FINAL DAY: 20 miles away from DC

The trail is as tough as ever but no rain and I'm getting close to DC.  Tired but being fueled by excitement. 

Day 5: 65 Miles of Slop, Sweat and Determination

The title pretty much sums up the entire day. It was the hardest so far. My body is beat up but I've only got one more day. 

Well, 60 more miles tomorrow. I'm in Harpers Ferry WV tonight. Having a tough time walking but I'm sure I'll get it all moving in the right direction. 

Good night friends. 

Day 4: A Long and Muddy Grind

So today was harder than anticipated. First of all the trail was really rough and muddy. It was remote and I saw basically no civilization for 50 miles. It got hot and humid and luckily there were some wells for drinking water. 

Had no idea I was saying goodbye to civilization when I rolled out of Cumberland this morning. 

This guy was the first thing I saw on the C&O.  Not sure of he was saying "Welcome" or "Beware!"

I was covered in mud within 10 miles. 

Went through the Paw Paw tunnel. It is more than 3,000 feet long. The path is too dark and narrow to ride so cyclists are required to walk their bikes through. It took me 15 minutes!

Doing my part to rid the world of scurvy. 

For the last 12 miles I rode on the Maryland Scenic Rail Trail. It was paved and it felt awesome after being pounded on for 50 miles. 

Bike was a muddy mess when I got to the hotel. Too tired to go out tonight so i ordered pizza and am staying in. 

Today was the hardest yet! The trail was unrelenting and so remote. It was a grind and in some parts no fun at all. 

Day 3: Cresting the Continental Divide

 

Today went really well!  Here I am moments after cresting the Eastern Continental Divide. 

 

 

Thunderstorms were in the forecast so I got an extra early start in Confluence.

 

 

Grabbed breakfast to go at Sisters Cafe in Confluence.  This helped me get a fast start.  I ate on the trail about 12 miles in.

 

All smiles after crossing the Salisbury Viaduct.  An amazing work of engineering for the railroad.  It was closed in the 90's and reopened for bikers and hikers.

 

 

 

After a break in Meyersdale it was time for the final ascent to the divide.  Here I am sucking wind.  The incline isn't extreme, just constant. 

 

I crossed over the divide around mid-day.  After that it was all downhill to my final destination for the day!!! Woo-Hoo!  Time to coast!!!

The benches are a dead giveaway for a photo op!

 

Crossed over the Mason - Dixon line on my way down the mountain.  Now I'm in Maryland!

 

Went through some amazing tunnels today!  Very long, very cold and VERY DARK!

Made it into Cumberland, Maryland around 2:30!  Coasting downhill at 20 mph for the last 23 miles sure helped!

Here I am at Mile 0 where the Great Allegheny Passage connects to the C&O Canal Towpath.  I'm done with the GAP, now its going to be the C&O all the way to DC.

Had a chance to walk around Cumberland this evening and have a nice dinner. 

187 miles left to go in my journey.  Everything is going well so far.  The C&O is different than the GAP in that the trail is more remote and rougher.  Time for bed. 

Good night all and hopefully I'll be able to update you tomorrow evening!

Day 2: Recap - Exceptional Weather, Lots of Bike Traffic, Long Day

So I got up before the breakfast was served at the B&B. I was itching to get an early start. I figured I could find something in West Newton.  I was wrong. Everything was closed, being that it is Memorial Day. So I ate some cheese crackers in my bag and took off. The weather was cool and I was making some good time 

Some brilliant person that lives on the trail set out a refrigerator with snacks and drinks with the pay-by-the-honor system. Nothing like a chilled snickers bar out of a random refrigerator at 730 am in the middle of nowhere. Much respect for this entrepreneurial genius though! I love me some capitalism!

Rode 28 miles before I found a decent breakfast in Connelsvile.  

The trail ran next to the Youghigany River (pronounced Yock-i-gany). It is a beautiful river and because it's located in the Ohiopyle State Park it is protected from development. 

The falls at the town of Ohiopyle. I dipped my feet in to cool them off 

Ohiopyle is a popular tourist attraction in this area. A number of rafting companies offer whitewater tours on the Youghigany. 

Post lunch...hammering down to get to my final destination.  

After riding 56 miles I made it to the tiny town of Confluence,Pa. First stop was the local bike shop. The owner adjusted my brakes which were becoming increasingly spongy. There is a steep decent tomorrow so I need my brakes!  Apparently I'm the first person from Chillicothe to visit his shop - I got to put a pin in his map of the U.S. that shows where everyone is from. 

Staying at The Parker House tonight. Confluence has no hotels, just a number of independently owned inns, B&Bs and guest houses. 

Not a lot of restaurants open on a Monday night here but I found one that was open, The Lucky Dog Cafe. Had an awesome dinner, Chile Releno with chicken. Perfect!

Well I'm tired, my body is feeling it and quite honestly the thought of doing this four more days in a row is intimidating. Feeling nervous. 

Good night all...

Day 1: Recap - Great Start!!

Hot metal bridge with Pittsburgh in the background.  Seriously, is there a better name for a bridge than Hot Metal?! 

Me and Jackson, Aunt Johnnie, Geneva and Mom dropping me off at Point State Park, the western most point on the Great Allegheny Passage. 

335 miles to ride but first....let me take a selfie!

Trail was super easy to locate

Rode 35 miles to the big metropolis of West Newton, PA. This is where I'm staying tonight, the Bright Morning Bed and Breakfast.  it's right on the trail....perfect!!!

So I met a cyclist on the trail who was riding from Pittsburgh to meet his family in Wst Newton to watch his father-in-law play music at a place called The Trailside tonight. He invited me to come listen. Live music, beer and food? I was all about that!

Killed a Reuben (not pictured) fries, some chips and chunky salsa as well as a couple Blue Moons! 

Brian Albig live on the patio...his mom even came out! 

Jim has a great family and we had a nice conversation. My newest friend!

Hi

Staying out past my bed time in West Newton, PA. 

Time to hit the sack!!! 

First 

Day -1: Final Preps, Carb Load & Wedding

Well I'm leaving in the morning for Pittsburgh.  The past couple of days have been filled with what seem to be a thousand little to-dos to get my bike and gear ready.

Washed the bike! Its all shiny and junk!  

Attended a family wedding today. My cousin Scott married his long-time gf Sarah in Columbus, Ohio.  It was awesome seeing family from all over the country.

 

The reception was awesome and at a great Italian restaurant La Scala....can you say "CARB LOAD!"

 Cheesin it up with the kiddos!  They head up my support team! Love them!

Well, I'm not gonna write much more...I'm tired for a busy couple of days and need to pack up my panniers and rack pack in preparation for tomorrows launch!