Earl and Anne prepared me a hearty breakfast and sent me on my way to the GAP Trail.
It was only four miles and a couple of steep hills from their house. No complaints here.
The trail winds through areas once dominated by the steel industry and eventually changes to a ride through the woods with the Youghiogheny River on my left. For the next 120 miles the trail climbs at about a one percent grade.
The surface is hard packed dirt with crushed limestone on top. It rained for the first half of the ride so limestone grits worked it’s way into every part of The Mule.
Over the past few days the brakes on The Mule have started to fail. This is caused by brake pad wear and cable stretch. I’ve put these brakes through hell so, if anything, I’m surprised they lasted this long.
After having lunch at a trailside food truck I stopped at a bike shop in West Newton where a mechanic adjusted my brakes.
They seemed to be working great but the grit did its thing and they started to rub. I didn’t figure this out until I arrived at Connelsville.
Connelsville had Adirondack shelters to sleep in. About a half mile from camp is a hotel that offer campers a shower for $15 and a hose and rags to clean off your bike. I partook of both and that’s when I learned of my brake problem.
I seem to have fixed the front brake but, for the third straight tour, my rear brake defies proper adjustment. I’m upgrading to a $200 brake when I get home.
If the rubbing continues I’m going to disconnect my rear brake. (The front brake does most of the work anyway.)
There are four other DC-bound riders in camp tonight. All five of us are going to get soaked tomorrow. Man, I am done with rain on this tour!
Miles today: 55
Tour miles: 2,345
Mikes to go: 290
A Few Spokes Shy of a Wheel 
Bummer your rear brake is giving you trouble! 😦 Fortunately you don’t need much brakes on the trail… Yes, rain is in the forecast… it’s extremely hot and humid here… isn’t it there? Maybe not with the elevation…
Booooo to the rain, hoping for moderate weather for you all. I’m glad you’re in good spirits about the brake situation.
Fixed it this morning. Knock wood
Sorry about the rain, it has cut into many plans… Looks like you stopped at the Outpost Eatery in West Newton? This is a destination lunch spot for me, as I love their smashburgers, respect their mission to help youth, and enjoy biking in either direction (day trips). If you come anywhere near Morgantown, wave — I’ve been following you for years and vicariously enjoy your rides!
It was the Outpost. Sorry. Morgantown’s a bit out of my way. Thanks for reading
I hope you have no more rain after this. C&O will be a bear if it rains. Good luck on the Paw Paw Tunnel bypass.
Been there. Done that. I started my 2018 cross country ride by avoiding the entire eastern half of the towpath. It was a mud pit. So, unfortunately, was the western half.
I watch a video of a guy with a fully loaded touring bike using the detour. It doesn’t look too bad.