Allegheny Mountains Loop, Day 3

Filtering water from Lake Moomaw

Day 3: 10/17; 58.2 miles to stealth site on public land adjacent to Lake Moomaw; 3,188 feet of climbing; TM:130; TC:6,965.

This turned out to be the longest and hardest day of the tour because the first 30 miles were mostly over at-times brutally steep gravel.

Fortunately, after we finally emerged from the worst of the hills, we found a convenience store where we refueled. 

I re-filled my tank with a chocolate pie and a Mountain Dew. These are two things I would never consume at home.

But I find that the Mountain Dew in particular, with its mega-loads of caffeine and sugar, usually gives me enough of a buzz to get another 30 miles down the road after I am already exhausted. The elixir worked its magic for me again today.

Turned out to be a good call to bring headlights along, since we had to pedal for several hours after the sun had set. The moonlight helped us find a suitable campsite.

For more trip details and photos, please see Allegheny Mountains Loop, Day 4.