Mushroom Country

[jberryhill]

This area of Southeastern Pennsylvania near the Delaware border is known for mushroom farms, many founded by Italian immigrants who brought mushroom cultivation techniques to the US. Mushrooms are grown in the one-story peaked-roof whitewashed cinder block buildings which line the roads. The final climb is through Kennet Square, starting at the Victory Brewing Company brewpub.

[alfredo]

1. Victory is a highly rated brewery.

But cyclist never drink beer. As the great cycling coach Edward 'Eddie B' Borysewicz said "beer is not for cyclist, beer is for coaches."

[jberryhill]

2. Liquid carbs

The original energy drink.

[alfredo]

3. Especially their Prima Pils

[jberryhill]

4. I keep meaning to stop there

In the warm weather, they have a nice outdoor seating area and music piped outside.

They are at the bottom of a steep climb and I think, "Maybe I should stop for a beer... but then I'm going to have to get up this hill" and I end up not stopping.

There's also a nice Mexican place at the top of the hill with outdoor seating and I think, "Maybe I should stop for a burrito... but there's this nice downhill run I can take instead" and I end up not stopping.

I do that loop about every three weeks or so, and run the same mental program even if before I start I think, "This time I'll stop at one of those two places." I'm like, zero for twenty on that ride.

[alfredo]

5. You are overthinking it. Do the route backwards.

You can eat a bit at the Mexican eatery, then for dessert a pint of liquid gold.

[jberryhill]

6. Whoa

That's brilliant.

[alfredo]

7. Of course you will have to find a reversed gear cluster for that.

The hub will have to be rethreaded.

Fast descents take on a new level of excitement.

[jberryhill]

8. I definitely got ripped off

I have 20 forward gear combinations and no reverse!

It's not so bad, but the pedals keep cranking without me when I back up.

I did get the reverse gearing on my stem, though:

[alfredo]

9. I will way this in the morning