Harpers Ferry does not have biker-friendly access. From the trail you have to carry your bike up a significant number of steps, landings and turns to get to an elevated walkway over to town. They do provide a bike rack under the bridge so day-trippers can leave their bikes on the trail and walk over. But most overnight bikers (me included) would never leave their bike there overnight. So climb I did. I was OK going into Harpers Ferry, stopping at landings to re-grip the bike. Thought about making two trips (1 for the bike, 1 for the gear) but I did OK.
Same approach this morning did not go as well. The stairs are iron grating and because of the rain last night, the stairs were wet and very slippery, even with my sports-tread Ahnu sandles. So I was being very careful, even putting both feet on a stair before going to the next one. Did not stop me from slipping and falling though, a few steps from the bottom. It happened so quickly I am not even sure what went wrong. But I saved the bike and gathered a few more leg bruises (not like I was going to be wearing skirts the first week back to work as it was). And the bike helmet saved my head from a good whack on the handrail.
Same approach this morning did not go as well. The stairs are iron grating and because of the rain last night, the stairs were wet and very slippery, even with my sports-tread Ahnu sandles. So I was being very careful, even putting both feet on a stair before going to the next one. Did not stop me from slipping and falling though, a few steps from the bottom. It happened so quickly I am not even sure what went wrong. But I saved the bike and gathered a few more leg bruises (not like I was going to be wearing skirts the first week back to work as it was). And the bike helmet saved my head from a good whack on the handrail.
Slippery came in other forms too -- I rode to the middle of the wooden bridge below, stopped the bike, and when I put my foot down, it slipped on the wet mossy wood, causing my elbow to whack that railing. And then I fought to control my bike as my imbalance took it off balance too. Sigh. I am so graceful.
The trail was like an agility course today. The puddles were bad in some places and I had to go slowly enough to assess: Left? Right? Through? Even at the edges, if not careful, that back tire can get away from you. Had to dodge the usual stick and roots and today, a preponderance of walnuts in their free shells -- looking like tennis balls left on a court, and some Osage oranges (they are the size of softballs) and paw-paw fruit. It was like running the gauntlet, but there were no further injuries/bruises!