It has been a long time since I have ridden without sunscreen, but with a solid cloud cover, and rain in the forecast, it did not seem necessary. 

The rain started soon after departure, and it rained hard for a while, but after a half hour or so, it started easing up. Within an hour my rain jacket and pants were back behind my seat. Thinking that having rain gear will keep one dry would be a misguided train of thought. It is far better than no rain gear, but one still gets completely soaked eventually. The trail absorbed the rain nicely.

This trail, the GAP, is very picturesque, with lots of wonderful views of the river. There are lots of benches and covered seating areas. The river provides plenty of sporting opportunities, with many groups of canoers, kayakers, rafters and fishermen out today.

There were hundreds of bicyclers heading back towards Pittsburgh. It was surprising to see people walking the trail.

One couple that I chatted with, over breakfast, are walking the whole GAP (150miles) at a clip of about 10 miles per day. They were using this time to reflect on the Lord, and what He has in store for them. It was interesting to ask the blessing on our meal, then have the husband continue the prayer, then the B&B host entering the prayer and finishing it.

Despite the rain, I was making decent time....until I came to a section of new, non-compacted gravel. It was very difficult to pedal through, and several times my bike couldn't continue. I would get off walk it 10-20 feet, then mount the bike again. All of a sudden I went from 10 mph to 5 mph or less. It was sort of like trying to run in a swimming pool. The trouble is that one wonders how long the repair section will go on. After a few miles, the trail finally got back to normal.

By lunch, I was still less than half way to my destination for the evening, a town called Confluence. Yet a pace of 8-10 mph would get me there by mid afternoon, or so I thought.

Then it really started to rain, and rain hard, but this time it did not stop for an hour and a half, dropping at least 2 inches. Now a number of bicyclers were under covered shelter. I just wanted to get done. The brakes started acting funny, and eventually were gone altogether.

The trail is a good width but not set up for three people to ride abreast. So when two oncoming women bicyclers were riding side by side, they pushed me over to the trail edge. Unfortunately, a tree limb, of maybe a 1" diameter was at an angle in front of me. When I got to it, instead of rolling over the limb, the tire slid right up it, tipping the bike over, and threw me into a shallow ditch. As I was tumbling, I felt my right knee wrench, and my first thought was whether I would be able to continue the ride.

In these situations, I feel it best to move slowly, and check all body parts before getting up.  The girls had returned, and several more showed up. They got the bike off me and asked if I was okay. Slowly standing up, I gingerly walked around. The knee seemed fine.  I thanked them for their concern, and started pedalling. One of my panniers was dragging because the bike rack got pushed out of plumb.

Within a few miles I entered the town of Confluence. First thing first, I headed for the bike shop. The owner gently washed off the bike (it was coated with grit from the trail), then he adjusted the brakes, checked the gearing and shifting. He oiled the chain and fixed the rack. Total charge: $17.00

Tonight I am staying in a hostel. A Canadian family just arrived after a long ride.

Tomorrow, I will be at the end of the Great Allegheny Passage, in Cumberland, Maryland. From there, I will be on the C&O Canal, a dirt towpath. It will not be fun.

But I am getting closer to completion, and being with Karen.

Blessings.