Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
Flat and windy.
Day mileage 92.1
Total mileage 751.1
Campsite - Cleveland, OH
Woke up early and decided there is no way I'm sleeping on another bench tonight, so im gonna make it to Cleveland no matter how long it takes! In Ceveland, a friend of a friend of my brother's resides by the name of Nate something-ski (polish guy). I met him once in the winter of last year. He, his friend and my brother had gone skiing somewhere in PA, so its not like I never met the guy.
I remember looking down on my little odometer thingy and seeing that i had done 26 miles in one hour. I was certain i broke my own record, but wheather it was due to my newly increased strenghth, or to ohio's flat lands, I was not certain! whatever it was, I was loving it! It meant I was gonna sleep on a bed, and shower, and go out for some real food!!!!!!!!
I took one 2 minute lunch break (literally), and was in cleveland around 6 pm, just in time for Nate to get out of work! we went out to eat, drank Great Lakes (beer brewed by a local brewery) and then went out for some more beers! It was absoultly wonderful!
Total mileage 751.1
Campsite - Cleveland, OH
Woke up early and decided there is no way I'm sleeping on another bench tonight, so im gonna make it to Cleveland no matter how long it takes! In Ceveland, a friend of a friend of my brother's resides by the name of Nate something-ski (polish guy). I met him once in the winter of last year. He, his friend and my brother had gone skiing somewhere in PA, so its not like I never met the guy.
I remember looking down on my little odometer thingy and seeing that i had done 26 miles in one hour. I was certain i broke my own record, but wheather it was due to my newly increased strenghth, or to ohio's flat lands, I was not certain! whatever it was, I was loving it! It meant I was gonna sleep on a bed, and shower, and go out for some real food!!!!!!!!
I took one 2 minute lunch break (literally), and was in cleveland around 6 pm, just in time for Nate to get out of work! we went out to eat, drank Great Lakes (beer brewed by a local brewery) and then went out for some more beers! It was absoultly wonderful!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Ohio
Day mileage 85.2
Total mileage 658.91
Campsite Youngstown, OH
Nate and Leodi had to get up early because of a golf game. we got breakfast at Pamela's Diner (best omelet I've ever had). I went to the Pittsburgh public library to check out some maps, and shortly after that I was off. i scored a nice 85 miles today and ended up in Youngstown OHIO, which is REALLY FLAT, and no woods or a park, so I slept on a bench!
I got up early the next morning, partly because I was very uncomfortable! I ate tuna and and an orange for breakfast! yum!
Total mileage 658.91
Campsite Youngstown, OH
Nate and Leodi had to get up early because of a golf game. we got breakfast at Pamela's Diner (best omelet I've ever had). I went to the Pittsburgh public library to check out some maps, and shortly after that I was off. i scored a nice 85 miles today and ended up in Youngstown OHIO, which is REALLY FLAT, and no woods or a park, so I slept on a bench!
I got up early the next morning, partly because I was very uncomfortable! I ate tuna and and an orange for breakfast! yum!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
BBQ
Day mileage 3.0
Total mileage 573.71
Campsite - Pittsburgh, PA
Another day in the Steel city, and I spent it drinking and eating hotdogs with sorority chicks. life is sweet!
Total mileage 573.71
Campsite - Pittsburgh, PA
Another day in the Steel city, and I spent it drinking and eating hotdogs with sorority chicks. life is sweet!
Friday, June 15, 2007
Goin' solo
Day Mileage 72.6
Total mileage 570.71
Campsite - Pittsburgh, PA
Total mileage 570.71
Campsite - Pittsburgh, PA
Bryan and Graham had decided to change the route of their journey due to the under-estimation of time they thought would take to get through PA, so they cut out Chicago! We rode our last 30 or so miles together and split in West Newton, PA. Their General direction -south west Ohio towards Kentucky/Missouri; mine- north west towards Chicago.
