Flats n' Rain n' Distance

Day 4: Coudersport, PA.to Meadville, PA - 137 Miles

I left the Westgate Inn in Coudersport at 7:00 AM. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone who will be looking for someplace to stay in the area. This hotel is exceptionally clean and quiet. It is constructed of decorative concrete block, and the price was right at $69 for the night.

The day started foggy, misty and damp. 35 minutes into the ride I encountered my first flat tire of the trip. Just before I got the flat I saw a spot where there had been a car accident and noticed some of the glass on the road. I tried to avoid the glass, but no such luck. First flat tire fix in the rain.

I replaced the tube and thought I would have time to patch it tonight after I got to my next stop. After changing the tube I encountered a construction detour. I was re-routed on PA 155 toward Eldred, PA and then back down PA 446 to Smethport. Argh! This detour was not needed!

Once I got to Smethport I had a decision to make. Do I follow RT 6 and the PA bike route Y? Or do I go up RT 59 where I knew I would have a big climb or two, but the distance would be shorter. I started down RT 6 but changed my mind after about 200 yards. I doubled back and took RT 59 into the Allegheny National Forest. I knew from studying the maps that it was a shorter distance with some very tough climbs ahead.

As I got into the middle of the National Forest the skies opened up and it began to downpour rain. I stopped to cover the Arkel tail bag with its rain fly and put on my rain jacket. I continued to ride in the heavy downpour. Along the way I noticed another bicycle rider going on the opposite direction. His bike was decked out with full front and rear panniers. He gave me an excited wave and he too kept on riding.

I noticed many of the old “dinosaur” well pumps while in the Allegheny National Forest. Most of them were not operating. A few of the pumps were still bringing up crude oil and dumping it into tanks near the wells.

At the end of the Allegheny National Forest I crossed a causeway at the Kinzua Dam on the Allegheny Reservoir. The view was absolutely spectacular and I tried to take some pictures with the cell phone. When I got to Warren, PA I had lunch. I finished eating at 12:40 PM and called Jim to give him an update. After looking on Google Maps, Jim informed me that I had about 63 miles to go to reach Meadville, PA. I hung up with Jim and rode. I was determined to reach Meadville to try and get back on schedule.

My chain and gears were all filled with sand and dirt. I was having problems shifting and the chain was making some awful noises. I encountered more rain and more hills. I saw a kid spraying some plants with a hose at a Garden Center. I asked him to spray my gears and chain so the shifting would go better. It worked, but only lasted an hour or so. I need to get some lube on the chain!

As I went through Spartansburgh, PA I noticed a Red Winged Blackbird on a fence post. As I rode by the bird flew up over me. It hovered above me for almost a mile before flying off. I thought the whole thing was odd as it reminded me of the Alfred Hitchcock movie “The Birds”.

When I passed through the downtown area of Spartansburgh, PA I came upon a Mennonite riding a horse-drawn wagon. There were two young boys wearing straw hats sitting on the back of the wagon. The two boys gave me the “thumbs up” as I rode past the wagon.

I finally arrived in Meadville at 7:30 PM. I ate supper at the hotel and walked over to a grocery store and bought some Handi-wipes and Desitin. My saddle sores were beginning to resemble the diaper rashes I had seen on our kids’ behinds when they were babies. I remember how they seemed to be so happy after getting the ointment smeared on. I put it on and it worked! By morning I was as good as new!

Word of note: Stanley cup finals on TV! I watched it in the hotel.

My knees are hurting and I’m really tired. I’m not really sure what the weather is supposed to be like tomorrow, however I know I will be taking it somewhat easy. My knees hurt! PA did not let me leave without a fight. I took another wrong turn in Warren, PA and ended up on a dirt road. I had to back track and decided to once again take a ride in the break down lane on the divided highway portion of RT 6 in Warren PA. There was lots of construction here in PA. As beautiful as this state is all I want to do is GET OUT!