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Douglas Dupin (pictured) is a California native who renovates old houses in Washington and in his spare time designs and builds skateboards. Earlier this fall, inspiration called: he would build a skateboard capable of carrying him the length of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath, a 184-mile scenic route that runs from Cumberland, Md., to Washington

Net-surfing, Dupin found fat-treaded tires to mount on a four-foot oak plywood deck. The wheels arrived in late October and he slapped them on. Then, without a test run, he rode Amtrak to Cumberland, expecting to storm the towpath in six days. Next morning, disappointment: the oft-rebuilt C.&O. had been graveled so loosely that it took a half-mile hike to reach a suitable hardpan. Donning a 40-pound backpack, Dupin rolled 22 miles, interrupted by several tumbles, including one into horse manure. On Day 2, he thought about quitting, but his balance and daily mileage soon improved.

Dupin persevered, completing his feat on Oct. 28, after an eight-day tour. He reached Georgetown at 2:30 P.M. to be greeted by his wife, Rebecca -- and a National Park, Service ranger, who confiscated their Champagne and threatened arrest. Dupin sees the first-of-its-kind event as an initiation. "I'm checking the atlas," he says. "I need a place that's not too hilly and fairly dry. I'm thinking, Death Valley in February." -Mike Dolan

SUNDAY DECEMBER 6, 1998
NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE
Page 31