Get Up and Ride: a story of two friends and a cycling adventure on the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal

by Jim Shea

"A Cycling Version of 'A Walk in the Woods'"

"The author nicely intertwines a story of friendship and American history through an adventurous and humorous bike ride from Pittsburgh to Washington DC. Good fun!"

In the summer of 2010, brothers-in-law Marty and Jim embark on a cycling trip along the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal, a 335-mile trek from their home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Jim's boyhood home in Washington, DC. Chance encounters with colorful local characters and other surprising escapades during five days on the trail make for nonstop laughs.

As they travel through forests and along winding rivers, they experience the breathtaking scenery of western Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia, exploring early American history while learning more about each other as well as themselves.

This true story is for adventurers and cyclists as well as couch potatoes looking for a lighthearted take on friendship and some hilarious fun.

"An adventurous tale"- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"'Get Up and Ride' integrates plenty of local color and history to complement a series of mostly amusing anecdotes in presenting a narrative that tends to draw in readers pretty much immediately."- The Almanac (South Hills, Pittsburgh, PA)

"Insightful, full of tips, and very humorous."- Subaru Drive Magazine's Favorite Book Picks, Fall 2021 (Carol Miles)

"A laugh-filled journey... the book also chronicles Shea’s decades-long friendship with Marty, a sculptor and inner-city high school art teacher, who has taught his tech-exec brother-in-law to slow down, welcome new experiences and appreciate small moments."- Notre Dame Magazine

"'Get Up and Ride' contains sometimes hilarious accounts of Jim and Marty's adventures and the people they met, interleaved with flashbacks from their long, storied friendship. Jim also sprinkles in the history of the towns along the way... the reader learns about George Washington's role in 1750's western Pennsylvania, the struggle between the French and British for control of Pittsburgh, and the history of several important Civil War conflicts along the C&O Canal."- USC Today Magazine

"The honest start to 'Get Up and Ride' leads into a journey - physical, metaphorical and humorous - along the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal trails. An entertaining read."- Uniontown Herald-Standard

"A true detailed GAP/C&O trail experience with humor and history.”- Meyersdale Historical Society Visitor Center

“A humor/adventure work with some local Connellsville color and history.”- Connellsville Daily Courier

“A new book full of humorous tales about biking the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal.”- Monocacy Monocle

“'Get Up and Ride' is the top humorous C&O/GAP cycling adventure book of 2021!”- Brunswick Main Street

“Shea shows his humorous side in describing their search for a milkshake in Meyersdale. They found it at Donges Drive-In, where they each had two shakes that included a total of 12 scoops of ice cream for each man. - Somerset Daily American

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, Memoir, Adventure, Cycling, Sports

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2020

About the author

Jim Shea is the author of the “Get Up and Ride” series of humorous true stories about his cycling adventures with his hilarious and unpredictable brother-in-law, Marty. Jim started writing books later in life after a forty-year career in technology sales and marketing. Originally from the Washington, DC area, Jim now lives in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife, Katie. They have three adult sons and are especially fond of their new role as grandparents.

Jim also plays acoustic guitar and sings folk, classic rock, and contemporary Christian music. He attended the University of Notre Dame (GO IRISH!) and Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

Jim and Marty have cycled the Camino de Santiago, the Great Allegheny Passage/C&O Canal, the Erie Canal, and other epic trails. They are currently contemplating their next adventure.

Reviews

[Bob Hand · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic, and saying that it is an "easy read" is not an insult. I'm usually a little skeptical about books by unproven authors, but this book makes a delightful case for more citizen scribes.

If you have pedaled the Great Allegheny Passage, C & O Canal Trail, or even any small part of them you will enjoy this book. The writing is lighthearted and funny, and you will come to love the relationship between the author and his brother-in-law.

Buy it! Read it! Go ride your bike!

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a light hearted fun story. An excellent study on relationships. Even if you don't bike like Jim and Marty "just get up and do it", whatever that might be!
My grandson Jesse did some work on Jim's house and when he found out that Jim wrote a book he asked Jim for a signed copy. Thank you Jesse for giving me such an enjoyable gift and thank you Jim for your generosity.

[Barbara Buehrle · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was fun. A story about friendship and biking and Americana.

[Julia Ferri · Rating 3 out of 5]

i ended up reading the whole thing on my lunch break—i thought it was funny that the chapters in this book are like 3 pages long because the author said he likes the feeling of seeing a half-empty page coming up 🥲 quite a lovely story though, makes me want to ride the GAP trail too!!

