Day 71: McLean, VA.

55.8 miles today, 3796 miles overall

Until a few days ago, we weren’t exactly sure where we would terminate our trip; it would either be on the coast or at the end of the C&O Canal in Georgetown, DC.  We’ve had a lot of fun, it’s getting hot at night, and there are no great bike trails between DC and New York, so we decided we’d call it in DC.  Today was to be our penultimate day of riding.  We would spend the night just shy our goal, and enjoy the hospitality of Steve’s brother and sister-in-law, then knock off the final few miles to Georgetown and do a tour of Washington DC tomorrow.

So, we slept well at the Holiday Inn and enjoyed the included breakfast.  As we were packing our bikes, Steve stopped to study the C&O Canal map, then pronounced, “We’re going into a remote area with limited services today. We’d better be prepared”.  With only 55 mi to go to our nation’s capital, Bob and I were surprised, he didn’t seem nearly as concerned as we crossed the wilds of Montana or Wyoming.  After we laughed at the absurdity, and we were confident we were ‘prepared’, we went downstairs. Then, as soon as we got outside, Bob and Steve decided to check their tire pressures and when that was done they realized maybe they should go back inside and fill their water canteens.

Finally ‘prepared’ for the wilderness, we rolled downhill and got on the trail at close to milepost 54.

It was more of the same on the trail; a tunnel of green.  The canal had more water, but some of it was rather green.

We stopped for our final trail lunch of bananas and peanut butter on tortillas. 

Lunch-time entertainment was a bunch of kids throwing themselves off the aqueduct. 

I videoed two jumps and shared the result with the kids. During our post-lunch cleanup we had a good chat with a trail bike-patrol volunteer.  He shared some great historical information with us and casually mentioned that you’re not allowed to jump off the bridges. We kept quiet about the kids and my video evidence, and, out of respect for his work, we walked our bikes for the first time at the sign that said ‘walk your bike’.

We’ve been running over some round chestnutty looking things on the trail for days now.  Over lunch, with Google’s, help I figured out that they are osage oranges.

After lunch we reach part of the trail where the canal contained clear water.  We should have known it was going to be pretty because there were artists out painting.

As usual, we ran into some obstacles, none insurmountable.

We thought we deserved a reward for our obstacle clearing efforts and stopped at this attractive historic tavern.  Unfortunately, its days of serving beer were historical so we went on thirsty. 

I stopped for a look at the Great Falls of the Potomac (Steve and Bob have seen it before), and they are quite impressive.

Beyond the falls is perhaps the most scenic part of the canal; in this area it follows the course of the ancient Potomac, high above the current river.

We moved on and briefly entered the District of Columbia, then climbed a very steep hill into McLean, and found ourselves at the end of Terry and Maureen’s driveway.

We were treated to some cold beer and watermelon in the garage.

And, after we cleaned up, a wonderful meal.