Next to Last Day But Maryland Would Not Make It Easy!!Hancock, MD
to
Frederick, MD
Saturday, July 26, 2003
Back up to Manitowoc to Washington
Westbound: Grantsville to Hancock Eastbound: Frederick to Washington, D.C.
Next to Last Day But Maryland Would Not Make It Easy!!Frederick looked like it was about 55 miles from Hancock. I knew there was a major ridge to cross just east of Boonesboro and had plotted an alternative if the main route, US 40A, looked unfavorable, but I had not recognized that Maryland would remain hilly for so much further. Comfortable in my ignorance and dismissive of a mere 55 miles, I felt no urgency.
I woke late and moved slowly. 9:30 or so found me at the C and O Bicycle Store near the paved Western Maryland Rail Trail. Not feeling stressed for time, I let them take care of the renters and other customers while I looked around. When they turned their attention to me, I sketched my needs: a new mirror, a new rear tire, and maintenance on the back wheel, truing if possible. They were happy to oblige, we chatted during the work, and I got out of there just before noon with directions to a recommended restaurant down the trail a bit.
I set off down the rail trail enjoying the smooth nearly flat pavement for a welcome change. I soon reached the restaurant. It was more in the nature of a truck stop but also catered to family traffic. I opted for the hot roast beef again and was satisfied but not pleased. Again, either it wasn’t that hot to start or it had sat waiting for pick up too long.
It was after one when I got going again. The time on the paved trail passed quickly. When I came to the end of the train, it took ka few minutes to match the view to my maps and then I started off. I found I was disappointed with the road toward Williamsport. Lots of short up and down, rough pavement, no shoulders, some traffic. When I saw an entrance to the C&O Canal Trail, I yielded to temptation and curiosity. I easily found a campground but couldn’t find the trail. That should have been an omen. Instead, I asked the ranger for directions. When I got on the trail, it was flat which was good, it was pretty, but it was also unpaved, bumpy, and all-too-soon, boring. Nonetheless, it doesn’t have an exit every quarter mile an I stayed with it until Williamsport.
From Williamsport to Boonesbore was much nicer thought I had the sense that perhaps I had by then squandered too much of the daylight. I regained US 40A and headed east.
Originally I had investigated Reno Monument Road as an alternative to US 40A in case the highway had traffic but no shoulder. Approaching the big ridge, it seemed to have little traffic and a good shoulder. I could see the hill and was ready to continue straight ahead. Maryland, however, had other plans. US 40A was closed for construction. Now I would have the worst of both worlds: all the traffic from US 40A on a twisty road without shoulders.
I went south on MD 67 and found the turn for Reno Monument Road. This was a tough hill. It seemed steeper than anything the day before, had lots of traffic, and was narrow and twisty. I couldn’t go fast enough to take the lane. I barely went fast enough to maintain balance. Sometimes forward progress was iffy. I did stop to rest part way up and again used a side road to get going. Reaching the summit the same day was great relief. The down hill started out ok but soon became a series of rollers. Good golly would Maryland quit or what. These mountains are more than a 500 million years old. Isn’t that enough? I worked my way back to 40A and found it to be very much like Montana 200 east of the continental divide. Up down Up down but with traffic and subdivisions, traffic lights, and some shoulders, and much less daylight.
Eventually the hills lessened, the big shopping centers appeared and I was on my way into Frederick. I didn’t see anything that looked good for lodging on the west side of town and knew the east side had plenty of lodging. When I got to the Days Inn after crossing the entire city, I learned something else new: there was a Little League Regional baseball tournament that weekend and most of the budget houses were full. On I went to the next and then the next, ana the next. Finally, the Sleep Inn had one room left: a smoking handicapped room they could let me use. I was entirely grateful. Even better the very nice desk person shared her pizza when it arrive saving me the need to forage at 9:30 in the evening.
One more day!
Back up to Manitowoc to Washington
Westbound: Grantsville to Hancock Eastbound: Frederick to Washington, D.C.