Harpers Ferry to Washington D.C.

It's sad to see that our last day has arrived.  We have traveled many miles already and met a lot of interesting people along the way. All of it making a journey of our own. 

The day started out well.  We slept well and we left at the same time as a couple we met who were from Austin and Solon.  We ended meeting up with them multiple times and then at the very end.  

It was great starting off the day with a stop at Beans in the Belfry in Brunswick. That was the town Pam and I stopped at on my first ride on the trail. A cute town.   

The weather was good but we had to wait till mile 35 from mile 60 to get anything to drink or eat.  We ended up stopping at White's Ferry where they shuttle vehicles across the Potomac. The one house there even notes the flood levels. Hard to believe it flooded that high. 

Some of the trail was rough again.  A lot of rocks to get over but thankfully the last 10 were a little better at times. 

We saw a lot more lock houses at the end.   John liked some of the methods they used at the locks. 

We even stopped at the Great Falls where the Potomac is broken up by rocks which interrupts the flow of the river. 

But finally it came to an end.  We finished the ride with the one couple we kept passing and wished each other best wishes on finishing the ride.  And what a great ride it was!   Thanks John!

And if this ride catches your interest, do it!   Make a plan and go for it.  It is part of our history and a great way to meet new people along the way, take in nature and to ride a bike.  All the things I think we all enjoy.  So put it on your list of things to do soon. 

Hancock to Harpers Ferry

Camping and Hostels.  This has been an interesting trip with regards to our accommodations.  At Ohiopyle we had the crazy hike to the campground but the camping was fine. At Cumberland we camped across from the YMCA and could take showers but we had to listen to trains and trucks all night.  Yesterday we slept outside and heard the local fire sirens go off several times to call in volunteers.  Dennis said most of the time it is for small grass fires and the town isn't willing to change tradition.  Today we are at a hostel that we had to walk up a stone hill, cross train tracks and ride up a hill to the hostel. I already can hear the trains nearby.  Not sure how quiet it will be tonight. 

Well we said goodbye to Dennis at the C&O Bicycle Co.  He really has something going there.  We even found out he runs two shuttle vehicles that deliver bikes or pick up people at different places on the trail. So between running shuttles and fixing bikes he seems busy.  

It was 43 when we started but it warmed up fast.  It didn't take long before we were shedding clothes.  The trail has been good but it was a lot more rocky and lined with tree roots which made it harder to ride on at times. 

The trails got interesting wrapping around  stone or where they completed a new trail. When Pam and I rode the trail we had a bypass that took us onto the road. The new trail connects the trail were there was no canal. 

We passed two dams as well. 

Bike shops everywhere. 

One thing I would like to comment on is the number of people we have met on the trail. When Pam and I did it we didn't run into that many people.  This time we have stopped and talked to so many people. Like today we met a couple who flew in from Austin and rented bikes in Pittsburgh and are going to leave their bikes in DC and will then fly home.   We also met a guy who has three kids and decided to do this on his own and has never rode more then 15 miles.  He borrowed all his gear for the ride.  But really it is too cool to see all these people riding the trail. 

Cumberland to Hancock

Well it was a cold start in Cumberland.  I think it was in the low to mid 40s.  Not sure how we slept being between a highway and train tracks And the cold temps but we did. We started the day with a great breakfast at Cafe Mark and then we were off. 

The sun was thankfully burning the fog off the mountain tops.  

Here is the start at miles 184.5 in Cumberland. 

The trails are a lot different.  A bit more rocky. We thankfully ended the last 11 on a paved trail.  

We ran into a lot more people riding as we were.  I saw lots of Ortlieb bags!   But everyone had a setup that seemed to look good.  You could kind of tell who was camping and who wasn't. Most were going in the opposite direction.  I think we only passed 6 going our way. 

Lots of interesting buildings from the canal days. 

We even went through the Paw Paw tunnel.  Luckily no one was in it with us else it's a tight squeeze.  Thank goodness for the railings since you don't have much space to ride in. 

We stopped in Little Orleans which was still not opened once again. 

I saw the only gig for lunch in Paw Paw was up for sale.  Pam and I stopped there once for lunch. 

So glad we made it to the C&O Bicycle shop which is still owned by Dennis from Century Cycle Rocky River.  He one it in a contest held by the last owners.  He only runs it in part of the year and lives in Rocky River the rest of the year.  We are staying here.  The accommodations are a  bit crude but we aren't in tents today.  As my brother says we are sleeping in chicken coops.  

Well good night!

Ohiopyle to Cumberland

With the exception of having to walk my bike down a long rocky hill from the state park, staying in Ohiopyle was nice.   I slept well and we had a great breakfast in town (Pam I didn't see all those funny signs in the place we had breakfast).  We got started a little after 10. 

The trails continued to be beautiful. 

And the bridges were beautiful to cross. 

And lots of tunnels to go through. 

The climb up to Savage Mountain seemed to take forever.  One thing we didn't expect to encounter were a family of black bears before the Continental Divide.  Four or five were on the trail.  As we approached John remarked that those weren't people.  As we got closer we were trying to guess at what they were. Then one stood up and we are like those are bears!    Luckily they got off the trail as we got closer and then we rode real fast by them.  Didn't realize bear spray might be necessary on this trip.  

One thing I never expected to see were a lot of wind turbines.  There so many that we had a hard time counting them. 

We even passed the Mason Dixon line.  

But I will say that we had a cold, cold 20 some mile ride to the bottom of this mountain.  I'm not sure where I felt colder especially when we were going about 21 mph down the hill. 

But I can only hope tomorrow will be a warmer day.  It has to get warmer. Good night. 

Pittsburgh to Ohiopyle

It's great to be on the Allegheny Passage once again.   We started our trip in downtown Pittsburgh after putting our vehicle in overnight parking.  Getting to where the first trail starts is easy.  They have really made an effort to connect the city to McKeesport to where the AP starts. Lots of new bridges. 

We actually ran into a number of people traveling on the trail.  People like us and others using it like we use our towpath.  Trail conditions are good. 

Of course lots of interesting sites along the way.  Like the airstreams and a cemetery.  We stopped a few times.  Thankfully we did.  For once we passed the 100 mile marker we knew we were getting closer to Ohiopyle.  I am wondering if Pam remembers the cute puppy we saw at the bike shop in Connellsville.  We passed through pretty quickly.  

I have to say though that the last 10 or so miles to Ohiopyle were tiring.   I know I was ready to pitch my tent ANYWHERE.  Talk about a long and never ending ride.  Luckily we finally made it when my phone decided to die.  We found a place close to the trail for dinner and then made our way to our camp site.  

Fair warning if you ever want to camp at the state park here.  Talk about a rocky steep hill up to the campsite.  John said it was steep but I wasn't thinking it was this steep and this long.  Thankfully getting my tent up and taking a shower helps one get over the trip up here. 

I have to say that we have talked and met so many people already on the first day.  A father and son are going our way with a Bob holding everything including the kitchen sink.  Various people who live near the trail and never do the full trail.  Kind of sad but often true. But if anything, many are taking advantage of its access. 

Well goodnight and hopefully I am ready for our next stop tomorrow in Cumberland.  Pam we decided to skip visiting the ghosts in Frosburg:-).