Day 6 - Harpers Ferry to DC

320 miles completed

We got an early start to ensure we reached Washington, DC in plenty of time for our 3:30 pm Washington Monument reservation—and to tackle our final 60-mile day. Crossing the bridge over the Potomac, we were greeted by a stunning, fog-filled sunrise.

Wildlife was plentiful today, and Dale captured some great shots with his 40x zoom lens, perfect for close-up nature photography.

We realized we’ve never explained our rest stop routine. Our SAG support, Kevin, has all the stops planned out in advance. Once he reaches a rest stop, he rides his bike back toward us on the trail. About 2–4 miles in, we spot him, shout “Kevin!” in unison, and ride the rest of the way together. The stops are always stocked with snacks and drinks, and in the early afternoon, our longer lunch break always features the day’s specialty—classic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

One highlight today was our visit to Great Falls before heading deeper into DC, where the trail grew busier with cyclists and pedestrians. Eventually, we reached mile 0 of the C&O Canal and paused with some family members for a celebratory round of photos.

From there, we followed another bike trail past the Lincoln Memorial, the reflecting pool, and the always-moving Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Thom had worked hard before the trip to secure the much-coveted tickets to the Washington Monument, and the sweeping views from the top were unforgettable.

Afterward, we packed up and made our way back to Lancaster—ending a trip rich with adventure, camaraderie, and countless memories.

Dale Johnson - Blog writer, team photographer, videographer and drone pilot.Read more