[Josh Feng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim takes us through a fun journey riding the Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal Trail. While his trip through the trail was well illustrated with interesting and funny stories, his thoughtful simultaneous exploration of his relationship with his brother-in-law, Marty, and with some flashbacks and life lessons along the way make this not only a great read for cyclists, but also for your casual reader.

[Sarah Hough · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for people who ride and love the GAP and the C&O Canal

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read about brothers in-law, their friendship over the years, and their 5 day ride on the GAP trail from Pittsburgh to DC. The author does add a little historical information at times, which adds a little flavor. A good short read.

[Jessica Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a quick and fun read, written by a normal guy, just wanting to encourage the rest of us to just do it. This book actually caught my attention while having breakfast at a B n B in Myersdale PA, during the middle of my own adventure on the GAP trail.

[James Fantuzzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great little book! It is beautiful for us left-brainers that don't read all that much; blowing through short chapters with the last page being at least half white paper - how beautiful is that? It's a fun read and what can be said about Marty? He is unique and what a great guy to have around to give that very different view of how life should be lived. Like Jim Shea, I went the engineering and corporate route and you do get locked into the financial security side. Marty has probably never worried about money, yet he has made enough to allow him to enjoy what the world can offer if you slow down. Everything seems to work out for Marty. Too many times, many Americans are trying to make something happen, Marty just lets it happen.

Be careful if you get into a pickup basketball game with Marty, you just might reveal something that you have been trying to hide. Read the book to also find out who Marty parks like. Jim Shea does a great job in writing a light-hearted book that reveals how two very different individuals can share a wonderful bike ride and experience interactions with others that would not happen if you are flying down the interstate in your car. It also reveals stories of the hardworking people in rural America that are living a very different life than the people in the DC metro area.

Turn off the TV and go for a nice ride through the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal with Jim and Marty. It just might inspire you to do the same.

[Ed Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim Shea's account of a 5-day bike trek with his brother-in-law Marty from Pittsburgh to Washington DC along the Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal is as much a story about friendship as their 335 mile adventure. Jim and Marty are very different: one slight of stature, analytical, and methodical; the other large and expansive, more in tune with feelings, and living fully in the moment. The books title derives from Marty's simple but effective approach for the trip.

The author provides historical context for stops along the way, including Antietam, Harper's Ferry, and the C&O Canal, as well as lesser know places like Connellsville, Smithton, and Berkeley Springs, each with their own fascinating stories. The book is peppered with the rich characters they encounter: an elderly woman struggling with dementia who still manages the right directions to keep them on the trail; the owner of a small restaurant whose reply to every question is the same three words; and especially the motorcyclists assembled in Little Orleans for their annual rally.

For Washington area bicyclists like me who may think the GAP is simply an extension of the C&O Canal to Pittsburgh, you're in for a surprise. Like Jim and Marty, the two trails are quite different. You definitely want to start in Pittsburgh and read Get Up and Ride before you go.

[Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

These simple pleasures are made possible to anyone, regardless of ability, to experience by simply riding a bicycle. - Page 181

A delightful book about cycling and friendship. Jim also rounds it out with many great historical facts and good places to hang out along the trail. If you have biked from Pittsburgh to Georgetown, this book will certainly bring back nice memories. It did for me. If you have not done this ride, be prepared for temptation. The ride is wonderful and challenging. Ride safe, ride often. Just ride. #tandemlife

[herbert gunther · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Read. So get Up & Ride

Have ridden the GAP and most of the towpath, I was familiar with the places you rode through. Reading about your adventures I felt like I was back on the trail with you guys.
Thank you
PS--if you guys are looking for a new adventure, I recommend going east to Jim Thorpe,Pa. The trail is not as long as the Gap, but it's a fun W.E. trip. The town itself is worth it.
Thanks again & ride on

[Bill Howden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book chronicles a delightful and interesting journey. Author Jim Shea and his brother-in-law Marty plan, prepare, and complete a bike ride on trails from Pittsburgh PA to Washington DC. I found it personally interesting as I travel between those two cities often, and have a firsthand awareness of some of the towns and areas where Jim and Marty explored. What an impressive adventure!

Jim's style of humor is a mix of light and deadpan, which makes for perfect commentary on Marty's unique personality style, and behavioral characteristics. Jim is an excellent storyteller, with exactly the right embellishments. Jim also chronicles their stops in places of natural beauty, and historic significance (such as Antietam National Battlefield and Harper's Ferry), providing light yet important depth to the relevance of the location. He provides similar treatment to the history of some of the towns along the way, illuminating their historical relationship to the growth of the region, at just the right balance of 'entertainment' and 'learning'.

