Tunnel Hill State Trail, Illinois

September 7, 2015

41 miles

On the spur of the moment we decided to drive south a few hours and ride the Tunnel Hill State Trail. This section is located in the Shawnee National Forest. We started in Vienna, Illinois and rode uphill 9 miles before reaching the Tunnel. It was originally 800 feet long but in 1929 a portion collapsed now making it 534 feet. After going through the tunnel we enjoyed an up and down ride to the small town of Stonefort. The trail map indicated that there was food there but we couldn't find any. Our plan had been to eat lunch there before making our return ride back to Vienna. Thank goodness that we had a huge breakfast this morning at Country Schemes Bed & Breakfast!

 View coming up to the tunnel from the South

View looking South from the tunnel

It was hot and humid, and even with the tree cover, we were still glad that we had gotten an early start and had finished before the hottest part of the day. 

Random thoughts as I rode through the tunnel:

*Ahhh, the coolness feels wonderful!

*I sure hope there isn't an earthquake while we are in here.

*Maybe we should have gotten off and walked. (I had the strangest feeling while in there, almost like vertigo)

*Why did I leave my sunglasses on. I actually reached up and tried to remove them but, of course, they weren't there!

Our hostess from the Bed & Breakfast was actually one of the people in this area that got this trail started. It was very interesting to talk to her about it and what she had to do to get it going. Thanks Norma, your trail is a great asset to the area!

Washington and Old Dominion Trail, Leesburg, Virginia

August 28, 2015
24 miles

Today marks the last day of this biking vacation. We started out biking from our hotel to the bike path. It was less than a mile on a busy street which had a designated bike lane. Once on the trail we headed West, our destination was Purcellville, Virginia. This trail is named after the W&OD Railroad, which operated from 1859 to 1968. Along the trail there were many historical markers explaining about the different depots and other interesting facts. We rode under an old stone arch bridge which dated back to the late 1800s. We also saw old lime ovens used to bake limestone down to use as fertilizer and for road construction.

Old Stone Arch Bridge

 Lime Ovens

The trail ended in Purcellville at the quaint sunshine yellow train station, which was built in 1904. In the distance we could see the Blue Ridge Mountains. This small town was full of charm.

Purcellville Train Station

We had another perfect weather day and our ride back to Leesburg was downhill. When arriving back in Leesburg another rider passing us serenaded us with "A Bicycle Built for Two". What a way to finish this vacation!

The GAP, Meyersdale PA and Western Maryland Rail Trail, Hancock MD

August 26, 2015, Morning ride
21 miles

At breakfast this morning our plans changed. After talking to a fellow housemate at the Bed & Breakfast we decided that we should cycle more of the GAP. We drove to Meyersdale, Pennsylvania and picked up the trail there. Rode 10 miles east crossing the Eastern Continental Divide and then through Big Savage tunnel. We had to turn on our bike headlight because the tunnel is very long, 3294 feet long. When coming out of the tunnel you have a bird's eye panoramic view for miles and miles! The picture below doesn't do it justice.

There is a local man who sits up at this spot waiting for cyclists to stop and then engages them in conversation. His name is Harry and he is a retired Navy Seal. He told us a little area history, trail facts, personal facts and many, many jokes. He also took a liking to me. It would have been alarming and uncomfortable if Clay hadn't been with me. He talked so much it was hard to find a break in the one-sided conversation to get back on our bikes.

August 26, 2015, Afternoon ride

24 miles

After our morning ride we drove to Hancock, Maryland and checked in at the Bed & Breakfast. Decided to go ahead and ride our scheduled ride for this day. The innkeeper suggested riding West because that was the pretty way. It was flat and we just flew through the miles. The C&O Towpath was parallel to the trail we were on. We choose to ride on the Western Maryland Rail Trail because it was asphalt and the C&O was gravel and mud with ruts and potholes. This section of the trail included wooded areas with numerous rock outcroppings and views of the Potomac River through the trees. We had several encounters with deer this evening. I have been watching for bears but as yet have not spotted any.

Great Allegheny Passage, Connellsville, Pennsylvania

August 25, 2015
36 miles

Drove to Connellsville, Pennsylvania from Morgantown, West Virginia this morning, it took about 45 minutes. Parked by the Bed & Breakfast that we are staying in tonight. Unloaded the bikes and found the trail about two blocks away. Today we are riding on the Great Allegheny Passage Trail, aka The GAP. This trail, connecting with the C&O Canal Towpath, connects Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with Washington DC. We are riding the section from Connellsville, Pennsylvania to Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania. Uphill 17 beautiful miles.

