What more do I need/need to do?

[owlice]

I'm going on my first top-to-bottom ride of the C&O Canal towpath (184 miles). I'm taking it easy: 5 days, 43-40-40-18-40, or thereabouts. I'm staying in lodging along the way, not camping. I've made my reservations for every night except my last one, and will do that soon.

I've had my bike tuned up, put a rack on it, gotten panniers and a rear blinky, and have a rear trunk, mini pump, and headlights coming. I already have CO2 cartridges and the CO2 dispenser-thingie, patch kit, tire wrenches, and a multitool. I have extra tubes.

From the BikeWashington website, I have the following list of things to take; stuff I don't have are in red:

* Bug Repellent (IMPORTANT!)
* Extra Tube (IMPORTANT!)
* Patch Kit (IMPORTANT)
* Tire Pump
* Bell or Horn (Required by NPS)
* Extra Spokes
* Dual Water Bottles or Camelback
* Multi-use Bike Tool
* Chain Lube
* Pocket Knife
* Helmet
* Eye Wear (Sunglasses)
* Bike Lock
* Sun Screen
* Towel
* Clothes
* Padded Bike Shorts
* Power Bars
* ID, Credit, Cash
* Flashlight (for Paw Paw Tunnel)
* First Aid Kit
* Matches or Lighter
* Toiletries
* Wet Towelettes
* Trash Bags
* Miscellaneous (always useful)

Matches? Really? And I'm not taking sunscreen, as the towpath is well-shaded. Extra spokes? I (alas!) wouldn't know what to do with them!

I'll also take:

* a little duct tape
* thermal blanket (space blanket)
* cell phone and cell charger
* camera

How many pairs of bike shorts should I take? (Do people take one pair and just wash them out every night?) How many extra tubes? (I'm thinking three.)

I don't have rain gear or a jacket of any kind. I think I'll be okay without these items, since I'm riding in September and am taking my time on the trip; I should be able to wait out a thunderstorm. I cannot wait out a monsoon, but fortunately, those are rare in Maryland.

I have someone coming to feed and water the resident beasties, and will ask a neighbor to feed my accidental cats (outdoor ferals) and collect my mail.

Is there anything I'm forgetting? Anything on the list above I shouldn't take? Will everything fit in what I have to carry everything in?!

Any and all advice is most welcome; thanks!!

[Eden]

I'd take at least 2 pairs of shorts - then you won't be stuck in a wet chamois (ick!) if they don't dry over night. Also, if there's anything that rubs at all in your shorts (and you may not find this out until you wear them several days in a row), you won't be wearing the same ones day after day and irritating the same spot.

[Becky]

+1 on at least two pairs of shorts.

If it were me, I would take the extra spoke and spoke wrench, and a chain tool. Something to boot a tire with might be handy, as would a mini pump on the bike.

I'd also bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and bug stuff, but that may be a matter of personal preference. I burn easily, have light eyes, and mosquitos think I'm the main dish.

Have fun!

[Selkie]

I
I don't have rain gear or a jacket of any kind. I think I'll be okay without these items, since I'm riding in September and am taking my time on the trip; I should be able to wait out a thunderstorm. I cannot wait out a monsoon, but fortunately, those are rare in Maryland.

Remember Isabel? Just kidding, I'm sure you won't head out if we have a tropical depression heading our way.

Last Friday, we had monsoon-like thunderstorms. But they lasted about a half hour---I got soaked going from the car to my house. Luckily, I was coming from the pool and had my wet swim suit under my "dry land" clothes.

Remember to have a great time! I'm looking forward to reading your ride report and seeing your pictures.

[OakLeaf]

eIf it's too dark for sunglasses, wear clear lenses (whenever you ride). Don't risk your eyesight!

If your shorts don't dry overnight (and in most hotels, air circulation is poor and hardly anything will dry in less than 18 hours), bungie your wet things on the outside of your luggage. They'll dry while you ride.

Use hotel shampoo for laundry detergent. It leaves much less residue than bar soap and degreases better. After rinsing, roll your laundry in a bath towel and kneel on it to squeeze out as much water as you can.

