Cumberland to Gaylord, WV - June 7
Bad choice of camp spots! Just across the tow path was a train yard and I swear they were running all night long! Although it did give me time to think about plans for getting to the Ohio.
For the last day or so I'd ask people along the way what they thought was the best way to get to the Ohio. I told them I was thinking of shipping everything to Parkersburg, WV and then riding my bike the 170 or so miles to Parkersburg. They would look at my bike and would say, "Maybe you should think about going to Pittsburgh. You can get on the Alleghany River once you get over the divide and there also is a bike path all the way to Pittsburgh." Most felt this was the better and easier route. They all said going to Parkersburg on a bike by way of highway 50 would be very tough.
So, this morning I made my decision. I'm going to Parkersburg! Plans are to get to town and rent a car and drive my gear to Parkersburg and then come back and ride my bike over.
I was able to get a rental car (last one of 4 they had). I took the freeway over to Clarksburg and then was able to take Highway 50 into Parkersburg. (50 became 4 lanes in Clarksburg). This took about 6 hours. I hid my gear in the woods behind a group of motels about three miles from Parkersburg. Turned around and went back to Cumberland. This took about 6 or maybe 6 and half h0urs.
By around 3:30 I was pedaling. This little bike is great. I was climbing the mountain road as well, if not better than I could with the Cannondale bike I used when I did my perimeter ride. Ride was tough but not that tough. Once on top of the first grade there where many miles of very nice rolling hill riding. Countryside was beautiful. Reminded me a lot of home. Especially around the area where my mother grew up - Prairie Farm, WI.
Well, like usual I wanted to get as far as I could. Ended up riding with my head lamp on and it was raining.
Oh yes, I did prepare!
Note:
(I did not have a place to carry gear on this bike, like a tent or sleeping bag, so what I did was buy a little backpack. Also bought an eight by eight light tarp which I would use for a tent and put as much warm clothing as I had in the pack, along with some food. )
Ended up that I did not have to camp in the rain. A guy came along and gave me a lift to a motel just down the road. Very nice! See, by planning ahead and camping outside Cumberland yesterday, I figured I coud afford this night in a motel. Besides, it's raining!
Biking went well, although my knee is quite swollen, will need to ice it!
For the last day or so I'd ask people along the way what they thought was the best way to get to the Ohio. I told them I was thinking of shipping everything to Parkersburg, WV and then riding my bike the 170 or so miles to Parkersburg. They would look at my bike and would say, "Maybe you should think about going to Pittsburgh. You can get on the Alleghany River once you get over the divide and there also is a bike path all the way to Pittsburgh." Most felt this was the better and easier route. They all said going to Parkersburg on a bike by way of highway 50 would be very tough.
So, this morning I made my decision. I'm going to Parkersburg! Plans are to get to town and rent a car and drive my gear to Parkersburg and then come back and ride my bike over.
I was able to get a rental car (last one of 4 they had). I took the freeway over to Clarksburg and then was able to take Highway 50 into Parkersburg. (50 became 4 lanes in Clarksburg). This took about 6 hours. I hid my gear in the woods behind a group of motels about three miles from Parkersburg. Turned around and went back to Cumberland. This took about 6 or maybe 6 and half h0urs.
By around 3:30 I was pedaling. This little bike is great. I was climbing the mountain road as well, if not better than I could with the Cannondale bike I used when I did my perimeter ride. Ride was tough but not that tough. Once on top of the first grade there where many miles of very nice rolling hill riding. Countryside was beautiful. Reminded me a lot of home. Especially around the area where my mother grew up - Prairie Farm, WI.
Well, like usual I wanted to get as far as I could. Ended up riding with my head lamp on and it was raining.
Oh yes, I did prepare!
Note:
(I did not have a place to carry gear on this bike, like a tent or sleeping bag, so what I did was buy a little backpack. Also bought an eight by eight light tarp which I would use for a tent and put as much warm clothing as I had in the pack, along with some food. )
Ended up that I did not have to camp in the rain. A guy came along and gave me a lift to a motel just down the road. Very nice! See, by planning ahead and camping outside Cumberland yesterday, I figured I coud afford this night in a motel. Besides, it's raining!
Biking went well, although my knee is quite swollen, will need to ice it!
posted by Coach at 4:05 PM
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