Linthicum, MD to Mt Vernon, VA - 62 miles - 2615 ft of elevation gain

Let the games begin! So today began the bulk of the riding for this grand adventure from PA to NC. We left Lancaster at 7:40am and headed to Linthicum, MD, where I stopped riding on October 1st. I will now be riding 5 straight days to reach the beach in Wilmington, NC.

Melissa has agreed to be my support vehicle driver, this is the second time she’s driving for one of my rides (the first was from Jacksonville to Key West with a group of us riding). This would not be possible without Melissa helping me get water, food, and watching my bike while I use the bathroom. Well, I guess other people do unsupported rides, but that really is another animal and would not allow for as many miles to be laid down at one shot.

For most of the day I was jumping between different trails, a few back roads, some neighborhoods, and some city biking through DC. There was only one turn the bike computer wanted me to take that did NOT exist, like it was an overgrown forest. It was a beautiful day to be on a bike, and the route was pretty. I do have some stories!

In DC, a police officer on a bike met up with me at a light. He asked if I wanted to race. I said I wasn’t sure I could compete. He said “Let’s see what you can put down! Although I do have longer legs!” He asked where I was headed and then we discussed the importance of getting teens outside (and on bikes). We went separate ways, so there wasn’t really the opportunity to see what I could lay down compared to “long-legs” on a weighted police bike.

As I was exiting DC, I came upon a group of young adults walking en masse on the sidewalks with a definite purpose to their steps. There were police cars in the middle of the street blocking traffic as the group continued their march down the sidewalks. I think it was a walk for water, but I’m not sure if that was just 3 ladies with a sign or they were representing the entire group. Any way, I’m rolling in the bike lane, which was on the left side of the road for bikers going both directions. One of the “marchers” makes like a squirrel and darts out in front of me without looking. I scream/yell. She then, literally like a squirrel, starts going left, then right, then left again, all while I’m trying to stop, maintain balance, and not hit this woman that’s flailing about in the middle of the bike lane. She finally moved out of my way and crossed the street. I’m just sad I didn’t have the GoPro running to catch the squirrel in action. A biker coming the other way just shook his head as we passed each other.

The final story is one of the grossest things that’s ever happened to me on a bike. I was rolling through Old Town Alexandra minding my map and looking for stop signs, when this went down.

I hear: “UGH-P” - or something like that followed by “SORRY!”

Next thing I feel something warm on my right thigh.

I look down to see a line of spit covering about 5-6 inches on my bike shorts.
I yell “GROSS!”

This was followed by another “Sorry!”

I pulled over to find a pile of dried leaves to wipe the spit from my leg. The car carrying the loogie offender moved closer, I thought to offer a napkin or something, but no, he stayed in his car and made no other offer to help.

Please watch where you’re throwing your spit! I’m just glad it didn’t land anywhere north of my leg, although, I would have preferred better timing on my part to avoid this all together.

The last part of the ride was on the Mt Vernon trail, which took me to Mt Vernon (shocking I know). It’s a lovely trail that follows the Potomac and dips in and out of the trees. After passing Mt Vernon it was a straight 2 miles to the hotel where the pool was waiting for me!

Tomorrow I’m joined by my first and last riding companion! My cousin is meeting me in the morning to ride 95 miles down to Ashland/Richmond. It’ll be nice to have a ride buddy for a day.