Today is the longest mileage of this bike tour – 72.4 miles. Due to that distance, several of us determine it would be wise to not ride every segment. The nice thing is that our tour guides give us an idea of what we will see along the way. Based on this information, we each decide which segments we will skip. I plan to skip a portion of the Rockwood to Deal segment, about 12 miles. Anna, one of our guides, says she will drop us off at the Meyersdale Train Station where we can look at the historic train station and then start up again from there. Today we finish the Great Allegheny Passage Trail at the start of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail.

We eat breakfast in the hotel and then are briefed on the day right before we start riding. Today we are loading up into the van to then start of our day on the trail. The view out the hotel last night was beautiful, this morning – fog! By the time we get to the start of the trail, it has cleared so the weather today will be much better.

Before we start today, there is nice waterfall near the start of the trail. Photo – op for the group. Picture is on the guide’s phone, however, he did get a picture of my son and me together.

Now we are on the trail. Like yesterday, this section is tree-lined and the temperature is perfect. The forest is damp from the rain yesterday. Besides for trees, we can see many rhododendrons and the trail follows along a river which you can see through the trees. There are also bridges periodically that cross the river to the other side. Nice views! On the first leg of the trip, my bicycle seat ‘breaks.’ What happened was the clip that holds the seat post isn’t working so my seat is down as low as it can go. Jim, our guide who is at the end of the group, attempts to fix it twice but to no avail. What a pain in the butt!!! I make only one stop before I find the van for the snack break where Anna and Jim replace the seat. My only stop is at Confluence- Nice views from the bridge.

Snack stop and bike fixed and off we go. The first stop is a bridge crossing the river way down below. We see a couple of kayaks paddling enjoying the day.

The short Pinkerton tunnel is the next stop.

Through the forest we go to the our lunch stop at Rockwood. This town has a visitor center/gift shop. A map out front is for people to post where they are from and a visitor book is signed by all.

After lunch, I ride in the van. Others continue on their bikes. The most notable to us is that we are now in farming country. Our van passes under an amazing viaduct, others get to cross it! (Thanks to Russ for the pictures!)

Anna takes us to the Meyersdale Train station where we first look around the museum. Includes an entire room for model trains which you can activate to watch them run around the tracks. Nicely done!

Did I mention that we have been riding uphill at about a 1% grade all day?! On the bike again, more tunnels ahead! Farms being tended by Amish. More sun on this segment.

We finally reach the Continental Divide! There is signage and some history on the walls inside the tunnel. I have never been on a bike crossing the Continental Divide anywhere in the country! Milestone!

Next stop, Big Savage Mountain Tunnel and once through the tunnel a spectacular view of the countryside.

Several windmills line the mountain top. Not unusual to see windmills anymore, everywhere in the world. At this height, we can even hear them.

Now for the amazing Mason-Dixon Line at the border of Pennsylvania and Maryland. Yes, there is a monument, bricks in the ground marking it, historical plaque and huge granite stones with the letters spelled out. We have now entered into Maryland.

Another tunnel! Borden Tunnel 1911. An interesting art garden (art picture by Russ).

The remainder of the trail towards Cumberland is following along side the train tracks on one side and forest and rock cliffs on the other side. There is even one more tunnel that you share with trains. Not as much shade anymore either; still, a very fun ride – remember – downhill!

One interesting stop along the way that I skipped but Russ kindly shares his pictures – the Bone Cave.

We arrive at the end of the Great Allegheny Gap Trail which is where the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail begins. Check into the hotel, beverages on the deck, dinner at Uncle Jack’s Pizza ( terrible service!) and then to bed. Ready to ride tomorrow on the C&O trail!