What a difference a good weather day makes! Yesterday was beautiful blue skies. Outside of the towpath, it was warm and breezy. In the trees, it was perfect.
Realized one navigational error: the app from the C&O canal trust gives a lot of really useful information, like where the next bathroom is, but it calculates distance as the crow flies from your current location. So, I'll need to cross reference things with Google Bicycle maps or just rely on mile markers.
Highlights:
"This is the ultimate trip ever!"
Taking pictures of more spiderwebs, insect eggs on leaves, turtles.
The Towpath Creamery and their little trail supply store, which had some nice picture books for $1. So the kids get bedtime stories tonight. Their ice cream was delicious too- real strawberry topping.
The views coming into Harpers Ferry!
All the hidden treasures in The Town's Inn's "dungeon" aka friendship room. Secret stairways, doors that led to... under the porch!, a sliding barn-style door, old keys stuck into the mortar between the rocks of the walls.
Challenges:
- too many mud puddles affected Eryn's derailleur, that needs to be looked at.
Recommendations:
- I wish we had more time to see the stuff of Harpers Ferry. If adults were doing the miles we were, they would have plenty of time to climb the stone steps, etc. The kids could care less. They were fascinated with running out to the patio to watch the trains pass, and that was enough. Maybe older kids would appreciate the history a bit more, but I think as they get older and realize they were at these places, maybe they will be interested in coming back.
- The Towns inn was a great place to stay.
Sunday, June 16, 2019
Friday, June 14, 2019
Day 2: Bethseda to Leesburg, VA
The first three are the hardest. The first three days of a bike trip, a backpacking trip, the first three miles of a half marathon. (I figured that one out when I started doing longer distances than 5ks, and realized that the 5k *was* the warm up- the 2nd half of a 10k just felt so much better.)
When the kids did their longest training ride to the Hotel Del Coronado down the Silver Strand, they hit their stride around mile 9, 10, 11, 12. They could go forever. Same with yesterday- once we finally hit mile 10, the next 5 miles to our lunch stop just flew by.
This, of course, was not how the entire ride went. By the numbers, we had an actual time moving of 5 hours. We started our day about 8:30, and got off White's Ferry at 5pm.
There were more "This is the best trip EVER!" exclamations than "this is the worst trip ever". There was a few comments such as, "I am never riding a bike ever again" followed soon after of, "Can my next bike have handlebars like yours?"
At the end of the day, it was 30 miles total, which was a few more than I anticipated in my mapping, and that was significant. It was a long day. I'm really glad I had the Towwhee strap, it raised spirits more than actually assisted their riding. I only brought one, thinking taking turns would be okay, but as I'm typing Mike is making up a similar bungee strap out of a found piece of webbing and some elastic cord.
Eryn thought Mike towed her too fast, so rather than speaking up, she just used one brake the whole time.
Highlights:
- Bryan looking for the fairies at the ferry landing.
- Eryn taking some really neat pictures of water-laden spiderwebs.
- Eryn walking slowly and quietly to get a good picture of a deer.
- "Puddle Power", a game they made up in which they got energy from riding through a puddle. Needless to say, they were wet the entire time.
- Taking the shuttle to the Best Western from the ferry landing.
- Singing really does make the time go by.
- The Towwhee.
Challenges:
- Took off Eryn's rack and bags. She's riding much better without them.
- Sudden downpours of a lot of rain. Followed by trees dripping.
- homesickness still hits occasionally.
Recommendations:
- the hiker-bike camps are pretty nice, and very frequent, but as a group of 5, we would need a really large tent or 2 medium tents, and that's a lot of wet gear to deal with. If it were just two of us, me and one kid, then maybe we'd camp more.
- the hotels have been fully booked, I'm really glad I made all of our reservations un March.
When the kids did their longest training ride to the Hotel Del Coronado down the Silver Strand, they hit their stride around mile 9, 10, 11, 12. They could go forever. Same with yesterday- once we finally hit mile 10, the next 5 miles to our lunch stop just flew by.
This, of course, was not how the entire ride went. By the numbers, we had an actual time moving of 5 hours. We started our day about 8:30, and got off White's Ferry at 5pm.
There were more "This is the best trip EVER!" exclamations than "this is the worst trip ever". There was a few comments such as, "I am never riding a bike ever again" followed soon after of, "Can my next bike have handlebars like yours?"
