Springfield, Virginia to Gaithersburg, Maryland -- 57 miles

We woke at 5:30 am to the sound of Neil's train alarm clock. He had Pete tell us to shut it off right away, which we were sure to do. We started to bring down our equipment to pack up our bikes when Amy and Pete woke to see us off. While we had breakfast, Amy packed some fruit and candy bars for us, which Lorraine gratefully accepted. Ed and his son Eddie came over with their bikes - we said goodbye, took photos, and got started at 6:45 am. 

We biked out of the neighborhood and followed a dirt bike path around Lake Accotink Park. Fortunately, because it was Saturday, the roads were less crowded. Ed and Eddie led us along the local roads, through "Old Town" Alexandria (shops and restaurants along the Potomac River), and out to the Mount Vernon Bike Path. We thanked them and said goodbye, as Ed called his wife to come pick them up. 

There were lots of bikers and joggers along the path, so we had to be careful and go slowly. We soon crossed Memorial Bridge into DC, and picked up the Rock Creek Bike Path. At first, we were heading the wrong way and stopped a roller-blader to ask directions. Donna Stewart said if we turned around that we would be heading in the right direction. She asked where we were going. When we told her "cross-country", she wanted to take our picture! We decided to stay on the bike path all the way to Gaithersburg, rather than following the Adventure Cycling route, which would put us on back on busy roads. We ate our lunch at a picnic table in a park. Lorraine was feeling very homesick today. 

We were able to ride on Beach Road for a few miles, since the road is closed to cars on Saturday and Sunday. We stopped at the park police station to ask about the path ahead, and spoke to Sergeant Scott Fear and Officer Craig Lane. They asked us about our trip, and offered to fill our water bottles with fresh cold water! They were all very friendly and supportive. They told us that motorists complain that beach road is closed off on the weekends. He said it is a source of great controversy. Some want it closed 7 days a week and others don't want it closed at all. The traffic on the bike path decreased as we got further away from DC, although the path itself became more twisty and hilly. We crossed into Maryland, but there was no "Welcome to Maryland" sign. We called a couple motels to find out their rates and directions, then navigated our way from the Maryland state map once we got off the bike path. We stayed at the Red Roof Inn and had dinner at Denny's.