[Part 3] First Bicycle Tour - Riding the GAP-C&O Trail from Pittsburgh to D.C.

This post covers the third day of a bike tour from Pittsburgh to D.C. in July 2017.

Day 3 took us into farm country. I really liked riding through woods but this was a nice surprising change of scenery. There were even what appeared to be some kind of wild turkeys hanging out in the road. Being so close to the trains make it difficult for people to sleep at night, but I really never noticed it. It was great to be able to take a bicycle on a route only previously accessible to trains.

I think I have an immature sense of humor, but this couldn't be a real name, could it?

We reached the Eastern Continental Divide, which divides the the Gulf of Mexico watershed from the Atlantic Seaboard watershed. This is also the highest point on the trail. From here on, it is mostly downhill, although we would later have to hike over a mountain to get past a closed tunnel. While the trail goes downhill, some of the towns are at a higher elevation, so there is actually more climbing ahead.

Perhaps the coolest thing about this ride is the Big Savage Tunnel. At 3294 feet long, it is the longest tunnel on the trail. It is closed in winter, if you ever find yourself attempting this ride in colder temperatures.

I was unable to get a decent photo within the tunnel. While inside, it gave me a weird feeling as the light at the end never seemed to get closer. For a time, it felt as if I were not moving at all, even as I continued pedaling. It was just a strange feeling that some people get while others don't. It was actually pretty cool.

Shortly after the Big Savage Tunnel, we reached the Mason Dixon Line.

Frostburg sat up on a high hill. They built a weaving trail that made it easier to get at least halfway up toward the town. There was some cool bicycle art. It's nice seeing how these towns are paying attention to the bicycle tourism that is helping their economy.

By the end of the day we made it to the end of the GAP, in Cumberland, MD. From here, it becomes the C&O Canal Towpath. We would stay the night here, but first we really needed to do some laundry. If you are in Cumberland, look for a place called Suds. This place is a laundromat with a bar behind it, accessed from the alley. Why are there not more of these?

I'll have part 4 soon with adventure on the C&O Trail as we follow a canal that's been closed nearly 100 years.