The GAP – Day 2

November 17, 2025 by LB

Despite the light rain and cooler temps, we were ready for our second day of riding the GAP. See the previous post to learn about Day 1 on the Great Allegheny Trail.

Chuck and Denise, of Yoder’s Guest House, served a great breakfast, helped us get our bikes ready to ride, and captured our rainy day cycling attire.

Soon enough, we were back on the trail and within a mile, stopped to take photos of the Bollman Bridge, an 81-foot cast- and wrought-iron truss bridge built in 1871 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Just half a mile later, we rode over the Keystone Viaduct. “Curving nearly 100 feet high above Flaugherty Creek and active railroad tracks, the massive 910-foot Keystone Viaduct carries GAP travelers through a narrow cut into a rocky ridge three miles east of Myersdale.”

The light rain did not dampen our enthusiasm.

The next point of interest on the GAP was the Eastern Continental Divide. At 2392 ft above sea level, it is the highest point along the Great Allegheny Passage, and showcases murals of the Western Maryland Railway and the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad.

Just a mile later, we entered the Big Savage Tunnel. At 3,291 ft long, the tunnel was built by the Western Maryland Railway in 1912, and refurbished for bicyclists and hikers in 2003.

By this point, we’d barely ridden 10 miles, and had already stopped 5 times! The GAP Trail is just one fascinating historic amenity after another. We exited the Big Savage Tunnel and almost immediately came upon the Mason & Dixon Line.

“The famous Mason & Dixon Line marks the border between Pennsylvania and Maryland, and culturally, the demarcation between the northern and southern United States”. The English Team of Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon were commissioned, and the boundary was surveyed between 1763 and 1767. Ruth, from Maryland, took the M side, and Linda, from Pennsylvania, took the P side.

The next tunnel, and the second to the last one we rode through this day, was the Borden Tunnel. Constructed in 1911, the 957ft tunnel now has motion controlled lights making travel easier and safer.

As we rode along, we suddenly heard the sound of a train whistle. Much to our surprise and utter delight, the Frostburg Flyer came around the curve!

We had smiles on our faces for miles!

When planning a ride like this, it is important to make sure your partners have the same goals. We all wanted to take our time, to enjoy the natural and historic scenery, and to have a great time.

Goals Accomplished! AND we got a little bit muddy!

The rest of the ride was a gentle downhill grade and we loved the views.

All too soon, we rode into Cumberland, Maryland and our ride day was over. What fun it was to have our team waiting on us!

We rode 75 miles over 2 days from Ohiopyle, PA to Cumberland, MD and if work commitments were not an issue, we would have ridden all 150. Thankfully, we have already booked our calendars to complete the other 75 miles and cannot wait!

Youghiogheny River

October 26, 2025 by LB

Two weeks ago, friends and I rode half of the 150 mile Great Allegheny Passage Trail, part of the Rails to Trails movement which creates multi-use public paths from abandoned railroad corridors. We started our ride in a small trail town called Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania where Ohiopyle State Park is located. “Passing through the heart of the park, the rushing waters of the Youghiogheny [yawki-gay-nee] River Gorge are the centerpiece for Ohiopyle. The “Yough” [yawk] provides some of the best whitewater boating in the eastern United States, as well as spectacular scenery”. To see this same image in B&W, visit Monochromia

I’ll share more about this amazing trip in the next few posts.

Former Railroad Trestle Bridge

September 15, 2025 by LB

The New River Trail is a 57 mile linear State Park in Virginia. Created from an abandoned railroad right of way, this bridge is one of 30 along the trail. I recently crossed this bridge on my fairly new gravel bicycle (not the one pictured in my header image) while training for an upcoming ride in October.

***********

After several false starts, I am determined to get back into blogging (I’ve certainly said that before!). After posting regularly for almost a decade, life, work, and caring for parents seemed to keep me from following through on my goal. Fingers crossed, this time I will succeed!

Life on the Bike started as a travel journal and a place to share photos from the road with friends and family. Sadly, there was a two year time span when I wasn’t able to ride either the motorcycle or the bicycle.

I had also not picked up my DSLR for a year! But two weeks ago, I took a photography class in DC and have been practicing / refreshing daily. When I started this blog back in 2012, I had little more than an eye and a “point and shoot”. I look back at those photos now, and see good intentions but not much more. Hopefully, I’ve improved since then!

I am going to commit to posting once weekly, most likely the same day that I post on Monochromia. If you are a fan of B&W Photography be sure to visit and see the work of some amazing photographers.

I look forward to catching up with the blogging community and friends who have been much more diligent than I in maintaining their blogs.

