C&O Trek has a Bright Beautiful Day

The C&O trekkers had a wonderful time riding on the trail today. After days of riding a very wet path, today seemed like a piece of cake. They started out on the paved Western Maryland Rail Trail and came out at Fort Frederick where they explored the barracks, carried a yoke, dressed up, and learned about muskets.  After their history lesson, they stopped at McCoy's Ferry to eat lunch and get their feet cleaned by some generous guppies at the boat dock.  A little longer down the trail, they stopped at a beautiful view of the river where they took a much needed swim.

C&O Canal Trek Enjoys the Potomac

The C&O Canal Trekkers are in Hancock, MD   They had a bit of rain early in the day but overall the bike path was much dryer than the previous day.  Along the way they ate berries on the trail and stopped at a trail side rest area where they went wading in the Potomac and bathed in the sun.  In the town of Hancock the group went shopping and did laundry.  They had a welcome break from camping and spent the night in bunk beds in the 'Biker Dorms' provided by a local bike shop owner.

C&O Canal Trek's First Day on the Road

The C&O Canal Trip kicked off its first real day of biking yesterday. It was a day full of getting used to the bikes and of meaningful conversations between the group members and with the many people that the group encountered along the way. The locals were full of great tips about what to explore in the area. Whitewater rafting is definitely on the top of the list of things to do. The group also cooked its very first meal together (quesadillas!) at their campground in Boston, PA, which was a huge milestone because none of the Trekkers had had any prior experience in the kitchen. They also built their first fire, which was an experience in and of itself. Overall, the Trekkers' spirits are high and are looking forward to a great day of whitewater rafting today!

C&O Canal Trek Begins in Pittsburgh

The C&O Canal Trek is a 400+ mile off-road ride from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. along a rail-to-trail and an old canal towpath.  The group met this morning at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown Hotel and has a full day of sight-seeing planned.  After a discussion on bike safety and rules of the road the group will bike around 'Open Streets', go to Bike Heaven, take a railcar up Mt. Washington, and possibly check out a museum, and/or the botanical gardens.  They have very comfortable accommodations at the Wyndham Grand tonight and then tomorrow they bike southeast on their 13 day outdoor adventure.