Cycling on the W&OD
I took my first ride out on the W&OD this weekend and I managed to do 40 miles, which is about double what I’ve done in a single ride before. I started out in Herndon, around the 20 mile marker, and rode out to Paeonian Springs. I stopped at a small grocery there and had lunch, mostly because they have the only marked bathrooms between Leesburg and Purceville.
I really enjoyed the ride and I’ve not seen so many cyclists in one place before. It was something I expected, but still a different experience. I’d also heard that the trail gets pretty crowded on the weekend, and it was, but not to an extent where it at all a hassle. One nice thing compared to other multi-use paths I’ve been on in the past is that none of the pedestrians seem to get phased by bikes passing them at 15-20mph, and all of them seem to know to stay to the right side of the path. I’m guessing this is because the bikes outnumber the pedestrians by a large margin, so they learn quick, but it’s a nice change.
I was really wiped out for most of the day after the ride. I wasn’t sore (although I am a little today), but I mostly just wanted to take a nap.
I think it’d be nice to be able to get out and do this sort of thing every week or two.
I’m thinking next time I’d like to do mile 20 to mile 0 on the W&OD or maybe Mount Vernon trail.
