Peddie Bicycle Touring 2018: Riding Backroads into the Country.
June 7-13, 2018
The Sophomore Bike Trip
Following the route of the last twelve years’ sophomore rides, the inspiration of the “Trail of Tears” cycling trip in 2004, and the 1996, 1998, and 2000 cycling trips of The Principio Project, the Sophomore Bike Ride is focused on enabling younger Peddie students to experience their country first hand, country that they, and much of modern America, could otherwise easily forget. A group trip in all respects, students not only ride each day’s route and explore the countryside but also plan menus, shop, cook, clean, and manage their own and the group’s success under the guidance of Peddie faculty.
This year we pedal out of Hightstown and head south to Bordentown, where we’ll load up in vehicles and leapfrog over suburban Philadelphia to a campground south of Reading. Then we’ll cycle through Lancaster County and Amish country, cross the Susquehanna, head west below York and into Gettysburg, and then climb into the mountains west of Gettysburg. From Blue Ridge Summit we’ll turn south into the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland. We’ll then drive into Washington, but finish our cycling with a tour down the National Mall, finishing at the foot of the Capitol. Cool.
Each day begins with breakfast, breaking camp, a map meeting, and, just prior to departure, the “Rumination,” or question of the day [“Does the land make the people, or do the people make the land?”] Cycling through the morning, stopping for a leisurely lunch along the road, we generally arrive at our campsite mid afternoon. The day’s food crews depart either after lunch or on arrival at camp to shop for that evening’s dinner, and the next day’s breakfast and lunch. Others enjoy the campsite, spending time making camp, writing in journals, comparing notes on the day’s trip. Dinner is a focus for everyone, and evening campfires, and the stories, songs, and camaraderie they engender, finish the day. The next morning, we happily do it again!
Important also are the cultural, historical, and geographic opportunities along the way. For example, we explore the town of Intercourse, PA, and we stop and examine the exhibits and then cycle the battleground of Gettysburg. We also stop to “smell the roses” along the way, easy to do amidst the work of Amish farmland in Lancaster County, or along the forested mountain ridge carrying the Appalachian Trail through Maryland, or from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, where Marian Anderson sang and Martin Luther King, Jr. preached.
The cost of this seven day trip is $450. Following November sign-ups, a $50 deposit secures as spot, with the balance due by April 1. Make deposit checks payable to “Peddie School,” with “Bike Trip” in the memo.
Peddie Bicycle Touring 2018: Riding Backroads into the Country.
June 7-13, 2018
The Sophomore Bike Trip -- Gear
The Bicycle A solid quality bicycle is an important tool on this trip. A “touring” bike is terrific: robust road wheels and tires, a strong frame, and a wide range of gears. Mountain bikes and cyclocross bikes work well too, with their low gearing, but only after heavy knobby tires are replaced by “road slicks,” smooth tread tires meant for riding on roads. Hybrid bikes are almost always a great choice, for they are comfortable and useful later for a Peddie student rider, and almost always have a wide enough range of gears. High end or fancy racing or triathlon bikes are NOT good choices: they are fragile, finicky, and not robust enough for this rough and tumble trip, and their gearing is almost always too high for our riders. Beach cruisers, BMX bikes, and high wheel penny farthings (yikes!) are also on the “no” list. Put differently, to ensure the necessary range of gears, every bike must have a “triple chain ring” up front (all touring bikes, mountain bikes, or hybrids), or a two chain ring “compact crank” with a wide range rear cassette (found on some road and most cyclocross bikes). No bike with only one chain ring in the front will work. Many students use bikes available within their