Rob's Blog

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.

On the way to Rockland, I stopped for some more photo opportunities, mostly at each of the bridges and the Mays’ Mill Tunnel. There were so many color combinations of the leaves, I had to try to capture them all. I like to see if I can find the one odd tree out of the group. There is always one that just does not fit in with the rest.

After passing through the Mays’ Mill Tunnel, I came upon the first possible exit point. I knew that this was not the Rockland trailhead and was almost certain to be Mays’ Mill Road. I thought of trying to follow the gravel trail to see if it did indeed take me to the road. This would cut a few miles off the trip and maybe be just a bit easier on my legs. I decided to pass on that option and headed for the Rockland trailhead as planned.

With a mile, I was at the trailhead and exited onto Rockland / Cranberry Road. I was greeted by a fast downhill run. It was very enjoyable, until I had to climb the hill on the other side. I started to climb the hill and was thankful, at least at first, that it was not as steep as the hill coming out of Brandon. But, the further I climbed, the less happy I became. Eventually, again, I had to dismount and walk for a while. My legs were hurting and the hill kept on going. I could only imagine that hills that were yet to come over the next 7 miles.

At that point, I decided to turn around yet again and head back to the Sandy Creek Trail. This was just not meant to be. I was sad and disappointed, but more importantly, sore. There is no way that I am interested in all of those peaks and valleys. I love the steady pace of the bike trail. I get into a good rhythm and can lose myself in the surroundings or in deep thought. There is just too much distraction in the hills.

Back on the bike trail, I decided to head back to the Belmar bridge and figure out where to go once I got there. As I traveled back, I started to get hungry. I thought it would be a good idea to cross the bridge to and stop at the picnic tables on the other side. There I could relax and give my legs a break as well as get some food and drink. I love snack time.

After my feeding, I thought that riding a few miles out the western portion of the Sandy Creek Trail would be perfect. I had not planned on riding the entire way to Fisherman’s Cove, but just a few miles. I made my usual stops for pictures and passed a man and woman out for a walk with cameras. I assume they were partaking in the autumn leaf action as well. There were quite a few people out on this section of the trail, even though the air was cold and the sun was barely shining.

With it being only 5 miles to “The Cove,” and being that good rhythm, I soon found myself nearing the end of the trail. I decided to follow the trail until the end. Even if I did ride to the end, it would only be a little less than a 30 mile trip today. So, why not?

I made it to the end in what seemed like no time at all. I was feeling alive again and decided to follow the gravel road, oddly enough named Fisherman’s Cove Road, leading away from the trail. The road followed Big Sandy Creek and was fairly smooth for a gravel road. I traveled for about a mile before turning back. I was slightly worried about my safety when I passed a pick up truck letting out 1 man with a rifle and wearing an orange hunting suit. I turned around right after that. I had no idea who was out hunting and how far away they were. I can only assume that they were all law abiding citizens who did not hunt it was not allowed. On the way back to the bike trail, I passed the other 2 hunters from the truck. They were heading east in the bike trail, to where, I do not know. I picked up the pace a little so that I could get a little closer to civilization and a little further from the great outdoors.

I rode back to the Belmar Bridge at a steady pace, stopping only twice for pictures. I was striving to get back home and keep my ride to under 3 hours. I had a great chance at accomplishing this, so I stopped again at the picnic area by the bridge for a second snack break. I ate quickly and was on my way.

The ride back north was flying by as I was all business heading back home. I stopped a few miles south of Franklin for bathroom break and to take a couple of pictures. With both of those missions accomplished, I continued riding hard to get home. My legs were sore and my neck and upper back were no too far behind. I was warm thanks to my layered clothing, but I could tell I was getting a little stiff from the cold. As it turned out, I would pay the price that weekend and into the following week. I was sore, sick and tired for the next week. I guess I am getting old.