C&O in October

[Pondero]

Because I've had such great experiences meeting my internet buddies during my travels, because I've read that some of you have an interest riding (or re-riding) the C&O, and because carving time out of a busy life for lollygagging takes forethought, I want to announce my plan to ride the C&O during October 6-9 of this year.  I'd love to have you guys join us for a brief meet-up, coffee brew-up, or a complete ride along.

The main driver for my travel to the DC area is a family visit.  That means I have a fairly constrained itinerary.  My good friend Steve Butcher (GravelDoc) and my son-in-law will be riding with me, and we'll be comfortably spreading out the 185 miles over four days.  We plan to camp Tuesday and Thursday nights, but family will meet us in Sharpsburg for some tourist time and a B&B stay on Wednesday night.  We'll be riding out of Silver Spring, and family will shuttle us back from Cumberland on Friday evening.

If this is of interest to any of you, let me know here or by private message and I'll provide more details.  I'm hoping this will be another opportunity to meet some of my friends face-to-face and share some time awheel.  In the meantime, I'll be trying to determine which Riv to bring along...

Chris Johnson

Sanger, Texas

[Tony DeFilippo]

I've got this on the calendar!  It's a bit far out but my thought is to take the 6-7th off... meet you on the trail and camp the Tues night, Wednesday perhaps ride with you a little ways before heading for home.  An 'O24O'.  Not sure if I'll be solo or my wife might join us and we'll take the tandem.  

Let me know if you need any bike wrenching services while you're in town or if you want to slip a DC monuments ride into your busy schedule!

Tony

[Rusty Click]

I'll pencil this in on the calendar too!  If possible, I'd like to meet you halfway, and ride to Cumberland.  I'll let you know for sure, offline, when I can.

RustyC

[Pondero]

Excellent!  Two potential candidates already.  If this pans out, it will make for a very rewarding outing.

Chris Johnson

Sanger, Texas

[WETH]

Chris,

I would hope to join you on the 6th as you ride out of Silver Spring.  Not sure if I can take two days off or not.  Looking forward to it!

All the best,

Erl

On Monday, June 15, 2015 at 8:37:34 AM UTC-4, Pondero wrote:

[Minh]

I don't think i can make this, but out of curiosity, where are you planning to pick up the C&O?  Are you going to ride west across Bethesda and pick it up around Cabin John, or are you going north right away and picking up the C&O farther north?

Picking it up in CJ you're already skipping some of the more congested parts, but you still get to pass through Great Falls.

[Pondero]

Erl, fantastic, it would be an honor having a grand depart posse.

Minh, the current plan (subject to refinement) is to travel southwest and connect up with the C&O around mile 5/6.  But I'm open to suggestions on this.

Chris Johnson

Sanger, Texas

[WETH]

Depending on how much time you'll have in DC before your start, the riding along the Potomac River in Georgetown around toward the Kennedy Center is beautiful. Depending on your first day mileage, I might suggest the Capital Crescent trail out of Silver Spring all the way to Georgetown. In Georgetown, turn and get on the C&O canal at its beginning. This would add 10-12 miles to your first day total with some backtracking (the capital crescent and C&O parallel each other for about 5 miles). If you are in DC over the weekend there is a great 30 mile loop that you can ride from Silver Spring into DC through Georgetown up the Capital Crescent Trail through Bethesda and back to Silver Spring.

[Steve Palincsar]

On 06/15/2015 09:36 PM, WETH wrote:
> Depending on how much time you'll have in DC before your start, the riding along the Potomac River in Georgetown around toward the Kennedy Center is beautiful. Depending on your first day mileage, I might suggest the Capital Crescent trail out of Silver Spring all the way to Georgetown. In Georgetown, turn and get on the C&O canal at its beginning.
>

Or you could just switch from the CCT to the Towpath at Fletchers
Boathouse, rather than going all the way down to Water St

[Jeff Lesperance]

I've marked the dates on my calendar. I live in Silver Spring and would be happy to at least do an overnight, possibly further depending on family schedule and work workload around that time. 

I do fairly regular long day out-n-back rides on the C&O via downtown Silver Spring -> Georgetown Branch trail -> Capital Crescent trail -> C&O at Fletcher's boat house. That does involve backtracking a bit, but keeps me off of some tricky roads at other area entrance points.

