roads. I was left On Oxford Valley Road. Busy but wide shoulder in most places. I turn onto Lincoln Highway much too soon and it wasn't a easy ride. I stayed on it to Bensalem and use the same route as Monday.

Monday May 5 30 miles to Langhorne to look for a way around Brownville Road and its three hills I followed Old Lincoln Highway and found it cut off by the rail line. I detoured left and was on Rt. One for a while, it has wide shoulders, so it was doable for that short distance to Bensalem. From there the gps found back roads back to Trevose Road, that I use going to to Langhorne.

Wednesday April 30, 2008. I had planned a century for April. I was ready to ride at 6 am but there was a chill and wind factor. I waited until 10:30, having gone back to sleep. I headed to the SRT to check out the new section from Oaks to Mt. Claire. As I cross the bridge in Oaks I saw back hoe on the new trail so I went up to the next entrance.. When I rode the trail back to oaks, I saw that the back hoe was removing the mud from the latest rain. On that section, where the Perkomien trail meets the SRT. ( crossing the bridge and make the U turn.) Left for the Perkoimen and right to continue on the SRT, Heavy rain leaves mud on the trails. About a mile toward Mt. Claire, there is a detour until a bridge is put in place. In that area, about 7 tenth mile is pack gravel. I manage on with my 25mm tires, smaller tires may need to walk.

I have change my cue sheet to Reading that used Egypt Rd. from Oaks to Mt Claire. my Ride from Oaks to Reading in August will use the trail also.

April was a slow month, 262.8 mile from 5 rides. most were in south Jersey. One, a 60 mile ride was a us ride to Salem to check the feast ability of a one way ride on May 24, 2008 that I am leading. The bus allows bicycle in the under floor luggage compartment. About 10 bicycle will fit but the bicycles will bump around freely. The ride is about 100 mile from Cheltenham to Salem. Pickup along the way at Cooper River, Woodbury and Rt. 322 and Kingsway Regional School for shorter rides.

Saturday April 19, I led my listed ride to Ikea. Two riders showed up at the start, One met us in Gleenside and one more met us at Spring Mills

Wednesday March 26, 2008, 100.5 miles 9.8 average mph 24 max 10.1 hour moving time 6267 altitude gain. I left home at first light, under the threat of some rain. But I was rained on the last century and didn't melt, I decided to go for it. First encounter, at the Tacony bridge a sign was displayed that the bridge was closed. I remembered Walt saying that when the walk is close, usually because of ice, you should call the toll office and they will send a pickup. Not having the number, I rode up to the gate and it was open, next on River road, the first southwest wind I ever met. Usually it's a west wind that leave thinking that my training is working, I am averaging 15 mps. I plan a ride to Salem NJ for lunch. One of the ride that has so few turns that I don't need the GPS. (The new map program will not follow the route from the City Select map. I will use the old route as a guide and make new route in City Navigator.) The wind was relentless 7 to 9 mps was all I could muster. I stopped in Woodbury for a coffee and bum at 25 miles. After Swedesboro, I decided to leave King Hwy and use Auburn Road through Woodstown to add a few miles and get a different wind angle. The last century to Salem in early March, I rode around my hood to pickup three miles for the century when I got home. The Woodstown loop added the three miles but I remembered why I don't like that direction, it uses Rt. 45 and Rt. 45 merges with US 40 for a few blocks in Woodstown. But it was not summer so traffic wasn't that bad. Last time I got to Salem before noon, today with the wind, It was almost 2 pm when I finish lunch. On the return I hit a sharp rock. I put in a tube I had patch and as I mounted the bicycle, it was down. Questioning my patch, I pull the tube out and pump it up. The stem was leaking. The next tube held up for the ride home. I am considering leading a ride in may with several lengths and starting points. Even a one way ride and using NJT for the one way return The long haul NJT buses allows bikes to be carried in the bottom luggage compartment. A biker could ride , say from Woodbury to Salem, 25 miles and ride NJT back to Woodbury. A round trip bike ride from Woodbury is about 50 miles. Others length will be 100 from Cheltenham to Salem 00 miles, From Cooper River to Salem about 75 miles. E mail me is you are interested.

Wednesday March 12 2008. 36.2 miles 9.5 average MPH and 1897 calories. I will lead a ride from Cheltenham to Ikea in Plymouth Meeting April 19. Because I had the computer crash, I am using a brand new mapping program, City Navigator, a $75 value, free because I was unable to download the draw tool that was on my old map set, City Select. I wanted to check out the map, i found that it wanted to recalculate the route. Since I have done the route often, I didn't bother to use the gps to follow the route. Instead, I use the gps to make tracks to offer to gps user who will be on that ride. The route uses the same route as the Schuylkill Century from Stenton and Northwestern Aves. to Spring Mills. From there It is bike paths. SRT to Coshohockon and The new Cross County to Germantown Pike. I stopped at Ikea for lunch. Before I got to the Cross County Trail, I saw a new sign along side the SST. A poster with the number 202 and the words "Help Assist" for 911 calls. These sign will be on all trail soon So trail users should note the number as you ride. If you ever have to make a 911 call, this number will be needed. After lunch I used the CCT all the way to Germantown Pike. The trail isn't completes, but wide tire bicycle have use it. I got away with my 25 mm. At Germantown Pike I had to lift my bicycle over the steel road guard. Getting across to the business complex required timing with the left turning traffic. I expect a walk light to be install there. I am uploading a MapSource map with the tracks here. Ikea tracks

Friday March 7, 2008 100.1 miles 10 mph average. Rain was forecasted for 3;30 pm, i planned a 4 hour ride to get home before the rain. However, as I pedal, I decided that I would risk getting a little wet and would do about 60 miles. Once at Swedesboro, 30 miles out, I said why not do 50 mile out. This was Salem NJ at 11:30 am. After Lunch I was on the was home, about 6 miles from Salem when I felt the first drops of rain. At this time, the rain was spotty, so not bad riding since I was pretty much water proof at skin level. Just before Woodbury, with a slow leak that I try to pump up about three times, the rain was steady. I pull into the McDonald in Woodbury and change the tube. I continued in a steady but not soaking rain. I remember a steel grate bridge in Gloucester City and used the Sidewalk. I arrived home before dark but turned head and tail lights on. I am still rebuilding from a computer crash. My map program, City Select, was updated with a draw and join tool. After the crash and reloading the map program, I couldn't find the down load. I called Garmin support and after a long session, I was told that I was entitled to a free upgrade of City Navigator 2008. The disk was mailed to me with out a unlock code. I couldn't get help. I called today and the support person heard my story and talk to her supervisor and ok the unlock code and email it to me.

Friday Feb. 29, 57 miles 10 mph average Cold but clear, I header for Valley Forge via Plymouth Meeting and the bike path. my computer had a crash and much of my files were lost. I have to rebuild a lots on files. I met a BCP couple on recumbent, not letting the cold keep them from getting some out doors miles in. I have gotten only a few days on the trainer. I think three hours at the most.

Friday Feb. 8, 2008, 41.5 miles 9.8 average MPH, 4.2 hours of riding. A clear day in-between a bad one and a predicted bad weekend. It was cloudily at 7am, so a century was out. About 9 am it looked better, so I got ready and left about 10 am. I considered my training loop to Mansion Mill Park, a 20 mile ride. One at Mansion Mills, I decided to inspect the new housing Development on Byberry Rd . Sure enough, about half of the ride on Byberry Rd. is avoided

A lots of curve roads. in the two developments on both sides of Second Street Pike, they were hard to negotiate without a GPS or cue sheet. Existing, the complex on County Line Rd and a quick left on to Gravel Hill Rd, after crossing the turnpike Gravel Hill Road is a foot path to cross the Trenton Bypass railroad line, a mile long freight pass just before I got to the path. I rode to Holland and Elm St which parallels tine Newtown line that one day is to be a bike path, Fox Chase to Newtown. East Holland road to Bridgetown Rd. then Rt. 413 to Penn wood homes and return on Rt. 413 to Langhorne for lunch. A new Coffee shop on Maple St and Bellevue St. Very good. Then on to tackle Brownville Road and its four valleys, One in the Neshaminy cut, the other must be prior cut before the finally cut was made. My perimeter of Philly ride use Hulmeville Rd. I may try that another time. Continuing on Bellevue meets Hulmville Rd. I use Brownville Rd. to Trevose Rd., bypass Bustleton Ave. via a few neighborhood curved roads to Verree Rd. and home.

Monday Feb 4, 2008, Delivered DVD to the church on bicycle and made a wide loop home. 22 miles 10 mph.

Monday Jan 28, 2008 Ride to Coatesville VA for lab work. Temperature was about 28 degrees. 64 miles 9.7 average. I left home at 7 am an bike to SEPTA Overbrook station, 12 miles, rode the train to Thorndale Station and rode 4 mile to Coatesville. Since I had fast for the lab work, I had breakfast before the ride home. I had programmed a route from the VA to home but it was a route from the old GPS. I Went from memory until Malvern. I program the GPS to get me to home. I crossed the main line RR and followed streets on that side. At Paoli Hospital I picked up Central Ave and Varied from the GPS route to avoid Lancaster Soon I was back on route at Old Lancaster Ave. A few rolling hills, as much ad 600 feet at times. The route Took me to Bruno at Germanton and Northwesters Aves, but then wanted to use Germanton Ave. A doable route, but I turned the oute off and use my regular route from Bruno's.

Saturday Jan 19 2008. 28.8 miles 9.8 average. Seem like a cold day for a ride and I was scheduled for a meeting at 3 pm ant the church. About ten am the sun was out pretty bright. I decided to ride to South Philly for a chicken cheese steak lunch and return to the church in time for the meeting. I planned for the Tony Luke place at Front and Oregon Ave. Since it is enclosed. However, customer were line up out of the door. So I bike on to Philip Steak at 22nd and Passyunk Ave., open air but pretty good also. I Went via Delaware Ave. and Columbus Blvd to Oregon Ave I return via 22 St. through center city to Girard College then 19th street. arriving at the church at 2:55 PM. Leaving the meeting on the way home I saw this bicycle light in my rearview mirror. At the stop light, I learner that it was a hub light. John had decided also that it was a good day for riding, he and a couple of pals had also decide that 25 degrees temperature was a good day for riding. We talk a few minutes about lights and riding destinations before I turn left on 5th street and onto Oak Lane Rd. then Ashborne Rd. As I was dismounting in my driveway, John passed. I forgot to ask his directions, I wondered did he go to Second St. and then New Second St. or worst yet to Front Street and its hills? Maybe he just followed the same route that I used but slower.

Tuesday Jan 15 and Thursday Jan 17, Trainer one hour each day, 17.3 and 16.3 miles on those days. Since the tine is the same each time, the miles depends on my average speed.

Saturday January 12, 2007, 52.1 miles, 10.2 average, 3981 calories. I rode from Cheltenham to Rosenberg Dairy in Hatfield PA. A head wind on the way out, I thought that I could up the average on the return but it didn't happen.

Thursday January 10, 2007, 15 miles, 10.5 average 1082 calories I delivered a DVD to our church and return home via East Falls. Since I added the calories counter to my log, it if clear that a higher average speed burn more calories. The same ride on the trainer with no altitude gain, produces more calories for a lesser time. 1.4 hours on this ride i hour ride on the trainer at 8.3 average shows 1266 calories.

Monday January 7, 100 miles, 50.1 miles out, , and turn around. 10.6 average, 9.4 moving time, 6947 calories I have 34 routes on my Quest gps. I am working on finalizing the Trenton to the Shore route. One day an abandon rail line will cover most of the route. The section from Alliare State Park to Manasquan and Spring Lake are completed and off road now. I have a desire to make a second route from home over the TP bridge. Today, I use an old route to Mt. Holly to get from the TP bridge to cross Rt. 130 on Cinnaminson Ave. Church Rd. is one of the branches off from this feed system. once in to Moorestown I use 3rd st. paralleling the railroad tracks. Where 3rd street end, I turned right and got on Rt. 537 and was very near the start on the Grounds of Sculpture start point. (This route and more about the Ground of Sculpture can be found below on this page.) I combine this route on my gps that goes from Moorestown to "Ground of Sculptures", a ride scheduled for this spring, with the Trenton to the Sea route. The routes intersects in Yardville. I followed the Ground of Sculpture route from it start in Moorestown, through Mt. Laurel, Mt Holly, Jacksonville, Chesterfield and Crosswick. The route uses many of the same roads as the Princeton Event. At one intersection there were no less than 10 different road marking. Different color PE marking A large "A" with 100 under it. different color wheel chair, Smiling face with an arrow and large arrow with no other Id. Surely these are bicycle friendly road. One road, Mt Pleasant, had been milled last fall when I was on it for about two miles. Today it was all new with a wide, for me, shoulder. about 6 t0 12 inches. very little traffic. I connected with the Trenton to the sea route by turning on to Old York road in Crosswick and seeing the route line on the next road to my left, on the gps, I turn on to that route at the first connecting road. At the 50.1 mile point, I turn around and set the gps to "Trackback" With voice command, every bend in the road was reported as a turn. However, full turn were report with more details. I don't plan to post this route on the web, there isn't a way to know if the cue are being used. Email me if you want a copy.
I have a beta bicycle log that uses a lookup table to get a calorie count. I have a input for altitude gain and 1/4 of the gain is applied to the calorie count. ( my choice) It also has a input area on each page and a weight reference number on the first page. I am still working on it. January log on my training page shows some of it features.
A dumpster diving experience today was a result of looking down at my chain and seeing all brown. I forgot the ride I did in a mist, not really rain about two weeks ago. I was about 20 miles into the ride. The first gas station I saw I head for its dumpster. The first two oil container I fished out was bone dry, digging deeper, I found two that had oil left in them. The chain now look like it need a cleaning, next project.

Thursday January 3, 2008 One hour on trainer, 18.3 miles and Saturday January 5, 17.7 miles, one hour on trainer.

Tuesday January 1, 2008. One hour on the trainer. 14.9 miles. The sun came out before noon, and I considered getting on the road bicycle. I didn't so I will have to make up the miles on the trainer.

Friday December 21, 2007. Weather prediction of drizzle later. I planned to get in about 50 mile before it start. 36.9 miles ay 9.9 average, 30 miles in a light drizzle. Earlier in the ride the drizzle was like a fog and not very wet. I rode to Lawnside NJ and at that point the streets were wet. I turned around with about 18 miles and at tine the drizzle was rain. My winter riding clothes kept me dry, only problem was my glasses. I am working on 2008 bikelog with a lookup table for calories. I have assigned altitude gain to add 25% to the calories count.

Friday December 14, 2007 First ride for a while, however, almost every day on the trainer for one hour. 58 miles 10.2 average. I rode to Ikea for breakfast. Tony was there and he rode on to Valley Forge with me. I rode to Oaks to see if any process was done on the extension to Mont Clare. No work has been done on the eastern end. However, the cross county trail has two new bridges crossing the Plymouth Creek. The one is at the base of the blue route and the second one is at Germantown pike. Seem that the path will cross Germantown pike at Street level.

Tuesday November 27, 2007 Continuing on the trainer, I now have 274 miles on the trainer Odometer, one hour each day for 19 days. I have lost more than ten pounds. I have two more week of the steroid eye drops for the cataract remover medication, my blood pressure log still have reading as high as 157/96 some times. Most reading are in the 130/80 or lower. I was talking with an old adventurism friend and the American Discovery trail across was mentioned. I goggle it and it gave me a new interest in my cross country trip. The trail still has holes in it and I can see helping then to complete the mapping with gps tracks.

Wednesday November 21, 2007 Continuing from last Thursday, I am on the trainer one hour every morning. I have loss over ten pounds and my waist is about a inch smaller. I found these old DVD at the dollar store and on it "American Flyer". I found my self upping the cadence along with the exciting scenes in the movie. I am pedaling exacting one hour each day. With the cycle computer, when I stop pedaling the stop watch stops, so the time stop. I input this in to my bikelog. The caloric count I but in to the Altitude gain slot. The number, from the cycle computer, seems to relate to the average speed. Since I ride one hour the distance also relate to the average speed. The lowest being about 14 miles per hour and 18 miles per hour, the highest. I was on the road bicycle a few times, I just added the extra mile to the training on those days. One night ride with Saul, a prolific spinner, I found that I could almost keep up with him while spinning.

Thursday November 16, 2007. Since the last post, I have acquired a training stand for my touring bicycle. Complete with cycle computer and DVD player. The log is on the training page. Other than three short rides, 23 miles twice, and 45 miles to St. David computer store, the rest of the miles are from the trainer. I am riding 1 hour each morning and find that my spinning has improved. 128 miles since the report below. The cycle computer has a calories counter. The steroid eye drops need after I had cathartic removed, contributed to elevation of my blood pressure. I have depended on riding to maintain a normal pressure, however, one a week riding wasn't controlling my pressure. Hence the trainer. The reading are much lower since the daily training. Hopefully, after the need for eye drop is over, I will continue the one hour of training. The calories counter seem to only consider miles, speed and time. Most of the calories counter on the web ask for weight also. I would like to see elevation gain factored in to the value.

Wednesday October 31, 2007 78 miles average under 12 mps and most on the SRT. I visited this web page in reference to the completed Cantilever bridge on the SRT trail over the Perkomen creek. http://trails.montcopa.org/trails/cwp/fileserver,Path,TRAILS/SchuylkillRiverTrail/PowerPoint%20Presentations/OAKS%20PEDESTRIAN%20CANTILEVER%20BRIDGE%20PICTORIAL%20(WEB%20pps).pdf,assetguid,b12b9a43-d405-4836-a2152a633db0c37f.pdf I wanted to see if the cantilever extension took away from the view of bridge's Arch design, not much. The arch isn's covered at all, and the extension is very thin. I left home after 9 am this morning with plans to have breakfast at IKEA. I got there after 11 am and settle for a cinnamon roll and coffee. I called Steve Trovic and we met at Betzwood and talk for almost an hour. Since my pace is slower I haven't been on many group ride this year. One of the reason that I lead ride is to ride at my pace. But I didn't lead any ride this year. One from Woodbury was weathered out this Spring. I did a few preview rides, but for one reason or another, I didn't list any rides. One that I plan to list next year is to the Grounds For Sculpture The Museum is only 6 miles from the Trenton Riverline and SEPTA stations, so not a long ride. From the Trenton to New York trains seated on the right side going north, one of the Sculpture, about 20 feet tall, Named "Sprit of Freedom" is on the web page above. The Museum has a fee to enter. The ride from Moorestown is about 60 miles. Today's ride was to Otts to view the Mums display. I have two mums post in my driveway and they didn't do as well this year. I use 4 inches pvc post. I checked the post size at Otts and his is 8 inches. The Mum display has peaked and some has faded. It still is a worth while view and I would considered a ad hoc ride for November 3th or 10th. Today before I got to Otts, I planned to eat at Bethie's Cafe. The marquee sign said that due a fire the cafe is closed. I went on to Otts with plans to eat at the steak house closer to Rt. 113 on my return. To my surprise renovation had been done. I went in and ordered a sandwich. while I was eating another customer ask for the dessert list. The waitress read off 'Mom Chocolate cake" I said hey you are Bethie. Yes she told me, and that her Son had just open this place as "Tommy Mo's Steak shop and Family Restaurant". The address is 340 Gravel Pike Rahns, PA. The plans was to continue serving breakfast and lunch at the old place and dinner at the new place. They serve all meals here for now. I asked about access from the trail. She said that just walk straight back to the railroad bed and turn left to the main trail where it make a sharp turn. She plans to put a foot bridge over a shallow ditch. The path isn't beaten down yet. so you have to walk through the weeds. She plan to bring the bike rack up to this place soon. The ride home finished with about two hours of night riding. A pleasant surprise was the number of home and yards decorated with lights. Some neighborhood sported as many lights as the Christmas season. Many had open fires and parties. Reminder of Peter Odell's Winter Solstice parties in December and a large fire in his back yard.

Sunday October 28, 2007 Same training as Wednesday. I am working on miles, my total is just over half of my last year total with only two months to go. I feel the different in many ways.

Wednesday October 24, 2007 20 mile on my training loop, home to Mansion mill park. This loop has an elevation gain of almost 1800 feet in the 20 miles round trip. Tooknay Creek Pky. and Jenkintown road shoe 45 feet elevation and about 3 mile into the ride in Abington the elevation is 230 feet. the rise is slow but it is a good train ride.

Saturday October 20 2007, 39.2 miles. I left home heading toward Montgomeryville. Two miles from home when the chain over rode the rear cog and jammed between the spokes and the cluster. I carry a "no longer available: Hycraker cluster remover tool." However, without the chain it wasn't usable. I mounted the front wheel on the rear drop outs using the skewer from the rear wheel. I have a piece of verco securing my pump that I was able to securing the rear wheel to the frame and I then was able to roll the bicycle home. Once home with my tools I was able remove the cluster and was back on the road. While I was gone, Performance called and said to pickup a tube. I made that my destination for the day.

Wednesday October 17, 2007 37.4 miles. Rode to Idea for Breakfast, 2.11 dollars including coffee. I use the bike path from Spring Mill to the Cross county path and also the completed section into Ft. Washington.

Monday October 15,2007 41.9 miles. I rode to our church to deliver the DVDs and from there I rode to Montgomeryville to return a bad inter tube. The clerk refuse to replace it so I left and email Performance head quarters.

