It makes for a better trip if more things work than don’t. Because
someone considering setting off on an unsupported bicycle tour might
have happened upon the story of Đại úy Chuck and the NCOIC I figured
it’d be a good idea to point out some our “goods and not so goods.”
Pretty much everything deserves a passing grade because any failings or
shortcomings were resolved or overcome. Obviously, anyone thinking
about bike touring is gonna need a bike, but discussion about
what’s-the-best-bike can be found elsewhere because the Co-Motion
Periscope Torpedo Tandem is not a typical touring choice.
Because some of the equipment was well-used touring gear, camping lack
any drama. Big Agnes performed
flawlessly as a tent. The Lynx Pass 3 tent, a three-person tent, was
excellent as a two-person tent for two guys over six feet. Its single
vestibule was inconvenient, but large enough to keep all four panniers
under-cover at night. Đại úy carried a Big Agnes sleeping bag with
integrated pocket for an inflatable pad and pillow, while I used a
Kelty and a minimalist foam pad; neither of us had much trouble
sleeping.
Day first and day last were blessed with heavy rain (and wind and
lightning). Stopping to put on rain covers makes no sense when you’ve
experienced the dry-bag nature of Ortlieb Rollers. Yes, they lack
exterior pockets and are essentially rubberized duffels, but better to
root among dry things than sort our wet stuff.
Among the most useful pieces of camping equipment was the JetBoil Java Kit. It is impossible
to deny the value and efficiency of the JetBoil at behaving like a
French Press and brewing good coffee quickly. Using high quality coffee
contributed to the JetBoil’s success because Flagship
Coffee Roasters' Cuppa Joe responded well to rustic
locations, making mornings more pleasant.
One of the things we did not use but might have needed was a water
filter the Đại úy has acquired for his intended walk of the
Appalachian Trail. We were never unable to get water, but availability
was limited on The GAP and the readily available water on C&O
was purified with Iodine. This contrasts with the numerous resources
when off of trails. Similarly, having a good supply of
on-the-trail edibles is important; Kind, Lara, Luna, Clif, et cetera.
As with water, places to get food when touring on roads and highways
are common . . . and you’ll eat anything!
Next time I’ll tell you about the bike and its accessories, then,
eventually, about maps and directions and anything else that seems
relevant.
.
June 7, 2015 - Day 3
Morning brought the revelation that Outflow Campground at Confluence
was a large and popular place especially for anglers because of the
nearby Youghiogheny River and the upstream hydroelectric dam. For Đại
úy and the NCOIC, Confluence will remain pleasantly memorable for
Sisters’ Cafe and breakfast. It was also the breakfast stop a couple
also riding a Co-Motion, but whose card is tucked away for safe-keeping
and will not reappear until everything is unpacked in a couple of
weeks. Argh!
The steady climb that had started in earnest around Connelsville
continued. There were fewer travelers along this portion of the Trail,
perhaps because it was Sunday and perhaps because it is less accessible.
Rockwood’s Hostel on Main in Rockwood had been a potential end-of-day
stopping point. Instead, the associated Rockwood Mill Shoppes and Opera
House became the place for a late lunch.
After the
previous night’s events a hot shower and real bed beckoned and Yoder’s
Guest House in Meyersdale was the destination of choice. Previously the
place had been called a motel while bearing no resemblance to a motel.
After some minor renovations it is much more than a motel and slightly
less than a B&B and well worth considering. Storage for bikes
is
managed by using a portion of the lockable basement. A key added to the
room key permits easy access. The Co-Motion fit without too much
difficulty. Nice rooms, hot showers and a/c completed the deal.
If
there is a negative to this day it was the steep hills to be navigated
getting to things away from the trail or when wanting to return to it
(or both!). Of course it’s to be expected, but you don’t have t like
it. Nonetheless, another 35 or so miles were added to the total.
The Đại úy is unaccustomed to self-supported touring.
Generally, when he rides 500 miles in a week’s time he only has to be
concerned about pedaling, water and energy bars. For our 500+ miles
it’s about taking whatever you think you’ll need, plus planning where
to spend each night.
