The challenges to overcome were more than Troop 18 of Cazenovia expected, but they were prepared to adapt and persevere. For their annual August trek, the Scouts planned to bike from Pittsburgh, Pa., to Washington, D.C. — 335 miles on the Great Allegheny Passage and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.

Practice rides and Cycling Merit Badge prepared them to fix flat tires and ride 50 miles a day — but no day’s ride was that short. Only three flats, but worn bearings and cones, snapped chains and a broken derailleur led to visits to bike shops along the trail. The heat and humidity, both in the 90s or higher, made for frequent stops for ice cream, twice in one village.

The persevering was rewarded: the view of the Cumberland Gap on exiting the Big Savage Tunnel, camping below the Youghiogheny Dam and the countless stars, exploring a cave still containing ice and ice cream.