-Jeff

Silver Spring, MD

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[Minh]

Jeff's plan is pretty sound with not that much back-tracking.  here's the page for the camping info on the C&O, http://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/camping.htm

No water still at Swain's Lock at mile 16 (though i think you can get water at the concession stand at Great Falls), so bring more water then you think you need.  Technically you're not supposed by more than 2 tents per site, but i've never been kicked off the few times i've camped along the trail (including the one time 30 boy scouts showed up....).  

For anyone planning to drive and park, you have to print out a pass ahead of time and place it in your car if you want to leave it overnight now.

[Pondero]

Great news, Jeff, I hope you can make it...and thanks for the trail connection routing tip!

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas

[Kellie]

Hi Chris, I actually might be able to do this! But I have more logistical questions. How are you getting your bike there? If you're shipping it, where to? By who? Where is Silver Springs; that's where you're starting from right? Thanks in advance.

[Pondero]

Great news, Kellie, I hope it works out!

As of now, my plan is to take the bike with me on the airplane. But I've never done that before and am trying to figure out the logistics. I'm hoping that will be easier than shipping, but not sure yet.

Silver Spring, MD is located at the northern limits of Washington, D.C. My daughter (and family) lives there, and that will be home base while I'm in the area. My son-in-law and I plan to roll away from their apartment, and toward the C&O on the morning of the first day.

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas

[Kellie]

I've heard horrible stories of flying with your bike as far as fees. Adventure Cycling Assoc. list this company. I plugged in the numbers and it's about $140 round trip ship, SF>DC. Here's the link, Bike Flights: https://www.bikeflights.com/?siteid=AC_WH_300x250 I'm thinking of shipping to a bike store right near the trail.

Anyone else want to chip in here with getting your bike cross country?

[Steven Sweedler]

Southwest Air charges $75.    as one your two pieces of luggage. Steve

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Steven Sweedler
Plymouth, New Hampshire

[Pondero]

A thread refresh to remind DC area folks that my trip is still a "go" and there have been no changes in the dates (October 6-9).  A month from now, my son-in-law, Steve Butcher, and I will be touring through the C&O trail.

We'd love to met and ride with some of you locals, if possible.

Chris Johnson

Sanger, Texas

[KC]

Just read thru the thread and didn't see a posting re which bike you decided to take. I'm interested in your decision.

Also interested in hearing about the ride as it sure looks like fun and something we might want to plan

[Pondero]

KC, I haven't decided which bike to take with me.  Any one would work great, and it might come down to how I feel when it is time to put something in a box.

The trip will be special because it promises to blend family, friends, and riding.  It sounds like I'll be able to meet some of my east US friends for the very first time.  I'm sure I'll follow-up with some kind of a report.

Chris Johnson

Sanger, Texas

[Tony DeFilippo]

I'm still planning to meet you out on the 6th, and hopefully join you for the overnight as well then head back to DC via the tow path on the 7th.  Can't wait!

Hmmm, Saluki or Bombadil!?!

[Jeff Lesperance]

I still have it on my calendar, and was thinking I'd be able to do the same as Tony, s24o. As I've already toured on my HIllborne, I think my new-to-me Hilsen will have to get the nod for the trip.

On Tue, Sep 8, 2015 at 3:12 PM, Tony DeFilippo <vpi...@gmail.com> wrote:

I'm still planning to meet you out on the 6th, and hopefully join you for the overnight as well then head back to DC via the tow path on the 7th.  Can't wait!

Hmmm, Saluki or Bombadil!?!

--

[Pondero]

Great, Jeff, thanks.

Once I get my guys coordinated, I post a few more details. Then maybe take the discussion offline to include only actual participants.

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas

[Minh]

Chris,

If you don't mind, please come back to the thread with your final plans.  I'm unlikely to make it, but there's an outside chance i could meet up for a short part of this.  

FYI, this is unlikely to affect you but the Army Ten Miler is the following weekend (the 11th).  You're ahead of this and going north, but having a 30,000+ road race sometimes causes unexpected problems.

[Pondero]

Minh, I'll absolutely be back in touch with more details...and thanks for the tip!  