I rode the rest of the Allegheny rail-trail and ended up in Pittsburgh, PA where I stayed with a friend of a friend. (Thanks Tamer for hookin' me up, Thanks Nate and Leodi for the hospitality) We went out to a club, drank(off course), and I got kicked out for dancing on a stage that only women were allowed to dance on. (someone dared me to do it... so i did)
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Falling Water, Rising Mountain
Day mileage 62. 4
Total Mileage 498.11
Campsite - Scottdale, PA
We rode on the Rail Trail for most of the day, it wasn't paved, but it was flat. We got off the trail at Bear Run to check out falling water, but what we didn't know was terrain of the road that took us there! it was by far the steepest mountain we had done, but luckily it wasn't very far away from falling water so we got there in time for the 2 oclock tour, and then got back on the rail trail. Before we left for the trip, Graham had signed up online for a Warm showers list. the deal is you can use anyone's shower on the list, but in return you have to offer your own shower for future passerbyers . So we found this guy who lived in Scottdale, which is close enough to the bike route for us to stop at and use his shower. Turn out he was the nicst person we had met so far; he offered us his shower, beds, a ride to a close by post office (Graham and Bryan had things sent to them there), he even paid for breakfast. Next day, we went to a library and didnt start riding till about 1 pm.
Total Mileage 498.11
Campsite - Scottdale, PA
We rode on the Rail Trail for most of the day, it wasn't paved, but it was flat. We got off the trail at Bear Run to check out falling water, but what we didn't know was terrain of the road that took us there! it was by far the steepest mountain we had done, but luckily it wasn't very far away from falling water so we got there in time for the 2 oclock tour, and then got back on the rail trail. Before we left for the trip, Graham had signed up online for a Warm showers list. the deal is you can use anyone's shower on the list, but in return you have to offer your own shower for future passerbyers . So we found this guy who lived in Scottdale, which is close enough to the bike route for us to stop at and use his shower. Turn out he was the nicst person we had met so far; he offered us his shower, beds, a ride to a close by post office (Graham and Bryan had things sent to them there), he even paid for breakfast. Next day, we went to a library and didnt start riding till about 1 pm.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Followed by a thunder storm
Day mileage 58.6
Total Mileage 435.71
Campsite - Rockwood, PA
More mountains today, a bit less difficult than yesterdays- either that, or i'm getting really strong! I feel really soar, and I want a bed, or a long cold shower, but I know thats not gonna happen anytime soon, so im gonna suck it up!
A thunder storm has been following us all day, behind us are dark clouds, and infront of us a clear blue sky! it caught up with us when we stopped for lunch, so we kept pedaling faster to beat it. We had to call it a day early at the begining of the Allegheny river rail trail, even though we could have scored atleast 30 more miles.
We ate tuna and beans for dinner!
Total Mileage 435.71
Campsite - Rockwood, PA
More mountains today, a bit less difficult than yesterdays- either that, or i'm getting really strong! I feel really soar, and I want a bed, or a long cold shower, but I know thats not gonna happen anytime soon, so im gonna suck it up!
A thunder storm has been following us all day, behind us are dark clouds, and infront of us a clear blue sky! it caught up with us when we stopped for lunch, so we kept pedaling faster to beat it. We had to call it a day early at the begining of the Allegheny river rail trail, even though we could have scored atleast 30 more miles.
We ate tuna and beans for dinner!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Sick of PA!
Day mileage 40.75
Total mileage 377.11
Campsite - Everett, PA
I'm gonna keep this one short because I'm sure there will be more exciting days that you would rather read about! we left the Cowans at around 7:45 am, and rode downhill for about 30 mins, which was nice, but the rest of the day was not! a lot of climbing today, and the heat was not exactly on our side, so we weren't t able to get many miles in. I'm starting to get sick of PA!
The day ended with rain!
Total mileage 377.11
Campsite - Everett, PA
I'm gonna keep this one short because I'm sure there will be more exciting days that you would rather read about! we left the Cowans at around 7:45 am, and rode downhill for about 30 mins, which was nice, but the rest of the day was not! a lot of climbing today, and the heat was not exactly on our side, so we weren't t able to get many miles in. I'm starting to get sick of PA!