The trail followed the Youghiogheny River, again another name I have trouble pronouncing. Like yesterday's trail the river was on one side of the trail and rock walls and ledges were on the other side, all in forested areas. Even though it was a weekday and very rural the trail was widely used. We saw many people on packed bikes that I am sure were riding long distances.

 Youghiogheny River

 One of the scenic rest stops on the trail

 Rock walls along the trail

 Crossing a bridge over the Youghiogheny River going into Ohiopyle

We arrived in Ohiopyle right at lunchtime. Found an outdoor cafe and had a delicious lunch while basking in the sun. It was glorious! Riding in the trees is pretty chilly, even in August. Made the return trip to Connellsville, enjoying the scenery while not working so hard since it was downhill.

This trail left us with wanting more. I think we will have to come back, maybe even to ride the whole trail from Pittsburgh to DC!

Deckers Creek Trail, Morgantown, West Virginia

August 24, 2015

31 miles

Started out early this morning. It was cool and the skies were overcast. Was so thankful that I had warmer clothes on because the majority of this trail was in the forest. On one side of the trail were rock walls/overhangs and on the other side was Deckers Creek. Sometimes the creek was near us and sometimes it was quite a distance below us. At one point I said "look how far the creek is down the hill." I heard Susan say "Don't look Tom!" I asked why Tom couldn't look. Susan said because Tom tends to veer in the direction that he is looking. I guess Susan was fearful that they would end up over the edge if Tom looked. Later, Tom admitted to me that he does actually look but that Susan just doesn't know.

I didn't mention that the trail was uphill and the road surface was crushed limestone. So we had a good workout. At least going slower we were able to enjoy more of the scenery! It was especially challenging for Tom and Susan since the Florida trails they are used to are flat. All of us really had fun riding back down. Not much pedaling!

 One of the prettiest views of Decker Creek

 Rock Walls and Overhangs along the trail

On a side note, after the ride we drove to Coopers Rock State Forest. The view from the overlook was breathtaking! We also did a short 2 mile hike to a place called Rock City. Our legs have been really worked over today and tomorrow's bike ride in Pennsylvania will be another uphill limestone trail.

Coopers Rock Overview with the Cheat River below

Caperton Trail, Morgantown, West Virginia

August 23, 2015
18 miles

 Selfie taken pre-ride

(I obviously didn't get the memo to wear yellow)

Arrived in Morgantown, West Virginia and met up with Tom and Susan. We will spend two days here and decided to ride both days. Today we did the easier ride and rode the Caperton Trail which basically goes right along the Monongahela River, which I can't pronounce! There were many people using the trail today, always a good sign. This trail is named after a former West Virginia governor. We cycled past businesses, West Virginia University, industrial areas and the back decks of eateries that cater to trail users. There was even an Urgent Care facility, hopefully not used by many trail users!

 View along the Monongahela River

 Amphitheater on the river front

Another unusual sign seen on the bike trail. 

By the way, it was a very nice dog park and quite busy.

I couldn't get the song Country Roads by John Denver out of my mind today. West Virginia is Wild and Wonderful just like their license plate proclaims. Looking forward to our ride tomorrow, which should be more rural compared to todays trail.

Cardinal Greenway, Richmond, Indiana

August 22, 2015
30 miles

Travel day. We arrived early to our hotel in Richmond, Indiana. Clay had researched and found that there is a trail here in Richmond. Even though we have previously ridden a trail in Indiana why not ride another one since we had several hours of daylight left. It turns out that this is Indiana's longest rail-trail. The trail takes it's name from the passenger train that used to run this route. Most of the trail ran through the countryside. Saw, heard and smelled lots of farms. Actually, it is rural Indiana at it's finest!

This must be Amish country because at every road crossing we saw this sign on the trail. At one point the road was parallel to the trail and a horse and buggy was traveling down the road in the opposite direction. We waved to one another and I wondered if it was a young man going a courting. It is Saturday night!

Tammany Trace, Covington, Louisiana

April 29, 2015
50 miles

I forgot to mention that yesterday after our ride, as I leaned over to take my shoes off, I heard a hissing noise coming from the back tire on our bike. Sure enough when we arrived at the hotel in Louisiana we had a flat tire. Before we left home we bought new tires to bring with us because the ones on our bike were showing lots of wear.  Clay decided that as long as he was changing the tube on the back tire he might as well change tubes and tires on both wheels. So our hotel room became a bike repair workshop.

We started our ride today at the Abita Springs Trailhead. Immediately the man that we parked next to began a conversation with us. He had noticed our out of state license plate and was curious about  what brought us to the area. He gave us lots of helpful information about the trail and what kind of snakes we could possibly encounter while riding "The Trace". I am happy to report that I saw ZERO snakes today. But, I did see a turtle!