Friday Oct 12, 2007, 37 miles Northeast section of Perimeter of Philadelphia, I look for a way to avoid Pine Rd. I turn right on Welsh and use Veree to Red Lion and found my self back on Pine. I followed the cue and the Franklin Mills bypass and back on the cue. I rode south to Castor and came home from there.

Saturday Oct, 6, 2007 60 miles 12.7 average. I had a goal or doing a 100 miles, 33 loops around the drive since I need to put drops in my eye at four hour interval. I started around 7 am and after 30 miles I stop at home for the planned break. I went back out at noon and rode another 30 miles. I decided to call it quits and it was getting hot. I finished wit a total of 60 miles. The first 15 mile I was riding at a 15 mph average, however, the average continue to drop on each loop.

Wednesday Oct, 3, 2997 Tooknay loop 16.7; 13.4 average, 5 loops around the drive.

Saturday September 29 2007. 65.6 miles 11 mph average. I am continuing my Ground for Sculpture plans for a ride. The GFS is only about 8 miles from Trenton River Line station. I plotted a route from the new shopping center in Moorestown to The Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton NJ. Rt. 130 is the direct route, so to avoid Rt. 130 the route veered east but I want to not use Rt. 537 east of My Holly. To my surprise the roads used was replete with bicycle road marking for various club rides. Princeton event, a P with an E under ir in about four colors, an A with 100 under it and about four others shapes and arrows. The town of Crosswick was having a Fall festival as I rode through. it I arrived at the GFS about 2 pm so I didn't pay the 10 dollars entrance fee. and tour as I needed time to get back to Moorestown. I had to ride on about a mile of milled road each way, to avoid the milled road on the return would have required using Moumouth Rd and that section is busy. , so I suffered the milled on the return also.

September 25 and 26, 2007. 3 mile trading loops around Ashborene Rd and Tooknay Drive. 15 miles each day.

Monday September 24, 2007.34.6 I only have 170 miles this month so I made my Monday delivers on the bicycle for a total of 34.5 miles today.. I made delivers of DVD to our church and continue to Henry Ave. and down Shawmount to the bike path. I used the cross county trail to get to Chemical Rd. I stopped to inspect the new construction of the trail. A bridge is being built across the Plymouth Creek alongside the Blue Route. the pillars are in place. However, I am looking for Spring before we can use this section.

Saturday September 22, 2007. I started at 6:30 am riding loops on the three mile loop around Tooknay drive and Ashborne Rd. I rode 15 mile before breakfast. My intention was to ride about 30 miles on two Lehigh Wheelman club route that I had loaded into my gps. As I was leaving home it began to rain. My main reason for going to Allentown was a computer show to get printer ink cartages, a third of the price. The unexpected rain followed me to Allentown. When I left the show, the rain had stopped but it was still overcastted. I drove to the the park to start the ride. The lot was empty. I decided not to ride I returned home and did another 5 loops for a total of 30 miles.

Saturday September 15, 2007 I was drawn to ride the perimeter of Philadelphia today. However, the morning showers allowed an excuse not to start early. I finally left home about noon intending to ride about 30 miles. There is a close road, Dupree St. that allows the route to avoid a left turn onto Bustleton Ave and a right on Trevose Ave. Bicycle can ride around the barricade on Dupree to Lindenhurst St. and cross at tie light to get on Trevose Ave. Also A Franklin Mill leg needed to be checked. This section, 2.5 miles, avoids almost all of Knight Rd. The Left turn leaving Franklin Mill requires attention, but otherwise this is a better ride. Knight Rd need to be use for one block for a scenic ride through a pretty neighborhood and wooded area along Red Lion Road to Frankford. Today I use this section to check the traffic of the "E" Route. Traffic lane are good here. I rode pass the point that the "E" route turn left on Linden Ave. I rode to Pennypack trail to get back home with about 30 miles as planned. I left the trail at Ryan St. and arrived home with 30.4 miles

Saturday September 8, 2007 78.7 miles, Perimeter of Philadelphia. I did a Perimeter of Philadelphia, it is recorder here; Perimeter Bicycling Assn of America That ride was a century, as it was an outside perimeter today I rode a perimeter where the route stays mostly inside Philadelphia. This map has both my route and my tracks for this ride and is an inside Perimeter I started the ride in Cheltenham PA and use Central Ave east of Cottman Ave, Pine road and Philmount to Byberry to Trevose to Southampton Rd. to the Bybery complex. Many of these roads I have traveled to other ride. (My Yardley ride from Cheltenham get to Tresvose Rd. from Verree Rd). After crossing Rt 1, it is Dunking Ferry Rd and later Knight Rd. A busy road but a wide shoulder lane. I leave. Knight Rd. without going through Franklin Mills and head through a section of great homes and winding road that seem more like North Jersey than Philly. Soon I am on State Rd. for a few blocks before I turn off to Linden Ave. to use Torrisdale Ave. I expect to see signs for the E Route. Seem that it use Rt 13 out of Bristol down to Linden Ave. and then Torrisdale. I follow the E route all the way to Bertram Ave. and 84th street. (Except for a few turns, this is the same way my route was carrying me.) As I turn on to 84th street, I see a sign for the Cobb Creek Bikeway. I turned my route program off to follow the bike way. I will make a cue to post on my Philly area bike trail page. The Bike way uses roads for about 3 miles until it get to Cobb Creek Parkway. I expect that a few of these signs will go missing soon. all of the sign were all there until I got to 70th Street and Elmwood. From previous ride I expected a turn from Elwood to 70th St.. I made the turn and looked back and there is a sign on the other side. The paved path start at 70th and Cobb Creek Parkway and goes until 63rd and Market. I suggest Spruce St. as a place to leave the Bikeway if one is going to center city. My route was through Yeadon and Upper Darby, at this point, 63rd Street in the Boundary until Market Street.. After an ice coffee at a new Dunkin Donut on 63rd street, I turn on Haverford Ave, a few blocks later and rode to City line around Morris Park. (Philadelphia is anchored with parks on most of is corners). At Haverford and City Line Ave, I rode the side walk for. four tenth of a mile again to cross a rail line near 63 Ave. I rode the side walk for a block. and another rail line at 50th St. for a block. From there it was through the park and the Falls Bridge. From Kelly Drive to where I left the bike route at Shawmont Ave. I was riding in the opposed direction as the SRC rider. Port Royal is the city boundary in this area but Shawmount is less steep, however, I walked the last two tenth mile to Eve ave.. Ridge is not as friendly as most ride on the ride but doable. After Northwestern Ave. The route was to use Stenton Ave to Flowertown and Montgomery Ave. However, I divert and use my regular route from home to Bruno's I think that the mileage and elevation are the same The climb elevation for the ride is 5,188 feet. E mail me for the map with tracks and route. I will post the cue sheet soon..

Saturday September 1, 2007, 24 miles. On a previous ride to select a route from Trenton to Freehold, I use State street. In the area of the old Trenton Fair grounds, I notice large sculptor, art pieces on both sides of the highway. Today I went back with a camera and posted some pictures. on the page in the last line of this section. I was able to goggle the name. http://www.groundsforsculpture.org/exhibit.htm

Comprised of nearly 250 large-scale contemporary sculptures, Grounds For Sculpture includes works by renowned and emerging American and international artists. The outdoor exhibition grows by approximately 15 sculptures annually. Outdoor works are selected to augment indoor exhibitions, to add new artists to the sculpture park, and to work in conjunction with the landscaped environment.

Most of the sculptures on exhibit outdoors are displayed courtesy of The Sculpture Foundation, Inc., a charitable foundation that collects works of art by American and international artists. The Foundation supports Grounds For Sculpture by lending works for exhibit in the park. Sculptures in a variety of styles and media, including bronze, steel, stone, wood, concrete and mixed media are represented.

However; I couldn’t find pictures of the sculpture on State Street. I have those pictures on this page. Grounds For Sculpture

Sunday August 26, 2007 41.8 miles i rode from home to meet the spin-off. It has been a long time since I rode with Tom Will. Tom does a great job passing new riders up the level. Today I saw Dennis Shelling, leading the D group. Another example of a good job of bringing new riders in to the riding family. We left the Art Museum with nine c riders and the group had a great riding experience I left the group at Bruno's and rode home from there.

Saturday August 25, 2007. 102 miles I plotted another route to Freehold, Old Trenton Rd. has heavy traffic and no shoulder in most of its length. Today I use State St out of Trenton to Quaker Bridge Rd. Quaker bridge Rd is almost as bad as Old Trenton Rd. Another Route is underway. All goes to Cranbury, this route I use today uses CR. 615 and is south of Clearbrook. I left home at about 7:30 am and caught the 8:36 River Line train in Palmyra. This train is very popular with bicyclist, there was six waiting at that station, each car has three bicycle hanger. The walk on vs. lifting at most SEPTA station. (Cheltenham Station now has a walk on platform) A passenger showed me how to turn the front wheel on an angle to prevent swaying of the bicycle. I left Trenton on E State St. As I got to the industrial area of Trane and Congoleum Tile factories There is art along the highway on the order of Philly' Cloth Pin. One a twelve foot horse and rider, something about Freedom, I have to go back with a camera, also a 8 foot high tooth. At least tem piece on State street, Klockner Rd. and Sloan Rd. After going on the other side on Mercer County Park on Quaker Bridge Rd. to Village Rd. The Ride was better, very little traffic. This ride didn't go into Cranbury but the center is a few blocks off route. I Arrived in Eliglishtown with about 30 miles and decided to ride to Freehold. In freehold I switch to the Monmouth Battle Loop I used WAWA store located and marked a WAWA on CR 34 but I couldn't find it, but a Dunkin Donut did appear in Colts Neck NJ. A break there with 52 miles I decided to use my track back. I arrive in Trenton about 6:30. When I got off in Palmyra I needed mt head light. I arrived home about 8 pm. I am still perfecting the Capital to the Sea route, so email me for the latest cue sheet. Current route are on the Monmouth County pages.

Steve said that he knew that 28 miles isn't my type of ride, that I will probably bike out to Monmouth Battle state park and ride from there. I did; I rode the first West Trenton train this morning. This cue took me south to Rt. 33, then to Englishtown where I stopped for breakfast, the park is a few miles from there on Cr 522. the cue used Old Trenton Rd, not good but I've done it a few times before. It did want to send me through the gated community of Clearbrook. On the return, I stopped in Cranbury for a late lunch

Monday August 13, 2007 12.6 mile from leaving the car at the dealer. Free shuttle is available, but why miss a chance to bicycle. I picked the car up on Thursday, Only 11.4 miles as I found a foot path to the connecting roads behind the dealer on Street Rd.

Sunday August 12, 2007 45.2 miles, 12.5 average. Three miles train loop around my neighborhood. Plans are to ride a century on this loop. Today, I started at 4:30 am and rode for 10 loops, 30 miles. I was planning to ride after church, but there is a auto show and Tooknay Creek Drive is close until 5 pm. I went back at 7:30 and road 15 more miles. Tooknay training Loop

Saturday August 4, 2007, 37 miles at 9.7 mph. This is the Musikfest ride date. I didn't list it this year, only one person, Elaine last year. She met me in Quakertown and rode one way. Her speed was more than mine and she waited for me on top of several hills. I panned to ride this year alone. That the problem with solo ride. I listen to the weather report and decided not to ride to Bethlehem today. About ten am I decided I need to ride some where. I turn right out of Rolling Green still haven't decided about the time I got to Gleenside to rife to Ft. Washington and see the process of the trail. Once there I decided to ride on to Ikea via the SRT and get on the Cross County trail. On the Schuylkill River Trail just before the fork to the CCT, some one yelled Major Taylor, I looked around and another biker was wearing a different color Major Taylor jersey. I told him that my jersey was from the New York club. He said that his group is local and that they do a (A ride and the Sea Gull ride. I got home and Goggle Major Taylor, but no local clubs came up, New York and Pittsburgh clubs that I am aware they exist. As I reach the end of the completed trail, I notice a back hoe working in the area that the trail will continue as it crosses Germantown Pike. The section in Ft. Washington Park is completed. A sign at the Rt. 73 and Mullica Hill Rd. list the distances to Flowertown Rd as 1.5 miles and to Stenton 2 miles. A unmarked fork goes to Bethlehem Pk..and Mill Rd. The trail in Ft. Washington is about 75 percent black top. the rest is packed gravel and clay. 25mm tires are ok on this surface.

Saturday July 28, 2007. Capitol to Shore, a proposed trail to lint with the 30 year old trail that now goes from Allaire state park to Manasquan I have a cue sheet from Freehold to Allaire State Park that parallel the proposes trail that will use a abandon rail line here I left home to ride Rt. 524 from Trenton to Freehold. I rode to Palmrya from home and use the River Line to Trenton. I use S. Broad Street to Yardville where I picked up Yardville Allentown road, Rt. 524.This road goes from Yardville to Spring Lake with a Spur to Manasquan.

Friday July27, bike to see Jim McGrane. in rehab. Jim wasn't in his room so I left a biking paper that I brought. 10 miles total from home and back through Pennypack park.

Saturday July 12, 13, 14, 2007 Three mile loop around Ashborne Golf Course and Tooknay Drive. 15, 24, and 36 mile at an average speed of 13 mps plus.

Monday July 2, 2007 Spring Lakes revisited. Freehold to Spring Lakes to Sandy Hooks to Aberdeen to Freehold. 75 mile loop using about 30 miles of completed bicycle paths. I arrived at the Freehold end of the Henry Hudson trail about 10:30 AM. I parked on a side street. I parked my car on a side street near the south western end of the Henry Hudson Bicycle path. I followed a cue sheet I made that closely following the rail tracks of the proposed extension of the Henry Hudson to Allaire State Park and connection with the Edgar Felix trail that begins there and goes to Manasquan NJ. A branch also go to Spring Lakes. My Cue crosses that rail line several times. At Allaire main entrance I enter the Edgar Felix bicycle trail. I rode to the end in Manasquan. There I saw signs " Capital to Coast bicycle trail" My heart skipped a beat, I have to goggle this when I get home. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_to_Coast_Trail OK, another promise. Seems that the only section completed to date is this trail. I rode back to the fork to Wall township and Spring Lake. I cross Cr 524, (all of the street crossing has solar power flashing lights that is active by a push button) and look around the park complex where the trail end. I came back to Cr 524 and rode into Spring Lake. I follow my cue to Atlantic Highland where the Henry Hudson trail Starts. The Cue follow the shore and neighborhood streets. Most of the beach access were private or beach pass. Often I would see a narrow path with a sign, "Pubic beach access". In the town of Deal ther ia a casino. on the beach. Maps and more comments of the ride are here. Monmouth County

Saturday June 23, 2007. Spring Lake NJ from the new Moorestown shopping center on Rt. 537. 115.5 miles 10.8 average. Channel 3 Thursday's weather is broadcasts from a Jersey shore point each week. a week ago the broadcast was from Spring Lake NJ. In my need to do a 100 bicycle ride each month, I want to keep the ride interesting by riding to different destination or at least a different route. When I saw the scenes from Spring Lake, I made a route and cue sheet for my GPS. I posted the cue sheet on my web pages http://www.billcotton.com/Bill%20cotton%20cue%20sheets.htm

I didn't get the wheel from the bike shop until Friday evening, (see last week incident below) mounted it and tweak the adjustment, replace the rear derailleur cable that broke when the wheel came off the frame, (I carry a spare in the seat bag). I made a short test ride and made plans for the ride to Spring Lake. Saturday Morning, loading the bicycle in to the station wagon, I broke my homemade GPS mount, (I was proud on my mount on top of the Luxeon light). I went back in the house and got several postal rubber bands.. I drove to Moorestown for the start. I arrive about 7 am. I rubber banded the gps in place and engage the route function. Since I use a 12 volt system on the bicycle, I turned on the backlight on the GPS. As I traveled I noticed that I was only getting beeps and not voice direction for my turns. After about 5 miles I stopped to check for connections by turning on my light. It didn't come on, I wasn't getting external power to the GPS. I turn the back light off on the GPS and notice that the battery gage wasn't full , I had doubts that the GPS power would last the full day and I didn't print a cue sheet, I promise that I would always carry a cue for this reason. I continue the ride. Very little traffic on the roads that was chosen, However, My routes to these Ocean County point, Pt Pleasant, Lakewood and Lakehurst also goes through New Egypt as this route to southern Monmouth county does. Those route all started from West Trenton Regional rail station and traffic is heavy for the first 5 miles I prefer not to drive at all, but I think I will use this start for now.

The route to Spring Lake was the same as a Lakewood ride to County Line road. There it goes straight on Bennett's Mill Rd., cross I 195 three times and enter Allaire State Park. A bike path start in the park. The path cross the Garden State Pwy and parallels Cr. 524 spur. Explorer that I am I consider checking to see if the path went in my direction. I marked waypoints on the GPS each time I would see the path along the road. I promised that I would use the path for the return . Arriving in Spring Lake I was pleased with its beauty. I bikes around and cross the lake. Leaving, to the north I saw MS road marking. I decided to follow them to find food, mindful that I was +50 miles already, I pedal on for about a mile or so and was almost in Belmar. I turn back and found a Subway shop on the main highway. A couple saw at my BCP jersey, asked if I had rode from Philly. I answered yes. They mention the bike path along the way, that it was only 6 mile long. I told then that I saw it and plan to use it on the way back. The path form a Tee. That I would cross the leg that goes to Wall Township turn left and right when I reach the main path. The path ends in the State park to the west. I have to return another time and ride the two section that I didn't ride. From the web i read that there are plans to link with the Henry Hudson trail in Freehold to the north. The ride home was quiet and the GPS battery still had a charge when I reach the car..

Saturday June 16, 2007 I bike over to Bruno's to do the C ride with Margaret Lenzi leading today. I agreed to sweep. However leaving the bike path at Cochochen, I shifted to a lower gear and stood up about the same time. Being cleated in, I tried to get another revolvoution to un cleat. the result was a rear wheel pretzel. I told Margaret and the group I would catch the train. Doug alerted me that since the gate was down, the train in the other direction would be coming soon. The gate was down for the east bound at that time. I called a friend who cane and got me.Having trashed my rear wheel on the ride My first impulse was to pickup another wheel. After a night sleep, I thought why not build a wheel. I have a home machine shop with dial indicators, retired with more time than money and I have respoked my wheels before by replacing one at a time. First step getting the same rim, Mavic CXP21. I couldn't find that rim listed on Mavic site or any other web site I surfed. My question is which rim is close to The Mavic CXP21. I found Mavic CXP22 and CXP 33 listed in several places. The other listings for Mavic have names. I located a Mavic MA3 with grommet eyelet at a LBS. Silver all over. I
bought a spry can of black paint. I will mask the sidewall and paint the eyelet area. I've downloaded Shelton Brown's wheel building instructions, removed the spokes and hub from the old rim; So after the paint dries, I will begin the wheel building. After putting all of the spokes in to the MA3 rim, I receive this information from the rec.bicycles.tech news group; Effective Rim Diameter ERD of CXP21 is 601.5 mm If you can find a replacement with same or close ERD you can use same spokes. Too late. Anothe response from the news group gave me the Mavic US phone number 1 888 GO MAVIC. A call to then and I was told which rims were the same and to use the hub and rim that I had, different spokes has to be calculated. I went to Guys to get the correct spokes and while they were counting the spokes out, I figured with two days lost, I would let then build the wheel.

Thursday June 7, 2007; 156.6 miles, 11.5 average and 13. 6 hours on riding. Undecided on what kind of birthday/solstice ride to do. I have consider a few options, but I settle on planning a 200 mile in one day ride as I did for my 69th birthday ride. On this ride as I got to the Pleasantville/Somers Point bike path with 75 miles, I decided that a 150 mile ride, double my 75 years is ok for this year.

Usually, for the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, I did a loaded bicycle camping trip for more than five years. Interest wane after a few years. So I have given this ride up.

I have been exploring a eastern route to Cape May A map with both route is here The new route goes through Moorestown, Mt Laurel, (Mt Laurel State Park), Eavesham Township, Medford Village, Medford Lakes, Tabernacle, Washington Township to Egg Harbor. The route is 5 miles longer than the Western Route that Goes through Lindenwold, and Hammonton but far less traffic. Lots more black flies and bugs as it goes through the bog area of the Pine Barren. Route 563 is the Canoe rental road for the many lazy streams in the area. The area in loaded with camping sites both in State parks and private, many camp site are along the streams. This new route uses roads with less traffic than Tilton Blvd below Rt. 40. At the circle of Rt. 563(Tilton Rd.) and Rt. 646, The southern end of the airport, the route leaves Rt.563 and uses Delilah Rd and Fire Rd to get to the Pleasantville/Somers Point bike path. I explored the Pleasantville end of the bike path The section from Dolphins Ave. To Ridgewood Ave. was paved since I was last on this trail, however, the Bridge over the Rt. 40 is still closed. I returned by plotting a route by the AC. reservoir and found a less traffic route to the AC Airport. I arriver home at 7:30 pm having left home at about 4:30 am.

