A video and photo essay from a quick overnight bike tour. I left around 3pm on Monday and was home less than 24 hours later. It’s phenomenal how much adventure and inspiration you can pack into such a short window.
Day 1: Harpers Ferry to Cumberland Valley Hiker Biker campsite
36.86 miles / 124 ft ascent / 3 hrs 15 minutes moving / 3 hrs 51 minutes elapsed
Day 1 was a race against time to make it to the campsite before dark. I made it with just enough time to pitch my tent, but cooked and ate in the dark. I ended up pitching my tent in the exact same spot that I used on the first night of last year’s Bike SUP tour.
Heading upstream towards ShepherdstownLockhouse at Canal Lock 37, near DarganThe Surly Grappler in full cryGlad I threw this light rain jacket in at the last second as I was drenched by a couple of showers during the afternoon.The leaves were inches thick on the ground in places. Slightly surreal, like riding on snow. Beautiful conditions.Moody sky from dam 4The super cool raised towpath above the river at Big Slackwater, one of the highlights of the whole C&O canal towpath.Looking downstream at Big SlackwaterLockhouse at Canal Lock 43Racing to beat the darkness and get to Cumberland Valley hiker biker campsiteCamp at Cumberland Valley Hiker Biker campsitePro tip for getting water from the pumps… use a funnel to speed up the process!Making dinner in the dark. The chili dish was delicious.
Day 2: Cumberland Valley to Williamsport, then return to Harpers Ferry
47.85 miles / 431 ft ascent / 4 hrs 29 minutes moving / 6 hrs 8 minutes elapsed
It was fairly cold in the morning so I didn’t rush. I enjoyed breakfast from the warmth of my sleeping bag before breaking camp. I rode up to Williamsport to check it out before turning around and riding home.
Camp on the morning of day 2Breakfast on day 2Back in my sleeping bag to enjoy the coffee! ☕Good morning from camp on day 2Beautiful sunrise on the river. So calm and peaceful!Stunning morning on the Potomac RiverPassing under the I81 bridge on the way up to WilliamsportConococheague Aqueduct at Williamsport, where I turned around for home.The derelict R. Paul Smith Power Station at WilliamsportLock 44 on the C&O canalMile 92.5, the mid-point of the C&O canalBack at Big Slackwater but heading downstream, and the sun is shining! The section around Big Slackwater never disappoints.Riding the elevated trail at Big Slackwater, one of the best sections of the C&O CanalMcMahon’s MillCave biking? Exploring one of the many caves along this section of the routeOne of the bigger cavesCrunching across a carpet of golden leavesTime for a final brew before home, at Big Woods campsiteThe serene Potomac River from near Dargan
Bike Setup
For this tour, I ran a set of front low rider panniers to hold sleeping gear and clothes. They’re a pair of 20-year old Vaude Sport panniers — veterans of my Norway tour — that are still going strong!
The Revelate Designs main triangle frame bag held camp stuff and tent poles. The seat pack held the tent and cook pot. I used the extra bottle bosses on the rear triangle to hold two bottles, although they were inaccessible whilst riding. But that’s not an issue on a tour like this where I’m making frequent stops to explore and take photos.
The bike felt super stable, if a little heavy.
2 thoughts on “C&O Cumberland Valley Fall Overnighter”
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