Yeah man, by all means do.  You'd love the ride.  I was digging through my documents, and found an original flyer I had sent to ride participants.  Every year I get about a dozen people who say they are interested in riding, and as the day approaches, one by one of them bug out.   Thus, come ride day, it amounts to 2 or 3 people, myself included.   For the past 3 years, I have done far less than the original 100mile ride, due to my age-related lack of stamina, and what I perceived as fear of the distance which drove most people away.   So now we're down to about 50 miles and it is enough for a good ride which can be done in a timely fashion.  So, some of what's written in this original flyer is no longer the case, but I always get a good laugh when I read the last paragraph.  We had a disaster the 2001 year, when one of my friends "rental" bikes just wasn't up to the distance.  He hit a wall about 40 miles away from DC, it got cold and cloudy, and it was getting late in the day.   I gave him my bike, which helped him at least complete the thing, but we got into Georgetown, quite cold, uncomfortable and exhausted, and...late, around 9:30pm.  So read this with a grain of salt, but I still chuckle thinking about it...and yeah, they didn't have headlights, mine was the only one, so it was cold and DARK.  

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Dear Rider,

Enclosed, please find a map with notes about our route from Williamsport, MD to Georgetown, DC.  It is approximately 100 miles (102.5 to be exact). 

I originally dedicated this ride in memory of a wonderful companion, now in the happy hunting ground of his Australian ancestors, my beautiful budgie, Boo. (more on his life and times,later). 

Anyhow, the ride was so successful and uplifting, that I decided to do it annually (health, life circumstances permitting), and to begin to invite friends to join me.   This year, I am delighted that you will be riding.

The map and notes should give you some idea. The towpath is largely hard, and gravely, but in late autumn, also leaf –strewn.  We’ll be using mountain style bicycles with fat tires. The weather is cool, not cold, but I highly suggest polypro liners (capilene), as well as bike shorts (sore bum is common).  Bike gloves or other glove liners are recommended.

Other suggested supplies:

Small (tiny) backpack for water bottles and gear; you will need 2 or 3 water bottles (3 is better; bike size)

Sunglasses (wishful thinking)

Windbreaker or light rainsuit

Good shoes for the ride (sneakers are best)

Gloves (as above)

Headlight or attachable bike light  (This is an absolute MUST in case of late arrival in Georgetown).      Bike Helmet (optional; Gene has 3, but if you prefer your own…bring)

Stamina (up to you; any prep like running or cycling is good.  This is not a strenous ride ; virtually NO HILLS except for a brief section on the way to Shepherdstown ; a pain in the ass detour, but no choice).  Nonetheless it is 100 miles.  I stop every 10 miles for a water /toilet/rest break.  Based upon last year’s ride the pace seldom exceeds 10-12mph.  If you wanna burn faster, be my guest..but let’s try to stick more or less together, AND as we get closer to the end, if I am the only one with the headlight, it’s definitely going to be follow the leader!

Thrilled to have you join me.  The ride is an experience to be cherished.  So glad you can make it this year.

My Best,

Gene

P.S. For a very  complete review of the history of the C and O with mile by mile descriptions, see Mike High’s Guide to the C and O canal (John’s Hopkins University Press).  You can probably dial it up on their website. I have a copy at the house for your perusal, and we can buy more copies in Georgetown for those interested.

UPDATE: based upon Boo Century 2^nd annual ride (2001 season), I am now going to highly recommend you bring YOUR OWN BIKE and not rent.  The rentals , at least in Georgetown area bike shops, are UNSUITABLE for a ride of this length and seem geared towards Mom and Pop Sunday strolls of several miles along the canals’ more travelled path in the DC environs.  If you still choose to rent, you do so at your own peril.  You will be left miles behind the group, in the freezing, fucking cold, in all probability,  and get in hours after everybody else (we’ll all be quite drunk by the time you arrive...you’ll miss the party!) so be forewarned.