Wednesday May 23, 2007. More searching for a Eastern route to the shore. Currently I have routes to Pt. Pleasant, Asbury Park, Lakehurst and Sandy Hooks to the north and most point to the South Jersey Shore points. However, I never bike to Long Beach Island. I have drove there to fish often. Wednesday I drove to Moorestown Mall, parked he car and loaded the 56 miles route I plotted to LBI. There was some traffic on Church Street and about the same on Church Road. Rt 541 was also light. One in Medford, there was one car every 5 minutes with bile lanes much of the way through Tabernacle and Chatsworth. One on Rt. 72, Straight as a western road and a full width breakdown lane for about 20 miles, until the Garden State Parkway. Could be boring for some, but there was some rolling hills. The elevation is over 200 feet at the highest point. a profile and map is on this page. http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm The causeway from Beach Haven West has a very narrow shoulder, so i turn around and found a great seafood restaurant on a local road that parallels Rt 72 to the north. I had 50 miles at that time, so I started my return. I want to do a ride in the area, maybe in the Marlton Medford Lakes area.

Thursday May 17, 2007 Speaking of trails, I did some trail recon today: Work hasn't started on the
Oak's bridge crossing the Perkeoimen. However, I use the Audubon Loop to see how it is. The connection from the Pawling road parking lot is seamless, using the sidewalk on that side on the road. Not a bad way to go, the 9%
grade is down hill going west. I looped around and use the Oak's bridge to return..
I used the Cross County trail both going and returning. While the trail currently ends under the Blue Route on Chemical Road, I leave or entering the trail at the traffic light and use Chemical Rd. to Germantown PK. Going north I go straight through the office complex, bare left and exist on Butler Pk., Then follow the Schuylkill century to Stenton ave. Cross Stenton and Flourtown Rd. becomes Cricket and enter the Ft. Washington State Park section of the Cross county trail. 75% paved as I rode today. Two sections, between the golf course parking lot and Valley Green Rd about 0.1 mile and
in the park just before the end at Militia Hill Rd. The last section that I rode the asphalt was warm, So I think that the paving will be completed very soon.
(You can turn right on Stenton to Valley Green Rd. and the start for now.)

Saturday May 5, 2007, 100.1 miles 11.1 mph. Cheltenham to Marlton and on to Atlantic City. My intention was to follow the last ride to Marlton them open the new cue in the gps to AC. Previously, I was asked for a route from Marlton to Philly and this led to another vista opening up to explore. South Jersey from east of Rt. 73. Still a project in work, About 5 or more rides until i get the cue sheet I want to post. One branch will go to Long beach Island. When I got to Marlton I found that I fail to load the route from the map. I plotted the gps to Egg Harbor but it used Rt. 73 for most of the route. I have a route from Lakehurst to Cheltenham and I notice a hidden feature to reverse a route on the gps. It involves bring the route up, move the pointer to "Show Turns" then press the menu button, and a menu comes up with "Reverse Route" as one of the options. However, this will only follow waypoints that you put in the route, and the original rout need to be reloaded from the map to be used again. So I headed toward Lakehurst, I only want to ride out 50 miles and going al the way to Lakehurst would be 60 mile out for a 120 mile total ride. Soon after I left Medford, two guys in a van ask me to stop. Turns out they was Sagging for three friends on bicycles. They had left Westville NJ this morning as a senior class project at Gateway High School. They are riding to Long Beach Island. There they will stay with with friends over night and tomorrow the friend will take the bikers to Sandy Hooks by boat where they will ride. The van will meet them and drive back to Westville. They showed me the local newspaper with a description of the trip. They are sending a video to You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l90GF1cYxpI As many of you have heard me say that I ride for health and today with my allergy kicking up and there was a slight chill in the air, I return home after a mile to get glove with fingers. However, after talking to the young bikers, I got more pep in my pedaling. The should remember the trip for the rest of their lives. I turn around at Rt. 72 and The group at stopped at Chadworth Lake and two of them were fishing. I stopped and chatted with the bicyclist for a few minutes more and continued my return through the lakes of Medford. I wouldn't be surprise to learn that these guys form a touring service, one day. Fact that they plotted the same roads that I use is proof enough:-)

Wednesday May 2, 2007. 50.7 miles 10.3 mps Cheltenham to Marlton NJ via Palmyra NJ.. I was asked for a route from Marlton to Philly. What better way to answer than to ride the route and make a cue from my tracks.. I had considered using Marlton as a stop on a century. However, the weather prediction was for morning showers. It was overcastted earlier. About 10:30 the clouds cleared, so I plotter the route to Marlton and started the ride. http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm More details of the ride and route is under the map on the link page. From Marlton to Haddonfield, I uses many of the same roads as the ACS ride in reverse. The route I like best after Haddonfield to the BF bridge leaves Haddon Ave. and uses the Cooper river's Park Drives and the bike path along the Admiral Wilson Blvd.

Thursday April 26, 20 miles 11.3 mps, on my training route to Mason Mill Park and back.

Saturday April 21, 106 miles , 11.8 mph. I reload the tracks for Freehold. For you gps user, you know that tracks are "Bread crumb", designed to be used to reverse a ride. I wanted to repeat the ride that started at the West Trenton regional train station, go to Freehold, use the Henry Hudson paved bike path to Aberdeen NJ and goes from there to Sandy Hook NJ. When I ask the gps to track back, a line appeared on the screen that followed all of the streets that I had used on the last trip. It expected me to have started in downtown Trenton where I finish the previous ride. The gps continued tried to redirect me to the first start. ( There are program that convert tracks to Route around, also I could've made a route close to the track line on the computer) However since a route would not use the bike path is the reason to use the tracks. The previous ride was a figure 8 on the tracks. As I was following the track line, I turn the speaker down to nor hear the direction to make a u turn, I notice that the gps was now following the tracks. I turn the speaker up and those directions were also telling me where to turn. I then realized that I was now reversion the route. No problem, I would now go to Aberdeen first and return to Freehold. At the figure 8 crossing I would then follow the line to downtown Trenton. CR 3 cross the Henry Hudson Trail near Rt. 79. I had seen this paved trail on previous rides to Sandy Hook and made a mental note to explore the trail. Now I know the trail I turn into it and rode to the northern end in Aberdeen. I use the streets to get around to the Train station. Left on Stillwell, right on Orchard, Left on Park Ave. Right on Broad, Right on Little Left on Atlantic pass train station, Right on CR516, Right on Gerard. Left to start on train on Broadway. I continue on the trail to Keansburg to have lunch at a Subway sandwich place there. and stretch the ride to a century. I met a large group on of riders that turn out to be a scout troop. The Subway was out on business co I turn around planning to have lunch at the Stewart Rootbeer drive-in where the trail crossed Rt. 79. At the break in the trail in Aberdeen there aren't any direction to continue. I was setting my gps to plot a route to the trailhead that maybe better that the route that I use earlier.. The leader of the Scout troop ask me if the trail continued. I told him it didn't but they could follow me .as I track back to the trail. Just before the turn to cross Lake Matawen, the Scout master said that the parent was meeting at a ball field on that road. I said that this was the only bridge over the lake. He was planning to join the trail below the lake. Thinking that I would ride with them to Freehold, I didn't get to tell him that to get to Freehold you have to use Rt. 79 for a mile and quarter, again no signs. Those turns going south: trail stops at Station Rd. Left to Rt. 79, Right on Rt. 79 for 1 and 1/4 mile. First Left. after CR. 520 Newton St., Left on Maywood Dr. Right on Allen Rd. to trailhead. The trail is complete to the junction of Rt. 537 and Rt. 79. I hope that the scouts was able to ride to Freehold, I follow my tracks back from there to the track cross over on Rt. 33. From there I followed the track line to Trenton Transportation center. A Riverline train was waiting and it was standing room by the time it pulled out. I got off the train at Palmyra and arrived home with 106 miles and 11.8 average,. higher that most of my rides lately. Map with tracks is here http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm

Wednesday April 11, I loaded the tracks for Freehold but it was colder that I expected, so I did a short ride to Idea and return home, 37 miles.

Wednesday I left the car off at the dealer in Southampton and rode to Newtown to visit my cousin in Newtown about 15 miles.

Tuesday March 27, 2007. I left home at 7:15 am to preview my ride for Saturday April 7, with the intention of being back about 5 PM . I got to the Tacony Bridge and the chain skip was so bad I return home to work on the bike and maybe called it a day. I replaced the new chain with the old chain, I had installed a new rear cluster but I think that I had made the new chain too short, the old chain is longer, so, I figured I would make sure what the problem, ride maybe 10 more miles. I got to the BF bridge and decided to cross and check the streets in Camden in case someone want to do 60 miles, I will be doing 80 miles.

Monday March 12, 2007 72 miles, I had planned to proof the above ride by doing a century today. However, everything that could go wrong did and I finally got underway at 9:30 from a planned 6:30 start: Ready to leave home at 6:30 this morning. Cold weather bike clothes in the hamper from a short ride a week and half ago, battery on the touring bike down, left the GPS on all night when I change to Atlantic time to get it to read right, it was down also. Plug in the boat charger to the gel cell on the touring for half hour Rode 5 blocks to the Post Office came out and the GPS is off means that the voltage is less that 9 volts. Came back home to get the road bicycle. It is a maybe, since NiMH self discharge and I haven use it since November It has enough power for the GPS but I wouldn't need lights. Rode to the first up hill and the new chain is skipping. Thinking it was too long I remove several links. Didn't help so I return home, noticing that it was only the granny gear where the chain jumps. I laid the chain beside another and took more links out. I decided that it is a bad chain ring and I would do the ride without using the granny.

I cross the Tacony Bridge and use my regular route to get to Cuthbert Blvd, after crossing the Cooper River, I turn right on Copper River's West Park Drive. to Browning Rd. and to Collins Ave. Collins Rd takes me under the Walt Whitman Bridge in Gloucester City. Then It Broadway to Woodbury. My return. led me back to Browning Rd and West Park Drive, but I turn left on West Park Drive to get cross the rive at Rt. 30 and cross route 30 to get to the bicycle path that follow Rt. 30. I use the path to Federal Street. Major road changes around Cambell soup area. I had to feel my way but I got to the bridge. I will have a cue from the Art Museum if any one want to do the longer ride. I could cone by the bridge on the way, the distance is about the same from Cheltenham. See My Training for a map of my tracks today. http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm

March 1, 2007, 60.1 miles. Long time since the weather permitted riding the bicycle. I did do i day of downhill skiing on Feb. 9 and from the ice/snow event of Feb. 14, I went cross country skiing on the three following days The surface had a hard surface that was barely skiable, I did ski the the bicycle trail from the park entrance to Valley Green rd. since the barricade was laying down on Thursday. Friday I saw truck tracks and found that the barricade was up righted so I skied, so I skied the ski trail that circle the park, about 2.5 miles. Today I hope to ride the bike trail but it is still snow covered. I use the Park road to get to Joshua and used that to Spring Mill. I rode the SRT to Oaks and on my return I use the Mid County trail, still not pave in the middle section for about .3 mile. I had lunch at Ikea and return home via Oreland.

The cross county trail goes from the Schuylkill River Trail in Conshohocken through Ft. Washington and beyond. Another section is almost ready to use from Stenton and Valley Green Rd to Ft Washington State Park or Bethlehem Pike and Mill Rd. This section is hard pack and not paved however. Tracks from my 22 mile ride today that used the trail are shown on the maps at the bottom of this page http://www.billcotton.com/Ft%20washington%20trail.htm

Today I had planned to use my Ikea for lunch route to check out the trail extension that Charlie Brant alerted me to. I reverse it and enter the SRT at Spring Mills. Just pass the Conshy train station, pass the condo that are being constructed. There is a hill that takes you over a bridge. Bear left before the hill. A small Jersey barricade is in front of the path, easy to get around.

When I reach that point today workers were putting up a kiosk. I rode pass and to Valley Forge, figure if I had to dress with all the layers, I may as well get more miles in.

On the return the workers were gone so I turn in. Not much snow, what was there was soft. It was pave for about half mile, then gravel for two tenth, the work is to be done since the manhole covers are raised. then pave again to the street it cross to get on the side walk section in front of Ikea. I had lunch and rode home. I get off the trail before Loews and walk across Chemical Road to the right lane. I stay right to Germantown Pike. At the light I got in the center lane and cross into the business campus. I Stay left and came to Butler pike and the century route, turning off Butler Pike on to Flowertown road.

This ride is a sure bet for a Ikea for lunch this spring, or Cracker Barrel. Hopefully The leg between the SRT and Chemical Rd. should be finish as well as the Ft. Washington State Park trail starting at Stenton and Valley Green Rd. The section that is to run through the Fitsimmon estate could be delayed as Mr. Fitsimmon heirs decide if they will allow the passage of the trail.

I logged 50 miles today, half day ride. I am sure that Ice would've been a problem earlier and later had I rode the century to Spring Mountain on the trails. The unpaved trail that I saw at the Ft Washington State Park Trail had more snow left on them, I bypass that trail on my way to Cheltenham.

January 10, 2007 First century of this year. I missed riding on Saturday when the temperature rose above 70 degrees, as it was raining at the time I needed to start, 5 am. Wednesday the temperature was 32 degree at 5:30 am when I started my ride from Cheltenham to Pt. Pleasant NJ, 65 miles one way. The ride cross the Toney bridge and hugged the river to Beverly NJ. The GPS routed me through the town of Burlington, avoiding Rt. 130, with about 8 turns in a quarter miles. Once on Burlington-Jacksonville Rd. that change names to Jacksonville-Jobstown Rd. then Sailor Pond Rd. into Wrightstown and New Egypt With out a turn. From Cr.528 spur to Cr. 528 out of New Egypt The route continue to Lakewood. and 51 miles. The wind was at my back and I could not pedal fast enough on my touring bicycle to keep up with the speed on the flats. It was like going down a steep hill. I stopped at a Wawa for lunch at 10:30 am. in Lakewood. I decided not to continue to Pt. Pleasant, realizing that I will have the wind in my face on the return, and did I! I Would pedal hard going about 7-8 mph and the wind would let up and falling off a crest of a hill, rather than rest I would pedal just as hard until the next bust in my face. Stopping to rest more than a few times, I continued back on the same route using "Trackback' on the gps for the many turns in Burlington. I had a flat in Delanco, Sand in a previous tire cut. Time for a new rear tire. The cue is on my web.

December 18, 2006 second century this month. Total for the year is 25 centuries. and 5 75 miles rides. I left home at 7:15, the sun rise was at 7:16, however, light wasn't needed with a bright dawn. I decided on Salem, it is 47 miles from Cheltenham. I can come back along the river and add about 10 miles. I plotted a route that stayed on River Road to Federal St, then tenth St to Collings Ave.. Collings Ave. goes under 676 and ends in Gloucester City. This route bypass Broadway in Camden. However River Road before Federal is seedy and congested. With evening traffic, I decided not to return on that route and add miles by using Cuthbert Blvd for the return. I face a fierce head wind going and felt like turning back more than once. Today route use King Highway from Gloucester City to Salem. After Swedesboro, King Highway has little traffic and where it crosses Rt. 40, there is a Ice Cream restaurant, a Rosenberg type, named Richman ice cream company. I am thinking listing a ride from Woodbury to Woodstown next year. Liver and onions in Salemand anothe look at the over 200 year Oak tree across from the Salem diner, with 47 miles on the odometer. I got back to Collinsgs Ave. and decided to go to Colbert Blvd, to make more miles. I turned on to Browning road from Collings. It ended at West Park Blvd. A right turn and about a mile to Cuthbert Blvd. To my surprise, the distance is the same. I arrived home at 6:30 and 97.5 miles. There is a training loop of about three miles that pass my house. One loop and I recorded 101 miles. .http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm my log is here, also you can download the 2007 bikelog.

December 15, 2006 have pretty much abandon my road bicycle. for many years I rode a touring bicycle with a front bag that carried every thing that I felt the need to carry from extra clothing to spare part and tools. While the road bicycle increase my average speed by more than 2 miles per hour, it demise was when i used it on the savage Century and walked at least 5 miles total. I bought a new chain and tried to switch rear wheels. Possible a longer rear derailleur would work, but for now I am riding the touring bicycle wit the front bag. My GPS that I use on all of my rides, a Quest 1, has an internal battery and about 5 to 8 states can be uploaded with details maps. The Quest 2 comes with detail maps of North America pre loaded.. I uses a 12 volt external battery that adds more weight. so that I can use the backlight and voice commands. the price of gps made by other that the leader of gps maker has dropped to less than 2oo dollars for some models. I recently purchase a LiteOn GPS from www.geek.com for 195 dollars, preloaded with detail maps of North America. This gps isn't water proof and a little bulkier for bicycle use, however, its program modes is touch screen and has a bicycle mode that automatically blocks toll roads and highways when making a route, I use this GPS in the my car. I haven't found the maker of this gps. However My wife car has an opening that a gps smaller than this will fit in. I look at a TomTom that seem to be the size, It is selling for 399 dollars with a 100 dollars rebate. Today Pathmark food market's flyer has a Support Plus gps, made in France selling for 195 dollars. I plan to pick it up today for my wife car.

Tuesday December 12, 2004. December century, 102 miles.24 for the year, one month I did three centuries. I left home at 5:30 am, sunrise is at 7:13 and sunset is at 4:35. About nine and one half hours. I got home in dusk about 5:30, a full 12 hours including lunch stop and a flat. First flat I had in a while. A very small hole, I check the tire and couldn't find any foreign object , nor was there any thing untoward with the rim or rim tape. I replace the tube expecting another flat before the day was over. Happily, I didn't have another flat. As I was preparing to cross Tacony bridge, the gate on walkway was close with the close sign showing, However, the sign at the approach was showing open. I started to go back and under the bridge to get to the other side. It occurred to me that vandals may have close the gate. I walked up and looked and found that the wind had blown the gate close. Apparently a locking pin was broken. I continue on but planed to pick up a piece of road debris on the way back and tie the gate in the open position. I map a different route to Egg Harbor, Getting around the Cooper river valley requires busy roads. I have use several routes and all so far have been about the same. But different is what I like. Egg Harbor is about 55 miles from Cheltenham. I was planning on the 110 mile ride, However, at Hamilton, with 10 miles to go, to Egg Harbor, the skies darken and I decided that I would ride five miles more, turn around and eat lunch in Hamilton. Feeling like a ride to nowhere; I debated on doing the extra miles. At 49.4 miles, I saw a bike path that I had notice before, wonder where and how far it went. I turn in to it. The path went for about half mile. I made a left at its end and came out north of the school where the American Cancer Ride has a rest stop. The last part is a dirt road past a cemetery, do it wouldn't work as a turnoff for that ride. However, it was a destination to turn around. %1 miles and I headed home, stopping for Lunch in Hamilton for lunch and picking up a piece of 12-3 electrical wire along the road. I stop to wire the sign on. he bridge open. It occurred to me that I may have set off a terrorist alert as I did once before when I stopped under the Bessie Ross Bridge. It the weather allows..

Next I look out and saw that neighbors across both streets had lights but not next door. Aware that the outage was local, I called PECO. I was answered by a computer. The first statement was "IF you smell gas press 1 now" Hindsight I should have press 1 then. I was instructed to press 2 for all other. Then after a serial of question that I had to respond to like is the outage in the entire house?. Next it asks for my billing number. Using the lantern, I couldn't find a billing number. It ask me to confirm the phone number that I was calling from, then ask if the first four digit of the number it read from was my billing number. I responded to the no choice. It asked me to put in my account number. I did by lantern light. It then asked if it was ok to call me between certain hours. I responder to the yes press.

Next I hooked up my battery/inverter http://www.billcotton.com/standby_ac_home_power.htm ( the right most thumbnail picture link to my finial setup.), and plugged in a floor lamp I wanted to save power for the heat if needed, so I didn't plug in the TV. However, I did get a sense of sat faction that I was not living by flashlight. I moved the Inverter to the bedroom and plug in another floor lamp. At about 6:30 the power returned. Thinking, I should've watched TV. If I can remember, I will run a test on the length of use with the current system. I have two batteries and the plan is to recharge one battery from the car while using the other. Currently My on heating control, I have a box with a double throw switch so that the male plug that plug into the inverter isn't hot. That box isn't completely finished, needing to be spliced into the circuit. If the electric came back on while I was splicing I could get a bite. My new plan is to turn off the main breaker and plug my inverter system into an outlet and turn off any breaker that I don't want on. For this I will use a covered male plug as is use on some outdoors equipment now.

Wednesday November 29, 2006 I return to the VA hospital to for the blood work that I didn't wait for on Monday. I boarder the R% train at Fernrock station at 9:40 am, and rode to Thorndale station, arriving at the VA about 11:30. With only one person ahead, the wait was too long to catch the 12:20 train and the next train wasn't until 2:40 pm. Having fast for the blood work, I stopped for lunch and was on the way home about 12:30. I elected to bicycle to Malvern station where three local trains ends in that time period. One at 1:30 and another at 2:30. When I plug the route into the gps, It showed arriving in Malvern at just before 2:30, however, a few hills and and the eta became 2:30. Fast pedaling got me to the train at exactly 2:30. I arrived home with 27 miles for the day. . .

Monday, November 27, 2006 VA appointment in Coatesville PA. 101 miles, second century for Novemver.23 for the year. I was riding the touring bicycle, the road bicycle with its higher gearing has been hanging from the rafter for the last few rides. Dressed for forty degrees, the temperature was 37 when I left home at 5:30 am for the Overbrook's regional rail station.. (Bicycles are allowed on outbound trains only during morning rush hours) for the 7:40 train to Thorndale. It is about a 5 mile ride to Coatesville after getting off the train. About 2.5 mile from home I notice that I had forgot my water bottles. My first thought was to ride on and buy bottle water or Gatorade after leaving the VA. Having about 40 minutes to spare according to the GPS's ETA, I return home for the water bottle. I had to put on the pedaling arriving at Overbrook 5 minutes before the train arrived. I got to the VA about 9 am for my 9:30 appointment. I got served early. My doctor who has been commuting to work and visits told me that patients seeing the bicycle in the office has been inspired to start riding also. I left the office for blood work There was twenty people ahead of me, usually it is walk in and get service before I could get a number. I left without getting the blood work.I had plotted a route from Coatesville to Pottstown. West of Coatesville and north are very hilly. This route was 64 mile. I has 16 miles from home before and after the train ride. My plan was to ride the Thun trail a few miles when I got to Pottstown. I considered "Rubberband" the route to Reading from Coatesville. Since I had rode Rt. 82 before, I decided against this, Really it was only a few miles from Coatesville to Pottstown, about 20 but most 7288 feet of the elevation gain was in this section. I recorded 9633 for the Savage century. The route put me on Rt. 100 for about 5 miles, I found a Dunkin Donut just before Rt. 23 on Rt. 100. I had fasted for the blood work and was about to get hungry. From Rt. 30 to to the VA is a nice hill, it makes two loops to get to the top. My food plan after fasting for blood work usually is to coast down that hill, make a right and ride about two blocks to a dinner that has a hungry man's breakfast However, I dreaded riding the hill back up to the VA where the route started, thinking that I would find a Wawa or deli soon. I arrived in Pottstown with about 40 miles. I rode the trail toward Birdsboro until the GPS shows 50 miles and the distance to home was also 50 miles, about 8 miles on the trail. The route back from Pottstown was routine. I stopped at the Wawa at Rt. 724 and Bridge Street. I arrive at the trail in Oaks before sunset. However by Norristown I need the bright head light. I met more than a few riders enjoying that bicycle light, Some brighter than others. Meeting riders without lights was scary, apparently they can see where they are going but with my eyes adjusted for light it as hard for me to see them. Arriving at Spring Mills The find home gave 11 miles homes and my total was 85 at the time. My longer route using Northwestern Ave, is 17 miles. Also the shorter route uses Barren Hill Rd. Traffic was very heavy turning on to Barren Hill Rd. I made the left to Joshue Rd and my Barren Hill Detour. With 99 miles and the home mile showing .7 miles, I made a left from Ashborne to New Second St and Tooknay Creek Drive for a loop past my house and arrive home from the east. I finished with 101 miles..

Yesterday, Saturday November 11, 06 I redid the ride of Nov, , 06, to get my November 100 mile in. My original plans was to ride the bus out to Pottstown and bike to the Queen City diner in Reading, then bike home from there.

I decided, however, to look for the end of the Thun trail. After crossing Rt 222, the Thun seem to end at Old Wyomissing Rd. A quick left and right gets you back on the trail. About 3 mile further, near the end of the trail, I ask a group of riders and they led me to another trail that follows the Tulpenhocken Creek, I had to cross the Schuylkill and make a left in to Blair Rd. The path was on the left to Confluence park, that trail, Union Canal Towpath is about 5 miles more.

The Union Canal Towpath ends just short of Blue Mash lake. I plan to drive to Pottstown soon and plot a route to Blue Mash trail. looking at the map, where The Union Canal Towpath ends at Rebers Bridge Rd. Palisedes Rd. is straight ahead and one mile on that road ids the entrance to Blue Mask Lake. Crossing the Rebers Bridge goes to the other side of the lake.

I return to Pottstown with out a bus schedule. I waited for half hour, realizing that I would be short of the century, the short route home through Germantown is 19 mile from Norristown and the route via Northwestern Ave and Glenside is 25 miles, still short, I had 70 miles at the time. I elected to bicycle home. I got to Oaks and the bike path a little after 5 pm in twilight. I met about three other cyclist enjoying the night riding with light. The backlight on the gps was a pleasure. The touring bicycle has a 7 amp hour gel cell battery. I Used Barren hill road and stayed on Ridge, Ridge Ave has less riding room in places than Henry Ave bur less hills. I arrived home at 8:30 wit 115 miles and plenty of power left in the battery.

Saturday, November 4 - Schuylkill River/Thun trail to Reading PA. Class C, D, 10 to 12 mph, 30 miles. This ride left from the Pottstown Community College remote parking lot at Hanover St and College Ave. Twenty riders at the start of the ride. I Left home at 6:30 am, temperature was 32 degrees, with intention of getting there about 10:30 am I stopped at Norristown for breakfast at the Dunkin Donut one block from the trail. That stop and phone calls slowed me down since I would stop the bicycle to answer. One riders arrived at Pottstown 9:00. He called to ask if he was at the correct location for the ride. I said yes but two hours early. He asked if he could ride toward me to keep warm,. two phone calls and the gps map and it worked. We arrived at the parking 20 minutes after 11:00 am about the time all had sign-in it was 11:45. I called the Diner to say that we would be later getting there. About 6 riders were from http://groups.yahoo.com/group/valleyforgewalkers/ , The became members at Hanover weekend.Three riders turn off for several reasons. One rider that live in the area said that he wouldn't ride today since he was getting over a bug, bur would show me the partial path between Phoenixville and Pottstown. I made a date to explore soon. The trail is one or two tracks in most places and post to block four wheel vehicles that we had to slow to pass through. The group was space out for a block or so, but remained cheerful at the slow pace. I took the pictures above of the rear on the group as I was sweeping. No one worried about the time and the last of us got to the Diner after 2:30. The service was great the waitress said that she prefer to write single checks. Long after 3:30 and stopping to take the group picture in front of the diner, I said that I didn't mind if any one that wanted could go ahead. as we swept, time was drifting away. The harvest moon was as bright as ever. We arrive at the parking in full darkness, three of us rode side by side by my headlight. We found three cars were still there, I think they rode in back in twilight on the trail. Saul offered me a ride home and I accepted Pictures are here. http://www.billcotton.com/schuylkill_river_trail.htm

Wednesday November 1, 2006 I drove to Pottstown to preview the ride I have planned for Saturday. The trip is one hour from home by car. I exist Rt. 422 at Hanover street in Pottstown with a right on Hanover Street, cross the river and made a right turn into College Ave. About a block and I made a left into the student remote parking lot. SEPTA Rt. 93 runs on the hour on Saturday, It get to the college a few minutes after the next hour, remember only two bicycles can fit on the bus front rack. If arriving by bus, the bus stops at the college. The remote parking is east on College Ave. (However, you can go west on College Ave for the trailhead also.. At the point that College Ave. turns left, continue straight to get on the trail.) .Today ride was ideal. The temperature was up to 70 degree. The trail was covered with leaves that added to the season. After crossing Rt. 724 near Reading, the trail is on a ridge and the ridge to the right is in full colors and in view for most of the 2 miles of that section of the Thun trail. Below are the directions for using the trails. At Birdsboro is a Turkey Hill store, deli and gas station. I change bicycles today and was riding without a pump. I calculated how far I would have to walk had I gotten a flat, 6 miles was the most, between Pottstown and Birdsboro.

The Schuylkill and Thun trails is completed from Pottstown to Birdsboro and Reading. The trail starts at Pottstown Riverfront park at Hanover St. and College Ave. It is paved to the Berks County line. Here it become the Thun trail. The Thun trail is packed gravel with a grassy surface in places The trail Crosses Rt. 724 twice. A overpass was removed, making one crossing a steep descent on both side. Walking your bicycle is recommended here.. In Birdsboro, after crossing Rt. 82 and going into Turkey Hill parking lot to avoid a tough left turn. Make a right turn in the lot and then a left turn onto Rt. 724/Main street is use for one block and then a right turn on to Schuylkill Rd. Schuylkill Rd. becomes Old River Rd after crossing Rt. 724. a quick right to continue on Old River Rd. Old. River Rd. ends at Proudfoot Rd. Ahead the trail began. The trail crosses Rt. 724.again caution for on the loose gravel for a short distance. After the parking lot a section of the trail is unfinished. Use Rt. 10 There is a wide shoulder for most of the way to Rt. 422 business. The trail restart with a right on Prospect Ave. However, for the Queen City Diner, staying on Rt.10 is better. If on another trip you plan to cross Bus 422, turn here and use the trail and overpass.. Pottstown to Birdsboro and Reading cue sheet

The ride took one hour from Cheltenham to Riverfront Park, arriving about 11 am.. I got on the Riverfront park trail by going toward the river from the parking area It is 17.6 miles to the Queen City Dinner, at less that 10 MPH average, I Took about 1:45 minutes The Queen City Dinner want to give us a room if we have more than ten people. They have a senior menu, salad and soup bar and great deserts. Today I had a toasted cocoanut cheese cake about 2 inches tall, after my soup and salad. I arrived back at Pottstown about 3:30.

Oct 26, 06 54 mile to take picture of the St Gabel Curve and the Schuylkill River Trail. Pictures of the trail and the view on the traffic and its proximity to the trail is here; http://www.billcotton.com/philadelphia_area_bicycle_trails.htm On the return from Spring Mills I use Barren Hill to Ridge and stopped at the Friendly to eat. The Friendly is at Northwestern Ave. and Ridge. After eating I decided to ride down Northwestern Ave. even if the sign say No Outlet. Donna lead a ride a few years ago and I think that we was able to connect the two ends of Northwestern Ave. Bruno is at the other end. That road becomes Andorra as it continue to Ridge. After about half mile of ride I came to a lock gate and a seemly new home. To my right was the entrance to the tree house area and a sign that read No Bikes. I know the area from hiking and could've walk the bicycle through. But the closest road showing on the GPS was Bells Mil Road. So I return to Ridge and Henry Ave to get home.

Oct 14 Second century this month and this week; The Savage century of the White Clay Bicycle Club, Newark DE. 102 miles 9.1 average 9633 feet of climbing. I did this ride several times on the ride day and twice to collect profile when i was comparing area rides. http://www.billcotton.com/bicycle_ride_rating_system.htm I use a topo map and recorded 7501 and 98 miles, any reason to ride has always been my calling.

I woke several time during the night .and debated weather to lay back down at 4:30 am. I did and woke at 6am. My plans were to be at the sign-in table when it open at 7 am and ride off then. The last time I rode the Savage, I did this and finished at 7 pm riding in the dusk. I started the ride at 8 am, I got to the first rest stop about 10 am. I knew that I would ride more than 40 miles so I pedal on, passing the 60 mile turnoff and promising that I would turn off at 70 miles. I had walk up a hill prior to the 70 mile turn off. I was thing that maybe "age has something with it" Some how at the 70 mile point I decided to continue. Mario, a WC member who has exchange several map and GPS projects with me, sent me the gps route. A major feat with all of the turns. Well the gps when loaded with a exact route, can be set to give you all kinds of information. Mine is set to give me the time of arrived to the finish. At this point it was reading 6:30. It also is set to give the time of sunset of 6:25. With about half hour of dusk, I felt safe continuing on the century. However the toughest hills was ahead. I had done most on my touring bicycle. The different, bigger gears on the touring. I will check later what is the biggest gear I can put on the road bicycle. I arrive at the second food stop at 3 pm, long past the closing time. I check the gps for food stop and two hotel/bars were on the route. I stop and had a chicken cheese steak and refill my water bottles. The estimate of arriver continue as my average dropped from 10 ,5 to the 9.1 that I finished with. I arrived at the 20 mile mark about 6:30. I stopped at the Wawa for drink and sugar fix and turn on my 5 watt led head lamp. It was full dark from there but about 8 mile was on Rt. 272 with a wide shoulder. By now the gps was showing 8:30. I pulled in to the lot at 8:30 and the light with a new battery pack worked great. It cross my mind that if the pack failed on this second use, what would, the one watt led would make for a slower ride. My riding log http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm

The new battery pack fail the first time I used it. I order shrink warp that was too big and wasn't tight. When the cells shifted a soldier connection came loose. I was able to recharge the gps while at lunch on that ride. I redid the pack and goop (glued) each cell to the other. This was the first use on that setup. Had that failed I would've been without a bright head light. It worked ok and I still had 13 volt when I checked yesterday, 10 NiMH C cells 5 amp hour battery. This was with the gps and backlight being powered for the entire ride.

Oct. 9 This month's first century. This is 20 for the year, one ahead of my pace of two each month. Sunrise is 7:03 am and at my 10+ mph average, I need about ten hours of daylight for a century. I started at about 6:30 with good dawn light, but I turned on my 5 watt LED headlight and the gps with backlight on. I considered ride to Reading. Since the distance from home to The Queen City diner in Reading is 120 miles, I would need to use public transportation for some part of the trip to not ride in the dark. Riding SEPTA from Norristown to Pottstown one way would do this, however, not timing the schedule could mean a loss on up to an hour. I decided to plan to return home in the dark and pedal the entire trip.

I had to put the 12 volt battery pack together, that I use for gps and light. I could not find a C cell unit ready made in the format that I needed. It has been a learning experience. The previous pack had each cell insulated. Not aware that the tabbed cell that I bought, weren't insulated, I had a short inside the pack that I first made. Yesterday I started with a newly made pack that was ok with the light and gps until about two hours into the ride. The gps cutoff. I notice that I could move the pack and get power. I was sure that I had made a bad solder connection, so I disconnect the battery and allowed the gps to run on its internal battery. However, on the Thun trail, about a mile from Birdsboro, I got a low battery warning. Knowing that I normal get 20 hours when not use the backlight, I check and found that I had left the backlight on. I turn the backlight off and rode the the Turkey Hill in Birdsboro. It has a deli section, I ordered a personal pan pizza. I mange to get power from the power pack and charge the gps for the 20 minutes that I took to eat. When I removed the pack the gps gage showed half full With 52 miles and no power for one of my lights, I turn around here.

Return on the Thun trail, I pass a tourist with rear panniers. I asked what kind of trip he was doing. Allen liven in Reading and was riding to Phoenixville to spend a few days with a friend. I asked what was his plans after the trail end in Pottstown, he said that he had plans to use Rt. 724 to Phoenixville. I invited Allen to follow me if he wanted. My route is Hanover St to Cedarville to Saratoga to Old Schuylkill and join Rt. 724 for a mile before and after Bridge St. Left from Rt. 724 on Park Rd. Becomes Wall St, Becomes Spring City Rd becomes Fillmore and then Franklin into Main street.

Seem that Allen is quit the adventure. Last year he rode from Reading to the New Jersey shores. He left Reading using Rt. 724 to where it crosses the S route. He followed the S route to Washington Crossing and rode from there to the Shore, Since Allen was loaded I found myself waiting on most of the climbs. However, its felt better waiting than feeling that I was making some one else wait.

I left a very grateful Allen on Main street and pickup speed as I had to get home before dark. I Continue on the SR path to Shawmount and decided to climb it to Ridge and Henry Aves. I was ok until half block from Ridge. I walk that section. I arrive home about 5:30 with lots of time before dark.

Oct 2, 4 & 7, more training on the 20 mile loop from home to Mason Mill park. Oct 4, I met with members of the Blazers bike/ski club for a ride on the SR bike path. I rode from home and log 50 miles. I wanted to avoid the narrow section of Umbria street after I left the Blazers at their start on Shawmont . I turned off at Fountain to cross Ridge. Still some what a hill but doable.

September 26, 28, & 30. I resume my training rides, 10 miles from Cheltenham to Mansion Mill and back for a 20 mile ride. The average is up 3 tenth mile since starting. My bike log is here. http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm

September 18, 2006; Ride from Doylestown to Hackettown and back to Doylestown.. I caught the 7:10 am train at Jenkintown station. My plans was to ride 54 miles from the end of the R5 line and return to that point. On the way to Jenkintown, I notice that the GPS was signaling loss of external power. This happen several times. The GPS was full charge and is good for about 20 hours without voice commands. I disconnected the power input and planed to check the battery pack on the train. Checking the pack I assume that a solider connection came loose, I didn't need power for the GPS but decided that I would plan not to ride after dark. I do have a one watt LED light if needed. The return trains were around 5:30 pm and Just after 7 pm. This would mean riding from the station near home in the dark. I would get back to Doylestown after 6 pm. My gps tracks are here. http://www.billcotton.com/south_jersey.htm and tracks of my route through Newtown and Tyler State park. I elected to not ride to Hackettown, but ride until The distance rode and the distance to return home equal 100 miles. I stopped for lunch in Clinton, I remembered that there is a Fast food north of Clinton, but I stopped at the one in Clinton on Rt. 31. The mileage was 48 mile and the distance home was 46 miles. Rather that ride north more, I consider not riding a century or to make the ride home longer. I could see on the gps map that Cr. 513 continued west past the rout that the gps had suggested and came closed to my tracks. I reach Sergeantville by different roads than I use on the go trip. This route carried my through the Covered Bridge after a stop at the biker friendly General Store. Already adding some miles, I didn't cross the Delaware at Lambertville as the gps route suggested, but stayed on the D & R tow path. The floods has did some damage and large ballast rocks were use for the repairs. I left the path at the first chance and rode on Rt. 29. Traffic was very heavy, possibly because Rt. 29 is closed in this area. I return to the path as soon as I could and this section is ok. Reaching Washington Crossing Rd., I stayed on it until Newtown. Recalling a ride I led from Cheltenham to Newtown via Tyler State park. I Stopped for a meal at Denny and use the bike path from Newtown through Tyler park. The tracks are on the link above. Unlike the cue sheet I use for that ride, the gps put me on 2nd street pike. To my surprise there is a paved shoulder along the entire length to Bryn Athyn. I home with 99.5 miles, I looped around the block to end with 100.1 miles. About 6:30, with the sun not yet set. My legs was aware on the profile of today century vs. the South Jersey centuries I done this summer. My batter pack shorted out between three set of cells. I ordered another ten cell to build another 12 volts pack.

September 7, 2006. Ride to Lakehurst 113.7 miles 11.6 mph. I was asked how I motivate myself to ride alone. First motivation is the health benefit,. I have kept my blood pressure under control for 40 years, increasing the distances as it takes more miles to do the job. Another is making and riding new routes, to add interest and prevent getting boredom. I look at a new page that I have on my web showing the tracks of ride that I did in New Jersey, I notice that there were no tracks going due east, Lakehurst, Tom River. I set the route tool for Cheltenham to Lakehurst, 54 miles. I wanted to avoid Rt. 70. the white on the map is Ft. Dix, McGuire, Lakehurst http://www.billcotton.com/south_jersey.htm I plotted north of the base going and passed through Mt Holly Palmerton and New Egypt. I saw road marking from the Princeton Event on many of the roads that I used. I arrived in Lakehurst using only 2 tenth mile of Rout 70. It has good wide shoulders and is very rideable. However, Right turn by cars get to be a problem. I stopped for brunch about 9 am at a new Dunkin Donut on Marine Hwy, Rt. 537, just before Mt. Holly. I arrived in Lakehurst about noon. It was too early to eat again so I continue on the return route that is south of Rt. 70. These roads parallel a rail road. and had very little traffic. Pasadena Rd. Soon after Rt. 70 then Savoy Blvd. for a while then Chatsworth Rd, Tabernacle and Medford road. I found a Subway on while Rt. 206 for lunch about 3:30 in Tabernacle. Back on route as I pass through Medford Lakes, school was letting out and bike paths seen to be going in many direction. Crossing guard were stopping traffic for kids on bicycles leaving school and crossing the Tabernacle Rd. to get on the bike paths. My bikelog is here http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm

Thursday August 24 to Friday August 25, 2006. 198.5 miles 11.8 mps average. My wife and daughter was in Wildwood. The weather report was for early morning and evening rains. The rain was reported to come from the west. I reason that I should leave before daybreak, one to have more time to spend with them on Thursday and two to evaluate my newest battery pack I awoke at 2:30 am and start to get ready for the ride. I left home at 3:15 am with the gps backlight and the 5 watt headlight on. I have a new route loaded for Wildwood that follow the return route of the Belleplain camping return route. It leave Cheltenham as most of my rides into South Jersey, via The Tacony bridge. passing through Pennsauken, Haddonfield and Lawnside. This route goes through Pine Hill, 213 feet elevation, and Williamstown. From here Rt. 555 is used to go through Millville and west of the Maurice River. The river is crossed at Mauricetown and the route goes through Belleplain and Woodbine on Rt 550 to enter the barrier Islands at Sea Isle City. The Route to Wildwood is a few mile shorter that my route than enter the Islands via the Longport Bridge.

Two miles from home I felt a few rain drops and the streets ahead had puddles but I never got wet. Almost the entire morning I found wet streets in places but the rain was always ahead of me. The 5 watt Luexon light went dim about 5:00 am and i turned it off.. I disconnect the gps to run on it internal battery and turn on the 1 watt battery powered Luexon light. I was on very low traffic roads and the 1 watt was good at slow speeds. I stopped at a Dunkin Donut in Pine Hill and when I resumed the dawn light was in place. The ride was pleasant until East Vineland Where about two blocks of right turn took away. the curb lane. After crossing Rt 55 over pass and its right turn the ride was pleasant again until crossing into Sea Isle City. The Ocean Drive traffic is always heavy in the center of the towns, however, with the gps screen, I was able to see parallel street and use these. Avon has sign directing cars away from the main north/south road to a Boulevard with little traffic I called ahead and the family was waiting. when I arrived at the motel about 1 pm. with 101 miles. We walked the board walk and had dinner out.

