GC2W5V8 Mega Multi-Cache Cycling Fandango (Multi-cache) in Virginia, United States created by B-Sharps

This cache has been archived.

B-Sharps: 14 Finders and 10 Favorites, I'd say that is a pretty good ratio. So glad everyone had fun at the fandango. Thanks for all the great posts and some pretty cool pictures.

We saved a little kid from certain doom when he almost ran over a large copperhead snake. We met our geofriend Schwandt when he completed this. Props to those who found the final in the original location on the other side what must have been an abandoned homeless camp. It was a logical location for the final, but we really fealt bad about making people wade through mountains of trash to complete this one.

We relocated the final, but continuing problems with hides there is making this no longer tenable. It's too much to ask to have people conduct an epic trip like this to only have the final turn up missing. That reminds me, I need to check on the Cohongarooton final soon...ugh.

Thanks for playing.

GC2W5V8 ▼

A cache by B-Sharps Message this owner

Hidden : 5/23/2011

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

CAUTION! Prior preparation is needed before seeking this cache. It is an 8 stage, 75 mile cycling circuit known as the WODCO Loop because it follows (mostly) the W&OD Trail and the C&O Towpath. Permission has been obtained from the NPS for all virtual stages located on the C&O Towpath. NO NIGHT CACHING!

This multi-cache can be completed in several different ways, but the most efficient will be cycling. Please, before you consider seeking this cache, do some research. The cache trail follows a 75 mile clockwise circuit beginning and ending in Leesburg, VA. Unless you are a very athletic cyclist, you will not complete this cache in a single day. Therefore, multiple trips, or an overnight stay (or several), somewhere along the trail will be necessary. Here are several helpful websites that you can use to plan your trip:

http://bikewashington.org/routes/wodco/wodco.htm A great website with lots of information. Be sure to check out their C&O section.

http://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm lots of good information here for the C&O. Please also familiarize yourself with the park rules.

http://www.bikewashington.org/trails/wad/custis.htm You will need to know about this trail because it connects the C&O to the W&OD.

http://nvrpa.org/park/w_od_railroad/ this is the main page for the W&OD Trail.

http://canal.mcmullans.org/whites_ferry.htm You will need to take the ferry across the river. There is a fee $.

Be sure to bring maps of each trail with you -- we can't place a stage at each turn, and you will need to know how to get from Leesburg to the C&O, and how to get from the C&O to the W&OD (via the Custis Trail) - having maps will be very important! Don't forget to mark your vehicles location.

All caches are placed close to the trail and are designed to not be so difficult that if someone is trying to complete this in a day, they won't have to waste 2 hours trying to figure out one stage. The virtual stages all use basic addition and subtraction, but it will be a good idea to bring paper & pen to figure them out. It will also be helpful to have a printed version of the instructions for each virtual stage. For the physical stages, if you've done a B-Sharps cache before you know we like camouflage. Because this multi-cache is so long, please be prepared to either stay overnight, or to turn around and try again some other time. Have an exit strategy or contingency plan.

Be particularly careful on the C&O Towpath if you are inexperienced because some of the sections are remote and it could be difficult to get help. You can also find yourself very far away from civilization and that can be dangerous if you decide that the cache is too much for you.

Now that we have gotten the warning stuff out of the way, this is a very nice cycle loop. If you are going to overnight it, there are camping options on the C&O and several hotels along certain sections. Again, you will have to plan those logistics for yourself. Cell phone reception should be decent on all sections of this multi.

Parking should not be a huge problem, but it is a little tricky. None of the garages in Leesburg allow overnight parking. Your best option is park on a side street near the first stage. Most of the street parking around town, with the exception of some spots closer to downtown, is okay to park on for several days. OR, we live very close to stage 1 and if you are planning to do this cache, there are visitor spots in our townhouse complex that are always open. We'd love to help out, so just send us a message a couple days before and we'll coordinate that with you.

All stages are either directly on the trail or near it. Your solutions should not take you miles away from the main WODCO route.

Stage 1: Physical cache (see note from 10/30/2011) has information for stage 2 (N39 __.___ W077 __.___)

Stage 2: Virtual stage. Using the sign at these coordinates, solve for coordinates:
N39 06.ABC W77 29.DEF
A=number of letters in the FIRST word +1
B=number of letters in the FOURTH word +1
C=number of letters in the THIRD word +6
D=number of letters in the SECOND word -5
E=number of letters in the FOURTH word
F=number of letters in the FIRST word

Stage 3: Virtual stage. Stand at the coordinates and use the sign that is due north of you to solve the following:
N39 04.ABC W077 20.DEF
A=number of letters in the FIRST word - 4
B=number of letters in the FIRST word - 3
C=number of letters in the SECOND word - 1
D=number of letters in the SECOND word + 1
E=number of letters in the THIRD word + 3
F=number of letters in the THIRD word

Stage 4: Virtual stage. Set in stone under your feet. Use the number directly above the initials "B.M." to solve:
N38 58.ABC W077 10.DEF
A=FIRST number + 2
B=FIRST number + 3
C=SECOND number + 2
D=SECOND number + 4
E=THIRD number
F=THIRD number - 1

Stage 5: Virtual stage. Viewable from the towpath, look for a medallion embedded in the stones near your feet. There is a number in the middle of the medallion, use it to solve for the following:
N38 52.ABC W077 08.DEF
A=FIRST number + 4
B=SECOND number - 5
C=THIRD number - 1
D=FOURTH number - 2
E=FIFTH number - 8
F=FIFTH number + 1

Stage 6: Virtual stage. Look carefully for a small plaque. Use the STRUCTURE NUMBER to solve for the following:
N38 56.ABC W077 19.DEF
A=FIRST number + 8
B=SECOND number + 7
C=THIRD number + 1
D=FOURTH number + 7
E=FIFTH number + 3
F=SIXTH number + 5

Stage 7: Physical stage (bison tube). You will need to make a quick detour off the trail to grab it. Contains the coordinates for the final stage!

Final: This is a physical stage, of course! There is a picture of the final container on this page. It is small, but can hold geocoins and travel bugs. Relocated to a nice little Leesburg park near the W&OD. Pay close attention to the drawing you see at stage 7 because it is a very strong clue as to where to locate the final container.

First to find gets the #1 (of 50) B-Sharps first edition geocoin (see picture). We are ordering them soon and if you find this cache before we are able to place the coin in there, we will get it to you when the coins arrive.

AA737CA is First to Find!

Even with thousands of finds under our belt, there were many firsts doing this cache Great idea for a cache! Thanks to jeffnerner for making this #4200 and CONGRATS! Removed Premium Membership requirement. MMCCF is now open for all to enjoy! Strangely enough, though, being launched off the bike by a root hidden in a puddle was probably the most fun we have in a long time. Be sure to check out our cool video by clicking "Related Web Page"