The start is right around the corner!

Two weeks to go and serious prep is underway...  Transportation has been arranged, hotels and campgrounds have been selected, and restaurants have been noted.  That seems like the easy part compared to the 185 miles of riding we are about to embark on.

Several months ago a thought was blossoming about taking a bike tour.  Dan had purchased a book about the GAP and C&O Towpath trail and things started to spiral.  The initial thought was Pittsburgh to DC but that was scaled back to only the C&O Towpath as our first attempt at bikepacking.  Now Charlie G, Tom V, Dan M, and Dave D (me) are in final prep for our first touring adventure.  In just under two weeks we'll begin our journey from Cumberland, MD to Washington DC on the C&O TowPath. Our major goals for the trip - enjoy the ride, embrace the trail, and keep Charlie with-in sight.

Many people have successfully tackled this historic route and I'm hoping we can be part of that group.  Unfortunately, as Dan so eloquently put it, 'beer will dictate our progress - not our bikes'.

The trip will start with a rendezvous at Reagan National Airport Long-Term parking (cheapest parking in DC).  From there we will load our bikes and gear in the Big Red Van for the shuttle trip to Cumberland, MD (thanks to Dan's wife).  Wednesday morning we'll depart Cumberland and ride 45 miles to Little Orleans Campground

where we'll spend our first night, figure out that we've overpacked, realize what we forgot, and enjoy dinner and a cold beer(s) at Bill's Place (a C&O must).

From there, who knows - maybe a shuttle straight back to Reagan National or continue down the trail.  I guess you'll have to stay tuned to find out!