Suburban Wetlands

January 29, 2023 by LB

Before heading back to the mountains of Southwest Virginia, I took a short walk on the Virginia Capital Trail. The Cap Trail is a 51.7 multi-use, fully-paved trail that runs from the City of Richmond, Virginia to James City County, near Williamsburg, Virginia.

The goal is to add a 7 mile connector to the restored area of Colonial Williamsburg, as well as the College of William and Mary.

Part of the trail runs through a suburban wetland. Please follow the link for more information about the importance of preserving these spaces.

2 Wheels / 2 Bikes

July 11, 2017 by LB

How wonderful it was to be HOME last weekend! Especially when the weather was oh so fine.

I started the morning on the bicycle, putting in 16 miles along the river and on our bikeway / walkway.

Once back at the house, I knocked a few items off the “to do list” and then hit the road on the motorcycle. I crossed over Claytor Lake, and then stopped for a few photos.

I parked the bike for a bit and walked over one of the New River Trail trestles (more photos of that coming soon).

Then it was back on the bike for the ride home.

I may not look happy, but believe me, I was!

My Other Bike

May 27, 2017 by LB

Those of you who have visited before know that I spend what little free time I have on my motorcycle. Before I bought that bike, though, I used to ride this bike. Sadly, the bicycle has been neglected these past ten years. Until last year, I would only get on the bike for the Ride of Silence. After last year’s ROS, I made a commitment to ride more often, and I kept that commitment until winter, riding at least 20 miles weekly. That’s not much for serious cyclists, but it was good for me.

Every year, my community hosts the Wilderness Road Ride, and cyclists can choose the 29, 38, 58, or 79 mile route. I’ve ridden in the WWR a few times since it’s inception 26 yrs ago, but it had been many, many years since I’d participated.

Three weeks ago, I challenged myself to ride the 38 mile route even though my training has been non existent. I decided that I would go alone so as not to have to keep up with anyone, to take my time, and to shoot photos for a blog post. As expected, I saw many people who had better gear and were in much better shape, but I was determined!

After just a couple miles, I stopped at the memorial garden in our local park where there are several monuments, one dedicated to each of the wars where men and women have served and lost their lives.

Then I continued on down The Riverway, our city’s bikeway / walkway.

Soon enough, I was out on main roads, and thankful for a respite from a week of rain and flooding.

This was a long steady climb (at least for me)

which led to roads with this expansive view.

The route took us over Interstate 81, where flags are always placed in preparation for Rolling Thunder, an annual motorcycle ride to DC. The ride to the nation’s capital is held to honor POW and MIA service members and thousands of bikers participate.

I hit the 20 mile mark around this time, and these very friendly women glided on by with no effort.

That’s okay though, I kept my spirits up knowing that the rest stop was just a few miles ahead. The scenary just kept getting prettier,

and these two probably wondered why I didn’t keep riding on by like everyone else.

FINALLY! At 22 miles, a rest stop! I was able to refill my water bottle, eat my PB on pita, and take a short breather.

I have to confess that while I was having no problem on the flats, the hills were proving to be a bit challenging. Despite my “I can do it” attitude, my lack of training was showing.

I stopped to take this image, and the two farmers standing near by said “you didn’t really want to take that photo, you just needed a break”. I laughed and told them not to tell anyone as they were partially right! They also offered to put my bike in the back of a truck and take me home, but I declined and kept on riding. It’s a great image, though, right?

I didn’t stop too much after that, deciding that my energy needed to be focused on getting back to the truck. Then I saw one of my favorite signs, and had to stop for a picture.

At about the 34 mile mark, the clouds started moving in and the breeze picked up.

BUT it NEVER rained, and I finished the 37 mile ride.

Did you notice that I said 37 miles vs 38 miles? I had to bypass one big, big climb, but all in all, I was really proud of the accomplishment.

#shepersisted took on a whole new meaning today 🙂

Motorcycle, Bicycle, and River, Oh My!

September 5, 2016 by LB

As I sat in the river yesterday, I thought of all the items on my “to do” list. Yes, I was actually sitting in the Little River, and I was oh so happy.

I looked up to see the smoke from the grill caught in the sunlight streaming through the trees, and in addition to my “to do” list, I thought about how fortunate I was.

Surrounded by friends, on a gorgeous September afternoon, with laughter and the sound of flowing water providing amazing background music.

The only thing that I could have wanted was more time to take care of that “to do” list. Thankfully, I had an extra day off for that, and today is that extra day. I’ve spent the last 8 hours scatching items off of that list, and that means it is finally time for WordPress, a chance to relive the weekend, and a visit to all of you.

After getting off work on Friday, I stopped by Rising Silo Brewery.

Part of a ground-up movement, “the purpose of the brewery is to create fermented beverages from the best ingredients, overflowing with thought and authenticity in taste”.

