Washington DC's Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the most convenient gateway to the US capital, only a quick metro ride away from downtown DC.
I spent a week 'bikepacking' over 330 miles from Pittsburgh to DC. The solo journey was challenging, but I'd absolutely do it again.
17.10.2024 - 20:55 / insider.com
When I set out to ride my bike from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.
I bought a guidebook, joined a Facebook group, and connected with numerous cyclists who had done the ride, but nothing could prepare me for what it would feel like to bike roughly 50 miles a day for an entire week.
"Bikepacking" — riding a bicycle carrying clothing, food, water, and camping gear and finding places to sleep outside along the journey — is not an easy endeavor.
Attempting to fit a week's supply of necessities onto the back rack of my aluminum gravel bike was a balancing act. If I put too much weight on either side, it would fall over.
When I presented my plan to friends and family, many thought I was nuts. They asked what I'd think about while spending hours alone on my bike. Some asked me to share my location with them so they'd know I was alive.
But biking has always been a meditative experience for me, so I wasn't worried about the prospect of doing it by myself.
This ride was no different: I found myself alone with my thoughts for hours at a time, focused on the natural beauty I was biking through. I was pretty intentional about not listening to music or podcasts as I pedaled — my focus was on the journey itself, and I didn't want distractions.
Without the external noise, I could focus on logistical considerations, such as where to stop for lunch or how many miles to the next town.
But more importantly, I was able to take in the colorful foliage, breathe in the fresh autumn air, and feel gratitude for a life that allowed me to embark on this incredible experience.
The 333.3-mile route spans two major bike paths: the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) and the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal Towpath.
It follows the remains of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad, Union Railroad, and Western Maryland Railway — and passes through landmarks like the Mason-Dixon Line and the Eastern Continental Divide.
I felt like my bike was a time machine, and I was getting a glimpse of America's past.
I began my journey at Point State Park, an idyllic area in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh overlooking the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers.
Misty morning skies quickly turned to heavy rain showers, and I was soaking wet roughly a mile into my trip. My shoes felt like tiny bathtubs as my socks soaked up the excess rain.
As I pedaled, I imagined my friends and colleagues who spent their vacations traveling to sophisticated European cities and breathtaking international beaches.
Here I was, wet and miserable in the middle of rural Pennsylvania with miles more to bike until I reached my destination.
"What am I doing?" I asked myself.
Luckily, the weather gradually improved
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