Reply to PGH to DC attempted May 17

We set out on 5/17 ride from PGH to DC. I had to leave at Cumberland for a funeral. My wife went on to Williamsport (actually mile 110), then we both went to another funeral. We were actually rescued from some predicted bad heat and some bad trail conditions. Thanks for those good reports. We were exhausted- because we were out of condition (my opinion) and our ages [71 & 73] (my wife's opinion). The upslope from PGH to the Continental Divide is mild, but inexorable. It was a lot steeper this year than in 2012 or 2005. Slope matters. Distance matters. Comfort on your bike matters. Still, they are a great pair of trails, and we will some day make the entire trip. And thanks to Dan in Paw Paw for shuttle support and advice for my wife, traveling on her own. #CelebrateTrails #BikeAnywhere

We, three women, left PHG on the 18th and made it to DC on the 24th. One day later than planned. The C&O between Cumberland and Paw Paw had plenty of big puddles after the storm and rain in the morning of the 2oth and took longer than planned but was not horrible. However, the area right after the detour near Williamsport, MP 90, was particularly bad with lots of debris to climb over and thick nasty mud that we were unable to bike through (plus it was a 90 degree day!). Cleaned bikes at the Big Slackwater boat ramp. Word is that in the other direction there is a longer detour indicated that helps you avoid all this. We did not see those signs. The detour around MP90, described also on the NPS C&O website, takes you along a house where a dog named "Bubba" lives...it is on the top of a high hill. If he is out, it is best to get of your bike and walk by. He apparently likes to chase cyclists and bite some a few weeks ago. Dan helped us around the Paw Paw tunnel too. If you call him ahead of time, we called him the night before, he is often available: 304-671-5153. Great guy. Owns a B&B too. We stayed at the canal cabins in Paw Paw. Great place with free laundry. Cabins have comfortable beds, airco, coffee, etc. The people at the country store close by are wonderful.