At the end of the day, it was 30 miles total, which was a few more than I anticipated in my mapping, and that was significant. It was a long day. I'm really glad I had the Towwhee strap, it raised spirits more than actually assisted their riding. I only brought one, thinking taking turns would be okay, but as I'm typing Mike is making up a similar bungee strap out of a found piece of webbing and some elastic cord.
Eryn thought Mike towed her too fast, so rather than speaking up, she just used one brake the whole time.
Highlights:
- Bryan looking for the fairies at the ferry landing.
- Eryn taking some really neat pictures of water-laden spiderwebs.
- Eryn walking slowly and quietly to get a good picture of a deer.
- "Puddle Power", a game they made up in which they got energy from riding through a puddle. Needless to say, they were wet the entire time.
- Taking the shuttle to the Best Western from the ferry landing.
- Singing really does make the time go by.
- The Towwhee.
Challenges:
- Took off Eryn's rack and bags. She's riding much better without them.
- Sudden downpours of a lot of rain. Followed by trees dripping.
- homesickness still hits occasionally.
Recommendations:
- the hiker-bike camps are pretty nice, and very frequent, but as a group of 5, we would need a really large tent or 2 medium tents, and that's a lot of wet gear to deal with. If it were just two of us, me and one kid, then maybe we'd camp more.
- the hotels have been fully booked, I'm really glad I made all of our reservations un March.
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Day 1: Georgetown to Bethseda
Day 1 complete!
The highlights:
- Going to mile marker 0
- eating mulberries and watching all the geese at mile marker 0, including some still-fuzzy, but large goslings.
- throwing rocks into the water to break up the algae cover. Eryn, "Well, that was more satisfying than expected."
- how efficient the circulator was getting us to right where we needed to be, and the racks held the kids' bikes no problem.
- Watching Bryan go to speed for pretty much the entire 8 miles. Eryn wanted to be in front for a small stretch, so she had to keep a quick pace, and we heard Bryan behind us yelling, "passing!" although there was no way Eryn was going to let him do that.
The challenges:
- I think we're already out of gummy bears
- Eryn needs a lot of... encouragement to keep up a good attitude.
- The kids are still on San Diego time, so bedtime at a reasonable hour has been a struggle.
- Because they're both overtired, the homesickness, missing Oma, missing Daddy, missing Dug and Dixie and Rita and the chickens and the ducks and the turkeys hit hard last night. We brainstormed silly ideas of how to bring our menagerie in bicycle trailers on the next trip... Rita, our sulfur-crested Triton cockatoo does like to ride on bicycle handlebars.
- My lack of sense of direction around town. I'm having the hardest time orienting myself here! So, a few navigational mishaps took us on some scenic routes.
Recommendations:
- This Airbnb in Bethseda was a great choice. The path getting out along Glen Echo/Cabin John was an accomplishment (lots of trail stairs), but a nice path on the street, just the right distance for a late start. We got in around 4pm, the kids had a great time playing on the big lawn with all the games here, magnetic darts, etc. I did laundry, we ordered in pizza, the air mattress was perfect for the kids. I'm really looking forward to the other Airbnbs we have llined up.
- Finding mile post 0 wasn't that bad once we found it. I saw the YouTube video, Mike had been there earlier in the week, but it is hidden.
- We took the Capital Cresent trail until fisherman's cove (I think that's what it's called? May edit this.). Ran into a very helpful person with routemaps who suggested this. The C&O in Georgetown is cool because the town is built up around it, but that means crossing a lot of streets.
Pictures are being posted on Instagram at almaontheroad
The highlights:
- Going to mile marker 0
- eating mulberries and watching all the geese at mile marker 0, including some still-fuzzy, but large goslings.
- throwing rocks into the water to break up the algae cover. Eryn, "Well, that was more satisfying than expected."
- how efficient the circulator was getting us to right where we needed to be, and the racks held the kids' bikes no problem.
- Watching Bryan go to speed for pretty much the entire 8 miles. Eryn wanted to be in front for a small stretch, so she had to keep a quick pace, and we heard Bryan behind us yelling, "passing!" although there was no way Eryn was going to let him do that.
The challenges:
- I think we're already out of gummy bears
- Eryn needs a lot of... encouragement to keep up a good attitude.
- The kids are still on San Diego time, so bedtime at a reasonable hour has been a struggle.
- Because they're both overtired, the homesickness, missing Oma, missing Daddy, missing Dug and Dixie and Rita and the chickens and the ducks and the turkeys hit hard last night. We brainstormed silly ideas of how to bring our menagerie in bicycle trailers on the next trip... Rita, our sulfur-crested Triton cockatoo does like to ride on bicycle handlebars.
