C&O Canal Bike Adventure- Day 2 of 3

Rising at 8:00 we ate a quick breakfast of oatmeal and an instant breakfast drink and started packing all our wet supplies. Rob was able to adjust my bike seat so that it didn't hurt my tailbone as much as it had the previous day. We washed off our mud-encrusted bikes with the hand pump and dried off and packed our tent to the best of our ability then put on clean dry socks and wrapped our feet with plastic bags before putting on our still soaking wet shoes. As we were getting ready to leave two people came pedaling up the trail and one informed us that he had spent much of the night in a wheelchair accessible portapotty to stay dry. Unfortunately by the time we ate and packed up, we didn't start off until 10:00 AM.

The trail itself was in horrible condition from the storm. Mud pulled at our bike tires and puddles wetted our only clean pair of clothes. For the first 20 or so miles it was actually a lot of fun and I finally felt like I was getting in a cycling rhythm and enjoyed getting dirty (as long as it was mud and not ticks on my legs). After that though it was just plain tiring (riding through the mud was draining). So it was literally a miracle when we somehow ended up on the glorious Western Maryland Rail Trail which is 20 miles of paved trail that adjoins the C&O canal route. Because of the paved trail we were able to average 15 mph instead of 10, and it required much less effort. At this point I was thinking that I could do another bike trip IF it were on a paved surface.

Western Maryland Rail Trail

After the Rail Trail ended we took a break at ate another fresh and hot backpacker's meal of lasagna in a tortilla shell and prepared ourselves for the next 37 miles on the C&O. As a note, we had figured out by this time that I needed a break every 5 miles at which time we would rehydrate, refuel, and stretch our aching backs, rump and tailbone. Rob had taken on the task of carrying our wet belongings to lessen the weight I carried, which was around 30-40 pounds.

  Although I was complaining a lot at this point in the trip, the sights were absolutely beautiful.

One of the many locks we passed

Bridges and an electric power plant

Cave with waterfall

Cement walkway over Potomac River

Removing several rocks from his shoes near a hydroelectric plant on the river

The end is in sight! Our reserved hotel is on the cliff across the river. Only a few thousand feet left, up the hill and across the bridge and we're done for the night! We arrived at 8 PM. The receptionist told us of an incredibly large, severe thunderstorm heading across the eastern states and it was supposed to arrive tomorrow sometime (she was so concerned about us biking tomorrow she even offered to drive us home in her truck).  

Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, WV

Looking into the room from the foyer

Looking into the room from the balcony

View to the right of the balcony

View to the left of the balcony

Rob's Note: After a nice hot shower we had a DELICIOUS meal at their German restaurant. We had crab avocado salad as an appetizer, dinner consisted of trout oscar over asparagus with risotto and a grilled fish medley which included mahi-mahi, salmon,a large sea scallop, jumbo shrimp with date risotto, and deseret was an authentic German apple strudel and raspberry crisp on a platter which said 'Happy Anniversary' in beautiful chocolate calligraphy.

Then we headed to bed for a good night sleep after 75 miles.