Got started later than ideal but had lights. Wasn't really dark enough until on the towpath and in the woods around Mile 23. And then it got REALLY REALLY dark along the river. Saw no animal eyes, but lots of hoppy frogs and bugs ... Got all the climbing done early and was not feeling that great so instead of heading more north from Poolesville, went down to the river and rode a dirt road north a ways before turning back on the towpath. Turns out, when you do all the climbing early, yeah, you probably don't feel so good and then when it stops all of a sudden you have a lot more energy ... Put the fatter 27.5 wheels on the VanDessel for this ride and at first thought they were holding me back. Um, no, those are hills, son, and you weigh a lot and you gotta drag your big butt up them climbs.