families; many students purchase a bicycle on the occasion of this trip; a growing number of students arrange to borrow bikes lend by bike trip veterans, a wonderful emerging tradition. Pat Clements has a couple of bikes to loan for special circumstances. The Bicycle Rack bike shop in Hightstown has a strong selection of bikes suitable for the trip, and years of experience helping Peddie kids with the Sophomore Bike Trip. Questions? Talk to Pat Clements Every student must complete at least one twenty mile “Bike Boogie” before our trip, preferably on the bike to be used on the trip. Upon completing this requirement the student receives the special, beautiful, and highly coveted Peddie Bike Jersey. Storage All personal gear not being worn while riding must fit into ONE MEDIUM DUFFEL. [Sleeping bags and pads not included: they are stowed separately in trailing vehicles]. Feet Riding Shoes -- 1 substantial pair: Athletic (running) shoes, or cycling shoes. Banging around footwear –1 pair: Teva type sandals or sneakers. Shower shoes or immersible flip-flops (for the shower!) 1 pair. Mandatory. Socks: 5 pair +/- (small, thin, quick to dry) Lower Body Riding Shorts -- 2-3 pair. Can be lycra style biking shorts (sample, men & women) , looser mountain bike shorts (sample m / f ), or cycling underwear beneath outdoor shorts (sample) Walking/outdoors shorts -- 1 pair, synthetic preferably, for wearing around camp, play, even swimming Athletic shorts: 1 pair. mesh, airy, post ride wear. They usually say “Peddie” somewhere. Long Pants – 1 pair suitable to wear in chilly or mosquito-y weather. Synthetic or light cotton. NO JEANS. NO DENIM AT ALL!! Underwear – 5 pair +/- . Synthetic best. Not for wearing while cycling. Optional-- You may want to bring a pair of waterproof or water resistant rain pants. Optional -- A pair of fleece pants for camp at night. Upper Body While cycling: YELLOW JERSEYS (click here!) or YELLOW SYNTHETIC T-SHIRT. (Every rider receives one yellow Peddie Cycling Jersey…photo next page) T-shirts – 3-4.. At least one long sleeve! Comfortable. Nothing loud, garish, or logo-full. Peddie Ts are great. o N.B.: Because we are outdoors 24/7, all riders will need to cover up physically from the sun., and many MUST cover from the sun steadily: Old Dress shirts are terrific! “Underarmor”-ish athletic base layer. Not required but often useful. Anti-microbial fabric is wise; modern merino wool is even better. (anti-stink). Heavy Layer -- 1 fleece jacket or pullover. Windbreaker -- 1 thin, lightweight windbreaker. Rain Jacket -- 1 jacket that is WATERPROOF. Water resistant is not acceptable. Cap
Additional Material
Small hand towel / Toilet articles (small travel size) / Moist towelettes / Sunscreen / Bug repellent / Bandanna / Bathing suit / Hygiene products / NO LARGE COTTON TOWELS ! Only synthetic towels (from fancy sports towels to ShamWow!).
Bicycle Equipment List Gloves -- Fingerless, padded riding gloves (MANDATORY) Example (m/f) Eye protection -- sunglasses or clear eye wear. (MANDATORY). Helmet -- On your head (MANDATORY) Hydration -- “Camelback” type reservoir, 100 oz. and up (MANDATORY) Additional water bottles can be attached to bike. Rain/weather gear to be carried (in backpack, saddlebag, rack trunk, or pannier)
Night-time Stuff Pillow case // NO PILLOWS! // (stuff pillow case w/clothes. aha!) Headlamp or flashlight /LED lights are terrific.
Odds and Ends Mobile Phone and charger (important safety tool on road) However, possession of phones after riding will be severely restricted. Digital Point-and-shoot camera (phone devices are NOT for photography while riding or in camp) Harmonicas, kazoos are great. Guitar(s) will travel. Frisbee, boomerangs….. .
WHAT IS PROVIDED BY PEDDIE Tents Cooking and eating gear Safety gear Cycle Repairs & tools Sleeping Bag and Sleeping pad One terrific yellow cycling jersey!
What will NOT be provided by Peddie Helmet – Purchase your own at a professional bike shop and be sure it is fitted to you!!
What is SPECIALLY PROVIDED: One terrific yellow cycling jersey! (after 20+ mile Bike Boogie!! Ride)
OUR BEST PROVIDER!!! is right here in town!
