Mules first tour.
06-13-09, 11:05 AM
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Mules first tour.
Spent the last couple years thinking about touring, and this winter finally getting ready. Decided the Coraopolis to DC trail system would be a good choice for a first solo touring effort. What a great experience! 6 days, 423 miles covering all kinds of terrain, weather and overnight accommodations. It's an absolutely beautiful route, with plenty of history available and great little towns to poke around in.
First couple days were pretty straight forward on crushed limestone, great scenery and temperate weather. Days 2 & 3 were the long rise over the continental divide. A pretty easy grade most of the way, but 5 or so hours of it was still a good challenge with the weather edging close to 90 and a full load of touring gear. The reverse ride down to Cumberland is about the most fun I've had on a bike.
Day 4 was my longest day, hitting 96 miles so I could get close to Antietam for day 5 in order to tour the battlefield by bike. Spent a good bit of day 5 tooling around Antietam and Sharpsburg until the forecasted weather system started to roll in. Arrived that night in Brunswick Md. just as the town was shutting down and with dire forecasts of severe thunderstorms for the evening. Grabbed a quick oatmeal dinner and got camp squared away just as the storms arrived and kept thrashing throughout the night.
Woke up the next morning after what little sleep was to be had (did I mention trains run through Brunswick pretty close to on the hour), to low overhanging clouds and more rain threatening. Chatted up one of the locals and learned that with the rain front heading our way I could possibly be a guest in Brunswick for the next 2-3 days. Not really wanting that experience I decided to try my luck and head out. The next 6.5 hours were spent pedaling through rain, mud and water, often with thick mud covering over the rims. Pulled into DC pretty exhausted but feeling pretty darn good about the whole experience.
Now, where to next?
Here's my photo record of the ride.
https://www.photoedge.com/test/2133.html
Edited to add: Thanks a million to all the experienced tourers who share on this board. It makes it a whole lot easier for the rookies to get started.
First couple days were pretty straight forward on crushed limestone, great scenery and temperate weather. Days 2 & 3 were the long rise over the continental divide. A pretty easy grade most of the way, but 5 or so hours of it was still a good challenge with the weather edging close to 90 and a full load of touring gear. The reverse ride down to Cumberland is about the most fun I've had on a bike.
Day 4 was my longest day, hitting 96 miles so I could get close to Antietam for day 5 in order to tour the battlefield by bike. Spent a good bit of day 5 tooling around Antietam and Sharpsburg until the forecasted weather system started to roll in. Arrived that night in Brunswick Md. just as the town was shutting down and with dire forecasts of severe thunderstorms for the evening. Grabbed a quick oatmeal dinner and got camp squared away just as the storms arrived and kept thrashing throughout the night.
Woke up the next morning after what little sleep was to be had (did I mention trains run through Brunswick pretty close to on the hour), to low overhanging clouds and more rain threatening. Chatted up one of the locals and learned that with the rain front heading our way I could possibly be a guest in Brunswick for the next 2-3 days. Not really wanting that experience I decided to try my luck and head out. The next 6.5 hours were spent pedaling through rain, mud and water, often with thick mud covering over the rims. Pulled into DC pretty exhausted but feeling pretty darn good about the whole experience.
Now, where to next?
Here's my photo record of the ride.
https://www.photoedge.com/test/2133.html
Edited to add: Thanks a million to all the experienced tourers who share on this board. It makes it a whole lot easier for the rookies to get started.
Last edited by dewaday; 06-13-09 at 11:16 AM. Reason: Forgot credit where credit is due.
06-14-09, 01:31 AM
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Awesome, Dewaday! Glad you had a nice time in spite of the rain and mud. Being pretty much a desert dweller, I`ve never had any serious rain on any camping trips. Did you fare pretty well through the night in the storm? How did you feel during and after you long ride on four? Very nice pics, by the way.
06-14-09, 01:40 AM
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That's sounds great. I'm not a tourer and probably never will be but I love hearing about everyones adventures. Thanks for sharing!
Last edited by mustang1; 06-14-09 at 01:41 AM. Reason: Spelling mistake
06-14-09, 03:36 AM
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Thanks. I'd love to try the desert experience sometime, but there's nothing quite like waiting out a good storm in a tent, as long as you stay above water. Wasn't sure I was going to be able to pull off day 4 and it felt great to actually do it. I never thought I'd tour either, but I kept coming back to this board and reading reports, and 2 years later....there be danger here mustang.
