Mile marker "0"

We took a walk through Georgetown and met up w/ a tour group that was getting a lesson on how the canal gates were opened. The NPS guide gave us a shortcut to the "0" mile marker on the other side of the boat house, out of sight and all alone. Trip officially complete now.

Day 6 - So worth finishing

We loaded onto the Jubal Early ferry around 9 this am. The ferry is named after the confederate general who made a last ditch raid on the Capital in July 1864, this ferry is the only one that remains crossing the Potomac from Cumberland to DC. We were on the trail, temps were good and humidity was low - we both commented on how well we felt for this last ride. Along this section we expected it to be scenic but had no idea the amount of lock houses we would see (so you are in for some good pics). While most of the locks we have seen along the way were not working, this stretch we saw restored, working locks as well as a canal boat and mules - the kind that would have been used to haul the loads. The Red Stone quarry was along this section and has provided stone for the construction of the Smithsonian and some other govt buildings. The Great Falls area was no doubt the highlight of the entire trip. Here the ground rises an abrupt 41 feet and there are a series of locks that we saw that would have helped to get the canal up. We both were reminded of our trip to the U.P. where the rocky landscape and water make for such a beautiful back drop. The last 14 miles had a mix of trail surface makeup and a paved trail splits off and runs parallel. We decided to be true and finish the way we started, on the rough towpath. We reached mile post 1 and the path zig zags and goes across the canal. We decided to go on into town and grab some dinner and get checked into our hotel. Maybe tomorrow mile marker "0". For now we are perfectly content to say we made it without a single flat or broken chain, injury free and kept our spirits high throughout. I asked Rae what she wanted to do this weekend when we got back to Pgh...she said "let's go for a ride".

We Made It!

What a great ride! Will post the final days trip report later. Going to be tough selecting all these great pictures we took today.

Crossed Whites Ferry and we are off!

last day and 35.5 miles to Georgetown. lots to see today and we are pumped to take it all in.

Day 5 shepardstown to Leesburg, VA

It was a neat experience today to travel a portion of the Appalachian Trail for a few miles. The C&O Canal and the AT marry for a short distance. We talked to some backpackers from Pgh on their way. The ride to Brunswick went relatively smooth. The heat stayed low and the humidity as well. What a change from the previous riding days. We crossed the series of train tracks into Brunswick and passed El Sloppy Tacos and headed for a converted church, now a cafe, called Beans in the Belfry. Very neat place. Rae caught a whiff of those tacos on the way to the cafe so we stopped and she had two tacos - said they were excellent. We passed Point of Rocks which was the area where competing technologies clashed - the railroad and the canal. The lock houses along this stretch were starting to take on a different look - more color and porches. The Monacacy Aqueduct is supposed to be one of the most photographed structures on the trail - beautiful masonry and apparently it was done by three different masons. We arrived at Whites Ferry around 330 or so and got to take the ferry across the Potomac w/ the bikes which was pretty cool. All settled in and having what else for dinner but a little mexican...those two tacos just weren't enough for Rae :) Only 35 miles to go tomorrow. We are both a little sore but the excitement of finishing this journey that we started is pushing us on another day.

Just outside Harpers Ferry

Late start at 930 this am for Leesburg but the first 10 miles have gone quickly. We have about 15 miles to Brunswick for lunch. The hand pump head dousing continues. Heat and humidity seem to be lower this am.

Shepardstown and sunrise

We walked the college town of Shepardstwon, WV last night. Its a neat, trendy town w/ a short main street filled w/ a bunch of shops. Very walkable. Any town w/ a fly shop on its main street is going to get a special mention :) we woke to a beautiful sunrise over the Potomac from our river view room at the Bavarian Inn. This is a fantastic stay I would highly recommend. The food at the pub was about as authentically german as it gets. We have 37 miles today to Leesburg, VA. Weather looks like it has improved dramatically so we should have smooth sailing and better temps the remainder of our trip. Hoping to stop in Brunswick today for lunch at a church converted to a coffee house and cafe.

