Mar 26, 2020
With the current global circumstances, I'm doing a different tour than I originally planned - a solo, non-contact, self-supported, socially responsibly distanced tour of the great C&O towpath. This is probably the solo bike tour that makes the most sense, and might be the most important one I've ever needed. In this episode, the preparation!
A Solo Bike Tour of the C&O Towpath
Going fully self-supported on the C&O
Intention is to carry everything I need for 4 full days
Round trip to my cabin in WV and back - about 65 miles per day
Will have a roof over my head for night 2
Why this?
I had previously scheduled vacation for 3 days, but I'm going to
knock it to 2 and go into the weekend
I will be starting in DC and given a few factors, ending in DC is
easier on family dynamics than ending in WV and having Kimberly
drive out herself with all the dogs and cat
We've been doing essentially long weekends at the cabin, but are
looking to shift to be in WV more than DC for the near term... and
this helps facilitate that
What's the C&O looking like?
Great question. I haven't been riding it much but it's been
an exceedingly mild winter so trail conditions are likely solid
There's a low-level water crossing at MM52 that by all accounts is
just fine
Rain hitting the trail before I ride so I expect it to be a little
wet, but nowhere near the mud bog it could have been
Water is out at the campsites so I'll need to haul my own and fill
at the limited taps along the way
I expect the trail to be unusually busy by day users near DC, Great
Falls, Brunswick and Hancock but very, very quiet otherwise. Could
be wrong, but I'm guessing I'll be the only camper out
there.
What gear?
Tuned up the Safari and it's good to go. It needs some work after,
which I'm looking forward to getting at my LBS.
I'll be riding heavy for three reasons
- I'm bringing my big stove because of the emphasis on cooking and cleaning (huge green propane cylinder - the "green dragon" I've called it)
- Lots of food and water to avoid needing to go to the limited options (Point of Rocks and Brunswick are the only truly easy access points in this section of the trail after leaving the DC area
- Layers and wet weather gear - looks like I will definitely have rain and the temp swings from early morning to late afternoon mean wool layers and full rain gear
Two panniers
Probably two dry bags (why not!)
Considered dragging the trailer for this one, but the low water
crossing makes that a hassle. Maybe next time.
No Belle Starr for this one... looks like conditions are a little
too adverse for her narrow comfort range!
Pack List
tent
sleeping bag
pad
pump
spare tube
multitool and tool bag
spork
Cook kit and Green Dragon stove
Camp soap and cleaning towel
Coffee kit (aeropress or drip? Not sure)
Bandannas x3
Camp towel
Wool layers
Puffer vest
Rain jacket and hood
Rain pants
LS shirt
Rain gloves
underwear x2
socks x2 (smart wool and waterproof)
toiletry bag (incl. ibuprofin, caffeine and electrolyte pills)
hats (cold hat plus ball cap)
helmet
batteries and cables (new wireless charging battery)
Headphones (wired and Airpods)
iPhone
water bottles x3
water bladder
adult beverages
Ottolock
wallet
Sleep clothes
Flip Flops
Food
Knorr sidekicks
Block of cheese
Pop tarts
Trail mix
Tortillas
PB
What are the rules on this one?
Barring emergencies or mechanicals I can't overcome, I'm not going
into towns or shops - I think one could in these social distancing
times but reducing to zero is best across the board.
If I run into folks on the trail I'll interact as usual, just from
a distance. Especially in camp.
Night 2 will be at the cabin, particularly if the ride ends up
being wet.
While it's no Missing Link tour of Southern CA, this is a trip I've always wanted to do... a round trip to my cabin using no fossil fuels, and just my two legs and a bike.
SprocketShift Happy Hour
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Kimberly Wilson
Caleb Jenkinson
Cameron Lien
Andrew MacGregor
Michael Hart
Keith Nagel
Brock Dittus
Thomas Skadow
Marco Lo
Terrance Manson
Harry Telgadas
Chris Barron
Mark Van Raam
Brad Hipwell
Stuart Buchan
Mr. T
Nathan Poulton
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco
Cody Floerchinger
Tom Benenati
Greg Braithwaite
Sandy Pizzio
Jeff Muster
Seth Pollack
Joseph Quinn
Drue Porter
Byron Paterson
Joachim Raber
Ray Jackson
Jeff Frey
Kenny Mikey
Lisa Hart
John Denkler
Steve Hankel
Miguel Quinones
Alejandro Avilés-Reyes
Keith Spangler
Greg Towner
Dan Gebhart
Jody Dzuranin
Lucas Barwick
Michael Baker
Brian Bechtol
Reinhart Bigl
Greg Middlemis
Connie Moore
William Gothmann
Brian Benton
Joan Churchill
Mike Bender
Rick Weinberg
Billy Crafton
Gary Matushak
Greg L’Etoile-Lopes
James Sloan
Jonathan Dillard
John Funk
Tom Bilcze
Ronald Piroli
Dave Roll
Brian Hafner
Misha LeBlanc
Ari Messinger
David Gratke
Todd Groesbeck
Wally Estrella
Sue Reinert
John Leko
Stephen Granata
Phillip Mueller
Kevan Olhausen
Robert Lackey
Dominic Carol
Jacqi McCulloch
John Hickman
Music
You've been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for many fine episodes. Sunfields' latest album may be their best yet. Go get it.
https://soundcloud.com/sunfields