View Full Version : How'd the C&O Canal ride go, ladies? Pictures?
F8th637
10-14-2008, 09:30 AM
I know I've been MIA for a while (busy planning my high-school reunion, but it was this past weekend, which is why I couldn't join you all for the ride) and now I have my life back. Did you guys still ride? Any pictures?
withm
10-14-2008, 04:02 PM
I know I've been MIA for a while (busy planning my high-school reunion, but it was this past weekend, which is why I couldn't join you all for the ride) and now I have my life back. Did you guys still ride? Any pictures?
They are riding this week on the Canal. We should get some reports on the weekend. I doubt anyone is hauling a laptop.
HillSlugger
10-15-2008, 06:15 AM
What, no on-the-go blogging?!? :eek: ;)
I'm sure we'll start hearing about it over the weekend.
F8th637
10-15-2008, 07:38 AM
Sighhhh . . . I suppose I can wait till then. They picked an awesome week weather-wise to do this.
Kalidurga
10-15-2008, 03:10 PM
I ran into the ladies on the towpath yesterday. We were going to ride through the PawPaw Tunnel together, since I was staying in Cumberland at the same time. Everyone was still alive when I left them at Bill's Place in Little Orleans, but that's all I'm sayin' :rolleyes: ;) :D
Here's a shot of them "slapping the a-s-s" for good luck on Monday evening, after which DebW and Zen headed to their first campsite and 7rider and divingbiker headed back to their first hotel (l to r- divingbiker, Zen, 7rider, DebW) :
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z163/KaliDurga/103-b.jpg
And 7rider waiting while everyone else is inside getting ice cream, just so you can see the loaded bikes:
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z163/KaliDurga/105-b.jpg
And definitely no on-the-go blogging. There's barely even any cellphone service out thataways.
madscot13
10-15-2008, 04:08 PM
hmm I should have tried to join them for their ride down on saturday.
Kalidurga
10-15-2008, 04:35 PM
They'll definitely have cellphone coverage by tomorrow or Friday. If you've got any of their phone numbers, I'm sure you could make arrangements to meet them somewhere.
madscot13
10-18-2008, 01:07 PM
I joined them for the last 20, rode with them to the mile 0 marker, and I left them at the metro station. last I saw they were still alive and have tons of pictures.
7rider
10-18-2008, 02:46 PM
Wow. Done.
What an awesome trip!
All went well. Only a few minor mishaps...nothing major.
We all survived...and to quote DivingBiker "And I didn't even get annoyed!" :D
Great time, fer shure.
Pix and details will come soon. Much unloading, unpacking, and cleaning to do now.
Only a few minor mishaps...nothing major.
I fell standing still at the corner of Connecticut and L street:o
to quote DivingBiker "And I didn't even get annoyed!"
I did.
I got annoyed at myself for not riding on that Brooks enough to know it would NOT work for me. And for not training fully loaded. And for not packing sooner.
Here.
View this as a slideshow.
I spent an hour cropping and fixing these and it doesn't show here. Extra bonus annoyance points for them being all out of order and i've already wiped my memory card.
Now I'm annoyed again.
I'm tired.
http://picasaweb.google.com/zencentury/CumberlandToDC#5258676538211055906
redrhodie
10-19-2008, 06:57 AM
Wow, gorgeous pics.
divingbiker
10-19-2008, 09:14 AM
Thought I'd quickly post a few pictures before my internet goes out again.
The four of us at the a$$ before Zen and Deb take off to camp the night before the ride started.
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee64/divingbiker/candotrip009.jpg
Deb and 7rider on the trail
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee64/divingbiker/candotrip019.jpg
Lock gates near Great Falls
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee64/divingbiker/candotrip040.jpg
Another lock gate
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee64/divingbiker/candotrip027.jpg
We made it!
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee64/divingbiker/candotrip057.jpg
Condensed trip-
7602
7603
7604
7605
7606
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/DSCN1885-1.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/DSCN1943.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/DSCN1949.jpg
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/th_GreatFalls1.jpg (http://s206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/?action=view¤t=GreatFalls1.flv)
http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb14/zencentury/DSCN1960.jpg
7rider
10-19-2008, 12:25 PM
Well, shoot. Looks like we all took pictures of the same things! ;)
I'll try to add some new shots here.
Here's a link to a few more: http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z85/7rider/CanalTrip_2008/
Here's our trip chariot. My DH got pressed into driver duties. We took my Escape to Cumberland: 5 people, 4 bikes, and all our gear.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z85/7rider/CanalTrip_2008/IMG_0651.jpg
The road west:
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z85/7rider/CanalTrip_2008/IMG_0655.jpg
Early morning mist over farmland:
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z85/7rider/CanalTrip_2008/IMG_0677.jpg
Entering the Paw Paw tunnel:
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z85/7rider/CanalTrip_2008/IMG_0690.jpg
In case you wonder what a paw paw is...it's an edible fruit found on local trees of the same name, and it looks like this. They are very good, too.
