May 17, 2003 The bike was on its best behavior today. It continues to prove that the efforts of those who prepared it were excellent. We had our first flat today. Ironically, it occurred as we were coming back to the motel from the town of Harper’s Ferry after eating – we didn’t even have the trailer on behind! Something cut right through the tread – one gone tire! LaValle and I are feeling fine. We were strong today, and arrived feeling that we wanted to do some sightseeing. We seem to be recovering nicely. Today was our trip from Bethesda to Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia – and, involved riding in three states: Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. We followed a route developed by a friend of Bert Daniels. She did an excellent job, and we were treated to some excellent roads and scenery. The roads ranged from good to excellent, with a few outstanding ones thrown in for good luck. If we didn’t have a shoulder, we had little traffic. A part of the route was on Washington area bike paths – great. As we left Bethesda, we cut across the corner of Chevy Chase – what wonderful homes and properties. The rest of the trip was through little towns and the countryside, and we were amazed at the beauty – even in the face of the inclement weather. Speaking of the weather, it was not as bad as yesterday, but not very nice. It was drizzling most of the day, turned to heavy drizzle at about 45 miles, and we really got rained on the last 10-15 miles. It was also cold. As we neared Harper’s Ferry, LaValle checked the temperature, and it was 48. However, we were comfortable in knee warmers and rain jackets. Things were a little slower today. We did 81 miles in about 6 hours, and gained 4680 feet in elevation. Our average speed was 13.5. The interesting part of the ride was that there were no major climbs. All of that elevation gain was from rollers. Reminiscent of Highway 1, or maybe even a little more challenging. No respite from those things all day. A little funny for the day: As we were eating, I was suggesting to LaValle that one of the things missing from the day was wildlife. She remarked that the only wildlife she had seen was road kill. After our flat on the way back from eating, we were walking the bike, and to our left in a small grove of trees were two deer. I guess someone heard me. Before I stop for today, I think we should catch up with Meriwether Lewis. He will be a main character in the journal of our trip, and we should know more about him. He is now 29 years old, and he has proven himself as a youth, a planter, a solder, a secretary to a president and is destined to prove himself as an explorer. Meriwether Lewis came to Harper’s Ferry in March of 1803. The following is from the National Park Service brochure about Harper’s Ferry: In March 1803 Washington’s armory supplied Meriwether Lewis with items needed for survival on the transcontinental expedition that he and William Clark planned to undertake. For protection and acquiring food, armory gunsmiths provide Lewis with modified Model 1792 conrtact rifles, spare parts, and tools. He was also supplied with all of the accessories needed to use the rifles. One of the most interesting things he received from the Armory was a portable metal boat frame, designed to be covered with animal skins, to be used on the rivers after they had to leave the bigger boats. The boat failed for lack of pine tar to stick the skins together! We will hear more from Meriwether later. Ron