Posts

Showing posts from July 29, 2007

Simulblog

I post a lot of the same entries on my other blog, but you should check it out because sometimes I post geographic/ride specific information http://wheelingrides.blogspot.com

This is how the English do it

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/default.asp

Garmin Etrex Vista Cx Review

I purchased the Garmin Etrex Vista Cx ($235) from PCntion.com. I was looking for a cheap turn by turn routing GPS. I originally was going to purchase a black and white model, but for $20 difference I went with the color model. The screen is visible and readable in daylight. It does have a backlight function, but I rarely need it. I already owned the Mapsource software ($100). I loaded most of Ohio, western PA, and a route down to MD into the stock 64MB memory card (upgradeable). The routes are turn by turn and if you plug in a destination the unit will auto route to your destination. One warning. If you purchase the handlebar mount ($15), the replacement back does not fit the Cx because of the memory card slot. Garmin tech told me to connect the clip to the existing back and clip it to the handlebar mount. I have taken it on about 5 rides without a problem.

Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail Ride Report

On Saturday July 28 we rode the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail. We drove from Canal Fulton north to Brecksville Reservation. We rode south toward Akron for about 20 miles. The path is flat and is crushed limestone. It was wet from rain the night before so we were covered with the limestone dust. The ride is beautiful. It parallels the old canal and the Cuyahoga River for sections. The locks are still visible, but the canal itself is filled in for most of its' length. Canal Fulton does maintain a working section of the canal with mules and canal boat. Most of the path is protected by tree cover, but the path does cross cornfields and major roadways. It follows the river valley so the river is visible for most of the ride. It was fairly busy with foot and bicycle traffic. I would recommend a mountain or comfort bike with wider/knobby tires. We stopped at the Valley Cafe for lunch. We all had their gyro sandwiches which were delicious and quite reasonably priced.

Eddy's Sweet Corn Challenge Ride Report

On Sunday July 29 we headed up to the Sweet Corn Challenge in Richfield Ohio. I have ridden the Sweet Corn for the last three years. The first year I attempted the century and came up short at 88 miles. This year and last I rode the 50 mile option. They throw some hills into the ride and try to keep riders on their toes by changing the route each year. This year was no exception. The hills were loaded into the second half of the ride. I was averaging 16mph until the mid 30 mile range. I ended up with 14.4mph average over 50. Snowville Road was pretty tough and the organizers threw in a hill at the 49 mile mark. The ride starts and ends at the park in the center of town. They had massage tables setup and a live band. True to the name of the ride the corn this year was very sweet. The corn was part of a plate of food that is included in the admission.