- My lack of sense of direction around town. I'm having the hardest time orienting myself here! So, a few navigational mishaps took us on some scenic routes.
Recommendations:
- This Airbnb in Bethseda was a great choice. The path getting out along Glen Echo/Cabin John was an accomplishment (lots of trail stairs), but a nice path on the street, just the right distance for a late start. We got in around 4pm, the kids had a great time playing on the big lawn with all the games here, magnetic darts, etc. I did laundry, we ordered in pizza, the air mattress was perfect for the kids. I'm really looking forward to the other Airbnbs we have llined up.
- Finding mile post 0 wasn't that bad once we found it. I saw the YouTube video, Mike had been there earlier in the week, but it is hidden.
- We took the Capital Cresent trail until fisherman's cove (I think that's what it's called? May edit this.). Ran into a very helpful person with routemaps who suggested this. The C&O in Georgetown is cool because the town is built up around it, but that means crossing a lot of streets.
Pictures are being posted on Instagram at almaontheroad
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Up, up and away
The boy child is pretty easy to get ready in the morning, because he sleeps through everything. I can get him fully dressed, socks, shoes, brush his hair, apply sunscreen, and he doesn't wake up at all. Sometimes I think I should encourage more independence, on the other hand, I don't really want to chase down a tornado every morning.
That was the case this morning- by letting him sleep through the packing chaos, he wasn't unpacking things that were packed, or trying to test his bike's speed through the parking lot. We also didn't make our planned train, and had to catch the later one.
But we're on the MARC, got the steel bike lifted onto the bike hanger, and ready to go figure out the next public transport option- using the circulator racks to get us to Georgetown.
That was the case this morning- by letting him sleep through the packing chaos, he wasn't unpacking things that were packed, or trying to test his bike's speed through the parking lot. We also didn't make our planned train, and had to catch the later one.
But we're on the MARC, got the steel bike lifted onto the bike hanger, and ready to go figure out the next public transport option- using the circulator racks to get us to Georgetown.
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Gear list, 5 years later
Being in my 5th year of bicycling trips, I have a pretty good idea of what has held up over time, and what I've had to replace.
Shoes: My bike shoes are still in really good shape, and I don't wear them as much as I'd like to. They still have 8,000 miles in them. I'll come back and edit with brand and pictures, all I remember is I got them at REI. They're recessed MTB clips, so I can walk around in them fairly easy. I debated switching out to flat pedals for this trip, but I'm pretty good about clipping out quickly with the kids' sudden stops. My only hesitation is the mud that gets packed up in them.
Off the bike shoes: For the past 5 years I've had a pair of ballet-flat crocs, and they have all the benefits of crocs: they weigh nothing, they pack anywhere, they can be washed off. They also have all the downsides of crocs: feet sweat, no traction, and I've pretty much worn through the bottoms at the ball of my foot. They've gotten a lot of year-round wear over the past 5 years, and it's time to retire them this trip. For $24, I got my money's worth. If I weren't sightseeing as much, I might get another pair. They make great camp shoes because they're closed toe and ultralight. And, the ballet flats aren't ugly.
So, I upgraded to some knock-off Keens I got at Big 5 Sporting Goods. On sale, they were $16. Mom went to go take a look for a pair and she could only find them for $59. If they were full price, I'd get the Keens, but like Bryan's shoes, it was a last minute find. "Outland river shoes" have the elastic bungee straps and the toe protection. Unlike the crocs, I feel like I could easily pedal in these if needed.
Shoes: My bike shoes are still in really good shape, and I don't wear them as much as I'd like to. They still have 8,000 miles in them. I'll come back and edit with brand and pictures, all I remember is I got them at REI. They're recessed MTB clips, so I can walk around in them fairly easy. I debated switching out to flat pedals for this trip, but I'm pretty good about clipping out quickly with the kids' sudden stops. My only hesitation is the mud that gets packed up in them.
Off the bike shoes: For the past 5 years I've had a pair of ballet-flat crocs, and they have all the benefits of crocs: they weigh nothing, they pack anywhere, they can be washed off. They also have all the downsides of crocs: feet sweat, no traction, and I've pretty much worn through the bottoms at the ball of my foot. They've gotten a lot of year-round wear over the past 5 years, and it's time to retire them this trip. For $24, I got my money's worth. If I weren't sightseeing as much, I might get another pair. They make great camp shoes because they're closed toe and ultralight. And, the ballet flats aren't ugly.