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z85/7rider/CanalTrip_2008/IMG_0701.jpg
Here are DebW., DB, and myself at Harper's Ferry:
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z85/7rider/CanalTrip_2008/IMG_0756.jpg
DB saying hello to the locals on the road-detour:
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z85/7rider/CanalTrip_2008/IMG_0732.jpg
And, well, you'll have to go look at the first link to see the rest.
I'll likely add more as I get around to it, so check back every so often.
amithereyet
10-19-2008, 12:29 PM
Those pictures were incredible! I wish I could have been there with you to see the sights in person via bicycle.
I can't wait to hear stories of the trip. Despite Zen's statement about not training enough, she looked none the worse for wear at the end. In fact, are you sure that you rode the whole way on bicycles?
It is great that DB went almost a week without being annoyed. I'll have to try that some time.
I made it home about 7 pm (for you mother hens). Great pictures, guys. Why didn't someone tell me to pull my arm warmers all the way up at MP0? DB if you could tell me that I had a big pink a$$, you could have told me that. You guys were great. I had a fantastic time. Haven't looked at my pictures yet, but I weighed my gear and it was about 32 lb total.
F8th637
10-19-2008, 04:33 PM
Man, how awesome! You guys look like you had a blast. I actually hiked the C&O yesterday with my husband and the dog. I was thinking of you guys. I definitely want to come next time schedule-willing. Looking forward to more pictures and such!
Despite Zen's statement about not training enough, she looked none the worse for wear at the end.
That's because I pooped out at mile 80 and took two recovery days.
They left me here for the buzzards-
7611
I joined them refreshed and re-saddled for the last 22 miles.
Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought a Bontrager saddle could feel so good.
Why didn't someone tell me to pull my arm warmers all the way up at MP0?
I thought it was a fashion statement:)
I weighed my gear and it was about 32 lb total.
That means mine weighed at least 64.
Here are some of my pictures.
More. 7rider and DB reading signs. Crossing footbridge to Harpers Ferry. At the beach on the Shenandoah River. Above Dam 5. DebW at Appalachian Trail/C&O junction.
More. 7Rider and DB on an aquaduct. On the ferry. Three zeros at MP0. The water gate near the Watergate at MP0. Madscot and 7rider.
I'm getting one of these (http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-gear6-2008oct06-pg,0,2067335.photogallery?index=1) for the next trip ;)
Blue_Wildflower
10-19-2008, 06:28 PM
What beautiful pics. I am new to the forum and biking. I reside in Alexandria, VA.
I do hope I can join you ladies on another ride.
Kalidurga
10-20-2008, 07:23 AM
Heck with photos, I wanna know what kind of PIE you had at Weaver's!!! And very nifty that you tried a paw paw, I haven't been daring enough to do that yet. Just what do they taste like?
Glad everyone made it safe and sound, and that you all had such a great time. Did you say thanks to Justice Williams as you were riding?
divingbiker
10-20-2008, 07:35 AM
Heck with photos, I wanna know what kind of PIE you had at Weaver's!!! And very nifty that you tried a paw paw, I haven't been daring enough to do that yet. Just what do they taste like?
Glad everyone made it safe and sound, and that you all had such a great time. Did you say thanks to Justice Williams as you were riding?
I had cherry, Deb had apple with caramel, 7rider had pumpkin, and Zen had a ham sandwich.:p
We did mention Chief Justice William O. Douglas (is that who you meant?) on our journey.
Kalidurga
10-20-2008, 07:44 AM
I had cherry, Deb had apple with caramel, 7rider had pumpkin, and Zen had a ham sandwich.:p
We did mention Chief Justice William O. Douglas (is that who you meant?) on our journey.
Mmmm, caramel & pumpkin. And yes, that's who I meant (that's what I get for posting quickly at work :rolleyes:). Darned shame we don't have more folks like him in government anymore. He did a great thing in protecting the C&O.
And I still want to know what a paw paw tastes like.
According to wiki, it's a cross-taste of banana and mango (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pawpaw) I would have said banana and pineapple.
