Georgetown

WASHINGTON, D.C.

After 12 years, I can claim finish to my Pittsburgh to D.C. ride. If I want to.

In 2001, Andrew and I rode out from D.C. but via the W&OD to Leesburg. We did not pick up the C&O Canal Towpath until Whites Ferry. In 2004 I rode from Pittsburgh to D.C. but bailed on the C&O at Fletcher’s Lock, jumping instead to the Capital Crescent Trail. I have never ridden the entire length of the C&O.

My sister, Betsy, and her husband, Tom Plietz, left on Thursday for a five day trip from Pittsburgh to D.C. I decided to ride with them on their final day. They started from Harpers Ferry. I started from D.C.

I took the trail I knew, the Capital Crescent up to Fletcher’s Lock then jumped on the C&O. When I got near Great Falls I realized I had never been on this path before. When I came back this way in 2004 we had to detour around the Widewater section. But the trail goes through here and it is gorgeous.

I didn’t take the time for photos as I was trying to meet Betsy and Tom. After I passed Riley’s lock I saw a man standing right in my path. And for good reason. He was watching a snake. I went around him and around said snake – a copperhead. Yikes!

I rode farther west/north and saw Betsy and Tom. I said “hi” as I passed them just chuckling to see if they would notice. I think they did.

Tom and Betsy at Riley's Lock — Tom and Betsy at Riley’s Lock

I turned around and we headed back. We pulled into Great Falls for lunch. I’m all about being green but this place is ridiculous. They sell concession food, hotdogs and hamburgers and the like. But they follow “Colorado rules,” i.e., carry in carry out. They have no trash cans. Now this is good if you drove there and you can put your trash in your car.

Don't buy concessions at Great Falls — Don’t buy concessions at Great Falls

But I was on a bike and had no free pockets or bags to carry my trash. This is what happens when you put bureaucrats in charge of policy. It really wasn’t well thought out. In truth, it kept me from purchasing what I needed.

We moved on and I tried to keep a pace so Betsy & Tom could meet their train. When we came to Fletcher’s lock, Betsy was feeling pavement but Tom wanted to ride the entire length of the C&O, so we did. As you reach Georgetown you have to search to find the towpath (hint: it switches sides) and then locate the end.

Even when I rode, I never found, nor did I go looking for, MP-0. It is located by the Thompson Boat House right on the Potomac. We made out way to it then I escorted them to Union Station.

I was a little worried about being pressed for time but never told them. I got them to their train as it was boarding for Pittsburgh. Perfect.

And in the end, I can now say I have ridden the entire length of the canal. And kudos to Tom and Betsy for their five day journey.

IDAHO SPRINGS, COLORADO

This was my last day to ride in Colorado before flying back home tomorrow. I drove to Boulder and picked up Ki Young Kim. We followed the suggested GPS route to Idaho Springs until we reached US 6. I told Ki Young I wanted to follow that road. We did and it was beautiful. Canyons. Tunnels. We took it slow and enjoyed the ride, even pulling over at one point to let faster traffic past.

Once in Idaho Springs we parked in the municipal lot and rode west towards Georgetown and Loveland Pass. This was three parts knowledge and two parts “feel.” I had ridden this route in the opposite direction last year as part of Ride the Rockies. But everything looks different when you ride backward and there are no people to follow.

We made it to Georgetown and through the parking lot of the Georgetown Loop Railroad. We followed the trail and I immediately was shocked at the steepness. We climbed to the upper section of the trail, not knowing how far the trail head was. One picks up the trail in the railroad parking lot to the top of the railroad line then gets back on a road that parallels I-70. I remembered riding the road last year but not the length of it.

I had planned to visit my grandmother’s cousin, Dale States, in the afternoon. I figured we had time for 40 miles total. We found the entrance to the wooded trail alongside I-70 and started up it. But I did not know how far it was until it ended at the Loveland Ski Aura. I knew I could not ride much longer – as in another 5-6 miles uphill. But another mile I could handle. Then we turned around.

This wasn’t the best day for Colorado hospitality. In Georgetown some driver yelled at us and on the upper road a 15-passenger van honked at and buzzed me. Love the roads but you can keep your drivers, Colorado.

On our climb we had battled tremendous headwinds and were to enjoy some temporary tailwinds. We rolled, both hitting 49 mph. I can’t believe I couldn’t squeeze out one more mile per hour.

At Georgetown I was almost blown off my bike by a cross wind. And then the tailwinds turned into massive headwinds. We took turns rotating at the front but we both worked hard. It was probably the hardest I had worked going downhill.

It was a beautiful day and a great ride. I wish I had time to get at least to Loveland Ski Area. It looked like we were still about four miles short. Maybe next time.

Tag: Georgetown

Finished the Canal