So, I upgraded to some knock-off Keens I got at Big 5 Sporting Goods. On sale, they were $16. Mom went to go take a look for a pair and she could only find them for $59. If they were full price, I'd get the Keens, but like Bryan's shoes, it was a last minute find. "Outland river shoes" have the elastic bungee straps and the toe protection. Unlike the crocs, I feel like I could easily pedal in these if needed.
Monday, June 10, 2019
Gear list, kids edition
Outfitting kids for their first bike tour was a process of several months accumulating pieces, with some last minute finds.
Shoes: I always makes sure my kids have two pairs of shoes on trips, because it is inevitable one pair will get wet, muddy, or somehow ruined. I wanted their primary pair to have toe protection and something without laces. (Tangent story- I have a vivid memory of riding my bike in the summer of 1994 at the corner of Agua Tibia and East Donohoe when my right shoelace got wrapped around the pedal, causing me to have a slow tip-over in the middle of the street. I'm still extra cautious about tucking in my shoelaces, wearing velcro, or other non-lace options.)
For Eryn, I was fortunate to find a pair of Keens on REI's clearance website in her size, bonus that they're waterproof. Bryan's size was out of stock, and he thought the olive green was ugly. About a week before we left, I was picking up some long-sleeve heat gear under armour shirts for Mike, and I checked out the clearance shoe section at Dick's sporting goods. By chance, there was a pair of Merrells in Bryan's size- nice toe protection, waterproof, bungee laces. While I was in-line I searched for prices to match, coming up with hits in the $45 range. At the register they rang up for the price of $10! No arguing with that. I thought either he'd be in two pairs of socks or there would be some creative stretching with a hair dryer and newspaper, but the shoes fit just fine.
Shoes: I always makes sure my kids have two pairs of shoes on trips, because it is inevitable one pair will get wet, muddy, or somehow ruined. I wanted their primary pair to have toe protection and something without laces. (Tangent story- I have a vivid memory of riding my bike in the summer of 1994 at the corner of Agua Tibia and East Donohoe when my right shoelace got wrapped around the pedal, causing me to have a slow tip-over in the middle of the street. I'm still extra cautious about tucking in my shoelaces, wearing velcro, or other non-lace options.)
For Eryn, I was fortunate to find a pair of Keens on REI's clearance website in her size, bonus that they're waterproof. Bryan's size was out of stock, and he thought the olive green was ugly. About a week before we left, I was picking up some long-sleeve heat gear under armour shirts for Mike, and I checked out the clearance shoe section at Dick's sporting goods. By chance, there was a pair of Merrells in Bryan's size- nice toe protection, waterproof, bungee laces. While I was in-line I searched for prices to match, coming up with hits in the $45 range. At the register they rang up for the price of $10! No arguing with that. I thought either he'd be in two pairs of socks or there would be some creative stretching with a hair dryer and newspaper, but the shoes fit just fine.
Friday, June 7, 2019
Boogers
Bryan got pink eye yesterday, so adding his antibiotic eye drops to the packing list. Eryn's complaining of a headache and a tummy ache today, and I'm trying to discern if it's nervousness or something more.
I'm looking over my first aid kit one more time, altering the usual stuff to be more kid-centric: spray on Neosporin, chewable Tylenol, children's Pepto?
Making sure I have all their insurance cards, prescription benefit information, and...
A smart friend shared a piece of information that parents go on family trips, but don't call it a vacation. A vacation is going somewhere with less responsibility. A family trip brings on more responsibility than had you just stayed at home. I've done plenty of family trips before, and I'm really excited about this one. And I really missed my family on the previous vacations. Both are important. But now, when the kids are 8 and 5, vacationing needs to go on hold for some time, and I'll get better at thinking of all these things kids need, like extra Kleenex for those inevitable boogers... I don't think they've mastered the moving snot-rocket skill yet.
I'm looking over my first aid kit one more time, altering the usual stuff to be more kid-centric: spray on Neosporin, chewable Tylenol, children's Pepto?
Making sure I have all their insurance cards, prescription benefit information, and...
A smart friend shared a piece of information that parents go on family trips, but don't call it a vacation. A vacation is going somewhere with less responsibility. A family trip brings on more responsibility than had you just stayed at home. I've done plenty of family trips before, and I'm really excited about this one. And I really missed my family on the previous vacations. Both are important. But now, when the kids are 8 and 5, vacationing needs to go on hold for some time, and I'll get better at thinking of all these things kids need, like extra Kleenex for those inevitable boogers... I don't think they've mastered the moving snot-rocket skill yet.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)