Chris Johnson

Sanger, Texas

[Larry Charlton]

Were I not already expected to be in Cancun, Mexico that week I'd definitely be in.  My son lives in Alexandria, Va (I am in Pittsburgh) and I've always wanted to do  GAP to C&O to Aaron Charlton.  Someone please help arrange a ride next year.  Maybe by then I can take Amtrack home.  

[Pondero]

Okay locals, I've coordinated with my family, factored in our constraints, and even exchanged a couple of emails with Tony DeFilippo to get some tips.  Here is our plan for the C&O tour "rolling start" for any who wish to simply say "hi", ride with us a while, our ride with us all the way to Cumberland.

Our start date is Tuesday, October 6.

Our train that includes friend (Steve Butcher), son-in-law (Carey Jones), and me will depart out of Silver Spring, MD.  We'll make two stops to meet up with folks.  The first stop will be in Bethesda.  We will meet up at 0830 at Bethesda Bagels (http://www.bethesdabagels.com/) and plan to roll out by 0915.  That allows us to reach our next stop at Fletchers Boathouse (C&O rendezvous) by 0945ish.  From there we'll head north on the C&O for a few days.  For any who might be joining us for part of the way, we plan to lunch in Leesburg that Tuesday, and camp the first night at the Indian Flats hiker/biker site at approx. mile 42.

I believe Tony is planning to join us for the first day and overnight.  I recall that Rusty, Erl, Jeff, Kellie, and Minh have all expressed interest in some level of participation.  I hope to meet several of you on this trip...and thanks again to everyone who offered planning help!

Chris Johnson

Sanger, Texas

[Tony DeFilippo]

See you then!  My plan is to ride up to Bethesda from Alexandria and be at the bagel place at 0830..  if anyone is interested in meeting up on that connector bit hit me up off-list and we can figure out a rendezvous.  I'll be riding Tues, camping and then returning to Alexandria on Weds.

I'm excited to meet Chris and hopefully some other lister's from the DC area I haven't met so far.  This'll be my first bike camping experience so I'm glad to be doing it with such a good crew!

Thanks Chris for setting this up!

[Jeff Lesperance]

I'll plan to meetup in Bethesda - I'll be rolling in from Silver Spring as well, so possibly see you on the way to Bethesda. Unless something else comes up, I'm planning on doing this as an s24o.

[Philip Kim]

This sounds like a great trip! I wish I could join, but I will be in Wyoming until the 13th.

[Dale Click]

I’m waiting for my daughter-in-law to deliver first grandchild!  Should be soon, and I will contact off list with my plans to join when I have a moment to plan…wheeee

Rusty

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[Allingham II, Thomas J]

OK, clear to join!

 

Here's my plan, Chris.  I'll take the train down to DC Monday night and have dinner with #3 son.  I'll meet up with you guys at Fletchers Boathouse (I'll plan to get there before 9 on Tuesday the 6^th, to minimize the risk of missing the "train").    I'll camp with the crew at Indian Flats on Tuesday night.  My hope is to leave my tent, etc. at the campsite on Wednesday morning, ride with you as far as Harper's Ferry, then peel off and spend a few hours poking around the historical sites there before returning to Indian Flats Wednesday night.  Up early Thursday, return to DC, and train back to Wilmington.

 

Anybody have an assessment of risk of leaving tent, bag and pad at the campsite for the day?  

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[Pondero]

Rusty, congrats on the first grandchild! I spite of what you people might think, my biggest motivation for traveling to DC is my first grandchild born in February. All my best to your family, and I hope to meet you somehow.

Pudge, great news! We should have a nice little band of lugged steel geeks assembled.

Since I'm such a solo rider, I'll not know how to behave. I am awkwardly excited.

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas

[Minh]

Ah man, Pudge is coming out for this?  I don't think work will let me make this mid-week trip.  But sounds like fun!  

Tom, there's not a ton of traffic during the week at the campsites, but i'm not sure i would leave all your stuff there un-secure.  You could hide it in the woods?  

[John G]

I'll try to come by Indian Flats on my Quickbeam after work Tuesday to say hello. No camping though.

On Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at 10:40:18 PM UTC-4, Pondero wrote:

[Pondero]

Great, John, thanks! It sounds like we'll have a site full.

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas

[Pondero]

DC area friends, the plan provided above is still a "go".  Briefly...

