Epic Bicycle Trip

So, I managed a 25 mile ride today, which included a pass through Plum Corner. I have not found any historical information on Plum Corner, so not sure what the story is on this community; today there is not much there.

So, my route for my planned trip will include trails in the Erie to Pittsburgh trail network, the Allegheny Valley Trails network, the Great Allegheny Passage , and the C And O Trail . Erie to Pittsburgh and Allegheny Valley Trails Great Allegheny Passage and Cumberland (C&O) Trails I found this site that offers an organized tour style ride, which may be of interest to me, especially for my first time riding the trail. This is a six day tour and does the segment from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC.

Today I rode through the village of Sunville, past Wright Road (my previous turning point.) Bridgeview Road was closed (apparently the bridge mentioned in the name is out. The next road I could turn on took me via a rather circuitous route to Bradleytown , named, apparently,  for John G. Bradley , a man with a series of apparently unlucky wives. It's really been fun riding through some of these little local communities and learning a little history along the way! My Time was a little over an hour and a half My distance was 17.92 miles My average speed was 11.4 MPH - I wasn't pushing it much on this ride. So, if I can stay above 10 MPH average, and I ride for 5-6 hours per day, I'll cover 10 miles a day - not too great. I'm trying to decide if I can really do the whole 465 mile trip in one shot. My current estimation is that it would take 10-14 days minimum. Of course, I have a year and a half to improve my speed and stamina...

Back in the hotel, rode for an hour on a stationary bike in the fitness center. Better than nothing, I guess...

So, I've missed a few days on my training schedule, but was back in the saddle today. It's interesting, the things you see from a bicycle that you miss from a car. Today I rode out the Sunville Road all the way to ... wait for it... Sunville! I've traveled this road many times in my life, but never noticed the sign at the edge of the village of Sunville. It made me curious to know the history of this place, which now is just a couple of houses and a little-used crossroads. What used to be here that warranted giving the place a name? My ride ended up being 15 miles, and I felt like it went well. My speed wasn't that great, but there were a couple of large hills on this ride. My left knee was feeling a little stressed, so I didn't push myself too hard - I don't want to injure anything this early on! I did end up going 1:1 on a couple of the hills. Distance: 15.34 miles. Average speed: 11.1 (not so good... ) Time: 1:23:16.    

My "ride" last night was accomplished in the fitness center of my hotel in New York. I averaged 14.4 MPH for 45 minutes, total "distance" of 10.2 miles on a stationary recumbant bike.

Today my wife and I visited the Allegheny River Trail today. My wife is not as "speedy" as I am (ha ha) so we rode 5 miles down the trail together, and then she rested while I did a 2.5 mile "power ride." So, by the time we rode 5 miles together, and I rode 2.5 miles and back solo, and then we did the 5 mile return trip, I got my 15 miles in, and got a little bit of a workout at least. Thanks to my wife for "indulging" me.