Lexington, KY to Baltimore, MD (by bicycle)

[JackK]

Good luck on the ride. I like your choice of bike, I only lust after a Rivendell.

Jack

[beerbecue]

Have fun!!

Make sure and keep that chamois in good shape!!!

[David Thornton]

I'm in Lexington. I can tour guide, suggest eateries, etc. No horse racing here in June. There are two or three Irish pubs.
Sounds like we'll finally get Adam down.
Might be able to put a kilt night together.
Let me know how to help.

David

[way2fractious]

I only lust after a Rivendell.

Me, too, so I went with their "semi-custom" Atlantis, a spec. frame from Japan. It's designed for loaded touring and I also use it for commuting. Great bike, just pricey.

Let me know how to help.

I arrive at Bluegrass Airport late Saturday night and have reservations at a Best Western where my bike should be. Sunday morning can be fairly leisurely (perhaps a lingering breakfast or brunch somewhere) as I scheduled only a 50+ mile day to Ravenna. Other details via PM.

[way2fractious]

Boy, am I excited! Six days from now, Monday, June 5th, I ship my touring bike to Lexington, KY and I join it there on Saturday, June 10th. The next day I pedal eastward into the hills of eastern Kentucky on an 80-pound vehicle (just about half my weight) - actually, that's a 30-pound bike and 50 pounds of gear. Two weeks on the open road... camping, eating, riding, eating/drinking, more riding, taking some pictures, eating/drinking, and camping. (Did I mention eating? This vehicle burns more calories than you can imagine.) Woo-hoo! Bring on those downhills!

Each night I call my wife to let her know I'm alive and where I landed. Same with my office, so my co-workers can move the pin on the marked map (I always "share" my vacations with them.) Now, if I find the occassional library with internet access, I could drop a line here and maybe post some pictures, too.

Maybe I'll see some of you rabble on the road, if you let me know where you are and how to reach you. I'm pretty sure XMarks is represented in Lexington, Charlottesville, Fairfax, Reston, and Baltimore.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

W2F, what is your averge speed? Does your schedule represent a leisurely pace with the goal to start not too early, keep up a moderate pace, then stop not too late? I know that when I ride stationary bike for workouts, using a hilly profile, I usually can finish 8-9 miles in a 25 minute workout. Just curious if you are really pushing to get through the miles so you can enjoy the destinations, or going a little slower and enjoying the countryside as well?

Also, do you follow the country roads? Which could add significant miles to the "highway" distance.

Anyway, have fun! I envy you.

[way2fractious]

W2F, what is your averge speed?

Unladen, about 13 in motion, 10 mph overall with stops. Loaded touring, about 10 mph in motion, 8 mph overall (those wool kilts for off-bike are really heavy!) So you see from the schedule, I have a lot of 10-hour days in the saddle. I stop often to take pics, talk to people who strike up conversation (especially other cyclists), or take short celebrations (breathe) at the top of hills, or buy essentials (groceries, pizza, hamburgers, milkshakes), etc. Pit stops are infrequent when respirating so much water. I take much pleasure in the changing scenery, topography, and weather; my "destination" is the whole journey. I will be camping, mostly, and half the fun is finding a place to crash (oops, bad word...) I mean, sleep.

Jefferson's Monticello is on my short list of definite off-bike tours. The link in my signature line will be where any pics get posted.

...do you follow the country roads? Which could add significant miles to the "highway" distance.

The route mileages are "back road" mileages already. Who wants to breath toxic emissions and dodge the debris of Detroit's dinosaurs? Besides, most freeways are exclusive of bicycles anyway.

...when I ride stationary bike for workouts, using a hilly profile, I usually can finish 8-9 miles in a 25 minute workout.

Remind me not to ride with you (puff, puff, puff)

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Unladen, about 13 in motion, 10 mph overall with stops. Loaded touring, about 10 mph in motion, 8 mph overall (those wool kilts for off-bike are really heavy!) ...

Pretty good averages, especially toting all the gear.

The route mileages are "back road" mileages already...

That is what I assumed. And I agree, who would want to do it on the highway, even if it was allowed, unless you were just looking to put your head down and pound out some miles

Remind me not to ride with you (puff, puff, puff)

But remember I am sitting on my **** with simulated hills, no wind resistance, and no gear to haul along. Add in the fact that I have no idea how accurate the "workout summary" is at the end and I might only be getting in 3-5 miles!

Good luck.

[Rex_Tremende]

Is there going to be a send-off kilt-night on the 10th, maybe?

Regards,
Rex in Cincinnati

[way2fractious]

Is there going to be a send-off kilt-night on the 10th, maybe?

I won't get to the motel until approx. 10 p.m., and will still have a couple hours of work to reassemble and load up the bike.

Sunday morning brunch sounds good, though.