-Tuesday, October 6

-Bethesda Bagels 8:30 to 9:15

-Fletchers Boathouse 9:45ish to 10ish

-Lunch likely in Leesburg (not sure when)

-Camp at Indian Flats H/B site

The long range weather forecast seems to suggest that the rainy weekend will improve...just in time.  We'll see you there.

Chris Johnson

Sanger, Texas

[Dale Click]

Hello Chris,

I am unable to join for the start of your C&O ride due to many schedule conflicts and the arrival of granddaughter number 1!

I could make it down for your thursday night overnight and ride into Cumberland, or just ride into you on friday and turn back with you into Cumberland.

If you know where you are overnighting thursday, let me know anytime this week, and I’ll try to get there.  If not, I plan on riding out of Cumberland friday towards you.

Cheers,

Rusty Click

724-554-1909

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[Allingham II, Thomas J]

Still planning to see you at Fletchers Boathouse around 9:45.

 

From: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com [mailto:rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Pondero
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2015 7:53 PM
To: RBW Owners Bunch
Subject: [RBW] Re: C&O in October

 

DC area friends, the plan provided above is still a "go".  Briefly...

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[Steve Cole]

I also hope to come by at Fletcher's at 9:45 am.  I would be great to see a Rivbike flotilla.

Steve Cole

Arlington, VA

On Monday, October 5, 2015 at 10:05:57 AM UTC-4, Pudge wrote:

Still planning to see you at Fletchers Boathouse around 9:45.

 

From: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com [mailto:rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Pondero
Sent: Friday, October 02, 2015 7:53 PM
To: RBW Owners Bunch
Subject: [RBW] Re: C&O in October

 

DC area friends, the plan provided above is still a "go".  Briefly...

 

-Tuesday, October 6

 

-Bethesda Bagels 8:30 to 9:15

 

-Fletchers Boathouse 9:45ish to 10ish

 

-Lunch likely in Leesburg (not sure when)

 

-Camp at Indian Flats H/B site

 

The long range weather forecast seems to suggest that the rainy weekend will improve...just in time.  We'll see you there.

 

Chris Johnson

Sanger, Texas

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[Tony DeFilippo]

I'll be joining you in Bethesda tomorrow morning, and planning to camp Tues night then return to DC Weds.  Can't wait to meet you all and see the Riv's!  Looks like the weather has cleared just in time for your trip.

 

Tony

 

 

[Jeff Lesperance]

Unless some crazy life things happen, I'll see you in Bethesda in the morning, I expect with my Hilsen. Weather is definitely looking to be good until Friday. As with Tony - I'm angling at S24O'ing it.

On Mon, Oct 5, 2015 at 10:23 AM, Tony DeFilippo <vpi...@gmail.com> wrote:

I'll be joining you in Bethesda tomorrow morning, and planning to camp Tues night then return to DC Weds.  Can't wait to meet you all and see the Riv's!  Looks like the weather has cleared just in time for your trip.

 

Tony

 

 

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[Pondero]

Rusty, congrats! I've been spending time with my first grandchild since Saturday. The tentative plan for Thursday night is to camp near mile 129.8.

Pudge, Steve, and Tony, we'll see you in the morning!

I guess I better go get the bike loaded up.

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas

[Pondero]

Jeff, thanks for ordering up some great weather. We'll see you tomorrow.

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas

[Tony DeFilippo]

What a splendid day. Awesome meeting Chris and so many other local and not local folks.  My participation ended in Leesburg today but the trip is still ongoing. I'm hoping the crew is settled down in front of a campfire (or more likely passed out)  off the C&O Canal right this minute.  Couple group shot's from Fletcher's Boat House along the C&O, more photo's and at least my part of the ride report coming later this week.

Tony

[hsmitham]

Tony,

Great images. Can you name the folks in the picture. I know, Chris Johnson aka Pondero, Mary of Chasing Mailboxes and Tom Allingham aka Pudge, but the rest are a mystery. 

