Weekend bike "trip report"

[jim-ratliff]

Svend and I did some riding on the C&O trail along the edge of the Potomac River this weekend.  There are a lot of connections with history in the area, some we visited, some may get visited at some later point.  A great weekend of riding and picture taking (even though it was a bit "misty" Saturday morning). Svend took more pictures, hopefully his local work scheduled will allow him to post a select few.


The C&O Canal starts in Georgetown in Washington, DC and goes to Cumberland, MD 185 miles upstream.  We went riding around milemarker 70 the first day and mile marker 100 the second.
The Great Allegheny Passage starts near Pittsburgh, PA, and connects to the C&O 141 miles later at Cumberland. Those that are so inclined (and we met a few who were) can ride their bikes from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC.
Things of interest, but the two tunnels were too far away. Another time.
Paw-Paw Tunnel. The river gorge didn't leave them any option, so they cut a tunnel through the mountain and ran the canal through the tunnel.
Big Savage Mountain Tunnel. This was a railroad tunnel, restored for the bike trail.  Svend found this excellent video.  http://www.wqed.org/ondemand/onq.php?id=18&tab=2
Harper's Ferry.  At the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, and a rail hub for trains to the Shenandoah valley and those heading into the Ohio valley. Object of John Brown's unsuccessful raid, and also captured by the Confederacy early in the war.  More than 15,000 rifles were burned and destroyed by the Union as they retreated.
Potomac River Dam4.  Built to supply water to the canal, completed in 1860 and still standing.  Shelled by Stonewall Jackson's troops from across the river in an attempt to interdict the supply line that the canal provided (and maybe in hopes of crossing the river and taking control of the canal).
Antietam. Where they did cross the river and fought the first battle of the Civil War on Northern soil, and triggered the single bloodiest day in American military history.  More than 23,000 men died from Sept. 6-8 of 1862.  I've driven the battlefield tour, almost sickening to hear them describe a 1/4 mile lane called Sunken Road (later called Bloody Lane), men fighting on among the piles of bodies of their fallen comrades.

First picture looking from Maryland across the Potomac at Dam 4.
Picture 2 is across the river from Harpers Ferry standing on the Canal towpath.  There is a footbridge attached to the railroad bridge on the right that allows you to walk across the river to Harper's Ferry (which is behind me in the picture).
The third picture is from the grounds of the Harpers Ferry National Park looking up the hill into town. The railroad track runs on the trestle in the foreground from the tunnel behind, keeping it above river flood stage.

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[midwif]

Some nice pics.
Where's the one of you and Svend??

As you wish, Buttercup!    
Harper's Ferry is behind us, picture is looking down the Potomac, railroad tunnel is to viewer's left.

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[bushwacka]

really pretty pictures! still have yet to do the whole thing but have done to Big Savage and back. Its a pretty ride.

[jim-ratliff]

really pretty pictures! still have yet to do the whole thing but have done to Big Savage and back. Its a pretty ride.

Josh:  What was the length of the grade on each side of the Big Savage tunnel?  I assume that it's not very steep but maybe a steady 5-6% grade for a couple of miles on each side?  Where did you start and turn around?  I think it would be a really pretty ride in the fall once the leaves start changing color.  Do you remember if its paved and could be done by road bike, or gravel and cinders?

[Svend]

Ditto what Jim said -- it was a great couple of days of riding.  Bumping into history around every bend, it seemed.  Fascinating to see the old canal structures -- locks, lock-keepers houses, aqueducts to get the boats over a low spot, such as a small river or stream.  Exploring the little town of Harpers Ferry was an unexpected bonus.  The whole area is steeped in history, and made for most interesting riding.  Jim was very patient with me, as I was constantly off my bike to snap another photo or two.

In case anyone has the interest to go there, I spoke to some locals yesterday at a site where I was working near Williamsport, and asked them where the best bits of the trail were to be found.  Apparently the stretch between Big Pool, MD, and Old Towne, MD, is very scenic.  Lots of steep hills (mountains?), cliffs, tunnels -- anything but flat and boring.  I'll be back next year, and plan to ride some of that area with Jim.

Another recommendation from the locals is for you Roadies with a fetish for hard tires:  the same area has the Western Maryland Rail Trail, which is paved!  Supposedly there are 40 miles of riding to be had, through some very pretty countryside. 

Here is my contribution to the picture gallery....

Pic 1 -- remnants of one of the many stone locks that we passed, and the lock-keepers house

Pic 2 -- Jim emerging from his new-found winter den

Pic 3 -- lock and house beside the Harpers Ferry rail bridge - the juxtaposition is interesting, as it was the railways that put the canals out of business

Pic 4 -- Jim looking bright in yellow and blue.....he must be taking fashion cues from Gary 



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