It's hard to believe, but we started planning for this ride almost 4 months ago. In the end, 8 of us cycled in the ride and we all made it through successfully.
I signed up for the 100 miles route, but ended up turning around at the 50 mile point and ending up with a 64 mile ride. With my Europe trip starting in just 4 days, my intention had been to get in a good ride, but not push myself too hard. Mission accomplished!
The route was very well chosen. We started out heading south from Squaw to the Lake and then along the north shore of Lake Tahoe to Kings Beach. At that point, we turned back north on 267 and biked over Brockway Summit (past Northstar) and down into Truckee. Heading through Truckee, we continued north on 89 before turning into Tahoe Donner and climbing to the very top of the Tahoe Donner Ski Resort (a brutal climb). We then dropped down to Donner Lake and biked along the edge to the far end. This is where I turned around and went back to Squaw (the 100 miles route went up to Donner Summit and down the back side to Cisco Grove before heading back).
GPS Map of My 64-mile Ride
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Plan for Day 21: Den Haag to Amsterdam: 38.3 miles
Day 21: Den Haag to Amsterdam
This is actually a pretty nice day. There are lots of canals around and each one seems to have a bike path, so there is really no need to bike on the road.
I'll work my way out of Den Haag to the town of Leiden. This is the spot where the Pilgrims first came from England, before being pushed out again to the New World. From Leiden, I'll head down the canals, past Schiphol Airport, into Amsterdam. I'll then have two rest days in Amsterdam before I have to get on a plane back to the US.
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This is actually a pretty nice day. There are lots of canals around and each one seems to have a bike path, so there is really no need to bike on the road.
I'll work my way out of Den Haag to the town of Leiden. This is the spot where the Pilgrims first came from England, before being pushed out again to the New World. From Leiden, I'll head down the canals, past Schiphol Airport, into Amsterdam. I'll then have two rest days in Amsterdam before I have to get on a plane back to the US.
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Plan for Day 20: Dordrecht to Den Haag: 54.0 miles
Day 20: Dordrecht to Den Haag
The North Sea! After working through the maze that is Rotterdam Harbor, the largest in Europe, I'll make my way to Hook of Holland and the North Sea. I'll then head along the coast for a few miles before dropping slightly inland to spend the night in Den Haag (The Hague).
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The North Sea! After working through the maze that is Rotterdam Harbor, the largest in Europe, I'll make my way to Hook of Holland and the North Sea. I'll then head along the coast for a few miles before dropping slightly inland to spend the night in Den Haag (The Hague).
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Plan for Day 19: Nijmegen to Dordrecht: 69.5 miles
Day 19: Nijmegen to Dordrecht
This looks to be just an awesome day. There is a dike along the river with a path on top the entire way. Fast, easy, fun, great views. A good day for a bit of extra distance.
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This looks to be just an awesome day. There is a dike along the river with a path on top the entire way. Fast, easy, fun, great views. A good day for a bit of extra distance.
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Plan for Day 18: Wesel to Nijmegen: 49.7 miles
Day 18: Wesel to Nijmegen
This is where the Rhine starts to break up a bit. That'll lead to some tough routefinding and some long stretches a bit away from the river. Still, though, the trail will be mostly dirt roads and paths and I'll get some similarly long stretches along the bank.
Towards the end of the day, I'll cross over into the Netherlands and the Rhine will split. The main branch of the river will continue towards Nijmegen, though it will now be called the Waal.
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This is where the Rhine starts to break up a bit. That'll lead to some tough routefinding and some long stretches a bit away from the river. Still, though, the trail will be mostly dirt roads and paths and I'll get some similarly long stretches along the bank.
Towards the end of the day, I'll cross over into the Netherlands and the Rhine will split. The main branch of the river will continue towards Nijmegen, though it will now be called the Waal.
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Plan for Day 17: Dusseldorf to Wesel: 47.0 miles
Day 17: Dusseldorf to Wesel
This is a day of true contrasts. Most of the day is extremely industrial, through the outskirts of Dusseldorf and the Ruhr city of Duisburg. Even with that, much of the day is still dirt paths along the river. At the end of the day, my plan is to get settled in Wesel and then head downriver a short distance to check out Xanten, a well preserved Roman settlement along the Rhine.
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This is a day of true contrasts. Most of the day is extremely industrial, through the outskirts of Dusseldorf and the Ruhr city of Duisburg. Even with that, much of the day is still dirt paths along the river. At the end of the day, my plan is to get settled in Wesel and then head downriver a short distance to check out Xanten, a well preserved Roman settlement along the Rhine.
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Plan for Day 16: Koln to Dusseldorf: 36.9 miles
Day 16: Koln to Dusseldorf
Today is a bit of an easy day on the bike in order to spend most of the day exploring Dusseldorf. I've made some contact with the Atheros Germany office and might be able to catch up with them this evening. Whether or not that works out, Dusseldorf is one of the cultural centers of Germany and there will be plenty to occupy my time.
Amazingly, the ride is still mostly along the river and mostly on dirt roads or paths.
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Today is a bit of an easy day on the bike in order to spend most of the day exploring Dusseldorf. I've made some contact with the Atheros Germany office and might be able to catch up with them this evening. Whether or not that works out, Dusseldorf is one of the cultural centers of Germany and there will be plenty to occupy my time.
Amazingly, the ride is still mostly along the river and mostly on dirt roads or paths.
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