The day ended with rain!
Monday, June 11, 2007
The climb to Cowans Gap
Day mileage - 37.5
Total mileage - 336.36
Campsite - Cowans Gap, PA
We spent the entire morning climbing the mountains leading to Cowans Gap, it was rough! Graham couldn’t use two of his rear gears because his derailleur hanger was still slightly bent, so he struggled more than we did with the climb. Highest elevation of the day is 2040' from a low of 460'. Once we reached the top of the mountain, we came across Cowans Gap, so we stopped for a swim, and then coasted a few miles down the mountain till we found a legal campground. we set up camp, started a fire, cooked, chilled out and then went to sleep.
Total mileage - 336.36
Campsite - Cowans Gap, PA
We spent the entire morning climbing the mountains leading to Cowans Gap, it was rough! Graham couldn’t use two of his rear gears because his derailleur hanger was still slightly bent, so he struggled more than we did with the climb. Highest elevation of the day is 2040' from a low of 460'. Once we reached the top of the mountain, we came across Cowans Gap, so we stopped for a swim, and then coasted a few miles down the mountain till we found a legal campground. we set up camp, started a fire, cooked, chilled out and then went to sleep.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Thick Forest, Weird Noise!
Day mileage 64.76
Total mileage 298.86
Campsite - Caledonia, PA
I was a little disappointed leaving Lancaster with out seeing any Amish, so much for Amish country! However we did come across Mennonites, who have similar traditional values, but the ride cars, and operate machinery and electronics.
Anyway the start of the day came with a few steep climbs. We reached a high of 1440' vertical elevation, from a low of 300'. The rest of the day was relatively flat; a few small hills, and towards the end was a nice and long decline to Caledonia state forest. The forest was the thickest I had ever seen, but we managed to set up camp in time before the last bit of day light disappeared. Nothing can possibly be more relaxing than being in the middle of a space created by nature, and surrounded by some of the world's most fascinating creatures; until of course it’s interrupted by the sound of cracking wood branches and dry leaves. We thought it might be a bird, or some kind of critter, but then that "thing" made a really strange noise, one that none of us had ever heard before. We thought it might be a deer, or a black bear. We even thought it might be a fugitive who was trying to scare us away. After a few moments we went to sleep and we woke up and everything was cool. Probably not the best idea, whatever!
Total mileage 298.86
Campsite - Caledonia, PA
I was a little disappointed leaving Lancaster with out seeing any Amish, so much for Amish country! However we did come across Mennonites, who have similar traditional values, but the ride cars, and operate machinery and electronics.
Anyway the start of the day came with a few steep climbs. We reached a high of 1440' vertical elevation, from a low of 300'. The rest of the day was relatively flat; a few small hills, and towards the end was a nice and long decline to Caledonia state forest. The forest was the thickest I had ever seen, but we managed to set up camp in time before the last bit of day light disappeared. Nothing can possibly be more relaxing than being in the middle of a space created by nature, and surrounded by some of the world's most fascinating creatures; until of course it’s interrupted by the sound of cracking wood branches and dry leaves. We thought it might be a bird, or some kind of critter, but then that "thing" made a really strange noise, one that none of us had ever heard before. We thought it might be a deer, or a black bear. We even thought it might be a fugitive who was trying to scare us away. After a few moments we went to sleep and we woke up and everything was cool. Probably not the best idea, whatever!
Saturday, June 9, 2007
more of PA
Day mileage-66.7
Total mileage- 234.1
Campsite - Lancaster, PA
We slept in a small wooded area in Lancaster, PA last night. It must have been private property because it was the only wooded area in the entire neiborhood. It was not very bushy, and it also was not flat, so we had to sleep on a slight slope. we got up really early made breakfast and head out by 8:30.
Total mileage- 234.1
Campsite - Lancaster, PA
We slept in a small wooded area in Lancaster, PA last night. It must have been private property because it was the only wooded area in the entire neiborhood. It was not very bushy, and it also was not flat, so we had to sleep on a slight slope. we got up really early made breakfast and head out by 8:30.