Tail Winds,

~Hugh

[Tony DeFilippo]

Hugh,

That is a great (and reasonable) question!  I'm terrible with recalling names but I'll do my best with apologies to anyone I screw up... I'll ID the person's bike because for some reason I do remember at least some details about each bike even if I can't now remember a name.  Which probably doesn't speak well to my priorities.  :)

Left to Right,

Chris (Pondero) - Texas dust coated light green AHH

Jeff L. (MD local) - Bright blue AHH w/ albastache

Mary (Coffeeneur, DC local) - Surly LHT

Tom A (Pudge, DE) - Black, parallel TT Bombadil w/ rolhoff

Ken P (local) - Butternut Saluki, with jingle bells!

??? - Bright blue AHH at center is this gentleman's bike but I didn't catch his name

Tony D (me) (VA local) - Green Saluki

Steve (local) - white steel road bike, didn't get a good look at this one

Chris's Son-in-Law whose name I really should remember! (MD local) - Surly Cross Check w/ a saddlesack LARGE

Steve? (Missouri) - Chris's friend with the purple fat tired Univega

Hilsen/Saluki's were very well represented! :)  There was also an impressive array of bike luggage given that five of the crew were camping at least one night.

[Steve Cole]

All,

I'm the local guy.  I went to meet the group before it departed from Fletcher's Boat House yesterday.  What a great group and wish I felt I could have kept up.  The blue AHH in the center of the photo is mine, a Toyo built with Albatross bars, SKS fenders and Barlow Pass tires..  I love it.

My favorite comment of the morning was one that Mary offered:  "so much Rivness!"  True and wonderful. 

I'll work on being ready to join the next group heading up or down the C&O .

Steve Cole

Arlington, VA

On Monday, June 15, 2015 at 8:37:34 AM UTC-4, Pondero wrote:

Because I've had such great experiences meeting my internet buddies during my travels, because I've read that some of you have an interest riding (or re-riding) the C&O, and because carving time out of a busy life for lollygagging takes forethought, I want to announce my plan to ride the C&O during October 6-9 of this year.  I'd love to have you guys join us for a brief meet-up, coffee brew-up, or a complete ride along.

The main driver for my travel to the DC area is a family visit.  That means I have a fairly constrained itinerary.  My good friend Steve Butcher (GravelDoc) and my son-in-law will be riding with me, and we'll be comfortably spreading out the 185 miles over four days.  We plan to camp Tuesday and Thursday nights, but family will meet us in Sharpsburg for some tourist time and a B&B stay on Wednesday night.  We'll be riding out of Silver Spring, and family will shuttle us back from Cumberland on Friday evening.

If this is of interest to any of you, let me know here or by private message and I'll provide more details.  I'm hoping this will be another opportunity to meet some of my friends face-to-face and share some time awheel.  In the meantime, I'll be trying to determine which Riv to bring along...

Chris Johnson

Sanger, Texas

[John G]

After work yesterday I went down to Noland's Ferry and rode towards DC on my Quickbeam to find the group,  They were not at the campground yet, so I continued for a few miles until I found them.  We rode back to the camp site and I had a nice visit while everyone set up camp.  All too soon it was getting dark and I had to head home, but it was nice to meet fellow enthusiasts and share some time among them.

JohnG, Union Bridge, MD

[Pondero]

Thanks for posting these, Tony. We were overwhelmed by the local hospitality. Me, my son-in-law, Carey Jones, and my friend, Steve Butcher, from SW Missouri are with our wives and my grandson in Sharpsburg tonight and back on the trail tomorrow. More photos coming...

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas

[Pondero]

Thank you, John, for coming out to meet us, and for telling us those great Gravel & Grind stories. Your enthusiasm helping make setting up camp more fun.

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas

[Mary Gersemalina]

Hi all.

I put together a short write-up with a few photos of the Pondero C&O Tour departure from Fletchers. Find it here, and thank you to Chris for inviting us all to join. It was great! http://chasingmailboxes.com/2015/10/07/from-the-page-to-in-person-pondero-rivendell-co-meetup/ 

Best,

Mary

[Allingham II, Thomas J]

Back in the office (boo!) from this very fun ride, but thinking about how nice it is to meet up with folks I've only known through the miracle of the web (yay!). Thanks, Chris, for setting this up and putting out the invitations!

I'll put up a few photos soon.

