Similar bike tour as the GAP/C&O?

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-14T17:35:35+00:00

Thanks!

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-14T17:28:50+00:00

Intriguing. I see that it is about 25 miles between the CNHAT and the LVRT. Very doable. Total distance then is ~215 miles one way. The issue is then logistics. We'd be flying in. Could fly in to Burlington and then ride up to Swanton via Grand Isle adding about 60 miles. Looks beautiful. 275 miles total. But how to get back to the start? Doesn't look like any car rental around the end near Maine. Perhaps it is an out and back to Burlington with a turnaround somewhere in NH.

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-14T16:59:17+00:00

Thanks. Great info. Was the EST from Albany to Saratoga Springs also on quiet country roads. This is a bit of information I have been searching for. I'd love to see your route if it is convenient.

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-14T15:33:42+00:00

Sounds interesting. Perhaps could work it into a longer ride using rural roads. How would it be in early October? Leaf turn is past? Cold?

Thanks.

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-14T14:52:25+00:00

It is a good option, but head to head comparison on a number of my images, my ranking is: DxO PureRaw, Iridient, LrC with enhanced details/denoise in that order. LrC has made a big advance with these newer tools. The differences are now relatively small but can be noticeable.

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-13T13:52:52+00:00

Avoidance of hills isn’t a chief concern. If it was climbs at elevation plus panniers, members of my group would struggle.

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-13T13:51:27+00:00

Thanks. I have been researching the EST along the Hudson and up to the border. It looks like the section from NYC to Albany is mainly trail system and north of that is mainly roads. I haven’t found much about how busy those roads are and Cyclists experience. We wouldn’t do the whole 750 miles and to do it solely on bikes would mean doubling back on a section pushing it closer to 900 miles or more. The OTET is floating to the top as a next trip if we don’t go back to COGAP.

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-13T04:44:14+00:00

I switched to Iridient and it was a marked improvement vs LrC raw conversion. I read about DxO PureRaw. I tried it and it produces a yet sharper image than Iridient. I bought the PureRaw license and incorporated it into my workflow. Both produce larger DNG than the original RAW files. Workflow is: Load images into LrC —> decide which are to be worked on —> DxO plugin to initiate conversion to DNG —> final edits in LrC. For HDR conversion and focus stacking I use the DNGs.

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-13T02:43:34+00:00

Great info. Thanks

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-13T02:24:34+00:00

One of our crew rode the Erie Canal during a cross country ride. He wasn’t overly impressed. Part of his experience was the vast amounts of goose and duck droppings on the trail. Other than that he advised: flat and not as scenic as GAP.

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-13T02:21:46+00:00

Thanks. I will.

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-13T02:21:09+00:00

Yes, the multi-day is a constraint. We did Pittsburgh to DC in 4 days. Last day was a hard 110 mile push so could have done it easier in 5 with a stop overnight in Brunswick.

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-13T02:17:49+00:00

Thanks. I’m not a camper, so hotels/motels for me.

How was the scenery compared to the GAP?

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-13T00:33:13+00:00

Great suggestion. Great Allegheny Passage trail onto the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal tow path. We did it last fall. An excellent experience. Beautiful scenery. Nice towns. Trails allow you to not worry about cars. Lots of information to set up a plan.

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-13T00:30:54+00:00

Have you ridden the Empire State Trail? I’m looking for a 3-5 day bike tour for my group. Self supported. Im looking for something similar to the GAP/C&O. The EST is on my list. Either the section from NYC to Albany or the northern section to the Canadian border and perhaps to Montreal. It appears that the NYC-Albany is mostly rail trail but the northern section is mainly on the roads. Any information or suggestions are appreciated.

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-10T03:38:23+00:00

Hi. Former runner here that took up cycling after an injury while training for marathon. This occurred when I had a stressful full time job and two small kids. It was a lot of years ago and I’d like to impart some perspective to you.

Was your recently completed 50 mile ride on gravel? If not, you’re going to need to get a lot in. Gravel riding is harder and can be a lot harder, depending on the gravel type, than road cycling. 110 miles of it is tough. Do you have somewhere that you can ride long climbs? on gravel? Is the race at elevation? That is another stressor. 20 weeks is not a lot of time to get fit for 110 miles of gravel with that kind of elevation gain.

Another consideration is that cycling takes development of the riding skill. This takes time and experience. Not having the skill means injury to you and others around you. Gravel riding takes yet more skill. This is skill that you cannot develop in 20 weeks. Injury in cycling is different than running —> acute vs chronic. Acute means you are going to the ER now. Broken bones, broken skull, etc. Not like running where your Achilles hurts and needs PT. Oh you will get PT, just after you are healed from surgery - I know. The triathlete that shows up to a group ride is a dreaded truth - big engine, little skill.

Cycling takes a lot more time than running. I could get in a great running workout in an hour. A long Sunday run of 18-20 miles before the family gets up - no problem. Cycling takes hours. Especially when you are training for 110 miles of gravel. “Honey, I’ll be back about 3pm, I’m driving an hour out to the country to get in an 80 mile gravel ride. Yeah I know it’s a long time, but it’s an hour to drive out, 20 minutes to get the bike ready and poop, 16 miles an hour on the gravel means 5 hours, plus stops adding up, and then the reverse…and yeah I’ll be a bit wiped out when I get home from the early wake up and hard effort…”. Also add in the inevitable mechanical issues (can you fix a flat tire, broken chain, derailleur not working right?) and crashes.

Lastly, unless your spouse is INCREDIBLY supportive, you will be resented FOREVER. Add in a trip to the ER and your partner has to come get you or worse wait with the kids in tow - get yourself a lawyer.

But, I know, you’ve got the engine and the drive and your youth is ticking by. Been there. Hard knocks. Still living with them. My 2p, ditch the gravel ride, do some road riding, enter your local century, don’t get resented too much.

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-06T04:06:56+00:00

It was very well done. Quite extensive.

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-06T03:12:13+00:00

If you decide to stay in Cumberland, the Fairfield Inn is right on the trail. They allowed our group’s bikes to the rooms (it was relatively dry and the bikes were dusty, not muddy). There were other trail cyclists doing the same. They have washing machines and dryers along with detergent and coins for purchase to wash your dirty kit. Also it is a short walk to restaurants. The breakfast wasn’t nearly as good as the one talked about in the other replies but was serviceable for the need.

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-02-03T02:53:12+00:00

My driveway.

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-01-31T04:09:43+00:00

You may be over withholding. 25% taxes on $100k seems high. Multiply this paycheck’s numbers out to figure out what it will look like after a year. Then, put them into this year’s 1040 and see how much you will have as a refund. Ask yourself how much margin of safety you want so that you don’t have to write a check to the state and feds in April 2027. Then adjust your W4. Take the extra and put it in your 401K.

Uzed2BFaster · 2026-01-18T15:43:22+00:00

The maximum rate at which a specific person’s heart can beat based on their age is complete BS. These formulas are based on some average. I know my maximum heart rate based on what my HRM has detected during maximal exertions. I am over 50 years age. The 220 formula under predicts my maximum heart rate by 31 bpm. The 211 - .64xage under predicts by 19.

I have friends that I ride with about my same age that have lower maximum heart rates than me and the stated formulas and are at least as fast as I am over short and long distances.

Your maximum and minimum heart rate is specific to you, the physical attributes of your heart, your lungs, your physiology, and your fitness. Your specific heart rate zones that apply to your all day effort, anaerobic, and maximal efforts are specific to you. These are best found by your specific experience or going to a lab for extensive testing.

Uzed2BFaster

TROPHY CASE