Day Five - Frostburg to past Cumberland, Near Paw Paw

The day started out with a good rain shower. Fortunately we were at a hotel and were able to get a late ckeckout. We left around non and got onto the rail trail. This mornings ride started out with fifteen miles of downhill. You do not know how excited we were. As we were descending towards Cumberland we were right Baxter to railroad tracks all the way down the hill. Low and behold we passed an old time steam engine coming up the hill. I have a good video I will share at some point when I get that knowledge. Same with a lot of pictures. The train rained ash all over us. Yea, I had a white shirt on. But the sight on the black smoke was awesome looking.

We arrived in Cumberland without much pedaling at all. Nice!! Looked around the train depot a little while, called some loved ones and the headed for something to eat.

After lunch we stopped at a bike shop and then hit the trail. The trail was not as nice as the GAP bet it was not bad. A lot of grass growing in the middle of the trail and sometimes we saw quite a few potholes. I think we traveled close to forty miles. Found one of the free campsites along the canal and pitched a ten, ate dinner and then off to bed.

The night air was really humid and wide not allow for much comfortable sleep.

The sights along the canal very from a dry ditch with trees growing in it to some occasional clean water to occasional water with green scum. Many of the locks and blockhouses still exist which is neat to see.

Today started out great and ended with a couple of very tired and sore bikers.

Day Four - Rockwood to Frostburg

Last night was a good night. The Hostel on Main is a great place to spend a night. The hostel had two private rooms that slept up to six and a large room for about eighteen. There was a place two doors up that had great food. Highly recommend this place.

Today we got started around ten. We had a twenty mile uphill climb to the Eastern Continental Divide. The weather was really overcast and a lot cooler. Long sleeves would have felt good. As we climbed further into the mountains we were really beginning to feel the effects of four days of uphill pedaling. Mike was a real trooper though. He held onto the rope as I pulled him up the hill. Ha Ha

We passed by Meyesdale and stopped by the historical center there. This was interesting. Talked to a gentleman that said we only had about eight more miles of fairly flat pedaling. That was crap. I am beginning to belie e that just about everyone we talk to on the trail has a way of keeping you motivated by not telling the exact truth. We eventually made the Eastern Continental Divide and were very ecstatic. From that point on until we got off the trail at Frostburg we had very little pedaling to do. Yea!! Along the way we passed through The Big Savage Tunnel. Over 3900 feet of tunnel. This tunnel was lighted. Then came Thank Borden Tunnel which was of lighted. Riding through this tunnel without lights and only able to see the ground in front of you and at the end really began to freak me out. Talk about tunnel vision, now I know what that means. Whew.

As we continued our downhill descent we looked for a den of rattlesnakes that were reported to be nesting by the trail. No luck. Maybe that is good.

When we got off the trail at Frostburg we had another big uphill to get into town. Yuck.

Finally made it to hotel and got food and now relaxing.

Only inconvenience today was that Mike had a flat tire about six miles from the start.

We had an interesting meeting with a group of three brothers that we saw back in Ohiopyle. As we were taking pics at the top of the mountain the three of them came biking up again. One says 'hey is that the Guy from the campground'. Then this evening we see them three more Tim's and they are staying at the same hotel. Neat!!

Day three - Ohiopyle to Rockwood

Last night was a good night of rest. We survived the night without any bear encounters. The weather was perfect for sleeping also. We got a later start this morning - 10ish.

We had to descend the mountain that we climbed last night - total elevation change of 464 feet. No wonder I slept so good last night.

We traveled about ten miles to Confluence and had lunch at the Rivers Edge Bed and Breakfast Cafe. Great food. From there we visited the local bike shop and I bought some padded shorts. Great investment.

Then off for nineteen miles of uphill pedaling. We made it to Rockwood about 5 ish. We checked in at the Main Street Hostel, a really nice place. We immediately order some subs and finished them off without a problem. Doing some laundry and hanging out the rest of the evening.

Have a great evening.

Day Two - Cedar Creek to Ohiopyle

We started our day pretty early 7:30 ish. Between the very little airwas circulation in our lean to and the abundance of trains right across the river it made for a restless night. We got up and packed our belongings and headed out around 9:00. The weather was overcast but very humid. While riding it was not bad but hen we stopped it was downright hot. Our first goal was to get to Connellsville so we could get a good meal. The ride was good bytes as we got closer to Connellsvlle our energy was running low.

We stopped at a bike shop right on the trail in town. We went inside to look around. The owner was very nice and gave us suggestions on places to eat. We decided on Pizza Louie's. Highly recommended. The bike shop, Bikes Unlimited, allowed us to use a table and chairs to sit and eat our pizza. THANK YOU.

We then left for Ohiopyle. This would be the second twenty mile trek for the day. This trek continued to take us along the river where we saw tons of white water rafters. This part of the trail was a little rockier than what we were use to.

When then came to the sign that pointed us uphill to tonight's campground. The sign said a quarter mile. It was more like a half mile of steep gravel grade. Those was worse than the sleeping conditions from the previous night. VERY BAD!!! Who put the campground on top of this mountain???

We finally made it to the top just as it began to sprinkle. We immediately headed to the ranger station to get a camping space. While there it began to pour. Fortunately we got our bikes under shelter and waited out the storm. The clerks were very nice and invited us inside to buoy the air conditioned room. It was here where I figured out my blogging problem.

We set up camp and headed for a much needed shower. Our motivation for the day. Came back to camp and cooked dinner, called our loved ones at home, asked for and received a couple of soft drinks from a nice family and now blogging our adventure.

Now it is time for some much needed sleep.

Good day.

First day completed.

We got started around 5:00 pm. The first couple of
miles were a bit iffy. So much for the less than one percent grade. Once we hit the the regular trail we did real good.

We met a couple and a child from England that came from DC and will return back to Cumberland. That is over 400 miles. The girl was only seven and she was doing great. We also met a gentleman from the Czech Republic who now lives in Pittsburgh and he gave us a lot of pointers.

We finally stopped at Cedar Creek Campground after putting in over twenty miles.

Wee found a lean to and pitched our tents inside it since there was a chance of rain. Kind of a good decision. It did rain but there was no air circulation. We coned Spanish rice for dinner and then soon after called it a night.

SORRY For some reason i am having trouble posting entries. i will kep trying

Maybe I just figurd it out. Lets see

Almost to McKeesport

Very nice ride to PA. Thanks Tammy. Temperature is pretty warm out there. Not to worry we will be pedaling along on the trail in no time.

Will try to get picture before we depart McKeesport.

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