A Free 58 (May 23rd)

Well, I have a temporary workaround, but won't be able to transfer pictures from my iPhone until later..........

I would consider today to be a free ride; 58 miles closer to our destination in Maine.  It was a great day!  The first 15 miles were through really pretty rolling country - lots of horse farms, rural residences and greenery.  The word bucolic comes to mind.  And Saturday morning traffic was pretty light.

The next 40 miles were on a rails-to-trails bike path.  The surface was crushed gravel and unpaved.  So - not ideal - but really not too bad at all.  Smooth, straight, and because it is an old railroad its grade did not exceed 2 or 3%.  Lots of runners, walkers and other bikers.

The first half was in Maryland (uphill) and the second half in Pennsylvania (downhill).  I preferred the PA side, not only because it was downhill, but since they kept the rail line intact it was wider, more open and we could see more roads and houses alongside.  It was especially nice to look off to the sides and see the steep roads coming and going from the surrounding hills while we rode on our almost flat & straight route.  The Maryland side was nice enough but we didn't see much more than the trees lining the trail.  Much of it was in Gunpowder Falls State Park and followed the Gunpowder River.

Some of the communities had fixed up their old stations.

We entered Pennsylvania at the halfway mark, into a cute little town called New Freedom.

They still run an old steam engine tourist train departing from New Freedom.  The station has been turned into a cafe and a museum.  Really friendly folks in both.

I encountered the train returning to town after I resumed my ride.

Lots of pretty little houses along the way.

One of the claims to fame of this railroad is that it carried Abe Lincoln to Gettysburg for his famous Gettysburg Address.  After his assassination it also carried his body from Washington on its way to New York and ultimately to his birthplace in Illinois.

Here's the Hanover Junction station.

On its grounds are these two interesting sculpture.  The horse is made out of old bicycle parts and includes several intact kids trikes

Interesting signs and sculptures along the way............

Some interesting bridges.

And finally into the city of York.  Looks like it has had a lot of history, but currently looks like another US industrial town down on its luck.  A lot of vacant buildings on the main street , deteriorating houses, abandoned plants and warehouses.  Some nice old buildings, though.

Truly an easy and beautiful day.  Almost seems like we didn't work at all for our 58 miles day (I did a few more looking around town).  Free miles!

Stats for the day:
95 km from Owings Mill MD to York PA.  About 2000 feet of gentle climbing.  Temps 9C to 27C.  No humidity.  No wind.