Five of us just competed the Gap trip from the Eastern Continental Divide in Maryland to Pittsburgh, Pa. This is the second year for the trip for me. Rigorous; always a life experience, enjoying the great outdoors for five days.
At the start !
Here is a summary:
Distance: 146 miles (225 km), 5 riding days on a crushed limestone path through the woods, tent camping at night.
On back or bike: Handlebar bag, backpack, rear saddle bags, and stuff on luggage rack .. About 40 lbs.
Fully packed bike at left.
Carried: Maps, clothes/shoes for 5 days, personal hygiene stuff, rain gear, tent and related equipment, sleeping bag, night lighting, tunnel lighting, extra bike parts and repair tools, energy bars and similar, medical emergency stuff, some food, folding table and chair, all in, about 65 items. You say chair? Your seat is thankful to have one after hours on that bike seat!
Rafting: our riding trail passed through a white water rafting area so we did a half day raft trip.
The Team Relaxing… we did a lot of relaxing!
Weather: rain for 3 of the 5 days; 2 of those days 2” and 3” downpours. We just rode through it. Good news — dry nights and mornings so setting up camp and morning takedowns and re-packing the bikes, no rain !!!
Raccoons: Attack on last night — they made off with about 10 power bars and riding energy packets. Where’s my gun!
At right, taking a break!
Equipment failures: None
Injuries: One – a broken metacarpal (hand) on the raft trip on the third day. The dude completed the ride — tough!
***** S&E *****
Success & Excess 