Bike enthusiasts can often be found on the Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal, a 334-mile system of biking and hiking trails that connects Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.

But those bikers are rarely 12-year-olds.

Carter Cecotti is an exception. He recently completed the trip, just two weeks after he finished the seventh grade at South Park Middle School. He was accompanied by his uncle, Kevin Cecotti, 44, a credit analyst at PNC, also a South Park resident.

"Everybody that we encountered was very impressed that he was undertaking this at such a young age," Mr. Cecotti said.

Mr. Cecotti said the trip was simply a personal accomplishment for him and his nephew. They completed the journey in five days before driving back to Pittsburgh.

Mr. Cecotti said he and Carter had some experience with longer bike rides on the Montour trails, but nothing more than about 24 miles.

Mr. Cecotti first got the idea for the trip -- which most bikers make in five to seven days --a year ago. He said Carter was very excited.

Carter's family, however, was apprehensive.

"I was really good about it at first," Kathy Cecotti said of her son's and brother-in-law's plan. "Then when it came a little bit closer I was getting nervous."

There was substantial planning involved. Mr. Cecotti drove his car to Washington, D.C. on the Friday before the pair departed. He parked the car at Reagan International Airport and then took a train back to Pittsburgh, so that the pair could drive home after pedaling more than 300 miles.

Carter and Mr. Cecotti packed just the clothes they would need throughout the trip, because they were able to eat and sleep in small towns, designated as "trail towns" along their route.

Mr. Cecotti said he and his nephew chatted constantly during their journey.

"I knew Carter would push himself to do it," Mr. Cecotti said. "But there was still a hint in my mind that this might be asking too much."

The first day of the trip did not calm those worries.

On that day -- June 14 -- the rains were so bad that Carter and Mr. Cecotti had to stop and wait at a laundromat in West Newton, a small Westmoreland County town about 14 miles from the beginning of the trail. West Newton is one of those designated "trail towns," which offer a place for bikers to eat, sleep and shop.

At that point, Mr. Cecotti thought he had made a huge mistake. But Carter's optimism lifted his spirits.

"I knew we might have to be picked up," Carter said. "But I wasn't worried."

Carter was right. After waiting at the laundromat for more than two hours, Carter's father, Keith Cecotti, picked the pair up and drove them the last 40-miles of their first leg, to Ohiopyle, where they were able to start up again the next morning.

After the first day, which Mr. Cecotti called "horrendous," they needed just four more days to reach Washington, D.C, despite more obstacles along their path.

Mr. Cecotti said that he learned the need for handlebar extenders. He experienced a lot of lower-back pain because he spent so much time crouched over clutching the handlebars.

Carter said he got hungry during the long days they spent biking. He and his uncle would eat lunch at one of the trail towns around 11:30 a.m., then wait to eat a late dinner.

Carter hurt his knee on the final day of the trip, with just about 5 miles left. He was able to relieve the pain by stretching.

Carter and Mr. Cecotti often had to struggle through mud and puddles, which formed after those initial heavy rains.

But, even with those troubles, Mr. Cecotti said they were able to enjoy "impressive" structural landmarks still standing from the railroad that formerly ran along the trail: the Salisbury Viaduct and the recently re-opened Big Savage Tunnel, just east of Meyersdale.

After the marathon ride, Carter and his uncle spent several days vacationing in the Capital before they drove home.

"It was great because it was the first time I'd spent this time much time just with my oldest nephew," Mr. Cecotti said. "I think it was wonderful for him, too."

Mrs. Cecotti said she was very proud of her son.

"To be 12 years old and make that kind of commitment is something a lot of kids these days can't do," Mrs. Cecotti said. "I was impressed that he actually completed the trip, and he did it with a lot of grace and bravery."

Carter said his biggest problem now is convincing his friends that he actually completed the trip. His favorite sports are soccer and swimming, and he said biking is "just something me and my uncle like to do."

Carter has two younger brothers, Teddy, 9, and Preston, 4, and his father Keith is a County police officer. He said his family has two more vacations planned for this summer to Cape May, N.J., and to Charleston, S.C.

"Neither of those are going to be on our bikes though," he said.