Along with the highlights and encounters from the 'ride', Jim covers some sidebar topics which bring great insight into the situation, Marty's style, family traditions, and life experiences. Congratulations to Jim and Marty on undertaking a great ride, and thanks go to Jim for such a nice capture of their time together, and for sharing it with us.

[Jennifer Pletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of the author. He and his brother in law, Marty, decided to ride the Great Allegheny Passage one summer. They traveled from Pittsburgh, PA to Washington DC over the course of a week on their bikes - staying and stopping in variouis towns along the trail. The book covers their time on the trail, the history of some of the towns they passed, and the story of Jim, Marty and their families. Jim spins the story of what it was like to travel in this part of the country - describing the scenery over the 335 miles they traveled.

This was a good book. I love picking up books in my old home town of Connellsville, Pa when I visit. Any book that mentions our small town is worth checking out and this one did not disappoint. Jim does a good job recounting the history of many of the towns he traveled through - I even learned things that I did not know. There are quite a few parts that gave me a chuckle as he recounted his relationship with his brother-in-law Marty. And while Jim states right from the beginning that he isn't a writer, I still think he does a nice job with his story.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Congratulations on a fantastic book—your tale of time together, the people you met, the places you saw—the overall experience took me back to the Summer of 2017 and what I experienced with six friends over the 150 miles from the Point to Cumberland! And every other day trip on the GAP over the years!

You nailed it with the line: “Riding the Great Allegheny Passage is a pleasure beyond measure”

From the start when you took your watch off to all that came out of the journey (not the destination) you captured it so very well in a humorous, thoughtful and educational way.
The history of the GAP, C/O and Montour gave a nice educational enlightenment on how we got here today. The little mom/pops shops along the way shows the beautiful human element around each bend.. from Bill’s Place, to the Mexican, the Restaurants, Manor Inn and so many more—oh the people and the stories they have.. I could listen all night. And of course the landmarks—Fallings Water, Antietam, the Continental Divide and Harpers Ferry oh my!

Again to steal your line- so many “simple pleasures are made possible to anyone, regardless of ability to experience by simply riding a bicycle”

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in a while, a book comes along at just the right moment. For me, "Get Up and Ride" is such a book. During one of my numerous recent solo adventures, I came across "Get Up and Ride" in Four Seasons Books in Shepherdstown, WV. I wasn't looking for books on cycling, but the book must have been looking for me as it caught my eye and interest immediately. Jim Shea (and his friend, Marty) have inspired me to return to biking in spite of my age and health issues. The quick read is filled with humor, insight, descriptions of beautiful scenery, accounts of people met along the way. It was a much-needed timely reminder of the goodness of people--a wonderful route away from the negativity so rampant in today's world. At this writing, I don't know if I will ever be able to cycle along the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal as did these two guys. However, I do know this: I will be getting back on a bicycle and will be making the most of every moment. I have no doubts that you will find the book delightful and inspiring.

[Kathy Retos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read. My husband Bill is a friend of Jim Shea's, and always speaks highly of Jim, their travels, and their time working together. When Bill learned of Jim's book (on a Facebook feed), I ordered it for Bill as a Xmas Stocking Stuffer.
When the book arrived, I was the first to delve into it, and enjoyed it tremendously. We travel between our two homes in greater Washington DC and greater Pittsburgh, and as a result are very familiar with the waypoints of Jim's and Marty's journey.
Bill read it after me, and would literally laugh out loud as some of the passages. He described that he could hear Jim's voice and visualize his expressions and mannerisms just by the words on the page.
I'm not sure if Jim and Marty expect to make more journeys, but if they do - I hope it produces books like this one. Great stories guys!

[Joe Gorsuch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book especially appealed to me because I bike-packed the C&O Canal Bike trail with a friend a couple years prior to reading. It brought back many good memories, and it was fun to reminisce about my own haphazard trip while reading about the trials and tribulations of the author. I don't think I would recommend this book to someone who hadn't or wasn't interested in biking the same or a similar route. That's because the subject matter is so much more meaningful if the reader has a tangible connection to the places referenced. That said, this book was fun and an easy read. It's apparent that the author doesn't write books for a living. However, this comes off as more charming and down-to-earth than it takes away from any of the narrative.