Bring some "civilian" clothes - shorts or drawstring pants, undies, a dry bra, a t-shirt, and flipflops or Chinese cloth shoes for going to dinner.

Have fun!

[Cataboo]

I'd bring bugspray. Mosquitos can be vicious.

[Biciclista]

You're in bug country!

and yes, clear or yellow glasses for riding in shady areas. The last thing you want is a bug (or something else) in your eye.

I always wear glasses, in fact, the few times I didn't - I noticed my eyes getting dry and scratchy.

[Kalidurga]

I never use bug spray, but this summer's been so wet that the insect population has exploded. The towpath has been especially bad and I actually broke down and bought bug wipes at the bike shop in Hancock when I was riding up there two weeks ago. So +100 on the bug repellent recommendations.

For the same reason, +1 on the recommendation for sunglasses with interchangeable lenses. You'll be glad you have clear lenses if you ride at dusk. The gnat clouds get pretty big. And try not to ride with your mouth open unless you want an unexpected snack

Last, the number one rule of C&O riding, especially for a summer like this one: Never run over a stick unless you are positive that it is a stick.

[Eden]

You will likely want a jacket so some sort for mornings and maybe even knee warmers or tights, as it will probably be cool. The trash bags on your list can be used as a rain jacket in a pinch!

[Biciclista]

not sure I would recommend running over a stick even if it is a stick, one of the most experienced cyclists I know got a stick stuck in his spokes and went down and broke his collarbone.

[MomOnBike]

My basic rule is not to carry a tool or supply unless I know what to do with it. I, personally, would leave the spare spokes & spoke wrench at the beloved LBS. A broken spoke isn't necessarily a show-stopper for a short trip.

I was taught to never to anywhere without matches & a knife. They are light, and if you need either one, there is no good substitute.

I'd take one extra tube and a patch kit. Change out the tube (if necessary) and that evening, in the comfort of your hotel room, patch the other.

I'd take 2, maybe 3 total bike outfits - shirt, shorts, socks, bra. Pack each outfit in a plastic bag and off you go. Some hotels have washers and dryers (!) for guest use, use those if you can.

Off-the-bike loose clothing is vital. Just take something lightweight and loose.

You will forget something you need. You will also take things you don't need. Don't worry about it, but learn from your experience.

Take your camera. Don't forget to take pictures. Take a notebook and journal your day. You'll appreciate the record of what you've done some dreary January day.

Take a spirit of adventure and a sense of humor.

[Selkie]

I never use bug spray, but this summer's been so wet that the insect population has exploded. The towpath has been especially bad and I actually broke down and bought bug wipes at the bike shop in Hancock when I was riding up there two weeks ago. So +100 on the bug repellent recommendations.

For the same reason, +1 on the recommendation for sunglasses with interchangeable lenses. You'll be glad you have clear lenses if you ride at dusk. The gnat clouds get pretty big. And try not to ride with your mouth open unless you want an unexpected snack

Last, the number one rule of C&O riding, especially for a summer like this one: Never run over a stick unless you are positive that it is a stick.

LOL, I saw my husband run over TWO snakes---one heading west and the other on the return trip east---on the C&O. Luckily they were little guys and my husband is a Big Boy.

I wonder how the ticks are along there? We are infested with them here in Arlington (urban area)....

[ny biker]

We're infested with ticks? How did I miss that?

[Kalidurga]

I've never picked up a tick on the C&O. Not that that means no one else ever would, but it's probably less of a problem than bugs.

mickchick: Awwwww, shame on your husband. Poor little snakes...

You will forget something you need. You will also take things you don't need. Don't worry about it, but learn from your experience.

+ a gazillion

[sfa]

I'd bring a rain jacket. We don't get many monsoons in Maryland but when we DO get them, it's in September. Lots of spin-off storms from the Atlantic coast hurricanes--they hit the fall line and stop, dumping a steady rain all day or numerous small storms throughout the day.

+1 on the bug spray. You may not even need it particularly on the bike when you're moving and they aren't so active, but in the evening when you're just hanging around and they are flying around looking for something to devour, you'll be glad of it.

Sarah