Rising Silo is a farm brewery, the foundation of which is Glade Road Growing, a farm located on a conservation easement, which means that it will permanently remain open space.

How can you not love their mission: to create “an evolving space that community members near and far may gather to connect, dream, celebrate and relax. We believe in fresh food, true brews, and good people”.

Saturday morning started with a solo, 17 mile ride on the bicycle, partly along the New River,

followed by a 200 mile group ride on the motorcycle.

In my quest to improve my health, I even managed to run 2.5 miles!

And all this fabulousness brings me back to today.

If being able to run, ride both bikes, and spend time on the water wasn’t enough, I’ve been gifted with this extra day, Labor Day, to get caught up. It is so satisfying to see the “to do” list get shorter.

Labor Day, a creation of the labor movement over 100 years ago, “is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country”.

While I know that I work hard every day, how is it that I still feel a twinge of guilt for being off today?

One more great thing about this weekend? The Hokies won, too.

Sam Rogers (45) carries the American flag to lead the Hokies into Lane Stadium for the first time this year.

Photo Credit: thekeyplay.com

Yes, College Football season is here, and I’ll be watching the FSU – Ole Miss game tonight while visiting all of you.

Cycling the Riverway

June 5, 2016 by LB

If you’ve followed along over the past (almost) four years, you know that I am devoted to my motorcycle. Some of my favorite moments are spent exploring the countryside on my HD Softail Slim.

What you may not know is that before I fell in love with my motorized bike, I was a regular cyclist. No, not one of those athletes that you see riding the roads in their colorful jerseys, but I’d ride 10 – 12 miles in the mornings before work, and would take an 18- 20 mile ride almost every weekend.

Sadly, over the past 7-8 yrs, I’ve averaged just 8 miles per year as an organizer of, and participant in, the Ride of Silence.

The motorcycle definitely rules my heart!

In my determination to rekindle my love with the bicycle, and to get in better shape, I was up and out early yesterday, cycling The Riverway (all images were captured with my cell phone).

The Riverway is Radford’s bikeway / walkway system. 18 years ago, a group of citizens worked to secure federal and state grant funding, which when matched by Radford’s local government, led to the development of our wonderful bikeway. As a founding member of Pathways for Radford, it is still a thrill for me to ride on the Riverway, and to see what the City of Radford, and the Citizens of Radford accomplished together!

One of our fundraising efforts was the brick Pathways Plaza. Several of my family members are remembered in brick, including my paternal grandparents.

Benches, situated along The Riverway, also provided fundraising opportunities.

The bikeway / walkway runs right along the New River, and is a favorite place for walkers, runners, cyclists, and dogs walking their humans.

The Riverway runs right under Main Street through this tunnel. The approach to the Tunnel on either end is preceeded by a climb, so the tunnel provides a chance to catch a breath!

While I am just getting back on the bicycle, it already feels great, and I am committed to improving my health by riding at least once weekly. I figure if I get up early enough, I’ll find time to ride both bikes each weekend 🙂

Promises, Promises

June 1, 2016 by LB

The promise that sunshine and summer will arrive: Done

The promise of a short but oh so sweet 75 mile motorcycle ride to soak in that sun, and this view: Done!

The promise of getting back on the bicycle and completing 22 miles (after not having ridden more than 8 in years): Done!

The promise of a meaningful Memorial Day Service: Done!

The promise to visit all of you: Unfulfilled … Yet!

The Fullness of May is over, and it’s time to play catch up! I promise 🙂

Ride of Silence 2014

May 23, 2014 by LB

The 7th Ride of Silence in the New River Valley (NRV) of Virginia was a great success. We had over 100 participants in this annual event to honor and remember those injured or killed while riding on public roadways. I’ve not seen the total numbers from around the globe, but I do know that there were 313 rides held in the United States alone. It is incredibly powerful to know that you are riding with people from all over the world … on the same date, at the same time. It is also incredibly sad to think that these events have to be held.

The Ride of Silence – NRV began, as always, with a very brief program. Advocacy news and updates, and then instructions about the ride are given. I’m proud to serve as one of the event organizers (of all my volunteer interests, this is one of my favorites) and amateur photographer (clearIy need to work on the photography of moving bikes)

Cyclists of all ages and riding ability are escorted by local police officers in a slow procession through the city, sending a message that we will not be silent about those injured or killed on the road.

We do ride in silence and it’s an incredible moment. One of the riders wrote about the event in her blog The Chronicles of Cort the Sport. I encourage you to check out her account. Cortney commented that “Cycling is therapy, it’s transportation, it’s freedom, it’s happiness. But sometimes it’s also tragic. This ride, with the ghost bike of killed cyclist Fess Green, was both a reminder of the dangers and a celebration of the community. I’d encourage others to take part in (or start one!) a Ride of Silence in their community next year”.