I continue to use tubes on all my bikes.  I do not have trouble with flat tires. I can count my flats on two fingers.

If it is not broken don't fix it, the saying goes.  My reading about tires has given me a better standing about air pressure and ride comfort.  As I have gotten older, I realize the bumps more.  A rough ride makes me tired.  I remember a tour a couple of years ago that really taught me this lesson.  The surface of the trail was bigger stones which was constantly jarring the handlebars and rattling me on the seat.  I was tired much earlier in the day and multiple days had a compounding impact on several levels.

I now use a seat with springs. There is also a nice foam cushion.  I tried it on my day rides and it made a big difference and I did not feel as beat up.  The front shocks are also helpful because it softens the jarring handlebar.

This is the bike I now will use on tours.  I used the Brooks Flyer seat for my day rides, but I find the other seat better for multi-day tours.  Many love the Brooks saddles for tour comfort. Brooks has models that do not have springs.

My tires state the range of 30-70 pounds.  In the US most people will prefer this value. Bike pumps will show you both values like your car speedometer will tell you MPH or km/hour.

I was advised to "top off "the tire pressure before each ride.  I took this to mean fill this tire to 70 pounds.  I think that is why I avoided many flats because I never got a pinch flat from hitting a hole when the pressure was too low. I found that the disadvantage of this  practice is that the ride is rough or hard.  I rattled at each bump and seam in the road. 

Search for "bicycle tire pressure calculator."  These guides, you have the choice of several, will work you through a series of questions (bike type, tube type or tubeless, total weight, tire size,  tire width, road surface, etc.)  Once you fill in the blanks you will get a value for the front tire and the rear tire.  The guide will suggest a little more air in the rear tire.  Instead of 70 pounds it calculated  31 pounds in the front tire and 33 pounds in the rear.

I have found this new tire pressure to be much more comfortable whether I am on cement, blacktop, chip seal, crushed limestone or dirt.  I would put more pressure in when I would be hitting more potholes and larger rocker or roots. 

I will continue to play with the air pressure and write down these values so I remember.  What is your experience?  What do you suggest?

Thanks for checking back into my virtual tour.  When the weather warms, I ride more and I do not sit down at my desk as much.  This busy metro stretch of Washington and Baltimore was overwhelming.

These were the Native American in this part of Maryland and Pennsylvania.  They were an Iroquoian speaking people.

As I get to the border I  reach the Mason Dixon Line.  This was surveyed 1763-1767 by Mr. Mason and Mr. Dixon in response to a border dispute between Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware.  Later it was used as an informal North and South line in the 1800s.

As I turn east to head to Lancaster I see a sign for US 30.  I used to live off of US 30 in Valparaiso, IN.  My research of the area reminded me that the Lincoln Highway went through this town.  This was on of the first coast to coast highways established during the early years of the motor car.

The Susquehanna is 444 miles long and has two branches that feed this stretch and it empties into the Chesapeake Bay.  It is longer than any other rive along the East Coast. Geologists consider this to one of the oldest existing rivers in the world.

Lancaster is one of the oldest inland cities in the country.  It is located in the flat lands before the Appalachian Mountains. It is the center of the Dutch area.  During the Revolutionary War it was the capital for a day.  From 1799-1812 it was the capital of the state. There is a rich history here.

I am writing this to benefit me and think things through. It may help others in this same situation.

I am using the "granny gear" more to help me when I pedal into the wind or head up the hills.  This is a term that some may not know.  In the photo below, the smallest gear is given this name.  Just by the name, granny gear, it is meant to depict a negative.  I am a  grandparent and I know great grannies that do a lot.  I think you know what I mean. 

 The 3 front gears were on many bikes sold in the last four decades.  I feel embarrassed that I have to use the easier gears now after many years of only using them minimally.  I know that I should not feel this way, but I do; at least until now.  The fact is that as you get older you slow down. The fact that I am still riding is a point to be proud of and celebrate. If there is any competition for me it is against myself.  Yesterday I jumped on my bike and I set a new personal record for one of my regular sections to ride.

I ride for my enjoyment.  I enjoy my rides. I will do what I am capable of doing. I now enjoy the ebike rides a couple of days a week.