Thanks for posting the clip, most excellent, two thumbs up !

I am seriously thinking of shipping my sleeping bag, mattress and tent back home after the night in Cumberland. I figure I won't need them anyway and that is the point where things start getting more difficult. I guess I will see how things go on the first half of the trip.

Or ship them to River Edge CG before the trip and then ship them home from there. Then you won't have to carry them at all.

Brian

Sounds like a lot of fun! I'll be on the trail that weekend going the other way, Cumberland toward PA. Good luck! Maybe we'll pass each other.

Certificate of completion
 

I just found this on the GAP web site, a customizable, printable Certificate of Completion of the GAP & C&O ride.

http://yockatomac.org/certificate.php

Oh Boy! I will be sure to bring some gold stars too! :)

I have a humorous family story about a sticker, remind me to share on the tour. It will help pass the time. :)


This brings up another subject. Are there any artists out there? I was thinking we might want to have signs. It might help to identify us to the day riders that will be joining us.


Also name tags would be nice for a few days. Maybe something that goes on the helmet??

Anyone want to try and tackle this one?

So my bike is on it's way to you spinnaker (well actually to your parent's). Got my fingers cross, it was kind of like seeing my child leave for the first time... take care of her. I guess I really have to go now, so I can at least get her back! :)

Thanks again!

What size is it? That could have a lot to do with it actually getting here or not. :eek:

It's a 56cm... why is someone in need of a bike? ;)

56 huh? Maybe that bike won't get here after all. :innocent:

As the Spin Man is seen hurrying down to the local hardware store for a new can of spray paint. And may it not be a Gawd awful olive green :)

Hem hem, watch out there robow :saweeet:

BTW Spin you'll like my fake rust (all the way from England). It's to make my beautiful bike seem unappealing to thieves... :roflmao2:

Maybe I missed it (this thread is pretty huge), but when will y'all be getting into DC? I'd like to ride that bit if the dates work out.

We arrive in DC June 19. Part time riders should contact The Historian or VT_Speed_TR for arrangements to meet us.

Thanks, spinnaker.

Stopped at my neighbors yesterday to check out some camping equipment and it looks like I now have a single person tent I can borrow for the trip.

Can you believe there are only 3 weeks left! :)

My plan is to go out Sunday night to test the camping gear. I won't be hauling anything on the bike, just car camping.

Two for me!

I knew about the time difference. Do you have longer weeks way out there in the West? :)

2.5 weeks
 

It will be here quickly. I'm going to be mounting up the knobbier tires I brought for this trip in the next day or so. I want to get some miles on them before the trip. I also noticed the rear derailleur is slightly off, so I'll have to adjust that also. I just waterproofed the seams on my tent to insure that we'll have no rain :-)

Brian

Just rode from Pitt to DC last weekend on the trails. If you are on the fence about whether to do it or not, DO IT. I truly enjoyed it. We did get lucky with the weather (75 degrees and sun the whole 5 days except for rain one night). I'm a roadie and thought the trip might be a bit boring. It was fantastic.

We did it self-support (although I hesitate to use that description when we ate in restaurants for most meals). I'm definitely not an expert but if anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

Work has turned on me
 

Sorry I have been absent. Huge plan changes for me. We have had our senior engineer leave the office and not after only a few years I am acting senior till we get someone. Travel here travel there. This also means that the first part of my trip (Erie to Pitt) is out. I will have to meet up with you all friday or Saturday at Boston. I don't have that planned and will do so tomorrow as I am working today also.

For those still planning on leaving cars at my place on the DC side nothing changes and if you are last minute and need a floor that last weekend let me know, there is room. May not be the best place, but there is room and I can provide beverages etc.

So I took a ride today with some weight on the bike - tent, thermarest and sleeping bag on top and little stuff in the bags. I was on a not too rough packed limestone trail and I broke a spoke. This is on my new bike, so I took it back the store where I bought to get fixed and to also check that there are no wheel issues with my year of Fuji Touring bikes.

Get the wheel hand-tensioned and carry a fiber-spoke with you.

My mileage has gone up quite a bit in preparation for the trip. This weekend I did a charity ride, a social ride, and a ride on the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike, all with loaded panniers. It's not the same as pulling a trailer, but it's practice riding with additional weight.