The battery pack resurge and I was able to charge my Quest gps to full, I didn't bring the charger with me. Friday morning I left the motel about 9:30 am for home. Wildwood is about 20 miles from Sea Isle City. I cross over to the mainland and when i got to Woodbine and Rt. 557, I decided to use that road for the return. I knew from previous that Tuckahoe can be a bottle neck, that Rt.557 makes a south turn and it is better to use Rt. 50 which I did. Once I was back on Rt. 557, it seem for ever untill I got to the point that I leave Rt. 557 for Belleplain on my camping trip. In riding the white line I found the pavement to be broken on the line. After hitting these cracks a few time I got a snake bite on my rear tire. I inspected the tire and replace the tube. I was almost to Buena by now. I stopped for Lunch with 50 miles to go. T he rest of the ride was the return from Belleplain which I have done many times. The new Dunkins Donut in Pine Hill was a welcome stop. I arrived home about 6 pm with less that a century, 97 miles total for the return. My goal of two centuries per month is still intact. I rode a century for the Musikfest in early August. .

Saturday August 12th to Wednesday August 16th Loaded camping to Belleplain State Park NJ near Cape May NJ. 209 mile total 11 mph average. Saturday to Monday. I left home about 8 am Saturday morning. The plan was to meet Dennis at the Dunkin Donut near the Tacony bridge. Steve was to ride over to Belleplain from Sea Isle city. As I approached the bridge I saw that it was open. I decide to walk and sure enough, about the time I got to the top the bridge had closed and was open. Dennis arrived before 9 am and after coffee, we headed off. We arrive at Lindenwold about 11 am and continued. I made a gps route from Lindenwold to Belleplain to avail myself of the features such as Estimate Time of Arrival ect. .Mapsource route and track However, the upload map was truntrated and I wasn't aware of it, having too many routed loaded. The result I had a ETA of 3:30 to the campsite and Dennis who was using trackback from a previous camping trip kept telling me that my time was wrong. When the route ended with 17 mile to go I agreed with Dennis. Dennis tire began to leak air, he has a puncture proof tube in his tire, we hear the hiss noise, Dennis pulled the piece of glass out of the tire and the hiss stopped. we waited a while and the tire didn't get flatter. So we pump the tire up and it held . We arrived about 5 pm as in the previous 5 or 6 years that we have done this trip. Why I ever thought that we would get there sooner is beyond me. Steve was there earlier and had secured a campsite close to the showers. Dennis and I had purchase half dozen of white corn. Steve got to work making a fire to roast the corn while Dennis and I fire up out stoves to cook the main meals. Dennis had a camping pack of dehydrated food, while I had off the grocery shelve rice mix. I also had a can of Salmon. Steve and Dennis rave about the mix that they had, my mix was ok but the can Salmon was too salty. Breakfast was oatmeal for Steve and I. Dennis had a dehydrated egg mix that was so so. I decided to ride back to Buena for brunch with then on their way home and have brunch, 20 miles. My original plan was to ride to Cape May, 20 miles also, but I considered the traffic to be heavy in that direction. Checking direction on my gps shows that Belleplain is about 20 miles away from major centers in most directions. Sea Isle City east, Cape May south, Millville and Buena to the north. After I said goodbye to Steve and Dennis, we has notice a sign pointing to a Richland Train station, I detoured on the way back to the station. In the town of Richland on route 40, the steam train runs from Richland to Tuckahoe three times a day, about 20 miles. I return to the campsite about 2 pm. I made a fire for the corn. I ate all three and wasn't hungry. About 6 pm I decided to ride into Woodbine for a sundae. I talk to the ranger as I was leaving and he assured me of it location, gps had located it. After getting the sundae I rode the path east to the end and west until it turn to gravel. The ranger talked about the bike path. said that it run quite a while as gravel, like maybe 5 miles. When I return the camper next to me had place fire wood on the site. I went over and talked awhile. They lives near by and talk about the trails in the area. The Pleasantville to Somers Point that I have been on. and a another one that starts behind the Shore Mall on Tilton and come north. I have to check that out next week when I return from Wildwood, visiting Margaret and Karen while they are there. You need a Mapsource map to upload the map above. Several members of BCP now have gps, all on this ride did.

Monday morning I had oatmeal for breakfast, clean up and broke camp. I plotted a route home that took me west more. I use Rt 347 to Rt 47, cross and use back roads into Millville. I stopped there for brunch and picked up Rt. 555. It was less traffic than Rt. 557 after Millville. At the point where the two route meet, I picked up my going tracks and Blue Bell Rd and trackback on it.

My Solar cell more that supplied my gps and recharge my cell phone, I didn't use the headlight on this trip. When I return home the cell had been charge to full that morning and still has a bar and the gps showed full as did the storage battery, http://www.billcotton.com/quest_on_bicycle.htm

Saturday, August 5 - Fort Washington to the Musikfest in Bethlehem. 122 miles at 10.2 mph. I arrived at Ft. Washington station a 7:30, no one was there as I passed. I stopped in Amber for breakfast before moving on to Rosenberg Dairy to find the Deli closed and no one there for there ride. As usually, when riding alone I like to explore. Just before I got to Tollgate Dr. which has become heavy with traffic and doesn't have shoulders in parts, I look at the gps and could see that Rich Hill Rd. crossed Rt. 309 and teed at Old Bethlehem Pk. I made that turn but found that Rt. 309 has Jersey barriers at that crossing. had to ride on the shoulder for about 50 yards to cross, still better that the traffic on Tollgate. I arrive at Wal-Mart to find one rider waiting to my surprise. After filling my water bottle, we headed for Bethlehem. We arrived about 1 pm. the heat was more than I expected and I was glad for the break. We signed in at the bike parking and except for two kids bikes ours were the only one there. The returned seem hotter that coming until about 4 pm Then the return became enjoyable. Thinking about it, I have done few hilly century this year, spending more time going to Pottstown and Reading along the River. . Rosenberg was open for the ice cream crowd and I stopped for food and drink. I arrive home after 9 pm with a chance to check my lights.

July 30, 2006 85.1 miles, 10.5 average. Jeff Bakely 60th birthday. I elected to ride with the B group for the longer ride, a C group was to leave at noon for a 30 mile ride. I barley kept the pace but since there were a about three others lagging at the rear I felt it was ok. Soon I was the only one at the rear so i suggest to Jeff that they didn't wait for me. I left early for the return but left a water bottle and return just as the group was forming to return. I didn't look at the cue, assuming that we were using the same route for longer than we did. When I looked at the cue I was in Wycombe and the turn was at Street Rd. I use the gps to catch up to the cue and when I got to the WAWA rest stop the clerk said that I was about half hour behind. I made it to Jeff party before all of the food was gone, I stayed about half hour before continuing the ride home, about 7 miles. Last year I trained riding two days per week, 20 miles fast pace for about two months. My knees began to hurt and I quit. I am told that the hurt is from muscle soreness and that stretching will relived this condition. I just may consider trying the training again.

July 22, 2006. 103 miles, July century. I left home at 5:30 am for a chance to use my lights. Dawn was already breaking, but the light was a pleasure to have. The new shifting cable was shifting flawless. Five years of use, I will replace the left side and the brake cable before the next ride. I decided to ride to Pottstown and check if Berk County have done any work on the connection. I have rode the Thun trail from the White Horse Inn to Birdsboro twice. The surface is packed black sand, finnier than the Perkokmen surface. Ok for 25 mm and wider tired. The connection is completed. with the same surface as the rest of the Thun trail. Today I rode past the Schuylkill river bridge crossing and since I had 52 miles, more than enough for today century I turn around. Bethie had Chocolate cake today, the breakfast stop was too early for cake I had waffles. I return about 1:30 and had soup and a slice of the Chocolate cake. I stopped for a slurpple at the 7-Eleven on Lewis Rd in Royersford. A lady was filling a few slurpple for her family. She said to me, you can't be riding in this weather. I replied that it was actually cool while riding and the humidity was like sprinkling water drops on the body. She must've thought that was the height of insanity. When I got to the counter. The clerk told me that the lady ahead of you had paid for my slurpple. I have to use that line again.

July 20, 2006 Plans were to ride July century number 2 today. 10 miles from home on Bethlehem Pk. in Ft. Washington, I tried to downshift for a cat.001 hill, the rear derailleur did not respond. I shifted the front derailleur to the smaller cog and pedal to the top of the hill. I stopped to inspect the STI level. None of the information from my webpage http://www.billcotton.com/sti_shifter_repair.htm with it 12,000 hits seem to apply. I notice that the expose cable was loose, the cable head was broken. I missed the cue. the spacing wasn't lining up with the cogs a few weeks ago and I made an adjustment on the rear derailleur. This morning the chain jumped a couple of times and I planned to replace the chain after I got home. I decided that I would ride to the nearest bicycle in Montgomeryville. I bought two cables since the cable are less that two dollars each. I didn't see the head and assume that it had fallen out. I install the new cable but couldn't shift. I lock the derailleur in a middle gear and return home with the intention of taking the shifter apart and continuing my ride after lunch. With long nose pliers and a hook tool I found and removed the cable. I replace the cable and made lunch. Needless to say, eating lunch and watching the TdF made me decide to continue the ride another day.

July 8th My July century. 100 miles. I plotted a route to May Landing to maybe meet some of the bike a thon riders who drive there cars to Lake Lenapee. As My Route passed Haddonfield, I notice marking for the Cancer ride. Since they were going in the same direction, I followed them. When the gps showed north, I realize that they were making miles. A pretty route as the route went through Marlton Lakes, the route of a century I use through Mt Holly and Woodbury. When I got to Hammonton I realize that my return would be less that 50 miles and to go to Egg Harbor would make the return to longer than I wanted. I ate an early lunch at a Dunkin Donut in Hammonton and loaded my return route. It showed about 5 miles lest that a century to get home. I planed to do the five miles after I got home, kinda figured that it wouldn't happen. So near where my route cross Rt 73, I could see my go track a few mile north and east. I set the gps to track back. I was on some of the roads that I have used a lots in south Jersey, Tilton, Kettle Run Rd, Braddock Mill Rd, ect. Soon the combination of mile equal 98 miles. At the Tacony Bridge I went under the bridge and south on State Rd to Comly Rd as I do sometime for less traffic. As I reach the track back route on Longshore St. the total of miles equal 100. The odometer turned to 100 as I roll into the driveway.

July 6, 53 miles. Evening ride with the Blazers. I rode from home to meet the Blazer on the bike path as they did a warm-up ride for the Cancer bike a thon.

May 25, 78.8 miles. the overcast kept me home until almost 10 am. I decided to test a cue sheet from Evanburg to Pottstown via Linfield that I recently posted. http://www.billcotton.com/Bill%20cotton%20cue%20sheets.htm I arrived at Bethie's about 1 pm. not on the direct cue but is listed as a detour. No homemade cake left but two surprises. One, Bethie is putting in a takeout window and selling water ice. She plan to stay open until 9 PM except for Memorial day. Two, since there was no cake, I order a chicken cheese steak. It was as good as any that I have gotten in South Philly and I told her. Before reaching Bethie's I had another rear flat. I decide to patch the tube to see where the hole was. The tire was clear. The hole was on the inside like a snake bike but one hole. I did hit a sharp edge at high speed, but I am still wary of the tire. I rode to Linfield to the top of the 5,5 hill on Major Rd. and turn around. I return via Walnut St that turned to Township Rd and lots of traffic to Rittenhouse Rd. Seem that Lewis Rd is the only road to use in that area,

May 20, 26.8 mile to south Philly for a chicken cheese steak. I hadn't had a flat since Quakertown, then I bought a folding tire for the rear tire. On the ride to Freehold I had a flat on the front soon after leaving the bicycle shop that has a entry to the trail. The casing was thread bare and pinch the tire, I put a 5 dollar bill in and a replacement tube and continued. I bought two tires and put one on the rear with plans to use the folding as a spare. I thought that if it not broke don't fix it, but the folding is a 23 mm and I use 25 mm. On Delaware I had a rear flat. Same tube that was in the folding. I replace the tub and the tire was ok Chicken Cheese steak was worth the ride.

May 17, 100.3 mile ride, Train to West Trenton, bike to Freehold NJ Bicycle trail to Aberdeen NJ Roads to Trenton, River line to Riverton NJ then bike across the Tacony to home. The reason was to check this trail http://www.monmouthcountyparks.com/parks/henry_hudson.asp I have rode the northern section from Aberdeen NJ to Sandy Hooks. Today I rode to Freehold and asked a police officer for the directions. When the trail ended, I worked my way to Rt. 79. I was riding north and missed the Station Ave. entry point. I saw a bicycle shop Bicycle Hub on Rt. 79. I ask the attendance and he led me to the path. They have covered the path from their shop to the trail with wood chips, less that a tenth mile from Station Ave. So going North, look for the Shop. The next end Church Street in Matawan, took use of my GPS to get to the trail head in Aberdeen, only about 2 miles, however. I follow my Trenton to Sandy Hooks cue to get back home. On CR. 3, I see that a previous waypoint mark I made, is the Henry Hudson trail crossing. I arrive in Trenton to a waiting Riverline train. With less that 90 miles, I got off the train in Riverton and rode from there to the Tacony Bridge. I arrive home with 99 miles and made a loop around Tooknay drive to get the miles http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm

May 13, 75 miles My ride to Bethie for Fruit Topped Waffles Saturday took the 40 mile route so that I could check the revised SRT section through Conshohocken. At Northwestern Ave and Stenton I decided to check the Wissahickon Green Trail that is paved along Northwestern Ave. This section is controlled by Montgomery County. I follow Stenton Ave to Valley Green and entered that section of the Green trail. It is hardpack and enter Ft Washington Park along the creek. This section is controlled by the Ft. Washington park, they seem to prefer hardpack trails. A branch extends to Bethlehem Pk and Mill Rd along the old rail bed. This old rail line is the path of the Ft. Washington to the Schuylkill river trail. a map of this line showing where it meets the SRT and tracks of the green trail is here. http://www.billcotton.com/Ft%20washington%20trail.htm As I passed Bruno's Jef Bakley ride to Downingtown was gathering. I stop to chat with the group before continuing my ride. At Barren Hill Road and Hart Ln. I saw a cyclist turning into Hart Ln. I yelled, "brave soul", he replied "first time" I wished him well. I road on to the new section described above. A left fork after the condos is fenced off. Moer detailed of the Ft Washington trail is at the link above. I looked for work on the Oaks to Mt Clair link, I think that this work will be delayed until the sewer work is completed.I arrived at Bethie with a big choice to make, two type of homemade cake or fruit topped waffle. I decided on the waffle with strawberry and bananas. I returned home through a downpour that lasted about 15 mintues, but a soaker.

May 4, 2004 May century, 130.2 miles The days are getting longer, I left home at sunrise, 5:57 am. I plan to ride to Reading to see if the Bike/Ped bridge over Rt. 422 is completed. The plan included using the Pottstown bus either going or returning. I left the schedule on the table at home. The buses leave Norristown on the hour, however I wanted to eat breakfast at Bethie, 30 miles from home Norristown 22 miles. I figure that if I would see a bus in Collegeville I would get it. if not, I would ride the bus on the return. I rode the trail in Pottstown, but decided not to ride the Thun trail since traffic was light on Rt. 724 in that area. At Monococy Creek Rd. The Thun trail crosses Rt. 724 for about a mile and then cross back to the west side. Work was done to the grading. Lose gravel is place on both side of the road. The trail is still single track. I rose with my 25mm tires from this point to Birdsboro. The section that parallels Rt. 10 ends at the parking lot. However, seem that there is a single track that continue to the paves section that starts about two blocks before Rt. 422. I got on this path from Rt. 10. The new bridge cross over Rt. 422 and goes to Old Wyomissing Rd. I return to the Dinner on Rt. 422 and Rt. 10. After dinner, I return through Pottstown, Linfield and Royerford.. No bus was waiting at the community college in Pottstown or in Collegeville. But with the long daylight hours, I arrive home before dark http://www.billcotton.com/schuylkill_river_trail.htm

April 26, 2006 Second century for April. 102 miles I left home at 5:30 am hearing in the direction of Pottstown. I stopped at Bettie for breakfast. The route to Pottstown that I use from Bethie is very hilly. decided to ride south toward the Schuylkill river. I pickup Trappe Road across Rt. 29 from Bethie, rather that turn on to Kegey and onto Wartman, I continued on Trappe into Collegeville. Trappe Rd. became 7th Av. and the next turn was Lewis Rd. I used this road into Royersford and cross the river on Bridge St. and picked up the Schuylkill Century trail route. When the century route turned south, I continue two miles into Pottstown. I got on the bike path at the Community College and continued to what was the end last summer. The trail is now paved to the Berks county line. The trail crossed Grosstown Rd and is paved for about 50 yards more behind a machine shop. The trail continue in to Berks county as a single track. I followed the trail for about two miles, riding at times over old railroad ties and over falling trees. I got to Squirrel hollow Rd. and there was posted a hearing notice for a setback change to permit the trail to be created. The hearing was April 22nd 2006. I suspect that we may have to wait a while for Douglassville to get their section on line. On the return I decided to return via Linfield. Steve Trobovic ask a few times if I ever gone that way. I crossed the bridge from Old Schuylkill Rd. to Linfield. I saw a road on the gps that ran close to the river. Thinking that I would the hills of Main St, I turn toward the river. What I found, I think is a good hill train loop. from the vicinity of Evanburg State Park.

April 11, 2006. 153 miles. I decided to do the ride that was canceled April 1 because of the rain that didn't happen. Audobon NJ to Atlantic City NJ. Part of the reason that for the cancel was the sore knee. I left home later than I wanted, about 7 am. I was using a route that uses Rt. 73 for about 3 miles and Rt. 30 for a few miles into AC. The uses Atlantic Ave from Audobon to Clementon, a few miles on other roads the SR. 561 all the way to Absecon. SR 561 shares a few miles with Rt. 73 but the breakdown lane is wide. Rt. 30 has wide breakdown lane also. Turn lanes and one bridge force me to share a lane at times. The skyline of AC from Rt. 30 made the ride more interesting. Adding to the view is a wind farm of about 10 turbines. Once in the city, I stop at a place named the Fish Head. A take out eatery with a few tables inside and out. I ordered a Catfish platter planning to eat outside. However, the ocean breeze made it a little cooled that it was outside the city. I ate inside but was able to watch my bicycle from my table. I set the GPS to find and goto Longport, 6 mile and another few to Somers Point, adding miles to the return home but That bridge had a bike lane. My return from Wildwood cue uses that bridge also so I would pick up that cue. Turn out the return from Wildwood route loaded on my GPS was a old one that use Tilton Rd. from the Bike path in Northfield. The latest cue stay on the bike path to Pleasantville and avoids the heavy traffic and pick up Tilton Rd. at Rt. .40. After Hamilton, on SR 561, Egg Harbor Rd. near the Naked Boys yard display, it begin to get dark and I quizzed the GPS as to the shorted way home, "track back', follow the way that I came of follow the Wildwood cue. The Wildwood cue was one mile shorted. However, it put me on Evesham road, 9 pm heavy traffic and rough road edge. The GPS bounced off but was restrained by the lanyard. Another teeth shattering bump jarred the battery connection loose. I couldn't stop quick enough. I arrived home at 11:30 pm. 14.5 hours on moving time.

April 6, 2006. I start out late to ride to Bethie for a slice of home made cake. However, after West Point I decide to cut the ride short and go to Rosenberg Dairy instead. First ride after the spill. My knee had some soreness but ok for the 51 miles ride.

March 30, 2006. In response to a request for a route from Yardley PA to Media PA, I made a route from Cheltenham to Media. I have a route from Yardley to Cheltenham already. The route to Media skirt the northern edge of Philadelphia, through Fairmount Park and into Upper Darby. In Fairmont Park I was crossing a gully and did an over the handle bar. I came down on a knee and my chin. Both a little sore, but no damage. Seem that since I am left handed, my one hand braking is with my left hand, front brake. I have read of brakes levels being switch but I don't want to go that way since I use about four bicycles including the tandem and that get loaned at times. I am trying to train my self to use the right brake first.

