34.41 mi in 01:56:18 hours at 17.75 mi/h on Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod. [Cycling] Rode out to Fellowship Bible to meet Justin. Started a loop of about 30 miles, but Justin wasn't feeling all that great, so when we got near his house, he turned in and I headed back over the mountain for home. Warm afternoon, low 80s. Justin wore a jacket! Strong ride on the return home, averaged 19.45 mph.
34.41 mi in 01:56:18 hours at 17.75 mi/h on Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod. [Cycling] Rode out to Fellowship Bible to meet Justin. Started a loop of about 30 miles, but Justin wasn't feeling all that great, so when we got near his house, he turned in and I headed back over the mountain for home. Warm afternoon, low 80s. Justin wore a jacket! Strong ride on the return home, averaged 19.45 mph.
15.15 mi in 01:30:08 hours at 10.09 mi/h on Surly Karate Monkey. [Cycling] w/Kris, as practice for our upcoming adventure race. Canoed from Bentonville landing to Andy Guest, then hiked up to Culler's Overlook where we had stashed the bikes, then rode for a while before heading to the car. Forgot the keys in boat and had to go all the way back for them. A good day.
24.59 mi in 01:19:59 hours at 18.45 mi/h on Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod. [Cycling] W/ Justin. somewhat cool, but not cold. Windy, though, but had the wind at our backs for the first half the ride, then still managed fairly strong in the headwind on the return.
21.24 mi in 02:20:31 hours at 9.07 mi/h on Surly Cross-Check. [Cycling] Chilly this morning - phone said 38* at 7 am. But warmed up pretty quickly, and we were packed up and back on the trail by 9 am.
Fairly worn from yesterday's long ride, so we didn't attack the way home with the same pace. But we rolled along, enjoying the beauty of the day and of God's wonderful creation. Had to take a lot of stops to rest, plus my knee started to bother me.
Then my bike starting making funny sounds, upon which I discovered my rear wheel was acting up. Freehub was seizing, and the hub was coming loose. Multi-tool doesn't really have the tools for those problems! Limped along, but made it to the car eventually.
Did make a short side trip to pick some hot chocolate up for Benji at the little Southern States store next tot the Pooles General store. Finished with another 21.24 miles under our belts for a total of 79.53 miles! Benji's spedometer read more than mine, and finished with 80.25.
All in all another great trip, and I'm really thankful that for this time I get to spend with Benji. Finished up by stopping at Mama Lucci's for some gyros before heading home.
58.29 mi in 05:56:26 hours at 9.81 mi/h on Surly Cross-Check. [Cycling] Benji's and my first bikamping trip of the year Set out from White's Ferry with the plan of heading east about 20 miiles and setting up camp at Swain's Lock, then doing some extra riding from there. This was the first time using Pete's BOB trailer, and man was it nice. No more lost panniers!
The day was beautiful, if just a little cool. Just getting over a pretty bad cold, but felt well enough, just stuffy. Anyway, the ride was really nice and fast. Benji really picked up the pace from previous trips! We averaged 11.8 mph to the campsite. Lot of locks to stop and look at along the way. Noticed that some of the lock houses are actually available for rent; might have to try that someday.
Got to the campsite in record time, actually earlier than I expected. After setting up camp, we continued on, with the plan of trying to make it all the way into Georgetown, 16 miles away. Great Falls was the next stop, though, and it was gorgeous (pun intended!), where we watched the water cascading through the rocks and hiked the boardwalk and saw plenty of wildlife: herons and other birds.
Saw some more locks, a river boat you can get a ride on, then watched Benji ride no handed very well on a section of paved trail alongside the C & O.
Finally made it into Georgetown, and got to take a pic at the mile marker Zero post. Then headed back up the trail. Pulled off at Cabin John with the plan of stopping at a Pizza Hut for dinner that I found listed in the phone. Turned out it was gone, but a lady directed us to Glen Echo Pizza, a little take-out joint. Decent, and bought some Peruvian cola there.
On way back, attempted a section of the Billy Goat trail that was off to the side. A bit tough for Benji and some rocky sections I had to walk on the CX bike (crashed on the first rocky downhill!)
Finally made it back to the campsite a few minutes after dark. Made a campfire and roasted marshmallows, so we settled in for a nice evening. 58.29 miles for this day! Benji's first half-century!