Tom Allingham
Wilmington, DE

-----Original Message-----
From: rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com [mailto:rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Pondero
Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2015 10:11 PM
To: RBW Owners Bunch
Subject: [RBW] Re: C&O in October

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[Steve Palincsar]

I was out riding on the C&O Canal Towpath today and Mary Gersema rolled
up on me and we chatted and rode together for a while, until I turned
off at Anglers Inn to head home. I recognized her name, but didn't
recall the connection with Ed Felker: for a while they rode together on
a Cannondale tandem Ed got on discount using an old Cannondale commuter
frame of mine as a trade-in. I think I swapped it for a copy of The
Dancing Chain. She said you all were really happy at Fletchers. She
was on her way to Harpers Ferry, and would participate in a marathon run
from Shepherstown over the weekend.

[Ed Felker]

We still have that gray Cannondale tandem, known as the Lead Sled.

It gets used for dirt rides, Hilly Billy Roubaix, and town riding with my teenage daughter. It's one of those bikes that isn't by any means perfect, but is perfect for the use it gets. And so it stays in the stable.

Ed

[Steve Palincsar]

It must be at least 10 years since I even though about that bike.   It wasn't until I googled Mary's name in search of an email address and saw "Felkerino" in one of her blog posts that it came back to me.  Basically, when you're out riding on the Towpath and someone passing by recognizes the M.A.P. on the downtube and knows Mitch Pryor you've again proven that it can sometimes be a mighty small world.

[Ed Felker]

Yeah, she knows more about bikes than your average rider, though she and I both tend to ignore the race-oriented end of the biz. 

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[Tony DeFilippo]

http://dr2dc.blogspot.com/2015/10/mr-pondero-comes-to-washington.html

Post with more pictures included.  Another gorgeous weekend in the bag and a 3 day one at that.  This really is the best time of year for anything outdoors in the Mid-Atlantic.  I hope everyone involved made it home safely and enjoyed the rest of their riding on the C&O.  Thanks again to Chris for making the opportunity and providing the inspiration!

Tony

[Allingham II, Thomas J]

Great report, Tony. It really was the perfect ride -- weather, trail, history, and most especially the company.  Thanks to all who joined in and especially Chris for putting it all together!

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[Pondero]

I'm back in Texas and trying to adjust back to real life. But I'm still inspired by the warm hospitality to do more of this. What a treat to meet you all! You are even more interesting than your internet celebrity personas!

More photos and blog content coming, but here are my Day 1 photos...

https://flickr.com/photos/28889177@N06/sets/72157659359187960

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas

[Steve Palincsar]

How was the trail in the "warm water fishing area" at Dickerson?

[Pondero]

Steve,

I had to look up Dickerson on a map, and noticed it is near the Monocacy Aqueduct.  We spent our first night in a H/B site just north of the Aqueduct... https://www.flickr.com/photos/28889177@N06/22109963272/in/dateposted-public/  

I'm not sure if that is the area you are asking about, but I believe the trail was generally in pretty good condition in the vicinity, but with a few muddy spots to keep it interesting.  Maybe Tom or Jeff can be more helpful.

Chris Johnson

Sanger, Texas

[Allingham II, Thomas J]

Steve -- I don't know what it usually looks like, but according to my lights the trail was in excellent shape everywhere -- as Chris said, a few small puddles and some muddier patches, but considering all the rain in the days preceding, I was pleasantly surprised at how well it drained. Tom

[Mary Gersemalina]

Hi Steve,

Ed and I rode the trail back from Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, to D.C. on Sunday, and there were a few soft spots, but nothing unmanageable. The only issue is that the ground has begun to saturate in a few places so any additional rain we receive takes more time to drain. Again, nothing unmanageable, just a few bits of squish. Here's my photo set from the weekend; it even includes a picture of you! https://www.flickr.com/photos/gersema/albums/72157659700962356 

Best,

Mary

[ascpgh]

Fantastic pictures and write ups! You had a fantastic couple of days out there. Wish my schedule hadn't dictated work instead. 

Cheers to the vicarious adventuring these posts and the list in general provide when we can't get out for such a ride!

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh

[Steve Palincsar]

I do like your photos!

[Steve Palincsar]

When I was there (minutes before my crash on Memorial Day in 2003, the "Warm Water Fishing Area" looked a bit like this, only without the half-tracks:




That year, spring was the rasputitsa...

