78 total miles today! Brunswick to Hancock MD. Below is the Ridewith GPS map and ride statistics.
We followed the C&O canal towpath all the way, except for the last 15 miles or so we took the Western Maryland RAIL TRAIL. This might have been a mistake- a large storm had gone through this area and there were trees down all over the trail. While the trail was nice smooth asphalt, it was littered with debris and there were trees down across the trail that forced us to dismount and carry the bikes around the trees. Everyone arrived at the camp a bit later than we had anticipated, towards 4 PM. The weather was perfect today. We stopped at Harpers Ferry- beautiful spot. Then Williamsport where we had lunch. It was a major stop for the coal laden ships coming from Cumberland, to power the coal fired power plant there at Williamsport and for coal used elsewhere in the area. Then we stopped at 4 Locks, an interesting place where there are 4 locks in a short distance. Then Fort Frederick where they were preparing for a civil war festival over the weekend. Weather has been fantastic. I feel great after this ride, but it did help to have a cold beer waiting for me at the Happy Hills Campsite. Unfortunately, this storm did some damage to the campsite area so there was no electricity or running water, so I had to take a shower by dumping a 1 gallon jug of water over me. Felt great!
Bad news on two fronts. Michael, one of the 12 folks remaining in the group is bailing at Cumberland. He has not been feeling very good for the past week and psychologically not prepared for the 2 ½ months of biking to go. Too bad because he is a very experienced guy who has done a bunch of cycling tours in the past. Then Theo, the guy in or group from the Netherlands, took a nasty fall on that debris strewn Western Maryland Rail Trail. A stick got kicked up and wedged between his front fender and the bike frame locking up his front wheel and sending him over the bike on his face. Simona took him to the hospital near Hancock and he got some stitches. They cleaned him up good and we expect that he will be able to continue on with us. His bike seems OK other than the front fender which is ruined.
As a result of Theo’s adventure, our schedule was all messed up for dinner so we go takeout pizza and called it a night. Simona and Dennis along with Mel got back 12:30 in the evening from the hospital. Kudos to them for the great job they did in making sure Theo was well taken care of.
So this is a three person tent. And I have a very large 30 inch wide 4 inch thick self inflating mattress and a REAL pillow. I have been sleeping very well, but needless to say I wouldn’t lug this stuff with me on a self supported trip!
Biking across the USA with Mike 
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