Bike/Camping Along Part of the C&O Towpath ~ Day 2 of 3

Had to stop and fix my front pannier rack which kept slipping when I'd hit a bump

Although I didn't need to use them, I was relieved to discover that the water pump handles at the hiker/biker campsites had been installed for the season just a few days prior.

Virginia bluebells were in peak bloom

Biking into White's Ferry

I stopped by the store for a morning Gatorade and snack.

Ferry still not in service due to a land dispute

Big snapping turtle waking up from a winter's nap

Big maple tree near Dickerson Conservation Park

Baby snapper on the towpath

Dickerson power plant

One of my favorite landmarks along the towpath: The Monacacy Aqueduct.

Point of Rocks

Camp for the night: Brunswick Family Campground

 My allergies were out of control the night before. So stuffed up, then my nose would run like a faucet, headache. Somehow, I managed to sleep through the night despite those issues. Woke up groggy, but ready for another day. Coffee would do me good. My allergies were probably due to the fact that the tree leaves were just starting to bud and I was camped in grass. Usually I have a couple bad days of allergies in the spring, and then I'm good to go for the rest of the spring/summer. In hindsight, this was the case once again.

The morning temperatures were perfect for riding, and once again, found myself really, really enjoying the morning bike ride. Before long, I was in White's Ferry and stopped for a short break and snack. Several other bikers were coming and going, as well as a few other visitors. North of White's Ferry felt like a dreamland, as Virginia Bluebells, in peak bloom, lined both sides of the towpath. It was a feast for the eyes, colors everywhere. I was fascinated how different it looked compared to the usual green tunnel in the summer. An older woman, a C&O towpath volunteer asked me where I camped the night before. She said it was the perfect time to see the bluebells along the river. I had to agree. Later, I saw a red tailed hawk swoop down and pick a snake out of the canal.

By the time I reached the Monocacy Aqueduct, it began to cloud up a bit, although temps were still warm. Eventually I arrived in Point of Rocks where I was hoping to buy a sub sandwich from the deli. I was sad to see that it was closed when I arrived. I'm not sure if it was closed for the day or permanently. Hard to tell these days. Instead, I ate a snack under a pavilion in town. My left knee started to hurt a little, which concerned me a bit. I've had two knee surgeries on it a long time ago. My knee never really gave me any issue on all of the hikes I have done. But it was definitely hurting and feeling tender from riding the bike. I had to push on 5 more miles to get to the Brunswick Family Campground for the night, and just tried not to put too much pressure on it.

Just as it began to rain a little, I reached the campground in Brunswick and scored a campsite in the field. There were only a few other campers there for the night, so it made for a really peaceful evening. I've always liked the campground, despite the train noises. It adds to the experience in my opinion. I was treated to a really nice sunset in the evening. Another great day overall... 

Bike/Camping Along Part of the C&O towpath ~ Day 1 of 3

Started at lock 22

Wildflowers everywhere

Aqueduct

Potomac River

Phlox lined C&O towpath

Camp for the night: Chisel Branch

Peaceful, warm evening

 Last summer, while hiking the C&O towpath, I met a young couple on one of my last nights on the trail. They were fellow "trail family" and had hiked several long distance trails around the country and world. When I met them, they were bike touring down the towpath. The guy had mentioned that they threw the trip together on a whim. In fact, there was nothing fancy about their set up. The guy had a beat up little wooden trailer hitched to his beat up mountain bike, with his minimal gear packed into the trailer. It was a "eureka" moment for me. I'd always wanted to attempt some bike touring, but always overthought it, and then eventually gave up on the idea. This couple was proving that you didn't need to overthink it. Just pack up your camping gear onto a bike and go!

Fast for forward to about three weeks ago. Just after daylight savings, I happened to dust off my bike and throw it into my car and took a 30 minute ride down the C&O towpath after work. It was my first time on a bike in a couple years, and my legs could feel it. The following day, I did it again, and then the day after as well. While out there, I remembered the couple, and thought, "I'd like to try some bike/camping." I had a spring break coming up with nothing planned. I had about a week and a half to get ready. In the sprit of the couple that I met last year, I decided not to overthink it. I had a bike. I have camping gear, I just needed some bags to hold it. I bought some panniers from Amazon, and a back rack. I didn't realize I needed a front rack for the front panniers, so I bought one from a local bike shop a day before leaving. After installing the racks, I attached the panniers, threw in my camping gear and was just about ready to go! I was amazed how much space the panniers had. My backpacking gear fit inside the panniers easily with extra space. I bought a couple extra inner tubes and a hand pump in case I got a flat. Threw in a few tools. Bought some food for a few days. I wasn't sure about the water situation along the canal, so I packed about a gallon and a half. My bike was heavy, but ready.

I didn't even test ride before hitting the towpath. The path would be my test. On Wednesday, April 13, I drove to lock 22 on the warmest day of the year so far. Temps were already hitting 80 degrees, and the first buds and leaves were starting to pop on trees. I was nervous. The same way I felt on my first backpacking trip over 20 years ago. Back then I was scared that my back or knees would give out with the weight of the backpack. This time, I was scared that my bike would break or tip over and be completely out of balance from all the weight I was carrying. My back and knees obviously did not give out on the trail 20 years ago, and within 5 minutes I was saying "I love this!" This time, the same thing happened. I pushed off on my bike, took a second to get my balance, and before long, was comfortably cruising down the towpath in the warm breeze, surrounded by wildflowers, looking out over the Potomac River, exclaiming "I love this!"

On day one, I took lots of breaks and didn't go far at all. In fact, I only rode for an hour and a half or so, going 10 miles until I saw an inviting, peaceful camp site, called Chisel Branch. My bike worked wonderfully during that stretch, and I was satisfied with the systems doing their job. I set up camp around 4:30. I explored some of the area around the camp. looking at different plants, and turtles in the canal. Eventually, another bike rider arrived. He had been biking since Cleveland Ohio. After dinner, the sun began to set. It was still warm and comfortable. The forest filled with the sounds of cicadas and frogs, and crickets. It was a great first day.

Winter's Last Hurrah

Potomac River

Saw this fox hunting frogs

First of the Virginia Bluebells

Winter's Last Hurrah today

 Today, hopefully, is winter's last hurrah. Its currently snowing as I type this and the wind is howling outside my window. Yesterday was in the 60's. Monday will return to the 60's and warmer weather appears to be staying all next week. Masks have become optional and are coming off in local schools for the first time in two years. Spring will be here, and the woods will be coming back to life. Early wildflowers are already on the scene although covered with snow, at least for today. The light is becoming brighter by the day. Birds are getting louder in the mornings when I wake up for work. I hope to get more hikes in after work as daylight savings time returns tomorrow. 

February

 Hard to believe February is already wrapping up.  The pandemic appears to be winding down again, as restrictions and mandates are slowly being lifted around the area. Around Maryland, the month has shown us winter, then spring, then winter again, back to spring again. The first wildflowers began popping out of the earth early in the month when we had a string of sunny days in the mid 50's. Then we had a little more snow, followed by the first 70-degree day of 2022. As we approach the end of the month, the spring peepers (frogs) have already come out of the earth to begin their mating rituals in the vernal pools, after our first warmish night of rain a few days ago. The sunlight is beginning to brighten as the sun slowing increases its trajectory through the sky. Looking forward to the next few weeks as my favorite time of year begins...