If I hadn't been there nobody would have known what they were ;)
7rider
10-20-2008, 09:09 AM
I'm getting one of these (http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-gear6-2008oct06-pg,0,2067335.photogallery?index=1) for the next trip ;)
Ugh. You'd better start lifting weights now (if you thought that Trek was heavy). ;)
Paw paws looked like boiled greenish fingerling potatoes, but were much softer. You basically tear them in half across the belt and squeeze out the white flesh (don't eat the skin and spit out the seeds). It's sweet and vaguely "tropical" in flavor (to use DB's words).
p.s. Mmmm pumpkin piiiiie.......
Kalidurga
10-20-2008, 09:11 AM
According to wiki, it's a cross-taste of banana and mango (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pawpaw) I would have said banana and pineapple.
If I hadn't been there nobody would have known what they were ;)
I've heard them described as tasting like a custard apple. Since I have no clue what a custard apple tastes like, I've never taken the plunge. I brought one home and cut it open once, but chickened out. Banana-pineapple sounds good, though, so I'll have to go for it next time.
Hey, I have an idea... Paw Paw PIE! Throw a little coconut on top and you could have a nifty little local/tropical treat :D
You make it, I'll eat it.
Danger is one of my middle names.
madscot13
10-20-2008, 02:28 PM
You make it, I'll eat it.
Danger is one of my middle names.
repeat Mo' Danger.
7rider
10-20-2008, 05:15 PM
Hey DebW.
I identified that critter on your back at Jefferson Rock, in Harper's Ferry.
It was a Wheel Bug (http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/factsheets/wheelbug.html), a large type of Assassin bug.
Cool, but lucky we didn't touch it. They're good bugs, but they can bite!
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z85/7rider/CanalTrip_2008/IMG_0746.jpg
I had an ASSASSIN BUG crawling up my back? Good thing I didn't wait for you to take its picture on my neck.
7rider
10-20-2008, 05:26 PM
I had an ASSASSIN BUG crawling up my back? Good thing I didn't wait for you to take its picture on my neck.
Actually, I did. I just didn't load that one to Photobucket!
withm
10-20-2008, 05:35 PM
As I enter the 3rd week of the cold from hell inbetween coughing fits I think of so many questions about this trip I don't know where to start....
In one of the pix of 2 tents, it looks like one is just a rain fly, not a full tent? Did you carry a full tent but just decide to put up the fly or is that what you depended on for the whole tent?
Did you camp alone when Zen took her break? Was it OK - (well I guess it was since you got back to tell about it) but how was it?
What kinds of things did you bring and never use? Would you stil bring them again for a 2nd trip?
Did you ride at night at all?
Did the campers cook all meals or go into "town" to eat with the muffins?
What was the best/most useful thing you brought along? Funniest? Biggest waste of space?
Bugs?
How crowded was it? Were you always in sight of other riders or a couple miles apart? Were the campsites crowded? Did you ever have to go on the the next camp because the 1st choice was full up?
Flat tires? Mechanical problems? Did your bikes get totally filthy and need to be hosed down before riding again?
I'm sure I'll think of more questions but this will give you all something to think about.
Martha
7rider
10-20-2008, 06:28 PM
Well.....
Speaking as a muffin....I'll answer the non-camping questions...
* Did you camp alone when Zen took her break? Was it OK - (well I guess it was since you got back to tell about it) but how was it?
Okay. I lied. I'll throw an answer in here. DebW. camped alone one night, and then the mother hens she had in tow started getting worried about her out there all by her lonesome as we started to approach "civilization." So, she bunked up with us (mostly DB) for the remaining nights. C'mon, Deb....There's no shame! Plus, she could join us for dinner and b'fast that way. Much more social!
* What kinds of things did you bring and never use? Would you stil bring them again for a 2nd trip?
Too much food. A paperback book and magazines. A presta pressure guage. Too many clothes (had we known the Red Roof Inn in Williamsport had laundry facilities (such as they were), we could have brought half the clothes and a little bit of laundry detergent instead).
I'd definitely bring my Terry bolero again. And, depending on the season, I might consider a jacket with zip off sleeves. Some days, I couldn't tell if I wanted/needed a jacket, or if a vest would have sufficed.
* Did you ride at night at all?
Nope. Our goal was to make it to town/camp with plenty of daylight available.
* What was the best/most useful thing you brought along? Funniest? Biggest waste of space?
Most useful: the bike! ;) Actually, light layers, probably.
Biggest waste of space was that stupid book I never touched.
* Bugs?
I didn't really notice bugs until Harpers Ferry. And then, when you stopped, the gnats were around your face in force. Didn't bite, but they...bugged the heck out of you!
* How crowded was it? Were you always in sight of other riders or a couple miles apart?
Not crowded at all...untill we hit Harpers Ferry and south. Further north, we'd go a ways without seeing anyone. You could always tell when you were approaching a town because you'd see another person. If it was a jogger or a dog walker, you knew you were REALLY close to town.
