Across the Continental Divide

Today we rode 72 miles from Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania to Cumberland, Maryland. We climbed 1,317 feet. 

Today we literally picked up where we left off yesterday, continuing on the GAP Trail out of Ohiopyle. This part of Pennsylvania has its own spectacular beauty, with dense forests and steep hillsides leading down to deep rivers. Train tracks parallel most of our routes in these parts and as a result the routes have very gradual slopes of one percent climbing or descending. We had another 0900 start today and rolled onto the GAP within minutes of leaving the hotel. We began the day with overcast skies and cooler temperatures than yesterday. We had a morning SAG at American Legion Post 279 in Rockwood, just off the GAP. The first half of the day we followed the Youghiogheny River and made the gradual climb for about 49 miles. The sun came out and burned off the overcast and temperatures climbed into the 70s. We crossed the Continental Divide for the sixth and final time on this trip and then began the long decline into Cumberland. We noted how remarkable a difference one per cent up or down made in our speed. With an up gradient of one percent we rolled along at about 15 MPH. One percent down and we averaged over 20 MPH. One percent down is much more fun. We arrived in Cumberland to a hotel that obviously caters to cyclists, as they had a bike wash area right off the trail. We conducted the usual ritual of unloading the truck, but lingered a bit longer than usual in the grass outside the hotel, enjoying the day and the camaraderie. Time on the road is running out. Tomorrow we start our transit on the C&O Canal Trail (https://www.canaltrust.org/plan/co-canal-towpath/).

Three (!) days remaining...

Tomorrow we will ride fromCumberland to Hagerstown, Maryland. We will cycle 90 miles and climb 1,500 feet. 

Totals to Date

Miles: 3,003

Elevation Gain: 91,177

Flat Tires: 53

States crossed: 10

Times crossing the Continental Divide: 6

Centuries: 7

Dog bites: 1