Friday, June 8, 2007
contained by the river, but not by the wild
Day mileage - 32.7
Total mileage - 167.4
Campsite - Kutztown, PA
Farms, farms and more farms today, nothing too exciting. The terrain was relatively flat, we could have scored a decent number of miles today. Since we drank with Graham’s cousin last night, we were a bit hung over and could only pull 32.7 miles. We ended the day in Kutztown, which is surrounded by small local farms (big surprise). We got off the route in an attempt to find legal campgrounds, but the ones we did find were owned by a family of bright red red necks who tried to charge us 25 bucks a tent. We rode a little further away from the route till we found the only decent ground we could pitch a tent on, but it was across a river! (See photo of Bryan and Graham crossing with their gear) Graham and I were a little hesitant, but Bryan insisted it was best to set up before darkness ate away the rest of the Sun; and besides, it was "charachter building," a phrase Bryan often used in hope of luring us to his side. well sadly to say, it worked everytime. We took our cleats and socks off, put on flipflops, and crossed the river carrying our heavy gear. darkness hit us pretty fast it seemed, and as soon as it did the gound began its natural motion. Everything came alive, from spiders, to turtles, to deer, to mosquitos, to monkeys, to bigfoots... Etcetera doesn't quite give "everything" justice! After we ate, we jumped into out tents, zipped up the doors so to keep living things out, and listened to the (many) sounds of nature. laying there in the big oudoors, I suddenly felt clausterphobic. How could it be that one can contain potential danger by containing himself from nature. I thought about what I would do if in an emergency I had to get out of the woods. Then I forced my self to sleep for the sake of sanity. We roughed it out that night, to say the least, but it was a great "charachter building" experience.
Total mileage - 167.4
Campsite - Kutztown, PA
Farms, farms and more farms today, nothing too exciting. The terrain was relatively flat, we could have scored a decent number of miles today. Since we drank with Graham’s cousin last night, we were a bit hung over and could only pull 32.7 miles. We ended the day in Kutztown, which is surrounded by small local farms (big surprise). We got off the route in an attempt to find legal campgrounds, but the ones we did find were owned by a family of bright red red necks who tried to charge us 25 bucks a tent. We rode a little further away from the route till we found the only decent ground we could pitch a tent on, but it was across a river! (See photo of Bryan and Graham crossing with their gear) Graham and I were a little hesitant, but Bryan insisted it was best to set up before darkness ate away the rest of the Sun; and besides, it was "charachter building," a phrase Bryan often used in hope of luring us to his side. well sadly to say, it worked everytime. We took our cleats and socks off, put on flipflops, and crossed the river carrying our heavy gear. darkness hit us pretty fast it seemed, and as soon as it did the gound began its natural motion. Everything came alive, from spiders, to turtles, to deer, to mosquitos, to monkeys, to bigfoots... Etcetera doesn't quite give "everything" justice! After we ate, we jumped into out tents, zipped up the doors so to keep living things out, and listened to the (many) sounds of nature. laying there in the big oudoors, I suddenly felt clausterphobic. How could it be that one can contain potential danger by containing himself from nature. I thought about what I would do if in an emergency I had to get out of the woods. Then I forced my self to sleep for the sake of sanity. We roughed it out that night, to say the least, but it was a great "charachter building" experience.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
A time to chill
Day mileage - 12.0
Total mileage - 134.7
Campsite - Allentown, PA
Civilization really is sweet!
We got to shower, we used the Internet, we lounged, we slept on a soft surface, the space was air-conditioned, we ate cooked food, and we drank alcohol to celebrate Bryan's 23rd. It was great, thanks Mr. and Mrs. Slenker.
Total mileage - 134.7
Campsite - Allentown, PA
Civilization really is sweet!
We got to shower, we used the Internet, we lounged, we slept on a soft surface, the space was air-conditioned, we ate cooked food, and we drank alcohol to celebrate Bryan's 23rd. It was great, thanks Mr. and Mrs. Slenker.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
PA. Finally!