[Hugh Smitham]

Tony,

Really enjoyed your blog post about the experience and ride. As always the images were great. Just a funny side note. When I first discovered Rivendell for some reason I thought they were East Coast based, of course I quickly realized they were in Walnut Creek, but seeing you all riding out there brought back that vibe. And you guy's and gal personified the Rivendell ethos. Someday I'll make it out to the mid-atlantic and do a tour. 

Tail Winds,

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipeedemusings.com/

[Hugh Smitham]

Chris,

Looks like a wonderful time had by all. Loved your images and above all you brought the laid back Texas Leisure Consultant vibe out east. Always a challenge to jump back into one's everyday routine after the high of a successful trip/tour. There is comfort of course in those familiar surroundings. 

Tail Winds,

~Hugh

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” ― Albert Einstein

http://velocipeedemusings.com/

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[Tony DeFilippo]

Thanks Hugh!

Whenever you make your trip we'll roll out the welcome wagon for you and do some riding!  This virtual community is pretty awesome, and the face to face connections whether its sharing rides, sharing coffee or 'doing some business' only reinforces it.  Chris's visit and my one day on the trail with the crew already feels like it happened last year...like a fleeting, awesome daydream...

I may be out in SOCAL for work in early December, bit to early to tell but I'll hit you up offline on the chance we can grab a beverage or get a ride in.

Tony

[dougP]

Tony:

Hugh's got a lot friends.  A visitor from afar is a good reason to gather together. 

dougP

[Jeff Lesperance]

I haven't purposely taken a slightly extended period of time to give thanks and comment on Chris' visit and great ride on the C&O, life jut managed to pick up at it's occasional breakneck pace as soon as I returned to reality. Some other folks who joined in part of the ride on day one, or the first overnight, like I did, have already let you all know that it was a beautiful day amongst great company. Most folks took far more and much better pictures than I did as well. I guess I have a little something else to share about the day...

Life's thrown me a few knuckleballs over the past several years. I spent three or so of the last five or so years helping my mother through a terrible cancer fight. We made it through one round but she didn't survive round two. I've spent the past two years getting things right with myself since that fight. 

I found that being out in the world, away from the cacophony of my general urban surroundings, perched on a bike, rolling through the landscape, has been phenomenal "therapy." I've focused most of my riding on solo excursions, be it commuting, weekend adventuring or just riding around. Just this past year I've opened myself up more to the idea of finding some folks who like to ride the way I like to ride (which appears to be the way most of you like to ride), and, well, going for rides with them. As a lifelong introvert, I'm not always comfortable with a bunch of new people, and as a reforming solo bike rider, I barely know how to ride along with other folks. This is where Chris and local DC Metro area Riv-folk come in...

I kinda set out on this trip last week cognizant that it was Chris' ride. I was happy for the invite to join in, but I didn't want to make it my ride. Combine that with the introverted tendencies, and I thought I might just participate a bit, maybe hang back and certainly enjoy the day on the C&O. A few friends and strangers just picked up on a common interest and good things happened. There wasn't really a non-participatory option, and this was a good thing.

Some days you just go out for a bike ride, and that's all it is, just a human-mechanical interface event. Hop on, body moves, bike moves, hop off. Other times, it's not just a bike ride, it's a bigger thing. Could be a faith-restoring event even. Faith in what? Doesn't matter. Sound crazy? Maybe it is. 

I made my way solo back to DC on day two. I started the trek feeling light, energized, full.

There's good people out there. Sometimes you meet 'em on a bike.

Chris, Steve, Carey (and Tom, Tony, Ken, the other Steve, the other Steve?, Mary) it was a pleasure to meet you, on a bike. Thanks for letting me in on your more-than-just-a-ride.

-Jeff

Silver Spring, MD

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[Pondero]

Hugh, thanks for the kind words. I've got the first three days of photos now up on Flickr, and day four will be uploaded soon.

Jeff, your comments resonate. As a classic introvert who needs more solo time than most, I actually get more solo than I need out here in north central Texas. So when there is a chance to geek out with folks having a common interest, it is special. Your presence enriched our trip, and I hope you and Carey will be able to link up occasionally.

Now that I'm back home, it's time for me to turn my attention to the Seventh Annual Fifty-ish Mile Fall Finale Country Path Ramble (the Ramble) that I host each year from my house. Saturday, November 14. Y'all come on down!

Chris Johnson
Sanger, Texas