Harrisonburg, VA to Washington D.C.
Another beautiful day in Virginia... here looking out over the Piedmont, location of the historic Civil War battle.
After completing the Blue Ridge Parkway I found myself pedaling down into the Shenandoah Valley where I was overjoyed to see flat roads again. The first night in the Valley I camped at the YMCA, in Waynesboro, VA. They offered a free place to camp for Appalachian Trail hikers, and in my case, cyclists... as well as use of their bathroom/shower facilities. The next day I ended up staying with some new friends I had met while riding through the Gulf Coast a couple months ago. The Purdys lived in Harrisonburg, Virginia, an easy half-days ride from the Northern end of the Parkway.
Arriving in Harrisonburg, I was greeted by hoards of parents and students attending graduation ceremonies at James Madison University, but also welcomed warmly into the Purdy household. I was treated to wonderful company, delicious home-cooked meals and a beautiful location right next to Shenandoah Lake for a couple days, before I was shuttled up to the southern end of Shenandoah, at Rockfish Gap, to hike for a week. I was fortunate enough to borrow a backpack and some trekking poles from the Purdys, which enabled me to hike a 107 mile stretch of the legendary Appalachian Trail, through Shenandoah National Park. An awesome experience, and something I had in mind since leaving Redding in January... I was not sure if it would work out. But, after meeting these wonderful people along the way, the opportunity presented itself and things worked out better than I could have ever expected.
Although the weather was pretty bad for about half the week, things shaped up and I had an awesome time on the trail. I met a lot of wonderful people and was inspired by every thru-hiker I met. I even got to hike along for a couple days with a couple different groups of hikers, hearing stories from their months on the trail.
After about a week and a half in the Shenandoah Valley area, a 107 mile hike, a newspaper article, and many good meals later I pedaled in the direction of Washington DC. The roads and scenery were wonderful, no exception to what I have been seeing the last couple months. My first night back on the bike in more than a week I got to spend a night camping next to the Shenandoah River before taking a side-trip to the historic town of Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia.
Harper’s Ferry ended up being a great side-trip, and I am glad my friends recommended it to me. When I arrived in the hill-ridden town, I stumbled across a cyclist and his family (from “Spokes & Jokes 2013) sitting out front of a visitors center. I had the pleasure of talking with Chris and his family for a bit, and then was given a hot meal of delicious pasta that Mrs. Quimby had just made for lunch. So good!! Later in the day I happened to meet a man named Gary... at the Appalachian Trail Office in Harper's Ferry, who had cycled across the country 3 times, and who had traveled extensively around the world. Gary invited me to stay with him and I had a comfortable bed and place to stash my rig while I explored on my feet. I was also treated to a huge breakfast in the morning. Thank you Gary!
From Harper’s Ferry I made a last minute decision to ride the old C&O Canal Path(as opposed to taking the W & OD Trail... my original plan), that extends from Cumberland, Ohio to Washington, DC, into the nation’s capital. 60 miles of well manicured gravel along the Potomac River led me straight into the city with no problems. One of the best parts of the trail was the fact that there were free hike/bike campsites every 5 miles or so. Although I was only on the path for a night, I spent an evening camped right next to the Potomac River, only 15 miles outside of DC. Who knew it would be that easy.
Camping with Appalachian Trail thru-hikers at the Waynesboro YMCA. I ended up running into a couple of the friends I made here down the trail later in the week.
The Purdys, my road family for a week in Harrisonburg, VA. So happy to meet this family, I don’t feel like I can do their kindness justice with words, but they made my extended stay in the Shenandoah Valley very memorable. They will not see this for a while, considering they left on a 43 day backpacking trip yesterday but, thank you guys for everything!
Tried to barter with David, my rig for his 76’ Triumph Tr-6, in hopes of taking this up the east coast... he wouldn’t go for it. Did get to go for a nice ride around Harrisonburg in it though!
Appalachian trail-marker and my borrowed gear.
A beautiful morning in Shenandoah National Park.
Reading material for the back-country... no better choice.
After a half week of rain the storm cleared up and I got my first view of Shenandoah from above
Camping along the Shenandoah River, near Front Royal, VA. A couple mile section of road was gated off, because the river was too high... you can see the road in the background.
Riding the back-country roads of Virginia’s wine-country.
Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. Lots of history in this tiny town, and a good recommendation by the Purdys.
I expereienced 15 minutes of serious happiness while I sat in front of the Harper’s Ferry welcome center, eating this freshly made pasta, a gift from the Spokes & Jokes caravan... I then spent another 10 minutes trying to fish the last couple shells/sauce out of the bottom of the jar. Thank you guys.
Riding the C&O Canal and Towpath. Riding 60 miles of gravel is something I have not done on the trip yet and at first I was hesitant to do it, but it ended up being awesome.
Free campground along the Potomac River, only 15 miles outside of D.C.
Met this group of cyclists at the previous nights campground. Jose and Bill in the back had left California in March and ridden the Southern Tier plus some, while their wives met them along the way. Pleasure to meet these guys.
Arriving at the nation’s capital in the rain.
The Lincoln Memorial was my first stop in D.C. Despite the huge crowds behind me here I managed to get some shots with no one walking through the frame.
Spent many hours in D.C. walking through the free Smithsonian museums. Here is a shot of one-of-five remaining bicycles built by the Wright Brothers.
The Kona in front of the White House. Just to the right, 50-100 people also trying to get their photo in front of this landmark.
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