Back in the day, I used to ride my bicycle quite often. I’d say I probably logged somewhere between 40 and 80 miles a week during the summers and falls for a few years. And then the rides whittled to a stopped once I started college.
Lately, I’d be lucky to get in 5 rides a year at *maybe* 5 miles a clip!
On Saturday, September 20, I’ll be embarking on a 3-day, 180-mile bicycle ride along the C&O Canal with a co-worker/friend and a couple 2 or 3 of his buddies.
I am now trying to get some smaller rides in to get my body and legs ready to go about 60 miles a day for 3 days — it works out well with convenient stops at Harpers Ferry and Hancock at about every 60 miles. From what I gather, I’ll most-likely be the “weakest link” endurance-wise, as the other 3 guys workout regularly and ride more frequently than I do.
I’m not sure what I’m getting myself into, but this is definitely something I’d like to do. I don’t have a “bucket list” to check off, but an opportunity to do something out of the ordinary was presented to me, and by golly, I’m gonna take it!
SO, our plan is to catch an early ride up to Cumberland, MD and ride on Day 1 from about noon-ish for roughly 50 miles to Hancock, MD. (The links/maps go in the other direction.) We’ll bed down in a local hotel or something and recuperate. I was kinda-sorta hoping for some camping action… but my co-worker is a bit of a softy (heh-heh) and preferred more domestic amenities — which is probably a good thing anyway.
For Day 2, we’ll take off and ride about 70 miles — hopefully at a more leisurely pace — and pass the night in Harpers Ferry, WV. Then Day 3 will take us about 60 miles back “home” to Washington DC.
I’m excited about this ride… but I am far from ready! So, more “practice” rides for me…
I recently read that Brad had once taken a 12-day trip that covered over 1000 miles! I don’t think I’m quite that ambitious — what a feat! He’s now training to hit the Hilly Hundred. Brad, if you have any pointers, send them my way!
A question to any of ya’ll that have experience with distance rides — what are the supplies we’ll need to take with us?
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