Day two

The ride from Harpers Ferry to Williamsport looked like only about 35 miles and would have been if we'd stayed on the Canal Pathway or hadn't had a detour. We decided that we wanted to see the Civil War battlefield at Antietam and Sharpsburg so after riding up the hill from the motel and flying down the hill through Harpers Ferry, we left John Brown's town, recrossed the railroad bridge on the crosswalk and carried our bikes back down the stairs to the path where we rolled on for about 7 miles crossing Antietam Creek. At the campground we left the path and got on paved roads that put us up the fairly significant hills for the climb to the hilltop that is Antietam. Stopped at the visitors center to get our bearings for the ride through the battlefield and off we went going from point to point to understand a bit about this horrific battle where there were 23,000 casualties in one day, where Lee's army of Northern VA defended bravely against McClellans forces but ultimately were driven from their superior positions. McClellan failed to pursue so Lee's forces escaped over the Potomac. Lincoln fired McClellan and the war changed with Union forces receiving better direction. We saw where a 15 year old child took over a cannon placement as his mates fell around him. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, the youngest American to receive this Honor. We saw a pathway where the Union forces were gunned down that is named Bloody Path because of the carnage there. We saw a bridge where 7,000 Union troops tried to cross, ultimately successfuly, but took terrible casualties. We also road up and down lots of small and large hills!
Leaving the battlesite after a couple of hours of touring we headed back to the canal, sort of guessing our way (our maps weren't great for the area) and re-entered near Antietam Creek, retracing our ride for a mile or two. Next stop was lunch at Shepherdston, WV, where we were surprised to see Barbara drive up. She happened to see us as she was going through the small college town. So we had a sandwich and drinks, refilled our water bottles, visited a bike store where Tom bought a nobby for his rear to replace his treaded tire. We gave our purchases to Barb and wheeled off.
Then back on the canal for the final 30 miles to Williamsport and the Red Roof Inn--oops, a detour at the dam where the floods have washed away the canal path, so back up hills we went. Got a terrible cramp in =the back of my thigh so I slowed down for the 7 miles into Williamsport. Made it though and after cleaning up bikes, a short nap, went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Hagerstown. We are ready for another day tomorrow with our destination of Little Orleans, MD. We are camping so may not have internet service.
Having a wonderful time, wish you were here. Blog again soon as we can.
No pix except on facebook, still don't have the right connector cable.

Getting Ready for RAGBRAI 2009

I've been riding almost daily since March to get ready for this ride, mostly in North Caolina but with some rides in South Carolina and the mountains of western Virginia. Up to about 1200 miles training so far. I'll leave North Carolina on Wednesday, Jyly15, to drive to Iowa with bikes and equipment for some members of our group, the Road Apples, and connect with my brother who is driving his car from NC to Iowa. He will take over the truck and trailer duties to support the 14 riders in our group.
I'm raising funds for two groups important to me: the Winston-Salem Symphony Endowment and the Clemmons Food Pantry as I try to help feed some hungry families and make great music. If you want to pledge something in support of the 442-mile ride over seven days with 23,111 feet of climb, just send your pledge to rbear1@triad.rr.com. I'll get back to you with instructions on where to send the check after the event.
I've wanted to do this ride for many years and finally, upon retirement, can get away to ride. My riding partners include some rookies like me, some veterans of RAGBRAI, some older and most younger than me, at least one rider who has done the trans america ride and some members who are riding in from Michigan, across Wisconsin and Iowa and then back across Iowa. It is a diverse group and should be an interesting one.
I'm thinking the riding isn't going to be so tough, but the camping out...I don't know. My idea of roughing it is Holiday Inn Express or Motel 6. We'll see how I hold up.
More later.