OUR FAVORITE BIKE SHOP !!! [Link]
The Bicycle Rack – Airport Road – Hightstown, NJ 609.448.2928
Owner Van Delfino has helped Peddie students on every bike trip, providing everything from bicycles to clothing to enthusiasm. I get my gear from him too. –Peddie Bike Trip Faculty
EVERYTHING NOT ON YOUR BACK OR THE BIKE MUST FIT INTO ONE MEDIUM DUFFEL !!! (not including sleeping bag and mat; those travel separately) (we do laundry at least once while on the road) Questions?
Talk to ([email protected]) / 862.368.0677
Peddie Bicycle Touring 2018: Riding Backroads into the Country. June 7-13, 2018
The Sophomore Bike Trip
Day 1 – Thursday, June 7 Arrive on campus by 9.00 a.m.. Orientation at Peddie includes introduction to safe cycling, camp ground set-up & breakdown, a cycling shakedown, and shopping & cooking demos. We’ll practice everything we’ll need to do on the road. We’ll spend the night on campus. 12 miles
Day 2 – Friday, June 8 After breakfast, we depart Peddie and head to Allentown, Crosswicks, Bordentown, and the Delaware River. After lunch we pack, load bikes and travel to French Creek State Park Campground, Elverson, PA. (610) 582-9680. 16 miles.
Day 3 – Saturday, June 9 We ride through beautiful Amish farmland to White Oak Campground, Strasburg, PA: somewhat hilly, more rolling. Great Ice Cream at the Lapp Family Farm, and a break after lunch at Intercourse. A long rolling ride all day. White Oak Campground, Strasburg, PA (717) 687-6207. 33 miles +/-.
Day 4 – Sunday, June 10 We begin what will be a quiet Sabbath in Amish country land, then climb toward the Susquehanna River. After a memorable ascent to the windswept hamlet of Rawlinsville, we each lunch, pack up and drive to Gettysburg. Gettysburg Park Campground, Gettysburg, PA (717)334-3304 25 miles
Day 5 – Monday, June 11 We ride to Gettysburg Battle Ground and the terrific Introductory film and museum at the Visitor’s Center, followed by a cycle tour of what Lincoln called "hallowed ground." An easier but powerful day. Our second night at Gettysburg Park Campground, Gettysburg, PA (717)334-3304 20 miles +/-
Day 6 – Tuesday, June 12 We ride from Gettysburg to Fairfield and then follow Lee’s escape in a serious climb up to Blue Ridge Summit. After lunch, we cross the Mason & Dixon line and head south into Maryland and the Catoctin Mountains, climbing up near Camp David, and then once more up to the campground in Greenbrier State Park, Boonsboro, MD (301) 791-4767. 40 miles
Day 7 – Wednesday, June 13 We drive into Virginia and the Arlington National Cemetery, and then cycle across the Memorial Bridge to the Lincoln Memorial, then down the Mall to the United States Capitol, where we come face to face with Idea of America! We load up everything and hit the road for home. 8 miles. Leave by noon; Home by 7.00 pm+/-.
-- Peddie Bike Trip Faculty
Peddie Bicycle Touring 2018: Sophomores Riding Backroads into the Country. Class of 2020
June 7-13, 2018
Efros Auditorium, 10.00 am, Thursday, December 7, 2018
AGENDA – Bike Trip 2018
The “idea” of the trip, its philosophical underpinnings and goals SYNTAX!!!! Groups & Size // Scheduling CHALLENGE (Trip #1 impossibly large) Changes in Groups: not by preference Important principles on safety and risk. Information and advice / strategy about bikes to ride on the trip Three chain rings! Hybrid -- Road tires! A brief commentary on gear, including several important “non-negotiables” Safety (helmet, glasses, gloves) – School Rules – The “concept” How to handle important administrative details for the trip, including health and emergency form and payment information Training suggestions Sunday “Bike Boogie” possibilities. 20 mile ride requirement
I got so excited about these trips that sometimes I would start to shake just thinking about what a rich and challenging experience it would be. I hope you too are getting a little pumped up at the prospect. You don’t have to shiver though, just get a little wifty. -- PJC