Day 4

Willamsport, MD to Shepardstown, WV probably started off our roughest yet. Both of us felt sore thighs only when we walked. Red Roof was cheap but the addage "you get what you pay for" certainly applied. Once on the trail we stretched well and the sore thighs went away w/ in the first mile. There were a few lock houses along the way and all were pretty nicely restored. We had a 4 mile detour off the trail due to construction of the trail. Through farms, housing plans, then rolling hills and finally back to the trail. There were not any towns between so we chowed down on granola, bananas and an orange. (Any wonder why Jason's lost 6 lbs on this trip already?) We stopped off at the Killiansburg Cave (or we think - it wasn't marked). Legend has it that the women and children hid in these caves while the men fought during the Civil War. Our day ended coming across the bridge from MD to WV and arriving at the Bavarian Inn for our nights stay...needless to say I may have a hard time getting Rae back on the trail in the am. Shepardstown is a pretty cool college town. We grabbed a quick bite at the Mellow Moods Cafe & Juice bar. An all veggie & munster cheese sandwich and a cous cous kind of side w/ balsamic. Added two fruit and veggie smoothies. Just what we needed. Dinner at the Bavarian tonight.

Start of Day 4 from Williamsport, MD

Got a later start this am since we are planning on a shorter day of 35-40 miles today. Already doused under a hand pump to cool off.

Day 3 and another 46 miles

After Hancock, we had another 30 miles to Williamsport and saw some great parts of the trail. The remains of the Round Top cement mill reminded us of the coke ovens along the GAP Trail. Devils Eyebrow was only a few hundred feet down trail from the cement mill and was pretty cool. There was a terrible storm between Hancock and Williamsport on Friday that wreaked havoc on the trail. The Nat Park Service maintains the trail so Monday they will have a lot of trees to clear. There were 5 trees down we had to climb around w/ our bikes. We saw about a dozen deer along the trail today, was able to get a pic of one. By the time we reached Feeder Dam it was pouring down rain but it felt good. Gen Stonewall Jackson's confederate troops tried to destroy this dam in 1861. Lots to see today. Short 30 miles tomorrow to Shepardstown. Looking forward to seeing Killiansburg Cave along the way.

Day 3 underway

We got a good jump on the 40 mile day ahead of us to Williamsport, MD. Saw a few deer crossing the trail ahead of us as well as a turtle on the trail. Grabbed a bite in Hancock and decided to do the next 10 miles on the Western Maryland Rail Trail that parallels the C&O. We'll join it back and only have a short leg left for the day. Been sprinkling on us a little and the rain gear is ready.

Some pics from yesterday

Day 2 wrapping up

We woke early in Cumberland not knowing if the storm overnight had left any damage. Had a few downed trees around miles 163-164 and only one impassable. The early start didn't keep the heat away for long and temps climbed to 95 w/ high humidity. The canal towpath is loaded w/ remnants of the old lock houses, some only in foundation and locks. We stopped at Old Town and had lunch at Old Town School House, the old elementary school now converted to a cafe - very friendly staff and the food was good too. We are leaving 100 ft or more gaps between us while we ride and Rae had a doe jump right in front of her across the path today. The PawPaw Tunnel was a nice cool walk and we had to squeeze pass a few walkers and bikers coming opposite us. Made the 46 mile ride to Little Orleans and checking out the infamous "Bills Place" for dinner. Heading to one of National Geographics most scenic overlooks for sunset w/ our B&B owner Steve from Little Orleans Lodge. He is a great guy who had cold tea and popcorn waiting for us. Will post some pics later tonight.

On the C&O

We just passed our first lock house on the C&O. We have about 9.5 miles done already of this 46 mile day.

Day One

We knew the day was going to be a hot one. We stopped for a quick bite at the Meyersdale Train Station. Great people and a very nice building renovation of the old station. The first 22 miles were grueling despite being more shaded it was a climb to the Eastern Continental Divide tunnel where Rae pointed out how cool the tunnel walls were. The grade change was dramatic after and we were able to make time riding at about 15-18 mph into Cumberland. 46 miles under our belts today. Grabbing a bite at the Crabby Pig then hitting the pool and town tonight.

Through the tunnels

Rough few miles over the Eastern Continental Divide but the coolness of the Savage Mtn tunnel was worth it. Few more miles to Cumberland.

Trail side attraction

A few headstones along the trail...

Husky Haven Campgeound

Had a good night at the Husky Haven Campground in Rockwood, PA. Accomodations couldn't have been better and the facility was in excellent condition. The trains throughout the night became a nuisance but overall for the thru-biker tenting I recommend.

Rockwood

Made some miles to Rockwood. Staying the night and getting some fishing in later tonight.

Training along Freeport Buffalo Trail