About 58 miles today…definitely a workout since we didn’t have the big (well relatively) slope off the Eastern Continental Divide helping us today. These were 58 legit single track type riding. The C&O is definitely a bit more rugged. Not bad…just not as groomed as the GAP…
We did Paw Paw to Williamsport today…
Pics from yesterday and today coming later. Gotta go find my recovery drink…Malbec!!
Here’s a quick vid that I shot using the new GoPro8 on the helmet, along with a 7 on the chest.
I’ll start commuting later this week, so it’ll be BASE training!!
So yesterday was about 58 miles from Paw Paw to Williamsport, MD. Right off the bat through the Paw Paw tunnel…3118’ and you have to have a headlamp. It closes in a few weeks to prevent frost/freeze damage to the interior…
Once through there, steady pedaling for 35 or so miles to Hancock where I had the best shrimp and grits in my life. Lots of locks and bridges…warm temps and good trail conditions. The Potomac off our right getting a bit tougher with rapids and shoals (the reason the C&O was dug in the first place). Finally rolled into the quaint little town of Williamsport around 5PM…
Today will be a relatively short 40 mile stretch from Williamsport to Harpers Ferry, MD…
Beautiful photos Beach, which are bringing back a lot of memories. When dad was based at the adjacent Pentagon, Raven Rock (AKA Site R) we lived in Western MD, the C&O tow path was one of my Boy Scout troop’s favorite hiking and backpacking locations. Canoeing on the Potomac River as well! Was quite an adventure.
How are the bikes and the Mrs. holding up? You certainly look like you are hitting some fine weather.
Excuse me… what’s “grits”?
That is very interesting about Site R. So is that a different facility than the one in Greenbrier?
Bikes are holding up well. Yesterday we had a minor failure with Marisa’s front wheel kicking up a stick that got drug up into her fender and trashed it. After puzzling over it a bit I was able to bend the parts back into place and at least get it functional again.
I have no idea … 
I think it is coarsely ground corn or something. It is kind of bland unless you perk it up with additional ingredients…
Wow that’s a nice tour, @BeachAV8R !
Remarks:
So that means that you had some screws loose?
Haha…great observations! Despite the fact that in all the pics she is in front of me…we have slightly different cadence and comfort levels. I ride a steady 10mph or so on these trails…she is more comfortable at around 7-8. So I will get a small gap on her and stop, take pictures, and catch back up and pass her…wash, rinse, repeat. She also can’t cycle and take pictures…she doesn’t ride one handed…so almost all pics are taken by me. She is doing great…she didn’t ride nearly as much as I did in the buildup to this trip.
Got it… found on wikipedia an Italian translation.
Cool- but in Italy we have something similar albeit better.
Because of course we do.*
I promise that if you try it the way I do it you will love it.
*No offense, all in good humor, of course.
Yes, completely different. AFAIK, Greenbrier was to house and protect Congress during nuclear war, and Site R was built to facilitate relocating Pentagon personnel to a hardened facility so that the United States could continue to fight should Washington cease to exist. Dad worked there for 3 years for the Air Force component, during which time we lived on a now closed Army base, Ft. Ritchie. It was really nice as far as Army bases go. Somewhat of a country club environment. As dependents, we knew little of what went on underground, but they did open it once a year at Thanksgiving. High security, massive doors, long tunnels, office buildings underground. Was really fun as a 15 year old to visit.
Definitely the right time of year for weather and scenery!
Nice looking trails. Very different to my off-road riding in the UK. The absence of trees and the blue sky. 
That dust/sand must play havoc with the oily bits and seals.
Made it to Harper’s Ferry, WV… Easy-peasy 40 mile day. Harper’s Ferry is gorgeous. But the bars close early. So there’s that.
Really enjoying following along on your trek Chris. Looks like you are both having a great time.
I grew up with grits. But it is funny and timely that our Italian friend brought up polenta. I was visiting my sister in VA a few days ago. She is a grits master. But Saturday morning she apparently decided to mix things up by boiling a big pot of polenta into some sort of gruel. Maybe that is appropriate but I am used to a firm polenta sliced and fried delicately. Polenta gurgling under a boil like grits just didn’t cut it. I opted for her almond, chia seed cookies instead. Chris, your trip seems amazing. I am a lightweight. After October my bike stays indoors to be a platform for watching Sufferfest videos.
I’ve had polenta and sausage I think it was up in Massachusetts back when I was dating a girl from there…it was delicious. Hearty and warm in the cold. Both of them that is. 