Day mileage - 58.4
Total mileage - 122.7
Campsite - Allentown, PA
We crossed the Delaware River today! It was a nice feeling to leave 'DirtyJersey,' until we noticed how dirty Easton, PA was. The Free Bridge connected Phillipsburg Newjersey, which is a relativily rural town, into Easton PA which is GHETTO. I thought brooklyn was bad!
So we're in Allentown PA now, all showered up where Graham's Aunt and Uncle live. We're gonna spend two nights here. Tomorrow will be a day of relaxation
Total mileage - 122.7
Campsite - Allentown, PA
We crossed the Delaware River today! It was a nice feeling to leave 'DirtyJersey,' until we noticed how dirty Easton, PA was. The Free Bridge connected Phillipsburg Newjersey, which is a relativily rural town, into Easton PA which is GHETTO. I thought brooklyn was bad!
So we're in Allentown PA now, all showered up where Graham's Aunt and Uncle live. We're gonna spend two nights here. Tomorrow will be a day of relaxation
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Good Beer!
Day mileage - 46.7
Total mileage - 64.3
Campsite - Hackettstown, NJ
First real day, in terms of stacking miles, we rode all the way out to lake Musconetcong NJ. Just as we where looking for a place to crash, a guy in a car approached us to find out what we where up to. We found out he was also a cyclist. He pointed us in the direction of a park, but soon after we left for the park, he followed us and told us we could camp out in his backyard. So we did, and it turns out this guy knew everything there is to know about beer. He invited us in to watch the Philly vs. Mets game, and to drink the best beer we've ever drank. For example Kriek, Lambic, Dunkelweiss, I don’t even remember all the names of the beer we had, but it was all good stuff.
O and he fed us Chinese food. It was great! Thanks dude!
Total mileage - 64.3
Campsite - Hackettstown, NJ
First real day, in terms of stacking miles, we rode all the way out to lake Musconetcong NJ. Just as we where looking for a place to crash, a guy in a car approached us to find out what we where up to. We found out he was also a cyclist. He pointed us in the direction of a park, but soon after we left for the park, he followed us and told us we could camp out in his backyard. So we did, and it turns out this guy knew everything there is to know about beer. He invited us in to watch the Philly vs. Mets game, and to drink the best beer we've ever drank. For example Kriek, Lambic, Dunkelweiss, I don’t even remember all the names of the beer we had, but it was all good stuff.
O and he fed us Chinese food. It was great! Thanks dude!
Monday, June 4, 2007
More bike shop, dog park
Day mileage - 17.6
Total mileage - 17.6
Campsite - Upper Montclair, NJ
So its the second day, first real day for me. Graham and Bryan hit the road early, and just as they needed to shift gears, Graham shifted his back derailleur into the spokes of his back tire (ouch). It turns out he had forgotten to set the set screws and ended up bending it and couldn’t ride! I met up with them at a gas station in Bogota, where they were waiting for a ride to the closest bike shop. We spent 5 hours there, but it was cool because we met a crazy, yet entertaining, bmx rider- to say the least.
We got on the road, scored an embarrassing 17.3 miles to upper Montclair and camped out in a dog park called Mills Reservation.
Total mileage - 17.6
Campsite - Upper Montclair, NJ
So its the second day, first real day for me. Graham and Bryan hit the road early, and just as they needed to shift gears, Graham shifted his back derailleur into the spokes of his back tire (ouch). It turns out he had forgotten to set the set screws and ended up bending it and couldn’t ride! I met up with them at a gas station in Bogota, where they were waiting for a ride to the closest bike shop. We spent 5 hours there, but it was cool because we met a crazy, yet entertaining, bmx rider- to say the least.
