Starting with a semi-eventful train to Cumberland, the tour kicks off at an unexpected pace. But with rain already soaking the trail, and more on the way would the C&O reject my desire for a chill and relaxing start to my trip?

• The march to the ten year anniversary of the show commences… Live show to celebrate things June 8th, at 8pm ET. It will be podcasted the following week but always down for some live banter. It'll be on the YouTube channeland here at pedalshift.net/live.

• Introduction

  • Preparing for a bike ride to Union Station
  • Discussing train schedule and potential delays

• Trip Plans

  • Aiming to reach Potomac Forks
  • Concerns about sunlight and trail conditions
  • Personal health and readiness

• Bike Setup

  • New gear setup with fork bags
  • Adjustments made for comfort and efficiency
  • Forecast: hot and sticky with potential rain

• Union Station Departure

  • Chaos with Amtrak procedures and bag tags
  • Interaction with train attendants and passengers
  • Departure and initial impressions

• Arrival in Cumberland

  • Commentary on Amtrak's inconsistent procedures
  • Starting the ride on the C&O towpath

• Trail Conditions

  • Night riding experiences and wildlife encounters
  • Challenges with muddy trail sections
  • Strategies for night riding and trail navigation

• Camp Setup

  • Passing multiple campsites
  • Decision to push on to Potomac Forks
  • Filtering water and setting up camp in low light

• Day Zero Reflections

  • Impact of coffee on performance
  • Enjoyment of night riding despite challenges
  • Final campsite setup and reflections on the day

• Closing Remarks

  • Observations on trail and ride experiences
  • Preparations for the next day’s ride

• Miles biked 18
• Frogs a babillion
• Stops to pull mud out of fenders 2
• Proper bike tags requested by Amtrak personnel 1
• Bike tags properly procured 0
• Dark chocolate bars eaten 1
• Flats 0

Finding my way back onto the C&O is hardly a surprise, but this spring’s ride is taking a page from my 2024 goals… try to take some of these tours a little more slowly. On this preview episode, we cover how I think it’ll go down.

• The march to the ten year anniversary of the show commences… Live show to celebrate things June 8th, time TBA, but mark it down now. It will be podcasted the following week but always down for some live banter.

• Full size bike
• New config (more on that in a moment)
• Cumberland with Amtrak from DC and then… ?
• Going with a stove this time
• All camping
• Forecast looks like rain
• I’m getting over a cold, so not sure how that will impact things

• The front rack from last season is fine but I want to try something new
• Found I couldn’t get the bike in the Dogsbody bag last year and I didn’t want to keep having to install/unintall. Might end up on my ebike?
• Solution: Fork bags + Hanging sleep kit from bars
• 7L each side
• Very narrow - a little too narrow?
• Allows me to be a bit more nimble

• First night will be close to a new moon unfortunately
• Would love to do 20 miles even though it’s night riding
• Don’t have specific plans for any particular campsites
• The end of the tour is up in the air… I have two options (Martinsburg and Harpers Ferry) so if I’m really enjoying the riding, I can make the miles. But if I’m enjoying the vibes (or other things) I can make this a shorter trip with some road riding on the final day

• Will likely carry more food than I have on past trips
• BUT going to do backpacking meals. Keeping it simple and light
• NPS no longer treats the wells, so I have a new gravity fed water filter. Trying not to carry as much as I have in the past
• Stove needed for meals, so I can at also enjoy coffee
• Weather
• Looks wet but not hot. Will be prepared
• This might be the thing that impacts choosing a short or long ride… trail conditions, preferring to stay in the tent for a morning rain, etc. etc.

• Paw Paw tunnel is reopened!
• Not intending on climbing up to stay at my cabin (although it’s a backup option)
• Name of the game is slow and steady and enjoying the ride rather than just banging out miles. Would have preferred a little more riding time on Saturday to spread it out a bit more

Are you brand new to bicycle touring or like seeing things through the eyes of a first-timer? You’re in luck! On this episode, we revisit the 2018 Pedalshift bicycle touring beginners series, following James from NYC on his journey to his first bicycle tour. Originally podcast February 8, 2018.