Author name: tom

In the late afternoon, a rural road stretches away into the distance, climbing a small hill as it ducks behind a grove of trees on the right. On the left side of the road is a cornfield, yellow with ripe stalks. The right side is a white picket fence. The clouds directly above are white and fluffy, but the vanishing point of the road is under a dark cloud.

Day 3: Codorus State Park to Lancaster

Cycle touring / By

After a tourist day in Baltimore, it was time to get the adventure really started. The plan was to ride north across the Pennsylvania border, headed for the campground at Codorus State Park, where’d camp for the night.

My bikepacking setup was a light as I’ve ever ridden with; I hadn’t brought a tent, only a bug bivvy and tarp. It wouldn’t be cold, but the forecast showed threats of rain and thunderstorms. I hadn’t tried this gear in rainy conditions; I’d have to see how it went.

Day 3: Codorus State Park to Lancaster Read More »

In the late afternoon, a rural road stretches away into the distance, climbing a small hill as it ducks behind a grove of trees on the right. On the left side of the road is a cornfield, yellow with ripe stalks. The right side is a white picket fence. The clouds directly above are white and fluffy, but the vanishing point of the road is under a dark cloud.

Day 2: Baltimore to Codorus State Park

Cycle touring / By

After a tourist day in Baltimore, it was time to get the adventure really started. The plan was to ride north across the Pennsylvania border, headed for the campground at Codorus State Park, where’d camp for the night.

My bikepacking setup was a light as I’ve ever ridden with; I hadn’t brought a tent, only a bug bivvy and tarp. It wouldn’t be cold, but the forecast showed threats of rain and thunderstorms. I hadn’t tried this gear in rainy conditions; I’d have to see how it went.

Day 2: Baltimore to Codorus State Park Read More »

Two bicyclists ride towards the camera on a gravel path. One, wearing a Climate Ride jersey, looks at the gamera and smiles.

Climate Ride GAP/C&O: Conclusion

Cycle touring / By

The GAP/C&O trip is one of the most popular bike touring routes in the country, and I’m glad we got to do it. It hits a lot of the points in my Cycling Joy index, and in particular, the ability to ride next to a companion and have an extended conversation is really enjoyable and relaxing. For me, though, this kind of riding lacks some of the things which draw me to bike touring.

Climate Ride GAP/C&O: Conclusion Read More »

Two cyclists ride away from the camera side-by-side in yellow morning light on a gravel path along a rail line. A few leaves are on the ground. The path extends straight off into the distance.

Day 3: Frostburg to Hancock

Cycle touring / By

Today we’d finish the last part of the GAP Trail in Cumberland, and start the C&O Canal towpath. We’d heard that the C&O wasn’t as well developed as the GAP Trail, but this portion was more or less the same crushed gravel that we’d been riding. This high up, the canal is mostly dry with occasional ponds with turtles and lily pads.

Day 3: Frostburg to Hancock Read More »

A woman on a bicycle rides across a high bridge over a highway. The landscape is rolling hills with trees, some of which are yellow and red. The sky is blue with fluffy clouds. On the ridge ahead is a wind farm.

Day 2: Connellsville to Frostburg

Cycle touring / By

It was going to be a long day. We were given the option to take an extra 15km side trip with 400m of climbing to go visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece, Fallingwater. Extra distance, a good climb, and architectural geeking? I’m in. Nancy and Beverly wanted to visit Fallingwater, but were intimidated by the distance, so their plan was to take the shuttle to the first water stop at the base of the climb and ride from there. I, of course, wanted to ride the whole thing.

Day 2: Connellsville to Frostburg Read More »

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