Thank you for coming along on our journey. Yes, we are tired, but we are all so very, very happy. We are at our individual homes, moving slowly, doing laundry, washing mud from bikes, sharing a few stories, and taking it slowly. We wanted to take a moment to thank you, the readers and encouragers, and to answer a few questions that have been asked of us.
Some have asked about our training. We are amateurs, but we knew we had to train as best as possible. Leslie really was never a bike rider until a year ago. She trained all this year and had achilles surgery at the end of last summer, which put her out of commission for six weeks. Teresa and I had never ridden a bike more than twenty miles before, and that was rare. Our training consisted of biking weekly when possible, increasing the distance, and ultimately, increasing the frequency. Since we were in a pandemic, it was virtually impossible to go work out in a gym. We biked in the heat of the summer, 100 degrees and major humidity, and we biked when it was 32 degrees and a little snow was still on the towpath. (We walked through those short sections.) Almost all of our training was on the towpath itself, except Teresa did practice some on the farm where she grew up.
We chose 40 miles a day because we were hoping it was doable. Our first day of 43 miles was more than either Teresa or I had EVER biked in one sitting. None of us had biked these distances more than two days in a row. This trip really was a stretch goal for us all. We share this to encourage you, the reader to go for your goals.
Our bucket list was the first week in April, after Easter because some of us have worship responsibilities. We also planned this around my daughters, both of whom are pregnant, and one baby is due to arrive next week. New grand babies meant that training and a season for taking a week away would be more difficult, as I want to be available to assist my growing family.
Biking the towpath in early April also meant we were a little “ahead” fo the normal season for biking in Maryland. The water in the campsites is not yet turned on, which required us to carry more water with us than perhaps is necessary in the warmer months. Obviously, we had no clue what the weather would be, but we were blessed beyond measure with beautiful days, and there was virtually no rain to prevent us from riding. (Heavy rain fell at night, and storms were around two days, but we were blessed to not get wet.)
Early April also meant that some B and B places were not yet open, others were struggling on how to open with COVID, but we planned for that. It also meant that fewer people were on the path, which really was fun for us. We did not need to wear masks in the western part of the canal because we hardly saw anyone. We really only needed our masks when we arrived closer to Washington.
Teresa had with her the old guide that gives a blow by blow rendition of what we were seeing along the way, and at what mile marker you will find certain historic structures or battles. Both of us have been using that guidebook for years. But there are now at least two new apps that we had on our phones: One is by the National Park Service called C&O Companion, the other one is from the Canal Trust called C&O Canal Explorer, I preferred the latter.
As stated in our pre-trip blog, we were not in a rush. We wanted to finish well; Slow and steady wins the race, but we were not racing anyone. We stopped to take pictures, and we stopped to enjoy the scenery. For us it is a metaphor of the journey of life, to include the last day’s find of mile marker 0. (Check out yesterday’s blog.)
We are all three women of faith. We fully believe Psalm 24:1, “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” As such everyday began and ended with prayer. We were honored to be able to witness God’s beauty in the rivers, the flowers, the birds, and the sunrises and the sunsets. We were in awe of watching the newness of life spring forth before our very eyes. Where spring was only in the beginning stages in Cumberland, it was in full bloom in Washington. (My allergies can attest to that!) When the last 5 miles began to get tough each day, we would turn on music by Toby Mac, David Crowder or other contemporary Christian artists to get us pumped up. We would also sing praise songs ourselves as we biked along. We are truly grateful for those who prayed for safety for us on this trip, and encouraged us on the way.
It was not only the beauty of the land, but the beauty of sisters in Christ who shared the journey that made this such an incredible adventure. We laughed until we cried, and we encouraged each other along the way. It truly is a metaphor for life’s journey, so very similar to my walk on the Camino de Santiago. (If you would like to read those stories find them here.)
Once again, we are so grateful to have this National Park treasure in our backyard. If you would like to help the C&O Trust to help with some extra upkeep on the trail feel free to use this link. The Trust supports the effects of the Park’s resurfacing project- adding a layer of crushed gravel to the parts of the towpath that need it most-they do not spearhead the project. That credit all goes to the Park’s leadership and to Maryland for providing the majority of the funds. (Suddenly I feel better about my Maryland taxes.) We are encouraging folks to help with the maintenance of the trail in honor of our adventure.
By the way, we had never known the story of Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas who is credited for the towpath becoming a National Park. It seems that when the C&O Canal went back to the government due to bankruptcy, some wanted to build a new highway along the Potomac River. It was Justice Douglas who challenged the Washington Post editors, Merlo Pusey and Robert Esterbrook, to hike with him the entire distance to convince the Post to “…use the power of [the Post’s] editorial page to help keep this sanctuary untouched…” Read the full story here. We are grateful to this visionary for his fortitude and perseverance.
We were able to help a few folks along the trail! One guy was trying to change a flat tire. We asked if we could help and he said, “Not unless you have a fast tire pump.” We did not, but we did have a can of air that blows up tires and we gave that to him. Another young woman was biking by herself from Georgetown to Cumberland. She had just camped and was packing up. We gave her some Nuun tablets to help sustain her electrolytes during the journey. There were so many others with whom we exchanged words of encouragement. We appreciated the camaraderie of fellow towpath explorers.
Special kudos go to our volunteer support friends who brought us to and from the canal for our B and B stays, and transported us to and from the beginning and ending mile markers. Dee and Ron, thanks for the medals, we will wear them with pride!
May you, the reader be encouraged for whatever is on your bucket list: Persevere, train, move forward. Don’t let COVID, or surgeries, or statements like “I’ve never done that before” prevent you from living into the fullness of who God create you to be. If the time is not now, then when? But the time is now. Take the leap out of faith, you can do it!
For those trying to authentically follow Jesus. 