Writing a book, for me at least, is like putting together a puzzle: there are lots of pieces, you may have a sense of what the final thing looks like, but you don’t know yet how they all fit together. That was certainly the case when I wrote my first book, The Walk of a … Continue reading Putting it all together: “A Ride of Passage” takes shape
Writings
Pittsburgh to Washington wrap-up #3: recommendations
Pittsburgh from Washington Heights Several People have asked me about specific recommendations along the GAP and C&O towpath. I traveled at an unusual time of year, Labor Day weekend during a pandemic. This means that a lot of historical sites which I normally would recommend visiting, as well as restaurants, were either closed or had … Continue reading Pittsburgh to Washington wrap-up #3: recommendations
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
Pittsburgh to Washington Wrap-up #1
It's now a week since I completed my trip from Pittsburgh to Washington D.C., cycling the Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Towpath. Here is a recap on my ride and a few random thoughts about the route Mileage and averages SectionDistance in MilesHoursAverage SpeedPittsburgh to Connellsville60.25:0111.9Connellsville to Meyersdale58.15:1610.9Meyersdale to Cumberland33.142:4212.1Cumberland to Little Orleans45.664:2710.1Little Orleans … Continue reading Pittsburgh to Washington Wrap-up #1
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 6: Williamsport to Harpers Ferry—Take Me Home Country Roads… Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
The mouth of the Shenandoah River as it enters the Potomac at Harpers Ferry I’m getting near home and I can sense it. Today’s ride, 42 miles from Williamsport to Harpers Ferry, took me out the last of the Allegheny Mountain ridges (North Mountain) and into what is known as the Great Valley. South of … Continue reading Day 6: Williamsport to Harpers Ferry—Take Me Home Country Roads… Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River
Day 5: Little Orleans to Williamsport, Fueled by a legendary breakfast
I began what has been my second shortest ride so far (42 miles) with an enormous breakfast at the Town Hill B&B. Their breakfast is legendary, but even I was surprised by it. It was more like three meals in one. When they have a full Inn, they serve this buffet-style and Donna, one of … Continue reading Day 5: Little Orleans to Williamsport, Fueled by a legendary breakfast
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 2: Connellsville to Meyersdale—Slowing Down for a Gorge-ous ride (Sunday)
I woke up this morning after a good nights sleep, but for some reason I wasn’t feeling settled. I went downstairs in the Comfort Inn and got myself a cup of coffee and went and sat out on the back patio looking over the river while I drank it. It was a beautiful, peaceful spot, … Continue reading Day 2: Connellsville to Meyersdale—Slowing Down for a Gorge-ous ride (Sunday)
