Traveling at Mach 0.012

Start – Brunswick
Destination – Hancock
Day total miles – 76
Journey total miles – 321

Thursday was a day entirely on the C&O canal tow path trail. Headed out early and encountered a cooler morning than yesterday. First stop was Shepherdstown for breakfast. We rolled off the tow path onto a parallel road to get some smoother riding in while we could. Then up a steep hill, not used to these yet. But the payoff was worth it. Found a little bakery in town. Coffee and a sausage roll plus a cookie (sorry, not the most nutritious, but tasted great and the cookie had oatmeal and other healthy stuff). The town was pretty laid back. Peddled down the street for some more gatorade and then back to the tow path. These miles were tough with much of the same scenery – trees and a seemingly endless path. The Potomac River on the left and the canal on the right.

This was a day for wildlife viewing:
1 turkey
2 owls
1 snapping turtle
frogs
1 copperhead (too late to turn, the camouflage worked to hide it too well; it was a small one, about a foot long)
deer
squirrles
geese
ducks

I know I forgot some.

The highlight of the day was the part of the trail that ran out to the river. Beautiful views and worth the journey.

The mud got progressively worse as we approached Hancock. Had to stop numerous times to dig mud out of the front fender. Need to modify the fender to allow more clearance. Thinking of ways to get the job done – have lots of miles to come up with a solution.

About a mile out of Hancock, the skies blackened and it started to rain a bit. Ugh, if not for those stops to clear the mud and I would have made it to the C&O Cycle shop and bunkhouse. Interesting place, A shed type building with bunks, an outdoor shower and a clean portable toilet. The three of us were later joined by two others pedaling from Cumberland to DC. One side of the building was exposed but covered with screens. Not quite inside but out of the rain. Dinner and then laundry. Clean clothes for the morning – yeah. Thanks to the owners of the coin-op for letting me finish drying the clothes. Settled in for the night and then the rain let loose. Took a little getting used to the tin roof.