The other thing Đại úy’s used to is the shirts he gets for
participating. He wears them proudly, like the ones from RAGBRAI.
Knowing this, I figured I needed to find a way for him to get a shirt
for this ride, so I called Aero
Tech Designs, a company making bike wearables
in Pittsburgh. I spoke to Jordan, their
Marketing Manager (and Pro Rider), and explained that a couple of old Vets were gonna
ride the GAP and C&O and since I wore some of their stuff was
there any chance of getting a shirt for Đại úy . . . okay,
for me too!
Fast-forward to this morning when the FedEx guy tapped on my door
bearing a large box. Yeah, Aero Tech wouldn’t mind at all doing
something for a couple of old guys—Vets—who ride bikes. Get some
pictures. Say some nice stuff. And thanks for serving your country.
Đại úy’ll have some shirts and so will I and we’ll make Aero Tech
proud. Nice arrangement.
Just as Non-Commissioned Officers, NCOs, are the backbone of the Army,
Captains (Đại úy in Vietnamese) are the heavy lifters of
the officer corp and as such gained a special level of respect during
the Vietnam War; being called “di wee”, the Americanized pronunciation
of the Vietnamese words. Officers, typically, had drivers because the
simple operation of motorized vehicles (other than aircraft) can be
challenging for many of them. Drivers were drawn from the enlisted
ranks and served their officers every needs, like opening doors,
another difficult mechanical task. When the former Army officer,
Captain Chuck, gave me the opportunity to pilot his tandem bicycle
(clearly equivalent to being his driver) it seemed necessary to elevate
myself to NCOIC, meaning Non-Commissioned Officer in charge, a slight
misnomer, but allowing a greater sense of self-esteem. Thus, this and
subsequent writings about our travels together will be grouped as “Ðai
uy Chuck and the NCOIC.”
The Đại úy and I have logged more than 500 miles on his
Co-Motion Periscope Torpedo and are becoming a good team. Because a
previous pilot (the name applied to the person “driving” a tandem bike,
also known as the captain and not used by us for obvious reasons) ran
Chuck the Stoker (stoker being the name for the person whose primary
role is providing muscle) into a metal pole and I have not, Đại
úy Chuck thinks I am good pilot/driver, his blindness keeping
him from witnessing some of the potentially harrowing moments we have
avoided.
We’ve managed to become an increasingly efficient team, maybe because I
don’t deal with him as a blind guy and he doesn’t care that I am old.
The result is that we’ve ridden 60+ miles one way to spend a long
weekend on the Gulf in Cedar Key, completed a windy metric century as
part of the Tour de Forts and next week plan to go large and ride from
Pittsburgh to D.C on the GAP and C&O
Trails, then take on the challenge of riding from D.C. to Baltimore and
finally north into central PA. The Đại úy’s motivation is to not
surrender to his blindness. Mine is to stay alive. Makes us a good
pair.
I don’t know whether it was too presumptuous or arrogant to ask Andrew
and Razia of Flagship Coffee if they’d
like to be the official coffee providers for Đại úy Chuck
and the NCOIC for our ride. “Of course” was their response. Got a
similar response from Monica and Mike of Monica’s
Cococastile Soap who are creating wrappers for sample-sized
bars noting Đại úy’s accomplishments and efforts to encourage others
to develop a more active lifestyle. As Đại úy puts it, “I’m not
handicapped. I’m blind.” We’ll use Monica’s soap and give the rest away
to spread the good word. Another “hot damn!” moment came during the
past week when Aero-Tech Designs, manufacturers
of my favorite bicycle attire said they’d provide a couple of shirts,
shorts and socks for the old guys on a bike. I’ve worn their touring
shorts for three years and all are still in good condition despite
regular use. That they make their products in Coraopolis, just north of
Pittsburgh (yes, made in America) is a nice subtext.
When we stop where there’s WiFi I’ll update the blog and let you know
what’s happening as I did while trying to make the trip August
2012 trip to PA. You can also see what’s happening from a
different point of view by
checking Twitter; Chuck’s
CoMotion.