* Flat tires? Mechanical problems? Did your bikes get totally filthy and need to be hosed down before riding again?
I got the only flat tire of the group. Thank you. Thank you very much. :rolleyes:
I also had the only crash of the group (not counting Zen's topple in downtown D.C.).
DB got stung by a bee.
It was dry, so the bikes only got dusty, and by Leesburg, my chain was squeaking for want of some lube. I think Deb was ready to pitch me into the drink if I didn't do something about it!
And that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!
As I enter the 3rd week of the cold from hell inbetween coughing fits I think of so many questions about this trip I don't know where to start....
In one of the pix of 2 tents, it looks like one is just a rain fly, not a full tent? Did you carry a full tent but just decide to put up the fly or is that what you depended on for the whole tent?
Zen carried a full tent. I used a Silshelter, which is a rain fly shaped like a tent, or a floorless single-walled tent. I figured I didn't need bug protection in October (would have carried a bug screen to cover my face while sleeping if I did). The Silshelter weighs 14 oz, my poles about 2 oz, and a ground cloth of about 2 oz. The shelter worked quite well. I had lots of condensation inside it the first night, but awoke to fog so that was unavoidable. The 2nd night I had no condensation.
Did you camp alone when Zen took her break? Was it OK - (well I guess it was since you got back to tell about it) but how was it?
I camped alone one night. It was fine. No bears trying to get my food - I hung it well. There was something splashing in the river nearby after dark. I'm used to camping alone.
What kinds of things did you bring and never use? Would you stil bring them again for a 2nd trip?
I didn't get to use my new warm but lightweight Primaloft jacket because it was pretty warm the beginning of the week when I was camping. Would have used it later in the week if I had been camping then. I never used one of the 4 pairs of socks I brought. Otherwise I think I used everything except the 2nd alcohol stove and my comb which I never could find until I got home, and my rain pants. I came home with 3 1-person dinners due to less camping than planned. Ate almost all of my lunch food.
What was the best/most useful thing you brought along? Funniest? Biggest waste of space?
A small 8-9-10 open end wrench. I almost didn't bring this because it doesn't fit anything on my bike (4&5 mm allens cover everything on my bike) but it got used several times on Zen's bike and DB's bike for fender adjustments. The chain tool and fiberfix spokes didn't get used.
Bugs?
Mosquitoes bothered me at the 2nd campsite. They didn't bother me inside my tent, just while fixing dinner and the next morning.
How crowded was it? Were you always in sight of other riders or a couple miles apart? Were the campsites crowded? Did you ever have to go on the the next camp because the 1st choice was full up?
The 2nd night I avoided the campsite before town because it had no water and was already occupied by one person. The next campsite after town had water and was unoccupied, so I stayed there.
Flat tires? Mechanical problems? Did your bikes get totally filthy and need to be hosed down before riding again?
7rider's flat was a leaking patch and not a puncture. My bike came home filthy, but not nearly as bad as my canal ride in May when I was sloshing through mud puddles. We had dry trail all week, so only dust this time.
madscot13
10-21-2008, 05:59 PM
thank you for the great information!
So, Mad, are you gonna be around for an outing next spring or fall?
I'm going back to the Paw Paw tunnel next year...
madscot13
10-21-2008, 09:00 PM
you hungry for some tropical fruit? I'm not sure what will be going on next year. I'm living by the moment.:D
I finally got around to cleaning my bike this morning. Hadn't ridden it since I came home from the C&O trip. Took me 3 hours to clean the frame, chain, chainrings (disassembled them to clean between), etc and relube. Yeah, it was dirty. I haven't cleaned the wheels or repacked the hubs yet - just swapped wheels for now. Then I rode 14 miles to a meeting and rode home.
Ha!
I cleaned my bike today too.
But I just sprayed on some Simple Green then hosed it off. I'll do the real dirty work this week.
7rider
10-26-2008, 03:47 PM
You're supposed to clean your bike?? :confused:
;)
divingbiker
10-26-2008, 03:55 PM
You're supposed to clean your bike?? :confused:
;)
Hrumph, Miss "I cleaned the Buzz thoroughly the day after we got back". Took me till Tuesday night, (and since I don't know how to take the cassette off that of course didn't get done.)
7rider
10-26-2008, 04:04 PM
Hrumph, Miss "I cleaned the Buzz thoroughly the day after we got back". Took me till Tuesday night, (and since I don't know how to take the cassette off that of course didn't get done.)
Yeah, well, geez, but I didn't take the CHAINRINGS apart!! :eek:
Besides...it wasn't my bike, and you KNOW I'd catch heck if I didn't!
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.2 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.