March 18, 2006. Bethie in Rahns for Waffles. Spring Equinox is March around March 21st. However, the radio announced that day and night was 12 and 12 on Friday. My gps reported that Saturday was on the plus side for daylight by a minute. Since I have plans of riding my second century for March next Saturday, My plan for this ride was to ride 30 miles to Bethie for waffle with a fruit topping. I loaded a Reading route that uses Bethie as a pit stop. Once I was at Bethie and had a need to burn off the Apple Cinnamon waffle topped with whipped cream. Apples and its syrup piles about two inches high. I elected to ride the trails back home. I knew that that route is about 10 miles longer. I battled a head wind constantly getting to Rahans. Seem that there wasn't any wind on the Perkiomen trail, but once on the Schuylkill trail I was flying averaging 16 to 20 mph when I pedal. I arrived at Spring about 1:30 pm well rested with 50 miles completed. I decided to ride another mile south on the trail and turn around, ride back to Rahans and ride a century. I had rode 20 miles of trail, 20 miles back and the 30 miles from Rahans to home would make a easy century for the ride. I set the gps to trackback, so I wouldn't take any short cut. When I turn back toward Valley Forge on the trail, it was as I was riding with the brakes on. My speed was as low as 4 miles per hours at times. I told my self that I only has 9 miles of this to VF. Not so. I still had to get to the Perkiomen trail and there was still heads winds. I arrived in Rahns with 71 miles and the wind at my back again. I didn't stop for dinner since I had a side of Corned Beef at home that would be my once a week meat meal. Bethie promise that they would have Chocolate Cake Monday. The question is should I bike or drive to get it. The profile and tracks map are here: http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm

March 11, 2006 Preview of the March 25 century to Lehigh University ride.110.7 miles. I started the ride at 7 am from home. I have a route to Bethlehem that I use each year. I have use this route for about 10 years, first for the Shad Festival and then for the Musikfest ride. That ride pass through Hellertown, east of Lehigh U. However, I decided to let my most recent mapping software plot another route. To my surprise, thro longer, this route use less busy roads. http://www.billcotton.com/my_centuries_rides.htm I stopped in Ambler for breakfast and again at Rosenberg for hot chocolate. It was soon after leaving Rosenberg, on Elroy St. the route turn right on Beck St., the other cue use Beck for the return. The route through Souderton was different. Through the neighborhood of Souderton and Telford and picking up County Line road. At the10% hill east where County Line Road meets Cowpath Rd, the gps route used Barndt road to cowpath for a more gradual climb. However, on the return, I stayed on County Line Road and it felt like I was falling. This route crossed Allentown Rd. and picked up Trumbauersville Road into Quakertown. Several roads before Quakertown, in the middle of nowhere, I had a flat. As I spun the tire to see where the air was coming from. I saw cords exposed. As I walk a few yards for a clearing to work in, I picked a piece of rubber laying in the road. I cut a strip to use as a boot. I decided not to use the rear brakes. I rode about 5 miles into Quakertown. I stopped a bicyclist and asked for the location of a bicycle shop. He directed me to Nestor Sport store. I was able to buy a folder 700X23 tire. Fully confident, I continue on to Lehigh U.and down a hill on Flint Hill road. The sign read 8% but there are rises that are steeper. I realize that today's ride was to return on this hill. I arrived at the field House of Lehigh U. with 3 miles and the side of Lehigh Mountain to reach the main campus. With 60 miles completed and .it was 3 pm, I decided to turn around and use the shorter route home. However, I did use the County Line part on the new route. I have a new light bar that I was waiting to put to uses http://www.billcotton.com/luxeon_light_bar_and_gps_mount.htm This light use less power that the Halogen that I had used, getting about two hours of use. The Luxeon light was used for three hours and when I got home the meter still read 12 plus volts. I am thinking that with my battery I can get 8 to 10 hours. The listed ride for March 25 has pickup in Ft Washington, Hatfield and Quakertown. The altitude gain different between my February Centuries and the March Century was felt after the ride. http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm

March 7,06. Windy so i decided to leave later, 10 am. i rode to Rosenberg Dairy. Going I average 8.6 mph into the wind. The return was better my overall average was 9.5 mph 54.6 miles total.

February century number 2. Today 2/28/06, 22 degree when I started at 6:30 am. Five pair of socks and the sealskin foot covering and my ski mitten kept my hands and feet warm. In Riverton NJ the gps didn't seem to use the road that I had programmed, so I turn the routing function off and rode to My Holly from memory. Eating breakfast in Mt. Holly I check the turn in the gps and it showed all of the correct turns. On to Medford with a route I plan to avoid the busy streets on the last century in this area by ride further south below Medford. (See tracks here http://www.billcotton.com/my_centuries_rides.htm ) This Jackson Rd. became a dirt road with three miles to go on its five miles length to another Jackson Rd. I tried to ride for about half mile and as the road became soft sand, I turn around and rode through some lake side communities worthy of a BCP group ride. On this Jackson road there are Princeton Event road marking. They turn south on Rt.541, where I will turn the next time. I will post the revise cue soon. Backing tracking to Hopewell road, the same road that I used on the previous century in this area, I turn left instead on right on Rt. 534 to Atco instead of Berlin as I did previous. In Atco I found that I was using roads from previous rides to Hammonton and further south. From Wallingford township, I rode to Williamstown Clayton, west of Glassboro another dirt road, that was easy to get around. I stopped in Mantua for a meal. The ride was uneventful until I stopped for relief under the Betsy Ross Bridge in Delair for relief. It was dark, I had a total of six light on, two white LED, a 10 watt Halogen and three rear red blinker I parked the bicycle behind a electrical box as I sought relief. apparently someone called the police. I was stopped about three blocks away and had to explain why there was so much light at the electrical box under the bridge. Lesson learned, turn off the bicycle light when I stop. I arrive home with 109 miles and two centuries for February 06. http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm

February Century today 2/6/06. first of two I plan. For 2006 I plan to ride two century each month. 32 degree when I left Cheltenham at 7 am. Wind at my back as I cruise along a path to Mt Holly to leave a CD disk in My daughter's mail box. I stopped in Cinnaminson at a Dunkin Donut and reach to remove my helmet and it was never put on. Seem that with the Balaclava, coving my head, I forgot the helmet. I considered turning back, looking for a WalMart of Bicycle shop. All required more riding without a helmet. Neither was shown on the GPS poi close by. I competed the ride with great care. Leaving My Holly, I found my self in Medford within a few miles. still with the wind not in my face I rode along Medford main street and Taunton Blvd along the lake. then Jackson Rd. to Berlin. Leaving there I Went to Glassboro, Now the head wind were strong and traffic heavy with no shoulders. After Cross Keys the conditions were better but still a strong head wind. As I left Glassboro the route went south and the winds continued. As the route turn North I realized that the winds were again at My back. I continued to Woodbury. The route from there, using Clement Bridge Rd., parts that was under construction the last time I was there is now completed and a much better ride. I arrived home at 6:30 having to use about an hour of lights. Map and Google earth showing tracks are here; http://www.billcotton.com/my_centuries_rides.htm I recorded these track at one mile interval. Current bile log is at: http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm

My January riding has been scouting the new sections of the Schuylkill River Trail. I had a Bike or Ski event scheduled for January 7, 2006. Wednesday before I previewed the route from Valley Forge for a 52 mile ride. Saturday, Jan 7, I left home at Dawn and rode the SRT to Pottstown for 100 miles. January 14 I reverse the route and crosses the Schuylkill Rider on the Douglasville bridge and rode the new section of the Pottstown trail east. This was my second Century in January, I have set my goal to ride two centuries each month in 2006. January 19, I explored the Thun trail from Douglasville to Birdsboro. More details of my January rides is here. http://www.billcotton.com/schuylkill_river_trail.htm January 28, I did a short ride of 35 mile, I left Cheltenham for center city. I rode over the Passynuk bridge and Essington to 70th Ave, never gone this way before, Found my way to the Cobbs Creek trail. Use that to 63rd and Market. Continue on 63rd to Lansdowne and return home through Fairmount Park. January 30th, nice enough for a century but I have the two for January, so I rode to OffieMax in Plymouth Meeting, following my Ikea route, 30 miles.

Wednesday December 21, 2005. The day started with an email from a friend who now lives in Paris, the email is a link to a web picture http://framboise781.free.fr/Paris.htm with the caption, Solstice Greetings from the City of Light! I was up at 5 am to get ready to ride my Solstice century as early as possible. Sunrise to here is 7:19 am and sunset 4:38, I wanted to get all of the dawn and dusk available. At the peak of my training period, I was riding a century in about 8 hours. However, I became aware that I had knees. I have backed off from that pace and is now taking 10 hours to ride a century. I left home at a little after 6am using the one watt LED light only and the temperature was 21 degrees. My shooter mitten doesn't keep the thumb warm enough, so I put them in my back pocket for later and don my ski mitten. With these, I can put my thumbs in the finger pocket when I am not braking. With five layer of foot covering in my sandal, my feet was very warm. My first stop was at 10 miles for a pit stop, I was riding west at sunrise and had to look back to view it. I walked through two ice patches on the bike paths one on the bridge in Norristown and another in Oaks. I saw three bicyclist on the paths, so I wasn't the only one riding yesterday. On the Schuylkill path is a decorated Christmas tree complete with bows and gargling, just before Port Indian, The ride through Phoenixville brought back memories of the rides I led from Evansburg to Burchrunville and return through Phoenixville and Mount Clair. Since the Schuylkill trail is to cross the river on the Phoenixville bridge and use Chester County side for a few miles before the Pottstown section that is now open, I looked at the area and I see a abandon rail section that may be used. I rode on some quiet road before reaching Schuylkill Rd. about a mile before Bridge St. in Spring City. I follow the Century route on Old Schuylkill Rd. and then to Hanover Street. The trail in Pottstown is not finish to Reading Road yet, so I decided not to follow my cue to meet the century in Birchrunville and follow it back to Phoenixville, it was after 12 noon and I knew that there are more hills in that direction than just backtracking. After lunch in the High Street dinner, I set the GPS to backtrack. I got to the Perkiomen trail but decided to stay on Egypt Rd. to see if the Audubon trail was completed to Egypt Rd. It is, hard pack to there. I rode on to Pawlings Rd. and Audubon rd. to the paved section that parallels Pawlings Rd. I enter the Schuylkill Trail at St. Gabriel. Sunset found me still on the trail. It was still dusk when I stopped at Spring Mills to turn my rear blinker and front LED on. I used the Barren Hill bypass. I turned the 10 Watt night on at Bruno's and I arrive home with 100.3 miles at about 7 pm. Cue sheet is here. http://www.billcotton.com/Bill%20cotton%20cue%20sheets.htm This was the last ride in 2005. I finish the year with 4176.4 miles.

Saturday Dec 17, 2005 I wasn't sure if the weather would permit a road bicycle ride. There was a chance of XC skiing Saturday, Dec 10th but I didn't get to enjoy the snow, There was some hope of the snow remaining and with the use of my renewal sled http://www.billcotton.com/xc_ski_track_renewal.htm However, the rains came Thursday into Friday and the fear was black ice in many places and the sign posted for bridge closing on North Wales Ave. starting on December 16th. there was enough melting and drying on Friday that I felt that the ride would be possible. I left home at 8 am with plans to check out the bridge closing and ride back to Ft Washington to meet any riders that showed up. At this time the temperature was below freezing. I had to walk through a few patches on ice. Instead of going to North Wales Ave., I stopped at the McDonald's for coffee and return to Ft Washington Park. No one showed, Steve and Arnie called that they would meet me at Norristown Farm Park. Instead of going to North Wales Ave., I turned on Cathcart Rd. and made my way to Rt. 202 to Yost Rd. and to North Wales. I rode down to the bridge to see if I would've been able to pass, I could've today but the detour is very long. I met Steve and Arnie and we rode to Ikea for Lunch. The ride was uneventful back home. I broke the 4k mark and now I have 4039.5 miles for this year. I still want to get a December century in to complete my goal of a century every month this year. I have a total of 16 century to date. http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm

Thursday Dec 8, 2005 With the forecast of snow for Friday, I decided to preview my bike or ski ride scheduled for December 17, from Ft Washington to Ikea for lunch and back. I rode from home to Ft Washington and on to Ikea. I used I went through Norristown Farm. Today I use Fornace St instead of Johnson to get to Belvior. A steeper hill but less traffic. I will write the cue up with both ways. 51 miles today bring my total miles for the year to 3981. I hope to get a century in for December to take me over 4k for the year.

Thursday December 1, 2005 Hans reported to BCP list that two bike path would be dedicated on Saturday.

I left home about 9:30 to explore the new sections of the Schuylkill River trail that Hans reported yesterday. I will be unable to get to the opening ceremonies on Saturday the crew were working on the Audubon trail about a mile from the entrance in front of St Gabriel. I rode that far and talk with the crew. He said that eventfully the trail would go to Egypt road and when the crew is finished there, they would go to Pottstown to work on that section. I rode back to Pawling Road and saw that the trail parallel Pawling Road to Mill road. Part of the crew was working there also. I follow Pawling to Egypt and turn left. about half way to Perkoemen Creek I saw the work on the path, just graded to Egypt road.

I rode Black Rock road and followed that to 113 where I picked up the Schuylkill century marking. Follow then to where it turn on to on Keim. I continue on Cedarville to Hanover St. That crosses Rt. 724 and the river. I made a Left on Industrial and use the steps to get down to the park trail next to the river. That trail follow the river to a bridge over the Manatawny Creek to the new section. This part was open last year to a dead end about a mile along the river. I rode to the same spot and the path has been graded beyond the trail end. I walk about a block on the dirt and turn around. I came back to College drive (name change) and made the left to get to High Street. A left on that and a left on Old Reading Rd.. About a mile on Reading and I see where the trail is graded to connect with Reading and it will use the same route that I use to get to Reading. http://www.billcotton.com/Bill%20cotton%20cue%20sheets.htm Norristown to Queen City Dinner. I turn around at this point and rode back to the Community College and found a SEPTA bus waiting to leave at 4:40. I had time to use the College vending and rest rooms. A map with my track in the Pottstown area is shown is on this page http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm Below my Bikelog. Also new information is on the Montgomery county web pages about its trails. Information about the length of time of the detour in Conshohocken and the improvement the builder of the Condominium will add to the trail. http://www.montcopa.org/parks/Schuylkill_RiverTrail/newdevelop.htm

Saturday November 26, 2005 Walt birthday ride 100 miles. I rode from home to meet Walt for his 70 mile on his 70th birthday at the Art Museum and about five miles to kill time until time to leave. We left at 9am and arrived in Elmer NJ about noon for lunch. Walt insisted on treating the group to lunch, We got back to the Art Museum about 4pm and I still had 15 miles to go for home. I rode up the drive and through Germantown to get more miles and ride a 100 miles. I had to ride the 3 mile loop near home twice to get the 100 miles. Pictures of Walt ride are here; http://www.billcotton.com/BCPpic.htm

Saturday November 19, 2005 31 degrees, 75, miles, 12.2 average. I waited until 9 am and it was still cold. However, I was sweating very soon into the ride. About 11 am I rolled the head cover up and about 1 pm I removed it entirely. I was not sure where I wanted to go, so I headed to New Jersey where I several routes. North to Mt Holly and beyond; South, Hammonton and beyond; Swedesboro and Salem. I decided to ride to Swedesboro and see if the sign that we put up was still in place. It was. I considered riding another 15 mile south for a century but since I left home later than I would for a century, I turn around at Swedesboro. I arrived home at 4 pm still over heated. I have to modify my dress.

Saturday November 12, 2005, 100.0 miles, 11.3 average. The question was do I ride my November century today or join Len and Pat 30 mile ride from Bluebell to Doylestown. I decided to ride from home to Len and Pat's start and see what happen after their ride. My road bicycle is still down waiting for a cassette body. The LBS say that Cannondale misplace the order, bottom line is that I still don't have the have the part. Seem that while I have Shimano 105 components, the wheel, hub and seal bearing are Coda, a Cannondale supplier. (I am changing the cassette body because the pedals turns when I roll the bicycle forward, indicating that the freewheel isn't free.) The touring bike is about a mile per hour slower, so slow that I don't need the lowest gear on hills where the lowest was still hard on the road bicycle. It was 31 degree when I left home at 7 am. I arrived at the start Just before 9 am with 16 miles on the gps and a average speed of 11.6. We left with six riders Lunched in Doylestown in back of a computer store. Good food at good prices We return to The start at Routes 202 and 73. my mileage was 44, average was 12.6 and the time was almost one pm. I figured that I could get my century in today so I rode 202 about a mile to the Schuylkill century marking and followed them to Evanburg. Lots of road work have removed the road marking and Green Hill road is milled in two sections. I remembered the turn and could see the map on the gps. After Evanburg I followed Mill Road to Just before Rt. 113 and went through the development to get to Perkomen Creek Rd. Still as hilly as before. I turn left at the entrance to Gradiford to the bike path. I did the mental calculation to see if I would have a century by following the bike paths home. I had 73 mile at Spring Mill and I remember that it is 17 miles from home to Spring Mills. Sunset according to the gps was 4:48 pm at Valley Forge and when I got to Cheltenham, it showed 4:47 pm. I got to Bruno about 5pm. I turn on the rear flasher and the LED light to be seen. About 5:30 on Bethlehem Pike I needed the 10 watt light. I had use the gps with back light all day connect to the same battery that power the light, but the light was still getting full power. I got 6 tenth mile from home and had a mile to go for the 100 mile, so I detoured for 4 tenth and arrived home with 100 miles. My bike log is showing 3675 miles, I plan to break 4k this year. http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm

Wednesday November 9, 2005. 51.2 miles 11.1 average. I previewed my Bike or Ski Ride for December 17th. I will ride from Cheltenham to the 30 mile start at Ft Washington State Park. If there is Snow in the park, it will be XC skiing that day. Today I rode my touring bicycle for the first time since my 72 birthday ride. I ordered a Coda cassette body for my rear wheel of my road bicycle, rather than reassemble the wheel, I will wait until the new parts comes in. I left home around 8 AM since I heard that the rain could start at noon. I was able to do 51.2 miles by 1 PM. I felt a few drops but I could've gotten a century in today before the rain did come about 6 PM. Took a while to get use to the down tube shifting, I actually shifted less. The 30 mile route leaves Ft Washington and goes to Ambler. From there to North Wales Rd., then southwest on it, cross Germantown Pile into Norristown Farm State Park. Using a few of the bike paths to get to Swede Rd. Then Johnson Rd to Belvoir Rd. then Gallagher Rd, (one lane. while the underpass at the Turnpike is being worked on). At Chemical Rd. The Cross County bike path is open to Ikea from Chemical Road near Germantown Pike. Soon it will connect the Schuylkill trail to Ft Washington State park. a map of the completed section, showing how to reach it from the Schuylkill bike path is here; http://www.montcopa.org/parks/schuylkillrivertrail.htm I had lunch ay Ikea, 50 cent hot dog and $1.50 cinnamon bun, however they are 6 for 5 dollars. I got on the bike path at Colwell Lane and use it to Spring Mills. From there I use my Barren Hill bypass. http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm Map and cue are near the bottom of the link above. Cue sheet is here; http://www.billcotton.com/Bill%20cotton%20cue%20sheets.htm

Saturday November 5th, 44.2 miles 12.2 average. I were to ride from Cheltenham to the Peter Motts house. Because of a breakfast at our church, I elected to meet the group at the Peter Mott house, because of parking, I advised all that called or emailed, to park on the Home Depot lot and ride their bicycle to Peter Mott House. Rt. 30 road signs are vague near Camden and a few of us found ourselves on the Black Horse Pike instead oh the White Horse Pike. It was after 10 am before we gathered all 22 riders, including myself, and started the ride. A stop in Woodbury for a break and on to the Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, Some riders fail to stop at the Church and continued to Swedesboro. The marker sign was on the ground again, I had put it back last week when I took a picture. Elaine spearheaded our efforts to replace the sign into new wood. We rode on toward Swedesboro. Some riders had stopped at a Italians food restaurant with outdoors stone table. Pizza already made. waiting to be heated. I ordered a cheese steak Pizza almost an inch thick. In Swedesboro, Mike suggest that we divide up to two food places to save time. So some of the rides continued on to another place with one check. Needless to say they took longer to get served. One we regrouped, I agreed to go back by the Underground Railroad church for those who missed seeing the church, it picture is on my web page. I turn across King Highway a block too soon and could've been is deep Jersey outback but the GPS, which I have rigged for voice commands got us to the church without a U turn. A final rest stop at Woodbury and we were back in Lawnside. My Training http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm My log of miles and averages.

Thursday November 3rd, 30.3 miles total, average 13.3 mph. I took the car to Woodbury, a 40 mile distance from Greenwich Pier to take pictures of the Tea burning Monument http://www.billcotton.com/underground_railroad_east_bicycl.htm near the bottom of this page. A busy sea port was nearby and the Monument is to celebrate The storming of a British ship and burning its cargo of tea. The port also was a entry point for fleeing slaves to go on the the safe houses that the bicycle ride will visit November 5th. Plans are to have a club ride from Woodbury to this Pier. Today, However, the head winds were so strong that I rode 15 miles into the wind and turn around and felt like I had a wind sail attached as the wind propelled me back to the car. I drove to Greenwich to take the picture.

Saturday October 29, 2005. 129.6 miles, 4970 feet of elevation gain and average of 11.4 mph. I started in Cheltenham at 7:45 am to preview the Underground railroad stations ride that is listed for Saturday November 5 2005. The ride is from Peter Mott house in Lawnside NJ to Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church near Swedesboro NJ. The ride is 40 miles total, 20 miles there and 20 miles back. Today, I rode to a third stop, Bethel AME church in Greenwich NJ http://www.billcotton.com/underground_railroad_east_bicycl.htm More information about the sites can be reach form the above link. The head wind and fatigue slowed me and I took more that 11 hours for the 129 miles trip. By using the GPS backlight in cool weather, my 12 volts power supply gave out before time for the bright light. However, with fresh batteries, the one watt LED light was enough to see at a slower speed. Just a spot ahead, I couldn't see parked cars until almost on them.

The broken spoke became a bigger job than expected. I use a Hycraker tool to remove the cluster retaining ring. My hard riding lately had tighten the ring until I couldn't free the cluster on the bicycle. Off the bicycle a chain whip is needed along with the retaining ring tool. After going to Sheldon Brown site and seeing how the chain whip tool look, I made a chain whip tool in my machine shop. The free wheel body didn't turn as free as I thought. I have seal bearing and none of the internet sites showed a rear hub with seal bearing. I called a local LBS and he didn't have any in stock. I Clean the unit and put it back together. Monday I will take the wheel to the shop. I was able to match the bearing at a local belt, Pulley and bearing store and save shipping on that item. This month has the most miles of any this year with three centuries http://www.billcotton.com/my_training.htm .

