The Way of St. Francis offers a range of lodging options and during our pilgrimage to Assisi in April of this year (2022) we took the opportunity to experience that entire range. Rifugio Asqua, in the Casentino National Forest, about 5k before Camaldoli. We booked ahead always, typically a day ahead, but in a couple … Continue reading Where to stay on the Way of St. Francis
Pittsburgh to Washington Wrap-up #2: Gear
A few people who are contemplating riding either the GAP or C&O (or both) have asked about what kind of gear they need. Here is a brief rundown on what I had and recommendations. The Bike: four years ago I ventured into the world of "gravel" bikes with the purchase of a Specialized Sequoia. Sometimes … Continue reading Pittsburgh to Washington Wrap-up #2: Gear
Day 7: Reaching Mile 0, Harpers Ferry to Washington D.C. My Ride of Passage ends.
I reached my goal--Mile Zero of the C&O towpath yesterday. It was a fun, but tiring, final 61+ mile ride into the city. The CSX tracks in Harpers Ferry. I started the day on the heights in Harpers Ferry. I stayed at the Harpers Ferry Guest House, a place I can recommend, which is a … Continue reading Day 7: Reaching Mile 0, Harpers Ferry to Washington D.C. My Ride of Passage ends.
Day 4 Cumberland to Little Orleans: My first miles on the C&O Towpath
I had a crisp and clear morning of riding today, leaving Cumberland for Little Orleans, a distance of 45 miles. As I began, I got my first sight of the north branch of the Potomac and the C&O Canal, and started riding the canal’s towpath east. This part of the trip is 185 miles and … Continue reading Day 4 Cumberland to Little Orleans: My first miles on the C&O Towpath
Day 3–Meyersdale to Cumberland: The Glorious Descent (Monday)
Today was my easiest day so far. I left Meyersdale a bit late because I knew I only had to ride 32 miles to Cumberland. The first 8 or 9 miles is an almost imperceptible climb, but then the trail crosses the Eastern Continental Divide and makes a wonderful descent over 23 miles, through three … Continue reading Day 3–Meyersdale to Cumberland: The Glorious Descent (Monday)
Day 1: Pittsburgh to Connellsville, with a little help from my friends (and family)
“It’s a great Day to be alive.” These were the words that came to me 2 1/2 years ago when I begin my 500 mile journey on the Camino De Santiago in Spain. They came to me again today as I began my journey in Pittsburgh, at the Point. Back then it was a cool, … Continue reading Day 1: Pittsburgh to Connellsville, with a little help from my friends (and family)
A Year of Changing Plans
Like everyone else, this year has turned out quite differently than I had been planned. In early March I was on a small book tour of "outfitter" shops and was enjoying interacting with readers and sharing about the Camino de Santiago and the five-hundred mile journey that I took there in 2018, which I wrote … Continue reading A Year of Changing Plans
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