Few scheduled overnight bicycle events survived Covid, but this ride took place although with half the usual 600 riders. Most of the 300 places were already filled from roll-overs from 2020 when it was cancelled, so that registration filled within 6 hours of being posted, too short for some of my usual biking trippers to think about the ride and sign up. However, one guy from my book club and another riding friend had signed up when I did so I had some company on the ride. The ride was 400 miles over 8 days with two 65+ mi days, although there was almost no elevation, as the ride bordered the Canal, which would be flat except in the area of the locks.
The week was the wettest the Ride had ever encountered and my clothes were damp the entire week. I put on my rain jacket most days and my bike and bike shoes were muddy at the end of each day. I had pulled out my old hybrid that I had not ridden for years but it had 38mm tires and a rack for a bag to hold rain gear so it was the ideal steed to take.
I have a great tent that goes up and down in seconds and is dry, although one evening the storm blew in water through a vent that is normally protected from downpours. The storm was so intense, the rain must have been blown horizontally. There were no easy motel options as there was no organized transport to them, but I was happy once I found a dry spot.
The end after 400 miles (and in rain gear as usual)
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