Things I learned on my ride. 1. Shop local. For food, lodging and other needs. I stopped at every bike shop along the way and at least thanked them for their business. 2. Stay in a haunted hostel with a pub. Why? Because you cant go wrong with a cheap bed, a haunting and a beer 3. Talk to the locals. While in a laundromat in Hancock, MD I learned that Patsy Cline wasnt killed in a plane crash but was abducted by aliens along with the guys first cousin. 4. Take pictures. The scenery was overwhelming at times. 5. Make friends with other through bikers. A couple that I was riding with from Arlington saw me looking for a place to camp late last night after my 100 mile ride and offered up two trees for me to hang my hammock on. This after I had ridden by not realizing that it was them. Scott rode a mile to catch up to me. 5. Wear actual bike shorts! I didnt on the first day and I paid dearly. Powder your bum frequently and use diaper rash stuff. 6. Prepare for weather. I didnt think that it would hit the low 40s at night in August. All I had was a sleeping bag liner. 7. Pack ultralight. I only brought a set of camp clothes and and extra set of bike shorts. Take your shoes off at the end of the day and wear flip flops 8. I used a pair of clip in campus pedals. One side you can clip in the other you can just use as a platform pedal. That way I could wear flip flops and ride if needed. 9. Hydrate... a lot! The C&O canal trail does not have towns to resupply in as frequently as the GAP trail. I ended up having to drink the iodine treated water or else I would have bonked. 10. Eat a lot... eat everything 11. Ride at night but have a good light. I used a Cygolite Metro 360. 360 lumens and it has a ultra bright flashing light for towns and city travel. 12. When you pass another on the trail yell out On your left. Invariably someone will step to the left or not hear you, but give notice. 13. Teach your kids trail manners. On my downhill ride from the Eastern Continental Divide I came upon 2 dads and 4 boys who decided to leave all of their bikes in the middle of the trail. 14. Its not about the miles.. its all about the smiles NOW GO OUT AND RIDE, HIKE OR JUST WALK!
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 23:35:28 +0000
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