From Harpers Ferry to Hancock (67 Miles)
We kicked off the day in Harpers Ferry, standing right at the dramatic confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. It was bound to be another scorcher, but looking up at a brilliant blue sky dotted with puffy white clouds, we couldn't wait to hit the trail.
We picked up the C&O (Chesapeake and Ohio) Canal Towpath right where we left off yesterday. The riding conditions were perfect: firm, hard-packed crushed gravel under the tires. With a lush canopy of trees meeting overhead to form a natural tunnel, the experience was hard to beat. While regional temperatures were predicted to skyrocket past 95°F today, tucked away inside our green cocoon, the brutal heat stayed mostly at bay.
Engineering Marvels of the 1800s
As we pedaled, we followed a familiar rhythm: the wide Potomac River on our left and the historic canal ruins on our right. It’s incredible how well-preserved the canal is—nearly all the stone structures of the old canal locks remain perfectly in place.
Today, we also started noticing dams spanking the Potomac, originally constructed to divert river water to feed the canal system. Just like yesterday, we crossed several aqueducts (or viaducts), which are essentially water bridges designed to carry the canal seamlessly over obstacles below.
Trail Highlight: We encountered a spectacular, combined aqueduct-and-lock structure. This brilliant piece of 19th-century engineering allowed the canal to bridge a feeder river while simultaneously lowering canal boats to a lower elevation. A truly ingenious system to see up close!
It makes you appreciate the history. The C&O was decades in the making before construction finally began in 1828. In fact, all the way back in 1785, George Washington himself founded a company to build skirting canals around the Potomac’s most treacherous rapids to open up trade between the East Coast and the emerging Western territories.
Racing the Thermometer to Williamsport
By the time we rolled into Williamsport at the 42-mile mark, the heat was catching up to us. We pulled into a lovely, shaded park for a quick lunch, but we couldn't linger long—we needed to keep moving to beat the soaring afternoon temperatures.
One of the coolest sections of the afternoon featured a concrete boardwalk that extended right out over the water. Standing out there, I was struck by just how massive and wide the Potomac had become.
The Finish Line: Ice Cream & A Hard-Earned Rest
Our final destination for the day was Hancock, marking a grand total of 67 miles in the saddle. By the end, the oppressive heat was absolutely zapping our energy.
Naturally, our very first stop in town wasn't our lodging—it was the ice cream shop directly across the street from it! Nothing has ever tasted so good. Mildly recovered and properly cooled down, we checked into our B&B for the evening, where we’ve luckily snagged the entire second floor exclusively for our group.
Time to rest up, escape the heat, and get ready for whatever the trail throws at us tomorrow!
Happy Biking
Brian
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