Afterthoughts

Every time I do one of these long-distance adventures, I have great hopes for all the other things I’m going to accomplish along the way.

HA!

I had a full-time job just figuring out a place to stay (a self-solving problem once I got on the C&O as I just stayed where Ted and Lynne stayed, which prompted us to decide I was stalking them), something to eat, getting me (and my clothes) clean, the next day’s route, updating the journal and uploading pictures.

Here are some of my “after bike ride” thoughts:

Staying in motels instead of camping was absolutely the way to go. It was definitely more expensive, but for me, worth it. Starting each day clean and rested was a huge plus. I learned last summer that a bike trip is a road trip. I do not at all like public campgrounds. I love sleeping in the wilderness when hiking and always get a good night’s sleep. I do not get a good night’s sleep in a city park or public campground. Plus having a shower at night was heaven, especially on those hot and humid days.

The only downside was that at a B&B, you are on the host’s schedule. That means if breakfast is served at 7:30, you aren’t getting on the bike until 8:30 most probably. That was the ONLY drawback of the lovely B&Bs. My preference would be to get up at 5, eat at 5:30 and be biking by 6, particularly on the hottest days. But everything’s a trade-off…and I am certainly not complaining…because I had great food, great company, and great hosts.

Google Bicycling Directions: I relied way too much on them. I should have done more research. There is no “pavement” filter, so I found myself on dirt/gravel roads often, particularly in Michigan. I also got some extra hills and miles because Google decided that was preferable to the higher-traffic highway in Ohio. I would have made better time on the not-higher-traffic highway in Ohio. Also, Mr. Google has incorporated some mythical bike routes into its maps. I ended up on a very busy, dangerous road between Stow and Kent, OH trying to follow the google route. There were other places where there just is no bike path at all, although Google believes there is or should be!

People: Unfailingly wonderful and helpful.

Favorite Moment: Bicycling behind Lynne on the last day, listening to her sing “The Rain in Spain” from My Fair Lady in a sweet, clear soprano as she biked along.

Favorite Scenery: Cuyahoga Falls National Park

Favorite Lunch: Clearview Inn, Bath, OH

Coolest Piece of Gear: Pocket Chainsaw (Ted’s gear)

Best Thing About C&O Towpath: Shade!!!!!

Best Thing About Great Allegheny Passage Path: 23 miles of downhill from Eastern Continental Divide to Cumberland, MD

Cutest Town: Toss-up between West Newton, PA and Confluence, PA

Mileage: It’s just a matter of how long you want to stay on the bike. I was off the bike by mid-afternoon usually. You can easily shorten a trip like this by doing longer miles in a day and you can do longer miles by staying on the bike longer. My goal wasn’t to do this trip as fast as it could be done or to prove I can bike 100 miles in a day (I know I can). It was to have fun.

Mission accomplished!!!

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