We got on the road, scored an embarrassing 17.3 miles to upper Montclair and camped out in a dog park called Mills Reservation.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
The Rain, the Bike shop
Day mileage - 0
Total mileage - 0
Campsite - Wayne, NJ
Today was supposed to be the start of the trip, but we where hit with a little misfortune. First was the heavy rain and the cold weather; second, the unexpected bending of Grahams quick release skewer which attaches the trailer to his bicycle.. Graham and Bryan left Brooklyn at 12:30 pm, and had planned to meet with me near rt. 46 in New Jersey at 2:30. Graham noticed the problem as soon as he and Bryan crossed the Williamsburg Bridge. They ended up spending a few hours at a bike shop. by the time they got to New Jersey, it was late and raining, so we decided to meet up in the AM of the next day. They camped out at a small park in Teaneck, NJ
Total mileage - 0
Campsite - Wayne, NJ
Today was supposed to be the start of the trip, but we where hit with a little misfortune. First was the heavy rain and the cold weather; second, the unexpected bending of Grahams quick release skewer which attaches the trailer to his bicycle.. Graham and Bryan left Brooklyn at 12:30 pm, and had planned to meet with me near rt. 46 in New Jersey at 2:30. Graham noticed the problem as soon as he and Bryan crossed the Williamsburg Bridge. They ended up spending a few hours at a bike shop. by the time they got to New Jersey, it was late and raining, so we decided to meet up in the AM of the next day. They camped out at a small park in Teaneck, NJ
Saturday, June 2, 2007
A New Outlaw
Welcome to my blog, my name is Ahmed Mohtaseb and I will be riding my bike to Chicago. Yes that's 1,400 miles on two wheels and yes I know I've gone mad! I entitled my blog Chicago Outlaw because for one, my journey will be ending in Chicago (duh), and for two, in the 1960's the coolest gang of motorcycle bikers called them selves the Chicago Outlaws. Today riding a motorcycle (and other fuel powered vehicles), is not only environmentally UN-friendly, it's expensive! Wasting $3.60 on gas is hardly cool! A new generation of cool ass bikers exists today, but they aren't wearing skull bandanas and leather jackets. They are wearing padded spandex shorts, and clip-in cycling cleats. They actually look like homosexuals, but hey, that too is cool today! (For the record, I am not a homosexual!)
Sometimes stepping out of reality, as I will be doing this month, helps reality step forward even if it's a small step. Aside from taking a month long vacation, one of the agendas I have for this trip is to raise questions about the environment and possible solutions by increasing the cool factor of cycling. The trip officially starts on June 3,2007 and ends for me on July 1st. join us if not physically, then Cyberly on this website: http://cycho-psycler.blogspot
How it started
Graham and I have been talking about going biking ever since we found out that the other rides. The unfortunate thing about being an architecture student is, architecture is the only hobby one has time for, so it never happened! About a month ago, I ran into Graham in the computer lab on the second floor of Higgins hall north (the architecture building at Pratt). He was busy trying to finish a project before midterm reviews, and I was busy bullshitting on facebook (what else is new). We got to talking about summer plans, I mentioned working at a firm, working on my portfolio, and chillaxin before thesis year. He mentioned graduation, working a bit, and possibly riding cross-country with pals Bryan and Eric. I told him I'd go, and that's the story of how it all began for me.
A few hours after final review Eric hurt himself. It didn't seem like he would join us, but he assured us he'd get better in time for the start of the trip, and surprisingly enough he did. But a few days before the start of the trip, Eric hurt himself again, so he isn't coming.
For Graham and Bryan, the trip will start in Brooklyn on June 3, 2007 and end in Seattle some time in mid August. For me, the journey may end in Chicago, as I must return to help my mother move out of her house in New Jersey. I may decide to join back with the crew somewhere between Aspen, and Glacier National Park. Between Brooklyn and Chicago, we'll be stopping somewhere in Bergen County NJ, Allentown PA, Bear Run, PA, And Pittsburg PA. We don't yet have a set route for the rest of the trip, but we'll be crossing Ohio (maybe Cleveland/ Lake Erie area) and Indiana, so if you or someone you know live around any of these areas and can help us out with a place to shower, and crash, let us know! We're totally cool! Just comment on any of my posts and we'll gladly take advantage of you. thanks for reading!
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