Day 1: Pittsburgh, PA -> Connellsville, PA. 62.5 miles

This was the first day of my second time biking from Pittsburgh to D.C. on the GAP and C&O trails. I’m traveling with my friend Matt Dierker.

The pain of the day was in equal measure comeuppance, enjoyment, and cautionary. The cost of failing to prepare for a bike trip of this magnitude were evident as my legs gelatinized and my butt chafed. The scenery of the day was spectacular, made all the better by the scenes that remained the same from two ears ago when I did this trip, prompting glimmers of fond memories from my Freshman attempt of the trail.

Today, there was no snow on the ground. The dry crushed limestone provides a soothing monotone under tire as I cruised onwards. 62.5 miles of cruising, to be precise. After the first 25 I started to feel it in my legs. Soreness and pain developing way quicker than I anticipated - the cost of doing a trip like this off the couch. I anticipate that I’ll strengthen over the coming days; that gives me hope. Now I must succumb to sleep, my weary body sinking into the sleeping pad.

Best Wishes,
Francis