Finding a hotel in D. C. Under$200 is difficult. $42 each for a night in a historic lockhouse only 5 miles from Georgetown worked well for us. Nice unique accommodations in a super location.

That is very true. I think that lesson was learned.

Wow. Your companions needed a bike shop before you even got going? I think you need to prod them a bit to make sure they are ready for a tour.

Danger in overpacking rear panniers? Not if you have suitable wheels. I have done about 5000 miles with probably 30 lbs in each rear pannier and have never broken a spoke. When I rode the C & O in 2018, it was terrible. Mud and water everywhere.

$170 a night is a bargain?

What a perfect way to commemorate your surgery!

A day you won't forget for a long time.

A tax is putting it mildly. After a 60 mile ride from DC, I consider it conquering the beast. Glad your ride is going well!!!

"It was an outstanding day to be alive." That says it all.
I'm looking forward to the rest of your trip!

Nice shots from the train! When I did the GAP through ride, I took Amtrak from DC to Pittsburgh and it was nighttime for that stretch since you get into Pittsburgh at midnight.

Tom, I’m looking forward to following along on this tour. Just last week I was on a road trip with my wife and we stopped in Cumberland, staying two nights so I could spend some time riding the GAP. I ended up doing the small section from Cumberland uphill to Frostburg and back. Such a great ride, and it definitely whetted my appetite to do more. Already thinking about a return trip to tackle the entire route.

Tom, what a story! Looking forward to following your trip!

My story:

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3d2&doc_id=9091&v=7N

Here I am, 13 years later after having been told I had 2 partially blocked arteries in addition to the 2 stents in my LAD and I could expect another heart attack within 3-5 years, likely fatal.

I now ride almost daily only about 10-20 miles now due to knees going bad. My food intake is very restricted to anti inflammatory and anti oxidant foods with lots of fiber and high nutrition density. Meat is rare, but I eat fish daily, avoid fats and especially avoid sugars and refined flour items. Not any candy, cake etc. in the past 13 years. Still carrying nitro pills but never taken one yet.

I asked my Cardiologist at the beginning if the Ornish plan worked, and he said yes, but he did not recommend it for his patients. I asked why and he said "People can't stick to it." I thought, "You don't know me... yet..." He retired a couple years ago, and my new Cardiologist said "I've heard about you!"

Bottom line, a combination of diet and exercise actually does reduce blockages in cardiac arteries.

Keep it up!

Thank you for sharing your inspiring story with us, Tom. I look forward to following along. Best of luck!

Tom, your turnaround story is inspiring. We wish you a wonderful October tour, and many more to come.