Once again, my goal was to make it to Coal City. I was planning on heading down to the Sandy Creek Trail from Franklin and east to the Rockland trailhead where I would pick up Route 257. This seemed like the approach that would get me to Coal City and eventually Brandon without having to climb and super hills.
I started off from the Franklin trailhead riding at a fast pace, between 16 and 18 mph. It was all business for the first few miles. Then, I got a couple glimpses of foliage scenery around me and decided to start taking some photos. At one point, I was bombarded by leaves falling at such a rate that it looked like it was snowing leaves and I stopped to take a picture of this. The rest of the time, I was just looking to my right across the river at the trees lining the hillside. I stopped in some of my favorite picture locations and snapped some pictures of the scenery. I thought it would be interesting to see the “before and after” pictures when I got back home.
I continued riding south on the Allegheny River Trail. The air temperature was mild, with the thermometer only reading in the 50’s. The sun was out for much of the first part of the ride. In the sunny spots, I could feel the radiant heat of the sun warming me slightly. It did not do too much for the air temperature, but at least it gave me a brief warming.
I made it to the Belmar Bridge in what seemed like no time at all. This 5 mile trip was getting to be second nature and allowing me to drift deep into thought, making the the ride fly right by. I climbed the steps up to the Sandy Creek Trail and headed east towards Rockland. The Sandy Creek Trail was fully shaded and much colder than the Allegheny River Trail. The wind was blocked by the hills, but the sun was blocked by the trees.
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Well, it was not really the wrong way in terms of directions and navigation. But, it was the incorrect choice in planning. I wanted to go to Coal City. I do not think that there is much out there other than farms, but I thought it might be a nice change from the bike trails. So, I decided to ride to Brandon and out Brandon Road to Coal City Road, then up Rockland / Cranberry Road to the Rockland trailhead of the Sandy Creek Trail. I know that there is a difference in elevation between the Brandon and Rockland trailheads. I just did not know how much and how noticeable it was. I assumed a nice slight incline as noticed from Belmar to Van. I was wrong.
I started out by driving to Belmar to start from there. It had rained all weekend and the forecast was not reassuring. I figured the 10 mile savings round trip would be less than an hour of riding time, but may keep me dry and warm. It was a bit cold, so I dressed with my Under Armour shirt and pants beneath my golf rain gear. I was warm and feeling good.
I made it to Brandon in what seemed like no time at all and my good feeling was about to change. I immediately started up Brandon Road and quickly decided it should be called Brandon Mountain. The initial climb was insane. I had to shift into the shortest gear on the bike. This is the go anywhere gear and worked well for the climb. I could peddle while sitting and with very little strain. I made it to the top of this short climb and stopped for a photo of the signpost of the camp community.
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One of the sights that I looked to see was the Indian God Rock, about 8 miles south of Franklin. My first two long rides took be south only about 5 miles to the Belmar Bridge and then either east or west. So, I fell short of seeing the Indian God Rock. This time would be different.
I took a day off work to relax and enjoy myself. I was working pretty much the entire weekend before, 19 hours on Saturday and another countless on conference calls on Sunday, and did not have time for a ride. Thursday would be the day.
I started off traveling the usual southern route down the Allegheny River Trail from Franklin down to the Belmar Bridge. For the first time on my journeys, I was traveling under the bridge instead of over the bridge. I stopped to take a photo of the bridge, as seen from the south, then kept going down the straight, tree lined path.
I stopped several time to take pictures of the scenic views of the river, trees and clouds as well as the beautiful leaf-lines path. It was fall, even though only late September, and the trees were suddenly changing their appearance. The leaves were turning the red, yellow, orange, brown colors of autumn and falling from the trees with the smallest gust of wind. I must certainly continue to ride the trails and witness this natural event every week.
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Now that I got the bike tuned up, it was time to go out the Sandy Creek Trail the way I wanted to the last time. Once again, it was mostly business on the ride south to the Belmar Bridge. I stopped for a couple of quick shots of the fishermen out in their boats on this foggy morning. There were many in the water and still many more waiting on the boat launch. The fog was too thick to get a good count, but it was certainly a very popular place to be.
I continued south to the bridge, climbed the dangerous steps and headed east this time. The fog was started to lift a little, but it was still overwhelmingly present. The air was cool and the trail was clear. I was making good time. I got to a little valley in the trail where I raced down one side and up the other. As I neared the top of the other side, I saw a deer dart across the path ahead of me. I tried to get the camera out, but was not quick enough on this occasion. I missed another good shot of wildlife.
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