Excited to be setting off on another little adventure! This afternoon I’m heading to Pittsburgh on Amtrak. Over the next three days I’ll be averaging about 120 miles a day as I bike my way back home via the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) and C&O Canal Towpath.
Day 1: 117 miles from Pittsburgh to meyersdale PA
Yesterday’s train was almost 2 hours late departing DC so I didn’t get to my hotel room in PIT until 2am this morning. 4.5 hours later I was up and managed to be riding by 7:30. It was a really windy day and slower than I expected but managed to crank out 116 miles and make it to Meyersdale PA as planned. Great scenery combined with catching up on This American Life Podcast was really enjoyable…until about mile 90. 127 miles planned for tomorrow which I’m hoping sounds more fun n the morning.
Day 2: 119 miles from Meyersdale PA to Williamsport MD
Highlight of the day was definitely riding along the canal through the Paw Paw tunnel. Other highlights were the Big Savage Mtn tunnel, riding over the Continental Divide, checking out the Mason Dixon Line park, and not seeing a single other cyclist on the trail for the first 3 hours of the ride.
Day 3: 107 Miles from Williamsport MD to Arlington
Total ride distance of 341 miles covered in 22:45 over the three days. Bill Luecke joined me at mile 70 today which really helped the time pass. Enjoyed riding on a section that overhung the Potomac and seeing the Monocacy Aquaduct. The last half mile in Georgetown was nothing but detours up and down stairs and frustrating detour signage. Overall, the ride was awesome with great scenery, car free riding, and history around every turn. If you could only do one part, I would definitely do the GAP trail over C&O. I would also recommend a slower more enjoyable tempo.
Early morning shadow
This section was such a beutiful surpr
Happy to have Bill as company
Mile 0 of the C&O Towpath in Georgetown, DC
Post ride celebratory cake
