We have been riding our bicycles every day for over a week. For several hours a day! Today is the day I hit the wall. I’ve heard of this phenomenon. It happens to runners I think. Just nothing left in the tank. That was me today. So so so tired. But I had to go. No choices here ; ) It’s just us and our bicycles.
Luckily today is a low mileage day. Only about 28 miles to get to our destination for the day. I say “day” and not “night” because we want to get there early. Very early. Like lunchtime early. We are staying at the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, WV and they have an incredible INFINITY POOL!!! I am wearing my swim suit under my cycling clothes (which turns out is a bad idea because of chafing) ‘but I’m not wasting a minute to jump into that pool! I’m smiling in this picture because this day’s ride is almost over!
We can always tell when we’re close to town because we see more people walking on the trail and there are boats in the water: a sure sign that we’re close to civilization!
The highlight of this day’s trip was riding around Big Slackwater. 2.7 miles of the towpath was renovated in 2012 and eliminated the need for a long-standing detour. The $19 million restoration project included drilling into bedrock and erecting this concrete pathway along the river. The video above is our ride along Big Slackwater on this pathway along the Potomac River.
After the switchback climb up to the bridge to cross the river, there was only one more hill to climb: the driveway to the Bavarian Inn! Home for the rest of the day and night. What a welcome sight!
I quickly parked my bike and made a beeline for the infinity pool! I was the first one in ; )
right after I got my frozen margarita!
Then me and my margarita spent the rest of the day right there . . . in that pool! Ahhhhh!
Here is a view of the trail from the infinity pool. It’s across the Potomac River at the bottom of the mountain. But no more trail talk today! Today is about relaxing in the pool, and going out to dinner in Harper’s Ferry.
Just look at that view! Spectacular. I think I was sitting there thinking about how far we had come . . . and how far we had yet to go.
My sister-in-law, Becki, had driven out from Pittsburgh to join us at the Bavarian Inn for the day and night. We all went to breakfast together at Betty’s diner in Sheperdstown (and no, I saw no ghosts ; ) in the morning before pedaling for our last night.
We had 42 miles to go to reach out destination. We are staying the night in a lockhouse on the towpath. No electricity, no running water. Should be interesting! There’s also a chance of a passing thunderstorm. Great. I think there’s some unwritten rule or law of the universe: you can’t ride the C&O Canal Towpath without at least one little rain shower. Click here for Day 9.
Please click on the days to catch up: Day 1, Day 2,Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6 & Day 7.
ohhhhh that pool! how gorgeous!
I can’t wait to see how it all ends.
it’s been fun sitting on my couch in the ac watching you ride your butt off! 🙂
gail
That pool was amazing! Thank you for following along!
Wow,
Green, green and green.
Green with blue water, it is amazing!!!
You are so active! That’s great!
Reading about your incredible biking journey from Pittsburgh to DC on Day 8 has truly been an inspiration. Your determination, endurance, and sense of adventure shine through as you conquer the miles and embrace the challenges along the way.
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