Last week I took a 330+ mile journey on two wheels biking from Pittsburgh, PA to Washington, DC, with my longtime friend, which oversees the day-to-day operations at One-Stop Communications. Not only did we have a great time completing this adventure together, but I feel it strengthened our personal and professional relationship. Everyone needs a break from the daily grind. We returned renewed and ready to tackle the world again!
Day 1
Today David Fisher and I started a seven day 330+ mile journey on two wheels from Pittsburgh to Washington DC traveling the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath. We started at Point State Park in Pittsburgh and covered over 60 miles to Connellsville. I've been looking forward to this trip for months. I'm thrilled Dave could join me for this adventure. We have been friends since high school and have worked together for over 26 years
Day 2
Today was a short 30+ mile ride from Connellsville to Confluence. We welcomed the short ride for a little break and to take in the scenery between these two towns leading right through the Ohiopyle State Park. Plus, we had to wait for some nasty thunderstorms to roll through the area this morning before hitting the trail. We are by no means roughing it at night. Tonight we are staying at the Hanna House Bed & Breakfast located on a 100-acre working farm. This farmhouse was built in 1872 and has retained much of its architectural integrity.
Day 3
We reached the end of the Great Allegheny Passage today after covering over 60 miles from Confluence, PA to Cumberland, MD. At 2,392 feet above sea level, we crossed the Eastern Continental Divide and finally started to descend downhill for the first time, which made for some easy pedaling for the second half of the day. The terrain and scenery is starting to transform and we look forward to starting the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Trail tomorrow.
Day 4
Day 4 -- Today, our travels started on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath trail which will end in Washington DC. We covered 43+ miles in Maryland from Cumberland to Little Orleans. The terrain on the towpath is much more level compared to the last few days on the old railroad beds of the Great Allegheny Passage, except for a section of the towpath that was closed due to landslides at the end of the Paw Paw Tunnel. The detour for this closure is over the mountain which the tunnel cuts through.
Most of the day was spent on the towpath sandwiched between the Potomac River and the remnants of the once-thriving C&O Canal. It amazes me the amount of work that would have gone into designing and building this canal. It is hard to imagine what it must have been like in the heyday of its operation.
Most of the day was spent on the towpath sandwiched between the Potomac River and the remnants of the once-thriving C&O Canal. It amazes me the amount of work that would have gone into designing and building this canal. It is hard to imagine what it must have been like in the heyday of its operation.
Day 5
This morning, we woke up at the Town Hill B&B located on the top of the mountain above Little Orleans, MD. Not only was the sunrise incredible overlooking the valley from there, but they served one fantastic breakfast. I would go back to this place just to eat breakfast again!
We traveled 43+ miles to Williamsport, MD and the hardest part was not stopping every mile or so to take in the scenery. The weather has been perfect making this trek so enjoyable. Parts of the C&O Canal towpath take you right up to the edge of the Potomac River and there are plenty of areas worth stopping to explore.
We traveled 43+ miles to Williamsport, MD and the hardest part was not stopping every mile or so to take in the scenery. The weather has been perfect making this trek so enjoyable. Parts of the C&O Canal towpath take you right up to the edge of the Potomac River and there are plenty of areas worth stopping to explore.
Day 6
This was our last day on C&O Canal Towpath. Our original plan was to cross the Potomac River into Leesburg using Whites Ferry to spend the night and then use the ferry to return to the trail the next day. Unfortunately, this ferry has suspended service. We made it to Leesburg, but to keep from backtracking we will follow the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad trail into Washington DC.
Our last 43+ miles on the C&O did not disappoint. Dam 4 was built in 1856 that created a pool reaching 13 miles upriver. Because of the rocky cliffs that reached down to the water's edge, canal boats entered the river, and the towpath was cut into the rocks, making for a spectacular trail to bike today.
Our last 43+ miles on the C&O did not disappoint. Dam 4 was built in 1856 that created a pool reaching 13 miles upriver. Because of the rocky cliffs that reached down to the water's edge, canal boats entered the river, and the towpath was cut into the rocks, making for a spectacular trail to bike today.
Day 7
Mile marker 0 of the C&O Canal in Georgetown ended our two-wheel journey from Pittsburgh to Washington DC yesterday afternoon. What an incredible way to explore this part of our country. The last leg was a short urban crawl covering just a little over 43 miles. After spending several days in some pretty remote areas, it was definitely a change pedaling into DC. We saw more people yesterday morning than we have seen in a week.
There was a sense of excitement completing this trip and making it to the end followed by sadness that it was over. Looking back it felt like it only lasted a few days. The best part was the unique experience of exploring a new part of the trails each day. It sure was good to get back home last night with my family and sleep in my own bed!
There was a sense of excitement completing this trip and making it to the end followed by sadness that it was over. Looking back it felt like it only lasted a few days. The best part was the unique experience of exploring a new part of the trails each day. It sure was good to get back home last night with my family and sleep in my own bed!
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