[Avinash Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not an avid reader, so I was glad with the light writing style making it a fun read. It took me some time to finish the book, but it was quite gripping to read through the instances of friendship. There is a ton of relevant history in this book in an easy to consume manner, and of course the stories are humorous. The cycling piece is quite entertaining as well, definitely forced me to consider doing the trail myself. Looking forward to part 2 of the book with more stories about Jim and Marty!

[Alexis Bartholomew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great, humorous book that is a fun and easy read! I’ve really enjoyed reading it and you see the friendship Marty and Jim have throughout the book. I picked up this book when recently camping at Ohiopyle andhad me laughing just reading a paragraph in the store! It intrigued me from the moment I saw what it was about as I have ridden part of the GAP trail and is something my Dad and I would love to complete together but whether you love to bike or not it will still be an enjoyable read!

[Mary Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an all encompassing read, magnetic with humor, cult-like with the following of riders buying and reading it during their stay at bed and breakfasts along the GAP. My 93 year old mom calls Marty "the hippie" and Jim, "the business man". The story unfolds to be much more than an itinerary for the trail ride but an exciting, sensitive story leaving you with attachment to the characters and with the question "Is Marty an A------? the question we have all asked ourselves about ourselves.
Highly recommended.

[Guido · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, written by my high school classmate, brings back good memories of the gem in our collective back yards, which was/is the C&O canal.
Reading the book opened my eyes more to the historical significance of the people and events that took place in, on, and around the canal over the course of our country's history.
Finally, and most importantly, it brings out the refreshing reminder of how important family & close friends can be to us. We just need to take the time and "get up & ride".
P.S. i've stopped wearing my watch on weekends as a result of reading the book!

[William McKitrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this book was great. I was biased from the beginning given that I’m familiar with both Pittsburgh and the area between there and DC. I’ve met several people who have ridden the distance. Plus the relationship between the author and his B-I-L is very similar to that of my dad and uncle. So the book was a delight from those perspectives.

I keep telling myself that I need to do this ride, so I was paying attention to the fact that the first day was 77 miles long!!!!!!!!!! What a great adventure for these two and what a well written book!!

[Craig Beyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humorous and amusing and a really nice story about a couple of guys who married sisters and rode their bikes from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC. Simple. Short. Enjoyable. Cool places to visit (and eat and drink beer). Places I’ve been and enjoyed and nice to read about them. I’ve walked the Paw Paw Tunnel, walked and ridden parts of the C&O Canal, touristed in Harper’s Ferry. It’s a fun book, quick to read, and you’ll enjoy it. And Jim and Marty will like this review because I’m not an…well, read the book and you’ll know what Marty and I are not.

[Doug Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book mainly because I've done this same route twice and have even eaten at the same Mexican restaurant in Frostburg as they did. I did it as a fully-supported group tour using an outfitter in Ohiopyle and was curious what it was like doing it in self-supported, B&B style while carrying minimal baggage. Unfortunately, very little of the book turned out to be about the ride itself and was mostly anecdotes about the riders' friendship and families. I could have done with more cycling and less unrelated chit-chat. Still a decent effort for an amateur writer.

[M. Shipley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome book! It was a very quick read, and I enjoyed every moment of it. It’s a very funny witty and inspiring work. My wife read it as well after spending a weekend on the C&O trail near Cumberland. Seeing people going for long trips up to Pittsburgh or down to Washington meet us want to read something that would shed light on what that trip must be like. This is the perfect book for that. So now it’s up to us to “get up and ride!“

[Ron McGuire · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope sorry did not like this book. I enjoy biking but if I had to ride any distance with Marty I would either have to head in a different direction or give up biking. Jim I am glad you think some of those stories you related about Marty were funny and that you enjoy his company so that nobody else has to endure his company. The Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal sound like a great trip but if I go I hope I don't meet you two on the trail.

[Ron S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-written book sharing a story of great friendship with a taste of history along the way.  The author did an excellent job and his next venture should be a reality TV show with his riding mate Marty, who seems to always have plenty of words of wisdom handy and some bizarre idiosyncrasies !

[Wendie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really quick, entertaining read! Bought at Beans in the Belfry in Brunswick, MD, along the C&O Canal Trail. I had to read it because I have always wanted to ride the GAP & C&O via bike, as Jim Shea & brother-in-law Marty did (now 3 times). Their story & experiences make me want to ride it even more!

[Cynthia Baughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sisters Ride

The story was so fun. My sister and I just finished the same ride and picked the book up on the trail. We read some each night as we fell asleep and enjoyed comparing Jim and Martys experiences. We loved being together and just riding! The story was joyful and the friendship is endearing. Well written! Ride on!