Today would still be over 100km, but all downhill. Probably our easiest yet; the big question was the trail surface. If it wound up being like what I was riding at the end of yesterday, today could be a long haul.
It was beautiful weather again, a notch cooler, with some cloud cover.
My goal in the morning was to get out ahead of the group so I could be sure to get pictures of everyone, and ideally ride with them too. But the beginning of the ride was split between the unpaved tow path and the continuation of yesterday’s paved rail-trail. Since I didn’t know who would be taking what, I left before most of the people had gotten out, and hammered the C&O for 15km to head them off at the pass.
The surface was wonderful, like buttah.
I made good time and got to the junction before Julie, who had left before me but on the pavement. I waited at the junction while Nancy showed up, and then Hannah, who was probably the fastest rider on the trip. I took off with Hannah, who was on a quest to find an espresso for her dad Michael. [Unsuccessful, it turned out]. We had a good talk as we rolled into the water stop.
While there I got more pictures, and then took off when Michael rolled out; I also hadn’t gotten to ride with him.
We also had a good conversation until I pulled off for some pictures of a reconstructed canal section. It’s always amazing when a canal goes over a river.
Nancy caught up and we rolled into lunch by a mill site with a nice waterfall and stream. Splashing my face felt great. We saw Beverly just as we were leaving.
After the mill there was a change in terrain, with a rougher trail surface, alongside a lake and a cliff. I welcomed the change; it made for better views and a little more dynamic riding.
The route came back into the woods, where there were cool rock formations with caves to our left. The surface was still great, pillow-like; Nancy and I were making time together. Saw more great camp sites, deer, red-headed woodpeckers, and Eastern bluebirds.
Harpers Ferry requires hauling your bike up stairs to the railroad bridge, and then back down. Nice crossing other than that. And my 46th state!
It’s a historic town, with charmingly quirky lodging (though I hit my head three times on the short doorway).
Our quaint hotel knows its clientele; Harpers Ferry is the intersection of the C&O and the Appalachian Trail, and the trail store has not only all kinds of foods but also isobutane stove fuel, which I would need for the second phase of my adventure. Saved me a trip to REI.
And we got ice cream! And a beer at the pub!
It was our last night as a group, so we had dinner at a restaurant. Many congratulations, awards and conversations were had.