The Five Glorious Cream Puffs

[eminva]

Hello --

2013 was the year I discovered I'm not exactly an epic rider. So I can neither benefit from nor offer anything to that other five-glorious thread. Thought I'd start a thread, in case there are others who want to share ideas for new fun rides that aren't harrowing. Family friendly is a bonus.

What I DID love (besides every misadventure with acc, of course) was riding the C&O Canal towpath (over four days). Highly recommended!

I hope to do the Great Allegheny Passage trail this year. I'd also like to do the entire Torrey C. Brown (a.k.a. Northern Central Rail) Trail and York County Heritage Trail if I get a chance.

Somewhat farther afield, I mean to do the Chief Ladiga and Silver Comet Trails in Alabama and Georgia (100 miles one-way altogether) this spring.

Any other ideas?

Thanks.

Liz

[JimF22003]

If you want to go even further afield, and you're looking for bike path stuff, I recommend the Trail of the Coeur d'alenes in Northern Idaho. Lovely pavement and beautiful scenery, almost no hills. If you're lucky (like I was this summer) you'll see the moose outside of Cataldo (and be sure to detour to see the Cataldo Mission as well)

http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/...coeur-d-alenes
http://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/...es-old-mission

[Geoff]

I've long wanted to do the Erie Canalway (along the Erie Canal, of course).
Other trips on my list are TOSRV (Ohio), the One Day Ride Across Michigan (which I plan to do this summer), and there is a trip up Michigan's Lake Michigan coast (can't remember what it's called) that I'd like to do.

Sound midwest-centric? Yeah, well, after all these years it's still home...

BTW, the picture I use as my avatar was taken on the Great Allegheny Passage a few years back. I did it in combination with the C&O. A good trip, I recommend it.

[sethpo]

BTW, the picture I use as my avatar was taken on the Great Allegheny Passage a few years back. I did it in combination with the C&O. A good trip, I recommend it.

This is definitely on my list for next summer.

I am also early in planning a two-day ride from DC to Raleigh, NC where my mom and sister live. Google says it's about 300 miles by bike so I think that's doable...but no cake walk.

[eminva]

Thanks. You all would have me on some great vacations! Idaho's probably not in the cards this year, but it is in the realm of possibility, now that we have family in Alberta. We might take a few weeks and do a major cross continental jaunt (but NOT during Freezing Saddles season).

Liz

[dasgeh]

I am also early in planning a two-day ride from DC to Raleigh, NC where my mom and sister live. Google says it's about 300 miles by bike so I think that's doable...but no cake walk.

You should definitely do it before March. :-) Seriously, though, would love to see your route...

[Rootchopper]

I've done the GAP, the Erie Canal, and the North Central. The GAP can be done in 3 days pretty easily. The Erie Canal is an entirely different experience and worth the trip. I diverted from the canal and managed to actually ride a couple of hills. That's 2 hills in 300 miles! The North Central is worth doing once. I've done it up and back in a day several times. Not in the same league as the GAP or Erie but easier to plan and get to. Long story short, do them all!!!

[sethpo]

You should definitely do it before March. :-) Seriously, though, would love to see your route...

Me too!

I've not yet gone beyond basic Google mapping it. Lots to plan, but for now it's a mid-term goal to keep my eyes on and turn a sleaze ride into a 10-miler.

[PotomacCyclist]

A shorter ride is the Colonial National Historic Parkway, 23 miles connecting Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown. The road is open to cars and the surface is rough. You can ride skinny tires but it's better not to go too fast if you do. You wouldn't want to ride fast anyway. That would defeat the purpose of riding there.

http://www.nps.gov/colo/parkway.htm

However, I don't know of any pleasant bike routes between Northern Virginia and Williamsburg. I guess it's doable, but that route doesn't sound too appealing.

[KayakCyndi]

A shorter ride is the Colonial National Historic Parkway, 23 miles connecting Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown. The road is open to cars and the surface is rough. You can ride skinny tires but it's better not to go too fast if you do. You wouldn't want to ride fast anyway. That would defeat the purpose of riding there.

http://www.nps.gov/colo/parkway.htm

However, I don't know of any pleasant bike routes between Northern Virginia and Williamsburg. I guess it's doable, but that route doesn't sound too appealing.

One of my usual and favorite routes. I'd also add in the road around Jamestown island and the expanding Virginia capital trail!