So a little rain is no big deal but when a flat tire strikes, it isn't so fun. Off loading four panniers, one bar bag, four water bottles, turning the bike upside down, protecting the Brooks saddle, digging out a new tube, unbolting the titanium skewers holding the wheel on, removing the tire with the irons, replacing the tube, checking for a tube pinch, pumping the tire up to the right pressure with only a hand pump, reattaching the wheel to the bike and, finally, loading up the bike again with all the panniers. Now do that three times. John Hay, who I met yesterday, assisted me but still it took about thirty minutes each time. It is all part of bicycling long distance but, nevertheless, a real pain in the backside.
We stopped for a leisurely lunch and still managed to put in fifty miles. Riding on an unpaved surface, no matter how smooth, requires more effort because of the rolling resistance. We found a nice camp site in Rockwood, PA, had dinner at the only open restaurant and enjoyed ourselves over a few beers and a nice camp fire.
Tomorrow we should finish the GAP trail and get a little bit of the way down the C&O canal trail. The C&O is in poor condition with pot holes, rocks and tree roots. It will slow us down considerably.
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