Wednesday October 26m 2005. 100 miles and a elevation gain of 4123 ft. 5420 with out the 5 ft discount that I built in to the template. (New Jersey isn't flat) I left home at 9:30 am with the intention of previewing the Underground railroad ride. I found that I hadn't uploaded the route to my gps. I thought that I could find the Peter Mott house. I didn't and made a big circle after stopping at Mickdees for lunch. I stop at a senor center and asked and was directed to the house. I pass the local school and was please to see about 20 to 30 bicycle in the rack. After visiting the Mott house; parking is limited as a housing cul de sac has sprung up around it, I decide to ride the Cheltenham to Atlantic City route and check out the changes that I post to not use Evesham road as I did when I rode it last. The current changes are doable, but the gps led me through Voorhees and pas the High School I will post that route soon. I had decided to ride 50 miles out and turn around, suspecting that to be Hammonton NJ. I got to Hammonton with the wind at my back and 13.7 average miles per hour. I loop around the back of town to get 50 plus miles since I has loop around Lawnside look for the Motts house. I turn to ride home into the nor-easterner, In my face all the way home. Forty miles with out a stop with the wind blowing across open fields most of the time. Once into the built up area the wind wasn't as bad. I stopped at the same Mickdees on the return in Lawnside. After a 20 minutes rest I was back on the road. Just inside Philly a spoke broke. I loosen the spoke on both side of the break and wrap the broken one and continue toward home. I arrived home with 98 miles. I rode pass for a mile and turn around, arriving home with 100.0 at the driveway. My training log is at; My Training .

Saturday October 15 Mums ride. 82,2 miles 11.4 mph. It was raining when I open the garage to start the ride at 7 am. I went back to bed and at 8 am the sun came through the window , Steve T called on the cell to say that he couldn't believe that I was canceling the ride. I said that I was now going to ride and would be at Betzwood at 11:30. I got there at 10:30 but waited for Steve and Arnie. We did the ride and stop at Bethie on the way to Otts , only two slices were out of the Chocolate cake. I asked what time she was closing and she said one oclock, I took my cake then and since Steve and Arnie was eating trail mix at the picnic table, I ate it outside. We went on to Otts and the Mums are 99.9 percent full bloom. Pictures that Arnie took are on this page My Training There are small, for full size copies, email Arnie or myself. Steve rode back to Conshocken with me using the extended century route. more thanks to the planer on the century. A map to bypass Barren Hill Road going up is also on the above page.

October 1, 2005 after my training rides for the month of September My Training I have increased my average. Today Century, a preview for the Mums ride that I will lead Saturday October 15, 100.1 miles and 12.0 average mph. This includes riding the gravel from Oaks to Otts, about 35 miles at a slower pace. The training ride calendar has a entry for elevation gain. This is taken from the gps track and a template that I made that deducts gains of less than 5 feet. The readings are not completely accuracy as shown on the training rides of the same routes but different value. However, I will use the readings to compute my elevation gains. Today I left home at 6:30 at first light. I arrived at Bretzwood at 8:30, 25 miles in two hours. I was to meet Saul at ten am so I made a loop of the Schuylkill Century's Scenic route. (I didn't get to do it when I did the Century.) However I turn on Crocked La. and return to the bike path in Norristown. I meet Saul not long after getting on the path. We rode on to Otts. A few Mums are in bloom but the mum posts and most on the mountain are at least three weeks from full bloom. Should be ready for the Mums ride on Saturday Oct 15. We return to Betties for food and there was one piece of the chocolate cake in the case which I ordered before my meal. Another stop at the bakery on main street in Collegeville for Saul sweet tooth also, However, I couldn't let him eat alone, so two chocolate chip cookies for me. I return to Betzwood with around 60+ miles, so I rode the Scenic route again to add miles. I was 6 tenth from home with 98 mile so another loop to come in to our home from the other way and a steep short hill. I turn 12 mph as I reach the hill so I stood up and power up that hill. It was still on 12 as I reach the summit. I use the big ring to power down the other side to home. November ride will be in New Jersey from Landside to Salem area. I will hold the ride to a C pace but I am look for my fastest century ever on the preview.

September 11, 2005 Schuylkill Century. 116.3 12.2 average. I have found that my long slow rides aren't giving me the workout that I want, to maintain my health levels. Three weeks ago I started a 20 mile training loop, a day on and a day off., from home in Cheltenham to Mansion Mill Park. Using a elevation template that I made to accept the elevation output from my GPS, the loop has a elevation gain of 1083 feet. The first day of the ride took two hours Yesterday it took 1:35 minutes. My mph has increased for that ride. My max was 12.6. Today I agree to work with the century registration. I rode from home and clocked 14 mph. At nine o'clock I left to ride thinking that I would do the 65 mile ride. On the trail I passed the unicycle rider and took two pictures Someone said that I should be at Evansburg before 11:30 am to ride the century. I got there at 11:30 with an average of 14 mpg and said to myself Why not! I didn't do my September century yet and it could rain the rest of the month. I left ahead of Linda, the bicycle sag, however, she passed me in a few miles. My average is now about 13.5 now. Riding average is like bad habit, late in a ride it takes a lots to make a change. At mile 52 on S. Keim St. After pedaling down all of the hill in the big ring and standing on the short hills, I couldn't pedal this hill. I walked up the hill and decided I would do my 11 mph for the rest of the ride and I would have the gps guide me from Pughtown road and pick up the S route back to Betzwood. As I rode at my pace, I didn't walk any more hills. I arrived at the fire house and a gaggle of riders were still there. Pete Odell had a theory that most level of rides ends about the same time as faster rider tend to take longer breaks. (Tour De France takes days off durning the ride, RAAM people clams that their ride is the most grueling since their ride is with no time off.) http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/files/newsarchive/062705_6.htm I digress. However, newly inspired, I decided to complete the outer loop. I rode with Royer Smith for a while, He stopped to talk to Elaine in the sag car, Linda stopped also but kept us in her mirror. Later I met Michelle out for ride going the other way, I stopped to talked for a while near Art School road. As I got to Kimerton Rd, the turn was left instead instead of right of the old route. I see that had I turn left on Pughtown, I would've gotten back on the cue. I like this and other changes to the century. Hats off to the team. I found food and drinks still at Betzwood when I arrived, meeting Royer as I enter the path. Elaine, had came back to check again. Royer and I plan not to go back to the Art Museum, I left the trail at Spring Mill and used Joshua, going through the Development ant arrived on Hart Ln near Ridge Ave. Since I rode down from I would have had 120 miles total, but this route was far less traffic that going through the city at 6 pm. I finish the ride with 7873 gain from my gps track log 116.3 miles and a moving time of 9:32 minutes The new template discount gains of less that 5 feet. This can be changed to any number. The undiscounted altitude gain is 8504 feet. The altitude gains on this page http://www.billcotton.com/bicycle_ride_rating_system.htm were derived from TopoUSA, are, 7246 for the 110 miles and 6995 for the old 100 miles route of the Schuylkill century.

September 7,2005, 70 miles from home and back. After reading a post on rec.bicycles.rides that Adventure Cycling plans to add a bicycle route in the Ohio river area that follows the Under ground Rail Road. I thought setting up routes on the east coast is an excuse to ride my bicycle. I located a map of listing by the National park service; http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/underground/ From that list and local black history sites that I learned of in this area, I made a route and met Steve Trovic near the school that he alerted me of in Wayne PA The route cue sheet an pictures are here; http://www.billcotton.com/philly_area_bicycle_routes.htm the route is 32 miles from Cheltenham to White Horse Farm near Valley Forge National Park. The next route will connect Underground Rail Road site in South New Jersey near routes that I have already in the area of Salem and Woodbury.

August 31, Sept 1 and 5. I started hard 20 miles training ride from home in Cheltenham to Mason Mills, near Second Street Pike and County Line road. The first ride average was 11.3, next 11.7, and the next was 12.2.

August 27, 2005. Volunteer ride for Schuylkill Century 62 mile ride, I left home for the Art Museum at 6:45 for an 8:am start. 79.9 miles at 11.6 mph. I rode with Ed, & Laura Holden, Ray Murtaugh and his brother Brian, Lisa, Peggy and JD. Steve and Pat join the group at Spring Mills. I left the group at Betzwood to go to a computer show to pickup printer cartridges. 11.6 mile per hour was my highest for the year.

August 24/25, 2005; 211.3 miles. Margaret and Karen are at Wildwood NJ. I leave home at 5:30 am following the route that I used to get to the Pleasantville to Somers point bike path. Cr. 551, from Hammonton to Egg Harbor. It is used by the American Cancer ride also. A short ride on Rt. 50 and a left on Cr 686 to a right Cr 563. Cr. 563 has bike lanes and low traffic to Rt. 40. it becomes a divided highway after this point. Two option at this point to get to the Plesantville bike path. At that circle, make a left to Washington Ave, without entering the circle. Follow Washington Ave. to a right on Doughty Ave. Follow this to Park Ave and the bicycle path. Another, is to go 3/4 around the circle to Tilton Rd. Follow Tilton Rd across Rt. 9 and pickup the bike path in Northfield. Leave the path at Maryland Ave. make a left to cross the bay on the Longport Somers Point Blvd. You will cross two high span bridges that has wide bicycle lanes. From Cheltenham, I cross the Tacony bridge, use River Rd to Bridgeview Rd, to Union. Union to Park Ave. in Merchantville. Centere to Clayton to Cuthbert Bvd. to Park in Haddonfield becomes West End, left on Kings Hwy and quick Right on Warwick. Left on Charleston, Charleston to Evesham, Evesham to Cooper. Cooper has bike lanes. A few turn around Atco and into Winslo township and the start of Cr.561.Edgg Harbor Road.

However, at the end of the bike path I continue south and I crosses on the wrong Bridge, 9th street bridge in Ocean City. I stopped at the welcome station to ask where was the correct bridge but the guy was busy. So as I was getting ready to cross the second bridge a policeman pulled along side and said that bicycle aren't allowed. I said that I looked for a sign and not seeing one I crossed. He said there is a sign but go ahead and he would block for me. once in town he said that when you return, to go back over the Long Port bridge, there are two bridges. I did come back that way and use the bike path that I wrote about before. 211 miles and 20 hour of quality time with Margaret in Wildwood. I left Wildwood at 11 am on Thursday morning, returned over the Longport bridge and the bicycle path, after 28 miles on the Ocean Highway. Connecting with the bicycle path on Maryland Ave and leaving the path In Northfield on Tilton Rd. The bicycle path had parallel street on both sides for most of it's length, so actually riding the path isn't necessary for most of the ride, Tilton Road is one way at the route 40 circle, so I had to use Fire road to Washington Ave for half mile. I will get a cue sheet up soon. I also plan to check the Northfield Margate bridge for bicycle accessible. Soon. Any excuse for a long ride.

I checked the rules for a double century and seems that if the rest period is less that 24 hours, the ride is a double century.

August 18, 2005 79,3 miles. Eight of those miles is from a ride Saturday, since it was almost two weeks since I rode. I decide to go to Bethie on Rt. 29 and the Perkiomen trail for home made cake. Bethie began to smile as I walk in the door. Not seeing any cake in the counter display case, I order a fish sandwich and found a chocolate muffin on another counter display. When Bethie brought the sandwich, without me asking, she promise that they would soon have the home made cake when the weather cools down for the baker. Lots of rider and jogger on all of the trails since the hot spell ended. New road marking for the Schuylkill Century and fresh marking for two other century rides. One ride has to detour around the Morris Road bridge construction. Next time I am in the area I will check the bike path that seem to connect Landis road with Quarry Road, south of Stover Rd. It been a few week since I bike in this area. Signs of harvest time in the area, the corn is as high as an elephant's ear and wild apple trees has apples covering the ground underneath. The Perkiomen trail has more paved sections but They aren't connected. The Spring Mountain trail is completed now. I left the trail at Stafford rd. today and used Old Skippack Pike to return home.

August 6, 2005 Ninth annual ride to Bethlehem. 119.4 miles. The first time I led this ride was to the Shad Festival http://www.billcotton.com/shad.htm in 1997, five riders, we all started from Hatfield going over South mountain from the south west near Emmaus and returning over the North east near Hellertown. I have since reverse the direction so that the up side is more gradual. The sign say 8 percent grade at the top of Flint Hill road. We now go down rather than up Flint Hill Road. It is still the most elevation gain on any of my centuries, at 5492 feet gained http://www.billcotton.com/bicycle_ride_rating_system.htm I may have dropped a few feet today, I didn't ride Blue Church Rd. I went through Cooperstown, crossing Rt. 309 twice in that area. Arnie and I witnesses a battle between the cold front and warm front. The sky was dark and it was hot and humid on the north side of South Mountain, at the top we could see a pretty blue sky to the southwest, as we dropped down into Sacon Valley the air was cool and pleasant. At the bicycle parking we always got a package of Lehigh Valley cue sheets. Also last year the coordinator wish that they had a map like Philadelphia area bicycle map. This year there is a map http://www.lehighvalleypa.org/default.aspx?pageid=596 it has several cue and maps, same as before but smaller.

The ride to Bethlehem has been done every year since 1997. For two years the route was use for the American Diabetes Assn "Tour de Cure" http://tour.diabetes.org/site/PageServer?pagename=TC_homepage One innovation of the ride was to have the cue sheet available as a GPS file. I only work with the group for one year, it was ran the following year with less success. After the Shad Festival was not allowed to use the park, as the Musikfest grew, I continued the ride as a Musikfest ride.

July 30, 2005 Frank Jackson ride around the airport. the ride left from Madade Bvd.. in Folsom. I bicycle from home for a total of 75 miles. The ride went southwest to Swarthmore and used some of the bike trail that parallel the Blue Route in that area. Frank gave us a history talk about the mill and owner home on Crum Creek that we pasted. One to the airport and a stop at Ft. Miffin and another lesson. Very enjoyable ride, good pace for everyone and good history lessons.

July16, 2005, BCP picnic in Lower Perkiomen Valley Park. My plans was to deep fry 15 pounds of fish that I had left over in my freezer. Since the picnic area is not accessible by car, I plan park the car at Spring Mills and haul the equipment in my modified Radio flyer wagon.

I bought this wagon 20 years ago when our grandson had a broken leg at the age of 5. I was the sitter and rig my bicycle with a tow bar, pillows in the wagon and Keven and I was on the road much as my plans for Saturday.

However, I couldn't find the tow bar that I use with Keven and driving to Spring Mills, with the bicycle on top of the car, the U bolt came loose from the clamp of the tow bar shown in the picture. So I drove to Lower Perkiomen Park and pulled the wagon the the picnic area by hand. Margaret breaded the fish with her mixture of corn bread mixture, her selection of spices and butter milk. We place the breaded fish in plastic bag and in a cooler. I use a turkey cooker but with a smaller pot than use for a turkey (12 inch diameter, the Turkey pot is 12 inch diameter), only to save on the amount of canola oil used. A depth of oil is need to maintain the 350 temperature that I found gives a even doneness and color to the fish. I use 5-48 oz bottle this time. I only got to rid my bicycle around the park to look for the BCP area, but I plan to make a tow bar that hook on my bicycle rear axle and the axle of the wagon.

July 13, 2005 My plans were to ride NJT 's Atlantic City train to Absecon NJ, bicycle to Pleasantville and ride the Linwood bikeway to Somers Point then bicycle home for about 85 to 90 miles. http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/commuter/bike/atlantic.shtm Instead, today's ride was 143.3 miles. I arrived at 30th street station to board the 9:30 train. The AMTRAK ticket told me that they only sells tickets to Atlantic City ant that I should use the NJT's ticket machine for Absecon. I had plenty of time to do this. Seem that this line doesn't have peak periods that bicycle aren't allowed. However, Atlantic City seem to get more handicap scooter passengers than other lines. At Lindenwold, the conductor announce to me, "Sir I have to ask you to leave the train" I asked about my ticket and he punch out a transfer pass. I will contact customers service about this later. Not will to wait more than 2 hours, the trains out of 30th street were 9:30 am and 11:48 am, I elected to have my gps paint me a route. I have led ride out of Lindenwold more that a few times, so I use memory to get past the naked boys in Winslow and into Hammonton. There I had the Quest gps to get me to Absecon. Leaving Hammonton I found that I would be on RT. 30. I check the setting and found that I had set the Quest to use highways when I want to stay on RT.40 to follow the RAAM riders a few weeks ago. Changing the setting, I was directed to Cr. 561 Alt., a road with ACS marking. I change the destination to Pleasantville before Egg Harbor and the Quest put me on Cr. 563. I stopped in Egg Harbor for lunch. CR. 563 runs with Rt. 30 through Egg Harbor, but has a bike lane after leaving Rt. 30. (Cr. 686, a block west, parallels Rt. 30 for this section. The next turn was Washington Ave. in Pleasantville This street parallels Rt. 40, 322. At the Trailhead in Pleasantville, I couldn't find the trail. You can see from the tracks, dotted lines on the map.

I had an alternate route loaded in my Quest that use Main street in Pleasantville and Shore Drive later to get to Somers Point, I begun on that route. In Northfield I saw a jogger and asked where the trail is, he answered that it was a block west, paralleling Shore Drive. I got on the trail and rode back toward Pleasantville. I found that the train end .east of Rt. 40. The bridge is in place but not cleared. for used. I turned around and rode the trail to Somers Point. That end is near Cr. 559 Alt. that I use to get to Mays Landing. From Lenape Lake to Winslow, I could see signs of have rain, however, I didn't get any rain. I notice a flat tire and a cut in my rear tire when I left home. I patch the tube and place a dollar bill over the cut. In Haddonfield at the train station I notice that the rear tire was soft and replace the tube in the well lit parking lot. I replace that tube in the light of a street light about a mile away. That tube got me home ant 11 pm.

July 9th, 2005 Pea Patch ride. Cheltenham to Ft. Mott. 104.9 miles today. June 29 when I preview the ride, I found that leaving home at 7 am I would get to Kingway regional school at 10 am instead of 11 am. Some how I missed Dave email Friday night. but it is there. Glen email Saturday with a request to pick him up in Auburn for a shorter ride. I took time to redo the cue sheet to leave Rt. 551 in Auburn instead of Swedesboro and since the return was via Rt. 130 to before Bridgeport and then back to the school, I change the return also. I left home at 7:30 am. I had a deluxe breakfast in Woodbury. When I got to the school I was surprised to find two riders waiting. We waited until 11 and pulled off. Doug, a member of Delaware Valley have met there for a number of rides that Delaware Valley club start at Kingway School. We found Glen not at Auburn but really in Pennsville township. Nowhere to go but follow Rt. 551 to Pennsville. ( South Jersey is like a blank canvas for a GPS. If a road goes through, you will eventually get to Cape May Point going south, to the ocean going east or to the Delaware River going west. My gps is programmed to flavor local roads so if a road goes through, I get there.) We stopped at a WAWA for food and carried it to the park for lunch. We arrived at Ft Mott about 1:30, The next ferry would leave at 2:30 and return after 4 pm. Doug knew the area so I suggest that he and Dave go out ahead and I would ride with Glen back to his car, about 12 miles away. Glen and I picked up Rt. 551 in east Pennsville and followed it back to Glen car. When I got to Kingway school Doug and Dave was pulling in. Doug had added a few miles for a 55 mile ride. I told them how great to have company on rides. Seven centuries this year and this was the second to have company. Steve Trobovic rode with me on a Reading century. Crossing the Tacony bridge while going, I met Mike a SCU founding member and on my return, I met a bridge opening. That gave me a change to take a break. My August Century is the Bethlehem Musikfest.

Wednesday June 29, 2005; 152.4 miles today. I left home at 6:45 am, the weather did permit. My gps map allows choices on roads type to avoid. It also allow the speed allowed of each type road. Apparently by setting a higher speed on local road. today's route used more back roads. (One of the algorithm to determine a local road is that the road has a name and not a number, this can be a problem) Going, Rt. 130 is name Crescent Blvd on the map so when I was to go on that road I detoured and the GPS recalculated to put me back on the route. On the return, a road had been closed by locals and it was about a mile to the next turn, The recalculation was more drastic and added about 4 miles to the route. Ok, however, this route passed a food stop. I arrived in Woodstown about 11 AM; I didn't pass or get passed by any RAAM riders on Rt. 40 in the 4 hours I spent riding and at the check in station. My average speed before Woodstown was 10.5 mph. I upped that to 11.9 on Rt. 40 and ended the ride with 11.6. There was a south west wind going to Woodstown. I rode east on. Rt. 40, so the wind wasn't a problem. I checked the web page when I got home and it showed only one riders had check in yesterday, and that was after I left. Today and Friday will be better for RAAM sighting. My only encounter with hard rain was on Rt. 40 and I found a bus shelter to get under. It lasted about ten minutes. As I rode, I could see that the rain had passed before I got there, in both directions. I arrived home at 9:30 PM and the hard rain began about ten pm here. I correct the route and this is the Cue sheet,

Saturday June 25, Lou Thompson lead a joint ride of the Blazers and BCP around the airport. I rode the 16 miles from Cheltenham to the start at Lindbergh and Island road. Jill told me that the Cobb Creek trail was open, so I return home via the trail. The trail Start at Market and 63 St.. and is off road and paved to Cobbs Creek and 70th St.. From there is is signed. Spruce street is a good cross town route to get on the trail. I use Wynnefield out of Fairmount Park to Woodbine to 63rd Street.

