Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Historian Inspiring

After riding with Historian I returned this weekend to O&C Trail. With my two older children - 13 and 11 - we started from Harper's Ferry on Saturday and made it to the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday. Total 67 miles, I would go for more, but the point was to break them in, not to break them down - they never ever biked more than 5 miles in one day.
The first day was smooth, the second day I had never ending problems with the trailer. Right before we left I replaced the tube in right wheel and by accident pinched it between the rim and the tire. Sunday morning, leaving the campsite, I noticed it. It was still holding air, but it was softer. I decided to patch it before we leave, but it was one of those tubes with green goo inside and the patch never held:mad:
Five miles down the road I went McGyvier - took the tube out and filled the tire with grass. That held for 9 miles and when we stopped for lunch, I decided to use Scrap tube I had on me - 27" - on the trailer wheel (26"). That tube had a leak on the stem:mad::mad: Using electro tape, I made it last 4 miles. After that I tried electro tape on the original tube, but the green goo just could not be contained. Finally - at Great Falls, 15 miles from DC - I stuck both flat tubes in the tire to give it at least some filling and decided to stick it. Other than that, the ride was very enjoyable. Some pictures to follow.

Side note: street bike is not the best for the trail due to narrow tires, mountain bike would be much nicer to my behind:)

Leaving home - there was no way to get all our gear on bike carriers, I used a trailer in true red neck style:)

The next picture is restored aquadact and the last is Great Falls, there was a small and fairly quiet mutiny, but I convinced the kids it's DC or bust:)

We made it. In front of Lincoln memorial in all our sweaty glory:)

Park policeman in a cruiser stopped by saying: Do you know your tire is flat on that trailer?

Yes, I know, thank you, it's flat for the last 30 miles:)

What is it with you and flats, ScrapMetal? You had one on our ride in June:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3606/3672018624_729a338eb4_b.jpg

Where did you stay overnight on the C & O? Was it one of the free hiker/biker sites, and if so, which one?

It's pretty much a case of mutual admiration and inspiration between ScrapMetal and I. Starting a new life for himself in a strange land, mastering the jawbreaker language English - that's impressive. His knowledge of American history and literature is better than most Americans I've met. I remember an interesting discussion of Jefferson while we were failing to dodge mud puddles back in June.

I'm pleased to see he's taken up bike touring and introducing his children to the hobby.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2432/3671969126_61df6c3728_b.jpg

Thank you for kind words, Neil:)


Flats happen, but I was not ready for it. I am usually much better prepared for bad things happening.

We camped at Turtle Run - 34 mile or so, just past White's Ferry.

Thank you for kind words, Neil:)


Flats happen, but I was not ready for it. I am usually much better prepared for bad things happening.

We camped at Turtle Run - 34 mile or so, just past White's Ferry.

Turtle Run is allegedly buggy and spider infested. Did you have a problem with six and eight legged creatures?

Looks like a fun trip to break in the family.

Leaving home - there was no way to get all our gear on bike carriers, I used a trailer in true red neck style:)The next picture is restore aquadact and the last is Great Falls, there was a small and fairly quiet mutiny, but I convinced the kids it's DC or bust:)

Are those your Airedales?

Neil: No, bugs were on acceptable level - using Off, of course.

ADTII: Yes, Montmorency and Clementine. Airedales from ADT rescue.

Neil: No, bugs were on acceptable level - using Off, of course.

ADTII: Yes, Montmorency and Clementine. Airedales from ADT rescue.

I have had Airedales my whole life. My current Airedale is named Cooper and he is my sixth. Over the years I have had three pups from breeders and 3 adults from rescue. Airedales have been in my family for a very long time. They are great dogs.

Here's a picture of my Cooper at 6 months showing how an Airedale shares water with our neighbor's lab.
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h33/Airedale1/cooper88.jpg

How in the world did your kids last for 67 miles? I don't think I could manage that right now, much less my boys. Have they been riding much? Did you stop often? Sounds fun if you can cover the milage.

We stopped about every hour to stretch. Jakob - he is 11 - complained about hands falling asleep and it took him 50 miles to realize his seat needs negative tilt to be comfy.
It was generally down the hill following the river, but they are great and tough kids - and they have a mean father who makes them last:D

ADTII: These are our second and third airedale. the number one - Buster - died of liver cancer when he was 13 month old. And I agree, they are great dogs.

Sounds like a great trip for you and your family :thumb:. Don't think of it only as an adventure, but also an opportunity to teach them about being prepared and resourceful.

How in the world did your kids last for 67 miles? I don't think I could manage that right now, much less my boys. Have they been riding much? Did you stop often? Sounds fun if you can cover the milage.

It was 67 miles over two days. Scrappie was carrying the camping gear. And the trail has a slight downgrade from Harper's Ferry, which increases in the final 20 miles as you near DC.

Kids, if you make them pace themselves, can turn in surprising mileages. Bike Forums poster "JAGraham" took her 10 year old daughter on the same trail a few years ago. And I've seen a LOT of kids on the GAP and C & O during my three trips.

In August 2008 I spent a night at Dravo Cemetery campground with a Boy Scout Troop. They were preparing for a Pittsburgh to DC trip in 2009, and wanted to get familiar with some basics of bike camping. The route they rode was McKeesport to West Newton (15 miles, IIRC) and then back to Dravo, with a stop off at a public pool and ice cream stand a few miles from the campsite. The kids seemed to have a great time.

This fellow probably weighs less than his gear!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3166/2796561052_23935c0f30_b.jpg

The group rolls out Sunday morning. The Scoutmasters gave me a military ration meal as a gift before leaving.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/2802958110_bc2da0d539_b.jpg

"I've had breakfast, thanks."

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3239/2795700319_ef80b29f20_b.jpg

Thanks for the tips scrapmetal and Historian. I'll try dragging my 11-year old out on some easy trails and see how he does. We hit a short mountain bike trail a few weeks ago and the poor guy only had his single-speed bike so he had to walk up a few hills. He never quit trying, though, and we both had a good time.

Yeah, kids can really surprise you. My son at 11 years old went with me on a trip down the W&OD trail and he made it the 32 miles on a single speed BMX type bike. He's a tough little booger! Still rides with the old man a few times a year and I love it!

VERY good job, Scrap!

I'm jealous. Glad you all had fun, ya must be proud of the youngsters.
I'm hoping to take my son on a trip this year, he's up to 25 miles max so far, not bad for a 6 year old on a single speed IMO. Can't wait till he can tag along on longer trips, should make for some fun summers.

Folks interested in touring with their kids might like this crazyguyonabike tour journal. The author took his 10 year old son on an overnight bike tour to a local park:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=5109&v=1u&term=brian%20youngberg&context=all

And the same author wrote about the Pittsburgh-DC trip I did in June:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=5496&v=5m

Those touring articles were pretty good. I have the trailer, just need to find a suitable route locally! Maybe the short, over-night version to get us started.:thumb: