by Evan Malinchock
So I have to apologize for some things, I think the bike trip has gotten the best of me earlier than I thought. After aspiring to write a blog every day or every other day, to say that dad and I dropped the ball by not even talking about the launch would be a bit of an understatement. So get ready for a bomb rush of “Oops! All the blog posts!” Tonight as you will see why my dad and I have been a bit too occupied to update the fittingly named “Chainsuck”
The start was the exact opposite of last summers launch, there was mild fanfare opposed to the small family gathering we had in Washington last summer. The weather was crystal clear but there was a looming threat of brutal heat in the late of the day so I was understandably pretty antsy about our start time which seemed to keep getting pushed back. But parents need photos, and that’s a trade off I’m willing to give for biking in scorching heat.
The day consisted of punchy steep climbs and insanely busy roads, and if there’s one thing I learned from last summer it’s that busy roads create debris, and debris causes flats. Fortunately after I talked the leaders into allowing groups to break into smaller numbers Max, Sean, and I skirted any mechanical issues. The other group was a different story all together, the endured 4 flat tires all within a short stretch. While majority of the boys were being taught how to change a flat next to interstate traffic our crew of three sat in the shade downing as much Gatorade that our bodies allowed.
After the majority of the group caught up we made the longest mile ride to the house we were staying at that evening. Many of the boys will talk about the hours of basketball or the cool stunts they pulled off on the diving board but I was so happy to be in another amazing place on the first night of an all summer trip. The house was gorgeous and the surrounding area was even better. It was massive fields and paddocks that were used to house alpacas, so we all came to the natural conclusion that we needed to sleep under the stars to soak it all in.
We woke to the rising sun at 5am, all hoping to beat as much of the forecasted heat. After a few calm hours of mixed head and tail winds over rolling hills we eventually met the C&O canal, our home trail for the next week or so. We will follow. this low grade gravel trail for another few hundred miles to Pittsburgh. We rode a solid distance to Point of Rocks, MD where we met up with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who kindly gave us a feast of hoagies and chips! After that we said our goodbyes to continue on the monotonous trail until Harpers Ferry.
As we approached the town we realized the only way to the town was an old train bridge turned walking bridge, unfortunately it was closed. After lifting everyone’s bikes up and over to the other side of the canal, we found a road that helped us backtrack to a interstate that crossed over the Potomac River. To reach the top of the bridge we faced two grueling climbs, and once we made it to Harpers Ferry we were faced one of the steepest roads I’ve ever ridden. Once at the top of the hill at the Appalachian Trail’s headquarters the boys just about passed out.
After one of the rockiest rides to our spartan campsite about two miles from down town the boys were all ready to sing of the ill wills of Harpers Ferry, but the town was only about to serve us more curve-balls.
We made a sweaty ride back to town for dinner, dreading the ride back in a storm that was forecasted for us (which ultimately never came). Once at camp my dad and I were sitting by a boat ramp when from the river a shout from a boat towing another boat caught our attention. My dad and I walked over until we realized on the boat being pushed ashore a man was laying on the bow with massive gashes with exposed bone, blood, and muscle spilling from his leg. Dad and I then began to sprint to help out by pulling the boat ashore and picking this man up and teetering him on his good leg to his buddy’s truck which just pulled up.
He was half lucid and in shock muttering bizarre phrased but it was pretty clear that his leg got caught in his prop, and thankfully kind pedestrians were able to help him ashore and call a friend to drive him to the ER. It was a surreal experience that was a very sobering moment for me and looking towards the remainder of the bike trip.
The next day I was no longer wishing for a good day, I just wanted a normal one. We woke up around 6:30 and left camp by 8. After one of the largest and best meals we hit the ground running by banging out close to 65 miles. The trail was wet from the rain the night before and made for a lot of fun fishtailing with our rear heavy bikes. We ended the day at a quintessential bike trip park in Hancock, MD, pavilion and all. Today was all I was asking for and thankfully the bike trip gods answered graciously.
So far I learned that I can still be tested and faced with new challenges, even when repeating a trip that I have previously done. Every day is going to hold something different, good and bad, and I can’t wait to face it all.