How'd the C&O Canal ride go, ladies? Pictures?

[7rider]

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.
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!