Biking the C&O Canal Towpath

Catch Me Outside
It’s time to go explore, solo.
When we moved to Virginia, I had a lot of aspirations to get outside. Growing up in West Texas, outside meant HOT- so we never did it anything that required us to leave the comfort of AC between the hours of 10am - 7pm.
My dad actually normalized calling the sun, “Bob”.
I can’t count how many times he has told us, “When Bob is up, we go in!” It was his/is his mantra.
Juneteenth celebrations on Washington Park ended @10am.
Family having a BBQ, outside - count us out if it starts before 7:00pm.
When I got older I learned to avoid the sun like I was playing a game of Super Mario brothers and the sun was chasing me.
You get the point by now Sun = Bad.
The first chance I got to convince my wife to move from Texas, I leaned in. At our six month mark I convinced her to go camping with me. Let me be clear, camping for us means a Tent Perched above our vehicle with a bed more akin to a resort loft than something you might find perched along an LA freeway.
One time in a Roof Top Tent and she was hooked. Since that trip we’ve taken over 20 trips to the woods, twice in temps below 30 F - not by choice.
Unlike those trips - this adventure would be much differnt because Alex traveled for work and a family check-in, leaving me here with nothing but time and opportunity. Don’t get me wrong, I love RTT camping but I’ve been itching to try something more, that more is bike & hammock camping on the C&O Towpath.
I started planning the trip the only way I knew how, Professor Google and his endless courses on CZcams University.
A few searches later and I was ready to bike camp. For those unfamiliar the C&O Towpath is a trail that runs from D.C. to Pittsburgh, within a few feet of the Potomac River. In many places along the trail you actually cross man made inlets that allow water to pour water directly under the trail into the now abandoned canal. The National Park’s bike path is a gravel trail that was laid on top of the old mule path that towed boats through the canal. The C&O was actually the brainchild of George Washington, yep the founding father surveyed the area and imagined a canal that would connect what was then Western America with the east coast, unlocking endless commercial possibilities for our young nation.
Enough history…Lets RIDE!
Day 1 started out as most of my trips do, controlled chaos.
I packed everything I thought I would need for this journey
Hammock
Machete
Change of clothes
Sleeping bag
Camping pillow
Blanket
Mosquito net
Mosquito spray
Water - should have packed more
Extra battery for my e-bike - still not enough power
Just add water food - flipping disgusting!
Jet boil
Toothbrush - forgot toothpaste, the brushing is what’s important, I think.
Baby wipes
LIGHTER
With bike and gear loaded in the Bronco, and a quick drive to my push off location, Point of Rocks Maryland - It was time to ride.
Immediately the trail proved to be AMAZING! There’s something about the sun gently kissing your skin that burns the SAD away. For my readers who don’t know, SAD stands for Seasonal Asshole Depression - or that’s what my coworker told me anyway. My mood during winter confirms it’s real.
Within seven miles of the 70 I had planned, I felt like a kid in a candy store.
Part 2.
Somewhere between Mile Marker 7 and 70
A few hours into my ride, I realized the importance of having a pair of good riding shorts. Sit on a bike seat for an extended period of time and you will know what I’m talking about.
Even though, my shorts were not the highest end of comfort, riding a bike on a secluded trail is pure serenity. As the mile markers ascended with every pedal stroke - a sense of calm came over me. Most days my mind will run through 1000 random thoughts a second, on this day it was silence and focus.
I heard birds chirping.
I damn near hit a deer while it grazed.
The Potomac rive had a light haze hovering above it.
The sun’s glare was masked by the haze of light cloud control.
I was at peace.