Thanks for the tip! The trail has actually been really nice since Lock 23 where the upgraded trail surface started. But I'll take pavement any day!

Glad it wasn't a big deal.

Unless you want to be a Towpath purist, take advantage of the Western Maryland Rail Trail paved path into and out of Hancock.

The way you are heading, about .4 miles after you pass Mile Marker 114 you will see a dirt path on your right. It might say Ernstville Rd, haven't been there in a while. .1 miles on that takes you to the WMRR, turn left towards Hancock, 9 miles of smooth riding away!

Leaving Hancock, the WMRR gives you another 14 miles of really beautiful and scenic paved path before you get back on the Towpath.

Good to know - I took the clockwise route because it added a few miles to get my total for this ride up to an even 1,000.

Yeah there was a split trail section, but I was able to ride right through. Thanks for the heads-up, though.

I would never aspire to your skill level at falling!

That horrible piece of trail in Bowie is actually better than it was years ago!

You are going to hit a detour at about mile 10 of the towpath, but it didn't look too bad.

You were on my home turf! Typical prevailing winds usually have the planes landing from the south or the west. If you took the counter-clockwise around BWI you would have went through a small park with close-in great landing viewing opportunities.

I read your account of falling with trepidation. So happy to hear it wasn't worse!

Nice!

Thanks!

Happy Birthday John!

Thanks! Just got it put back together, so I'm ready to go on Saturday.

6/19: Glad you made it to the East Coast with bike undamaged! Looking forward to your travel posts. Love you, Happy Fathers Day and early Happy Birthday! :)