Two weeks ago John Travis, Fred Parsons Jr., Ryan Parsons and Danny Brubaker accompanied me on a four-day bike tour in Slatyfork,West Virginia. It’s about a four to five hour drive from Southern Maryland. The trail followed an old logging railroad that snaked along the Greenbriar River for 78 miles. The trail was mostly flat with gravel, with the last 5 miles being paved for the disabled. We chose Elk River Touring Center  as the sag. The first night we were served a gourmet dinner including flounder stuffed with crabmeat, or hillbilly surf and turf (trout & filet migon). We experienced outstanding food and accommodations the whole trip.  We traveled about 25 miles a day and then had dinner at different bed and breakfasts along the trail. Each stop was very clean and we were made to feel welcome. We saw four rare golden eagles, abandoned Bone Cave (27 miles long) and stopped to try out the rope swing we found along the river. The rapids when you sat in them gave you a natural massage after a long hot day of biking. You actually pedal through old train tunnels completely dark and cross railroad trestles along the way, just for bikes no trains. We met couples from Florida and North Carolina who enjoyed the hot tubs each night with a glass of wine. I would recommend this easy trip to anyone especially in mid October when the leaves change.

 

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