Dangerous Don and Cherie showed me a lovely time in Cumberland, MD. We explored sweet local towns, ate good food and I got to do laundry and relax with friends. Being locals, I could ask them about the C&O path. I had heard many differing opinions. Cherie said the best thing would be to drive to the smoother part of the trail. The C&O closest to where it connects to the GAP is rough and not as much fun to ride. She also wanted to ride with me. With Don's help, we got the trike and trailer loaded in the truck bed and then added Cherie's 2-wheel e-Pheonix onto the bike rack to drive to the smoother part of the C&O towpath. We parked at the Antietam trailhead. There is so much Civil and Revolutionary War battle histories in this area.
C&O towpath view
Potomac River water level was high
We had a terrific ride along the towpath. The canal water level was very high and it was moving fast too. The path itself is unpaved and quite narrow. There are lots of interpretive signs explaining the history. The towpath was originally used by mules pulling barges full of goods up the canal. Occasionally, there are re-enactments where you can see how it worked.
Historic sites
Harper's Ferry train tunnel
Cherie avoiding a big fat snake on the trail
The path winds through forested sections and almost always has a view of water. It also crosses the Appalachian trail at Harper's Ferry. There is a railroad bridge with a pedestrian walkway across the Potomac river into the historic town. The trail was very busy at this section. I was really enjoying riding with my friend. Cherie and I made our way to Brunswick and had a good lunch at Beans in the Belfry which is an old church converted to a cafe. There is a campground close by and we went to check it out. This is a private campground and the cost was more than I wanted to pay. I had seen some primitive campgrounds along the trail and decided to ride back to the truck with Cherie to see if any of them would be comfortable. After a lovely 40-mile ride, I said goodbye to Cherie. She suggested I check the weather because the trail wouldn't be as nice to ride in the rain. Her suggestion was timely as a big storm was forecast for the evening and then lots of rain the next day as well. I remembered the private campground in Brunswick and a big covered picnic area where I could set up my tent and be protected from the rain.
Civil War history
Which way?
After riding this section of the C&O towpath 3 times, I ended up back in Brunswick. Camping on cement isn't the most comfortable but at least I would be dry. After getting set up, a big family showed up to camp next to me. There were lots of kids and dogs and loud music. Ugh!
Day 53 Ride Video
Thank goodness I have earplugs to drown out most of the noise from this family. I was really surprised they wanted to stay and camp in the rain. The next day I heard from lovely friends, Ann and Fred, who I know from riding together in Minnesota. They are in the area and offered to take me out to lunch. We spent an enjoyable few hours together. I told them the route I was thinking of taking and they offered to drive me to check out the bridge crossing over the Potomac into Virginia. They weren't happy with how narrow the road is and made plans to pick me up in the morning.
Outside Bean in the Belfry with Ann and Fred
Better campsite next to the river
Once back at the campground, I was able to move my tent. The rains had stopped and I found a lovely site right next to the river. I didn't ask anyone if it was ok, I just took the site. This was much, much better and made paying at this private, more expensive campground worth the price. I had paid $30/night to set up a tent. They also offer cabins for $100/night that don't have a bathroom or electricity. There is a porta-potty behind each of the cabins. The shelter where I originally set up did have electricity but the family I camped next to was very noisy.
Ann and Fred giving me ride
Starting my ride from Lovittsville
In the morning, I was ready when Ann and Fred came to drive me over the Potomac. On the other side of the bridge, the road goes up climbing for over a mile. They decided to take me to the top of the hill dropping me off at a community center in Lovettsville. This was a very generous thing to do and it was great to see this delightful couple again.
Following signs to the Washington & Old Dominion
Canal bridge art
Affectionately known as the 'Wood'.
Today would be a very social day. After saying goodbye to Ann and Fred, I followed a Google Maps bike route to the Washington and Old Dominion Trail (W&OD) getting on at Paeonian Springs. I took this trail into Leesburg where I would meet up with 3 other trikers; Mary, Linda, and Nancy. This was so much fun to meet up with local trikers. Linda had been scheduled for foot surgery very early in the morning but the air conditioning didn't work in the operating room. Since her surgery needed to be rescheduled she was able to ride her trike - in a boot. We rode together into Hearndon where we met up with triker Rick and had a nice lunch. From there, Rick escorted me into Vienna where I had a place to stay.
Meeting trikers Mary, Nancy and Linda
Warm Showers host Tom
I'm getting to the halfway point of my tour and made an appointment at a recumbent shop in Vienna (Bikes@Vienna) to have some maintenance done. Myrtle has been a champ and there wasn't anything urgently needed. I have a Rohloff speed hub and the cog is showing signs of wear. I could probably make it back across the US but decided to be proactive and have the cog replaced. I also haven't had any punctures but figured putting a fresh rear tire on would also be a good idea. When I was planning for this stay in Vienna, I checked with Warm Showers (a web-based site where people open their homes to cyclists) to see if anyone was available. Turns out a guy who worked at Bike@Vienna is on Warm Showers and accepted my request to stay. All I knew about Tom is that he is a bike mechanic. I didn't expect him to live in a big, stately home in a fancy part of town. Tom said the people at the bike shop vouched for me as he handed me the keys to his house and left to go camping for a week. I actually only met Tom for a 1/2 hour and now I had his house to myself.
Tour of Washington DC Video
Meeting Mary, Beth and Nancy in Vienna, VA
On the 'Mall' with mounted police
US Capital building
Beth saying 'hi' to regal police horse
Lincoln memorial
I spent 5 nights at Tom's house. Having this time to myself was a real gift. This time gave me a chance to relax and run errands. A highlight of my time in the area was doing a ride with local riders Mary, Nancy, and Beth. They took me on a trike tour of Washington DC. This was a very special ride and we had a blast together. We took many trails from Vienna into the Capital. I loved seeing so many very famous monuments like the Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian, Arlington Cemetery and riding on the mall. There were big groups of veterans touring the capital and we met the mounted police on the mall. There were mounted police from all over the US. The weather was perfect and I enjoyed every minute of this ride. Washington DC is terrific for cycling and I would like to go back and explore more of it.
What a special time it was having you with us and riding on the GAP & C&O trails. Thank you for introducing us to Ann and Fred! They are wonderful Earth people who we then planned a meet-up on the Withlacoochee Trail and then on an unplanned ride last summer, on the GAP trail with my friend Karen. I will meet you to ride any day, Sylvia. You are fun and entertaining and a very dear friend.
What a special time it was having you with us and riding on the GAP & C&O trails. Thank you for introducing us to Ann and Fred! They are wonderful Earth people who we then planned a meet-up on the Withlacoochee Trail and then on an unplanned ride last summer, on the GAP trail with my friend Karen. I will meet you to ride any day, Sylvia. You are fun and entertaining and a very dear friend.
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