Saturday June 18, My church schedule a ride on the Martin L. King Drive. No taker I log 35 miles and on the 23 I rode to Southampton and logged 26 miles.

Saturday June Breakfast ride to Green lane. A hot day. Because Morris Rd. is closed I detoured to Rt. 63. At Enfield, a local diner has a sign for Strawberry topped waffles. I forgot about the Green lane dinner and stopped here. On my return, a group of BCP B riders road alone with me for a while. I had 60 miles distance when I got home.

Cue sheet here Saturday June 4 2005, The ride was done, a little rain about 9am. When I arrived at Oaks no one was waiting so I did the ride alone. 128 mile total, 12.2 hours or pedaling. Lower Perkomen Park to Reading PA 62 miles total, “ A pickup point is Montgomery County Community College. the final stop of the Route 93 SEPTA bus. After Birdsboro,. Less than a mile on Rt. 724 and the Reading Schuylkill trail begins, http://www.Schuylkill.org/maps/reading_trail.asp is picked up west of Birdsboro. The trail is hard packed, 25 mm tires or wider is suggested. I had lunch at the Queen City Dinner in West Reading, Rt. 10 and Rt. 222. Cell phone 215 559 2910. Email billcotton@billcotton.com

Friday May 27, VA appointment: I bicycle from Cheltenham to Overbrook regional Rail station and from Thorndale to the VA in Coatesville. I return using a route created in Mapsource 's 6.5 beta. This version allows section of a street to be avoided. I avoided Church road and Lancaster Ave. The route used roads that I never would have used. Old Gulp between Conestoga and King of Prussia was the only road that was busy. I set up a avoid for that for next time but the route used Swedesford road. i don't want to use that road, so I will keep the present route.

Tuesday May 17th 2004, Mt Penn for computer ink and Reading for lunch. Also a chance to preview the Rt. 724 alternate of the June 4th ride. After casting my vote for the primary election, I bicycle to the Ft Washington SEPTA for the Rt. 98 bus to Norristown. A change to the Rt. 93 for a ride to Pottstown. I arrived in Pottstown almost noon. I got off the bus on Hanover St, not knowing that I would pass Community College, end of the route. Once I cross the Schuylkill at Bridge Road, I rode less than a mile on Rt. 724 and turn left at the golf course sign. This was a lots hillier that Rt. 724 but very little traffic. I intersect route 345 Just above Birdsboro. Back on Rt. 724 in the center of Birdsboro, another mile and I was on the Thun Trail http://www.Schuylkill.org/maps/reading_trail.asp ( Off road Reading to Gibraltar and Old River road and Schuylkill Road to Birdsboro.) My route left trail at Gibraltar Road and after several turns I was on Bus 422. The ink store is on this road. Another route carried me to Reading, still on Bus Rt. 422, over a gorge and through town to lunch at the Queen City Dinner. I had the salad bar, the choices of desserts was over whelming. I settle for chocolate cake, presented with chocolate dabs and whip cream dabs. I got on the Trail a mile south of the dinner and follow it to Birdsboro. Once on Rt. 724 I continue to the turn for Douglassville, as traffic was very light. At Community College a bus was waiting, I got on it and rode to Norristown. I use Arch Street to get across town and to Plymouth Meeting, Avoiding Barren Hill Rd. climb from the Schuylkill trail. Leaving the trail in Conshohocken using Colwell Ln. and Brooke Rd. is also a climb but the roads has less traffic than Barren Hill Rd. and wider. I arrive home with 75 miles of bicycling and 8 hours of riding. total time included 2 hours of bus riding.

Wednesday, May 4, still interested in the North Jersey coast, I considered riding the North Jersey Coast line to Bay Head and bicycling back to Philadelphia. But that would be only 67 miles. I made a cue and route from home to Pt. Pleasant NJ with plans to bicycle back to West Trenton, 47 miles. I left home at about 7am. The route used all minor road into Lakewood, for about two miles there was a busy road before and after that the roads all had wide breakdown lanes. I arrived at Osborne road and Bay avenue about 2 pm and found that the Bay Head train station is on Osborne. I rode two blocks more to the ocean and turn around. Lunch at a dinner in Pt. Pleasant and followed the GPS a different back toward West Trenton. I stopped at a 7-11 on Rt. 33 with 6 miles to go to the SEPTA station. I did a search for AMTRAK and noticed that it was 5 miles. I follow that to the River Line, 50 cents and more trains running. I arrive home with 120 miles at 9pm.

Tuesday April 26, 2005. On the ride of April 15, I never got to Sandy Hooks. While look for a Parallel road, I notice a bike path that Parallel Rt. 36, a very busy highway, Henry Hudson Bicycle Path,

I bicycle east for about 6 miles to get 51 miles on my trip odometer for a 100 miles on that ride. I made plans to start a ride closer so that I could ride the entire 12 miles of the path.

7:30 am I left home, I bicycle from Cheltenham to the Tacony stop of the 8:19 R7 SEPTA's Regional Rail to Trenton. The New York Commuter train was on the same track ahead as we pulled in to Trenton. (The train ride is listed as Philly to New York, bicycles has to observe peak hours and directions) I rush up and sat in one of the last cars. The conductor inform me that since I wanted to change train at Rahway, I had to move from car 9 to car 6, since the Rahway platform was short. At the next stop, I ran on the outside rather than open and close doors as the train was moving. At Rahway I use the rest room , went down and over to the South and East bound tracks and waited for the 10:16 am North Jersey Coast line to Aberdeen NJ, in Monmouth County, where the Henry Hudson trail starts. I start bicycling from the train station toward the Garden State Parkway, the only direction I knew. I saw a local with a sports rack on top of his car and ask if he knew where the HH trail started, that I wanted the very start. He told me that I to go back one street and turn left for the start of the trail behind a Shell gas station. He also told me that one day the trail is to extend to Freehold. From the Aberdeen/Matawan trail station, the directions are; right on Cr. 516, Main Street Cross the Garden State highway, make the first Right on Gerard St., the Parkway entrance also use this street. Follow this to the next intersection. Make a left and. the entrance is behind the Shell Gas station. (I noticed that I was only about a mile from this point on the previous ride.) I bicycle to the eastern end. A right turn on the road and a left at Avenue D and a right on Bay Ave. and I was a very short section of the path that lead to the Highland Marina where the Seascape high speed ferry to Manhattan docks. I Use Cr. 8 to go up Mount Mitchell pass the scenic over look. I had to use Rt. 36 for a block to continue on Cr. 8. I follow it through town and the road ended just pass the Rt. 36 bridge to Sandy Hooks. I turn around and on the return, I saw a street with bike lanes, Shore Drive. It crossed Cr. 8 and the road ended at a marina. I backed tracked to the last street I passed and picked up Bayside Drive. a great view, part way up Mt Mitchell but open for local traffic only, I went under the chain on the southern end and met Cr. 8 as it came down the hill. When I got to where the HH path ended, I elected to try Rt. 36. It has a breakdown lane but at right turn the cars uses that lane. I would get on the path when traffic was heavy until it branched farther away. At Cr. 4, I followed my old route back to West Trenton. I had notice a replica of the Twin Towers in the front yard of a home. I stopped to take a picture.

A neighbor came out and asked if I wanted to be in the pictures, he took this picture, asked if I wanted water, bathroom or food. I thanks him and accepted a water bottle refill. I use the D&R bike path to go to Trenton instead of West Trenton, less traffic. I miss the R7 7:18 pm by minutes, so I got on the 7:30 pm River line to Palmyra. fifty cent for seniors. All others fares for my trains rides, $1.25 for R7, $2.25 for NJT and $1.45 for NJSL. I arrive home at 9:45 pm and 86.3 miles. 10.1 hours total and 8.56 miles of riding. On the river line a guy in a electric handicap scooter began to talk bicycle. He said that he was a bicycle ride before his stroke, and was building a two wheel recumbent. I told him that I have a three wheel recumbent frame that I have procrastinated on putting together for many years. He asked if I would sell it to him. I gave him my card and asked him to call me. I think I will sell it to him..

New bicycle light, from Ikea, modified;

I change the 20 watt bulb to 10 watt Halogen, however, it needs more power than the 2 amp of my other gps/battery holder. I made another holder and put my 4.5 amp battery in an old water bottle. I feel a need for more water and is still not ready for a camelback.

Friday Morning, April 15, West Trenton to Sandy Hooks When I heard the weather forecast, I considered postponing the ride, gust of up to 45 miles per hour from the north east. Flying would have directly north east, my direction was mostly east with some north roads. I caught the 6:40 train at Elkins Park station. I arrive at west Trenton about 7:30. I stopped at a McDonald for breakfast. Traffic was a little heavy on Parkway and Olden Ave. I detoured around the circle on Brunswick Ave. From there to Central Mercer Country park, traffic was light. After the park I was on Old Trenton Road. Not the best for a bicycle, but doable. After that was neighborhood roads. Soon I was on Union Hill road, a really back road to and away from the town of Union Hill. to Cr 3, then Cr. 4. I had 46 miles at the time and the gps was having trouble getting a lock. I was at Rt. 36, a divided High, I rode in several direction looking for a local road that would get me to Sandy Hook and found a bicycle path That parallel Rt. 36. so I rode about 6 miles out and turn around at 52 miles. I got on the trail, Henry Hudson Bike path, at Cr 4. And I turned around for the return trip. I plan to ride to each end soon. I think that the eastern end is close to Sandy Hooks. Rail to trail has maps but I want to do it my way. My Legs felt as I had been climbing the entire ride my average was 8.3 mph going. The return was a lots faster as the wind was still from the north east. My return cue was to downtown Trenton buy since the gps would lose lock at times, I decided to "Trackback". Since I had noted landmarks I would be in better shape when the gps loss it lock. I cross the D&R canal path near Rt. 1 and considered going to downtown Trenton on the path, but continued to West Trenton. I stopped at the same McDonald since I would miss the 7:57 train. I arrive at the station about 8:30 and was allowed to get on the train, it was scheduled to leave at 8:57.

Wednesday April 6, 2005 Train, bike, Bus ride. I bike from Cheltenham to the East Fall R6 regional rail line stop, 7 miles, rode the train to Norristown stop. Then I rode the Schuylkill trail to Valley Forge where I met Steve. Steve made a bail out plan to ride the Bus back from Pottstown. The bus schedule on line and printed announce weather the bus has a bicycle rack. We continued to Oaks on the Trail extension, getting off to use Black Rock road To follow the river as close as possible. We followed the century route from where it join Black Rock road until it leave Old Schuylkill Rd. near Pottstown. We stayed on 724 through Birdsboro until just before Shillington where we notice a bike path. We had notice sections of the canal and tow path at the Allegheny Creek. We decided to try this path. Steve was aware that the path exist but never had a change to try it. The path carried us to the edge of Reading at the junctions of Rt. 10 and Rt. 222. We ask a local about a place to eat and he suggest the Queen City Dinner at that junction. Great place to eat and reasonable prices. We could see from the dinner that work is going on to extend the bike path into down town Reading, with a bridge over Rt. 222. I had a blowout at Pottstown, I place a plastic boot in the tire and after lunch the tire was flat. I patch one tube but both had leaks that we couldn't located, chances are from the rough edge of the boot. More friendly local drove me to a bicycle shop to buy tubes. in route they pointed to more section of the bike path that is in use now. I use the dollar bill boot this time. On the return home via the bike path, when we got to Rt. 724, we could see that the path continued on the other side of the road. Another local told us that the trail parallel Rt. 724 for about 2 miles. The trail ended at Old River road. It ended at Rt. 724 but directly across was Schuylkill Road. This followed the river to Birdsboro. Below is a map of the area.

So much of Rt. 724 that is used on the return is the same as the "L" route used. We cross the river at the Douglassville bridge and follow the road along the river to Pottstown. Crossing back again to the Old Schuylkill Road. My chain jammed behind the cog and I had to use the Hypercracker to loosen the cluster. Steve opt to ride the bus from Pottstown. He had to wait about an hour for the next bus, arriving at Valley Forge minutes ahead of me and finding a warden waiting to close the gate. And a reminder that the park closes at dusk. I continue to Norristown and got on a Norristown to Willow grove bus worried that I would not get a 100 miles in. That bus only went to Plymouth Meeting so I got off at Township line road and Walton Rd. The driver was concern for me but I explain that I done almost a 100 miles already. When i reached Valley Green road, where the bridge was closed for the Schuylkill 30 mile ride, not wanting to do the hills on Haws Ave, I continue on planning to lift the bicycle over the barricade if needed. i found the bridge open with a 30 ton weight limit. I arrived home at 10:30 pm and 107 miles.

Longest Day ride 200 mile ride from home in Philadelphia to Cape May NJ and back on my 69 birthday, June 14, 2001

Advancing the date on my GPS sunrise/sunset feature, I see that the days are 15 hours long from June 13 to June 28.

The summer solstice camping trip to Bellplain State park, that I have did for five years, was canceled this year.

I plan to ride 200 miles this year in place of the camping trip to Cape May NJ, 100 miles from my home.

Base on the ride that I did to Mays landing last week, averaging 12 mph, total time 11:20, moving time 10:22. I figure it will be 16 hours of riding, allowing for two hours of stop time. I need 18 hours to ride.

The BF bridge is open only 16 hours. I plan to go via the TP bridge, leaving home at 4 AM with a almost moon and lights. I hope to return before the BF close at 10 pm

Longest Day 2 ride 340 mile ride from home in Philadelphia to Ocean City Maryland and back on my 70th birthday, June 14, 2002.

My plan to be biking east to west across the country on my 70th birthday has been postponed.

Last year, for my 69th birthday I bicycled 227 miles in 22 hours to Cape May New Jersey and return. I want to top that, so I plan to bicycle to Ocean City Maryland and return. I estimate about 36 hours. I plan to go using the eastern side of Delaware and Maryland. My return is planned through Salisbury and the Western roads in Maryland to Newark. I expect to be in the next daylight for the return home from Newark.

Walter Bright and I met at the Donut shop near the Tacony Palmyra bridge. We rode to Lindenwold to meet Steve T who was riding down with us but not camping. Our first stop was at 30 miles from home. The next stop was at the Burger King in Buena. We arrived at camp about 4 PM. Steve was a pickup by a friend for a ride to the shore.

After setting up the tents, we started dinner. Walter pull a fresh steak from his Square town pannier with a insulate cooler bag. Walt proceeded to place items on the cooking table, pepper mill, 12 inch nonstick fry pan, olive oil ect.

I set up to cook Pasta, a small can of ham and tomatoes sauce. Both meal we a step up from the dehydrated food from previous camping trips.

Tuesday Walter Cook a Philadelphia cream Cheese Omelet. A very tasty and light addition to my usually breakfast of oatmeal. After breakfast we biked to the ferry and Cape May Point. We passed an Acme on the way and Walt replenished his ice and bought steak and lettuces. I bought cans of crush tomatoes and mushroom. At a road side stand we bought ears of corn. 70+ miles for the day and a gourmet meal awaiting us.

The meals were up to expectations and the corn cooked on the open fire grill inside it husk was a treat. We did a about a 4 mile walk to settle the meal and called it a day.

Wednesday, Walt did another one of his omelets, however, I passed and did my oatmeal. Just as the meals were cooked, the rains came. We eat in our tents and waited out the rain. The rain stopped about 9 am and we broke camp and headed home. We met Pat on Cape May Road about the same place as last year. Pat is a local biker. We arrived at Kingfisher Barbeque about 11:30. They said that nothing would be ready until 12:30, so we settle for Burger King for lunch.

I arrive home about 6:30 PM with 222 mile and 19:45 of riding, but over three days this time.

The camp sites are 10 dollars per night. Belleplain also has small cabins called leanto that sleeps up to 6 people with their own cots or sleeping bag. The leanto are heated and 15 dollars per night. Belleplain has two new European huts equipped with cots for 20 dollars. However, as I have answered previously, the nearest motel is about 15 miles away. Belleplain is on county road #550, the phone number is 609 861 2404.

I was late for the schedule ride to celebrates the Ben Franklin bridge 75 anniversary. I walk across the bridge and rode the route that I thought the group were using. The group was refuse permission to bring their bicycle on the bridge. They reverse the route. I rode on for 46 miles without meeting the group and came in below the mileage for June of 00.

46 miles around the area 2501 elevation gain. Still need about 60 miles to match June of 2000

I left home at 7:45 AM to ride to Clementon NJ for a 50 mile ride and to beat the predicted rain scheduled for noon by Glenn of Channel 10 weather. I rode in a heavy dew that seemed like rain at times. I arrived at Clementon about 10:00 am with a bright sun and clear skies. I decided to ride toward Buena and a Kingfish barbeque lunch. The idea was that if if start to rain, I would turn back. Just as I got to Buena it began to rain lightly. I decided to continue at least to the Burger King. About two mile past the Burger King the bottom dropped out of the sky and for almost a mile I pedal through a heavy down pour. I arrived at the Barbeque pit as it got worst and began to lightning. I order a half slab rib sandwich and enjoyed it while the rain poured. the puddles covered the ground under all of the tables.

About the time I finished my ribs, the rain has slowed to a summer shower. I pedal in this on light traveled roads for about 25 miles. The rain stopped about 3 pm and the ride home over the Tacony bridge was pleasant. I had dried almost and with 107.4 miles, 9:06 of riding and 1:25 stop time I felt I had a great day. I did beat the rain.

I like to run this as a club ride before summer is over. 100 miles from the Art museum and 60 or so from Lindenwold to Buena Vista township and a rib lunch.

I left home at 4:30 AM and crossed the Tacony Palmyra bridge. I have loaded the GPS with map segment. The route to Buena was with a fog that has a mist like a light rain. I cover the GPS with a plastic bag. I stopped for Breakfast at Gert, Watsontown-New Freedom and New Freedom Rds. At Buena, the fog lifted and I uploaded the map segment for Wildwood. I left CR 557 for Cape May road and SR 49 and rejoin CR 557 from SR 49 to avoid Tuckahoe.

From 557 I turn on CR 550, there is a bike path for about 5 miles and construction is being done up to CR 608. The turn from CR 608 (King Highway) to Railroad is a dirt trail, the old Seashore track bed. The change is to stay on CR 608 to a left CR 83 and a right on to US 9 for about a mile to a left on Cr 601, Avalon Road. There is a produce stand on the left behind the Visitor center. It is also a deli. They make a very good Tuna sandwich.

I continue south after lunch, follow the Gull as the signs suggest. I left the Ocean Highway at times to ride quieter roads since the north/south roads either ends of leave that town. The Visitor center in Avalon has paper maps of Cape May county and Avalon/Stone Harbor. In spite of my reluctance to buy paper maps, I put the county map to good use. The Wildwoods has a signed Bike route that I used for less traffic and a closer to the beach ride. After the Wildwoods, there are three toll bridges but bicycle are free. I arrived in Cape May with 115 miles and 3 pm.

On the return I was impressed with the shoulder width of Rt 147. I decided to use this to get off the islands. Also there was a heavy fog on the Island and to return via my entrance rout would mean about 20 miles of riding in this fog.

I crossed the bridge and was in Cape May Courthouse. I tried to use north roads because the west roads all went to RT 47. I went north when I could and the road would end. I pulled out the map and Go in a difference. Finally I Got to South Dennisville and SSr 83 and back to CR 608. I made lots of turns to avoid Rts 47 and 9.

I arrived in Buena as the sun was setting. I would use my light sparely since there was twilight.. The canopy effect of the back roads made me uses the light more. I only had my small 12 volt battery. Near Berlin the battery faded. I found an Eckerd store and purchase a flashlight that uses the same batteries as my GPS, sine I had a few spares.

I had varies from the route and Rt 30 is well lighted, I opt to use it. Cars was very rude, I was tempted to go back to the route, several blocks west. Once I was back on the route, the quiet road that this route is was great for night riding.

I arrived home at 2AM. 227.6 miles total, 11.8 mph average, 19:13 hours moving time, 21:17 hours total time and 2:03 stopped time

Three of us Linda, John and Myself left Cheltenham's Tooknay park at 8:10 am ( the site of next Sunday's Guy's racing club and Cheltenham Fire COs. bicycle race) We met Tom at Tyson and Algon ahead of schedule and Dennis and Walter at the Tacony bridge just after 9 am.

We arrived at Lindenwold at 10:32 to meet Steve, John, Pat and Peggy. They arrive via the high speed line.

We made a shopping stop at Super G, Walter had is BOB trailer with a cooler, so we bought breakfast meats. A lunch stop in Williamstown separated us but we reunited in Buena. I picked up a dozen ear of corn at a roadside stand on the way.

Steve and his Yurt gang showered and relaxed while the six tenter erected our tents.

At least six stoves of varying vintage, however there was four propane single burner Stove.

The corn was placed on the wood camp fire grill and with much attention to rotating the ears, every one enjoyed the roasted corn.

Breakfast was a treat with most of us filling up on oatmeal and breakfast link sausage, Except for Walter who has fresh eggs sunny side up and Canadian bacon.

This sixth annual solstice camping trip was among the best. One of the few that there was no rain.

And as usually, on Cape May Road we meet Dennis, a local who was taking his Sunday bicycle ride. Dennis turn around and rode about 10 miles with us again.