And so it begins. Heading out on mountain bikes on dirt trails takes on a whole new level of biking. You don't have to get up before the crack of dawn to beat the traffic or sun, as the path is somewhat shaded, but........not so fast, you must endure.
Okay, here's our obligatory photo of the start.
The beginning of our ride, the C & O canal, is not new to us, we do this 80 mile loop (to Leesburg, VA) in the fall; usually with our Sunday morning bike crew, until they dwindled down to just the two of us. So this time our loop is to Pittsburgh and should be somewhere around 700 miles roundtrip (did I sign up for this?)
Anyway, this is the first time with a camera. The C & O canal is beautiful!
For those of you in Panama, you should appreciate the first American locks along the C & O canal
not much has changed, just the size.
The Great Falls area (just outside of DC) is spectacular;
nice rapids and a few minor waterfalls.
We did meet a couple of the Duckie's cousins, sisters, brothers, uncles (we are in West Virginia, afterall)
Our 'plan' was to bike 60 miles, which would have us staying in Harpers Ferry, which we understand is beautiful, but all we saw was the Potomac along the way.
Afterall, it's only 'less than 10 miles' to the next town. Fifteen miles later we get to Shepardstown, WV........did anyone mention that there was a 1/2 mile straight uphill at the end, NO. Luckily, at the end of the day we end up at a very nice and picturesque hotel, the Bavarian Inn.
Highly recommend for a romantic getaway; not so romantic after a 9 hour, 75 mile mountain bike ride. But the view for the room.....
Guess it's time to turn in!