Tag: C&O

September 3, 2020

The Pedalshift Project 217: GAP 4×44 Loop – Day 4

Day 4 of the 4×44 GAP Loop came too quickly, but featured the ultimate payback for a day and a half of climbing… the giant downhill to the finish line.

August 27, 2020

The Pedalshift Project 216: GAP 4×44 Loop – Day 3

Day 3 was sneakily the toughest of the 4×44 GAP Loop. Sure the hill wasn’t as steep as day 1, but this one was the full 44 miles long. Would the heat get the best of me?

August 20, 2020

The Pedalshift Project 215: GAP 4×44 Loop – Day 2

Day 2 was, at least on paper, the most chill of the 4 segments—all downhill and the coolest of the remaining days. But with an unexpected state of affairs in Ohiopyle, will my chill day become the most stressful of the tour?

August 13, 2020

The Pedalshift Project 214: GAP 4×44 Loop – Day 1

The GAP 4×44 Loop tour begins with some question marks about heat and hydration, and oh yeah… a 24 mile climb to the eastern continental divide. With no climbing in my bicycling since 2019, could I haul me and a fully loaded bike up that hill?

July 30, 2020

The Pedalshift Project 213: GAP 4×44 Loop Preview

As I round the corner to my next tour of the Great Allegheny Passage, what are my biggest challenges? You know, other than the pandemic thing. The GAP 4×44 Loop tour preview has all the answers…

July 23, 2020

The Pedalshift Project 212: Bike Touring in COVID Times

As we adjust to the new normal, can we bike tour safely and responsibly during a pandemic? On this episode, I share the thoughts of fellow listeners, a bike touring organization, and my personal recommendations for bike touring during COVID times.

July 16, 2020

The Pedalshift Project 211: A Brompton Urban Stealth Overnight

With my proper trail bike in the shop but a real need to get out for an overnight, I turned to a C&O newbie… my trusty 12″ wheeled, very orange Brompton as my chariot to an urban(ish) stealth camping overnight. Would the trail chew up the Brompton? Would my orange gear prove too, well, orange for stealth camping? If you can’t get your adventure by the liter these days, may as well do it in sips…

July 9, 2020

The Pedalshift Project 210: Western C&O Loop, Day 3

Concluding my western C&O loop adventure! Day 3 began with a chilly, rainy start. The loop had to be closed, but would anything other than rain and tunnels stand in my way?

June 25, 2020

The Pedalshift Project 209: Western C&O Loop, Day 2

Continuing my western C&O loop adventure! On Day 2, I left the unique confines of Potomac Forks campground and looked to resupply in Cumberland and loop back. But would Cumberland offer me what I needed and would I get distracted from completing a full loop from where I began my day?

June 18, 2020

The Pedalshift Project 208: Western C&O Loop, Day 1

Everyone’s universe has shrunk a lot since the beginning of the pandemic, and nowhere has it hit home more than bicycle touring. I’m fortunate enough to have one of the country’s crown jewel routes right around where I live. The first trip this year looped the eastern third near DC. This time, I roll out into the wilderness of the western third, looking for adventure and solitude. On Day 1, I picked up a freshly repaired bike in Hancock and rolled off. But would the bike behave and more importantly, would my body betray me after just a day on the trail?