Out of the three trails we've ridden on this trip, Tammany Trace was the most used. We even saw another couple on a tandem. We passed them going each way. Many of the people we passed threw greetings our way and when we would stop to take a picture people passing would ask if everything was alright. Clay and I give this trail the "Most Friendly" award!

The flora and fauna along the trace were what you would expect for southern Louisiana. Lots of swamps, spanish moss and insects. The weather today was lovely, sunny skies and temps in the 70s. We had a hard time deciding when to stop biking, hence the fifty miles. And for all my Weight Watcher friends out there, I earned 32 activity points today. Sweet!

Longleaf Trace Trail, Hattiesburg, Mississippi

April 28, 2015
30 miles

Well, we went in search of warmer weather and let's just say we are headed in the right direction! It was 66 degrees and overcast when we started out this morning. By the time we ended the clouds were breaking up and the temperature was very comfortable. We were actually very happy that we even got to ride because the rain chances had been very high for today. We thought we would be taking a rain day and wait for tomorrow to ride. But, surprise, the weatherman was wrong!

We started out in Hattiesburg on the campus of the University of Southern Miss. The trail is 40 miles long but we knew we wouldn't get to ride the complete trail since we didn't have anyone to move our car to the other end. So we rode out 15 miles, turned around and came back. The trail was extremely nice. Very wide (a minimum of 10 foot wide) and the surface was asphalt. So our average mph was higher today than yesterday. Yesterday we averaged 11 mph, today 15.5 mph.

This trail was part of a tree identification program so the section we rode had identification signposts labeling some trees. I saw some trees I had never heard of. It was quite interesting. There were many areas to stop and rest and enjoy the scenery. The scent today was just as wonderful. Again, I smelled honeysuckle but today it was mixed with aroma from the pine trees and the after rain fragrance. 

We did have a near disaster with a squirrel. We were clipping right along (15 mph) and a squirrel on the side of the trail couldn't decide which way he wanted to dart. At the last second he shot out toward us on a collision course with our front tire. Right before our tire would have hit him he changed directions! Clay said he was sure we were going to go down. Too close for my comfort level!

One other interesting thing happened. When we finished and were loading our bike on the car a reporter for a local TV station came up to us. She asked if we had ridden the trail. She said they are getting ready to expand the trail and her station was going to run a piece about it. We told her we were from Illinois and that we were riding a trail in every state. She asked if she could ask us a few questions on camera about the trail and what we thought about it. So, I guess tonight or very soon we'll be on the news in Hattiesburg! Why do things like this have to happen to me after riding 30 miles and having helmet hair!!!

Delta Heritage Trail, Barton, Arkansas

April 27, 2015
20 miles
We began our ride at the Walnut Corner trailhead in Barton, Arkansas. There is a park visitor center located here with nice, clean restrooms and a quaint gift store. Yes, we found something for the grandkids! The lady working here was friendly and knowledgeable about the trail.

This is our
first out-of-state ride this year. We went south looking for warmer weather.
Today, we didn't find it. It was in the upper 50s and overcast (it sprinkled on
us driving to the trailhead) with a brisk NE wind. I had to wear several layers
of riding clothes and even my ear muffs.

In
spite of the cold weather, I thoroughly enjoyed the trail. It is a former Union
Pacific Railroad right-of-way that has been turned into a biking/hiking trail,
passing through rich delta wetlands. The surface was crushed limestone so that
slowed us down a bit. Trees provided a shaded canopy for a majority of the
trail, the honeysuckle was just starting to bloom so the scent was heavenly,
and, I even spotted a bluebird in the bushes today.






Some historical highlights of the trail included crossing over Lick Creek where a Civil War Skirmish took place, and we stopped at the Lake View trailhead which was a "New Deal" community.

Deeper south we go in search of warmer temperatures!

San Juan, Puerto Rico

February 19, 2015
12 miles

How strange for me to be writing about a bike ride in February. A few weeks ago we were on a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean enjoying the sun and warm temperatures. I almost felt guilty knowing that back home the highs were in the 20's and it was snowing. I have decided that going on a cruise in February should be an annual event!

While in San Juan we decided to take a bike riding excursion. We rode past historic sights and beautiful beaches. Our tour guides were all born and raised in Puerto Rico and gave us quite a bit of San Juan  history during the ride. Had a very enjoyable time and felt completely safe riding on and through the streets of San Juan. 

 Escambron Beach

 Mercado Santurce, 100 year-old market where we enjoyed a delicious banana smoothie

 Clay holding a Sea Urchin at Condado Lagoon Forest Reserve

 Capital Building

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Our biking group posing by the San Juan Bautista Statue

A street in Old San Juan