C&O / GAP Forum

I'm gonna ride the trail in July, I know where to park in Mckeesport long term but now I'd like to start in Pittsburgh and ride the entire trail.
Does anyone have any insight on where to park for up to two weeks. Of course free would be the best but anything secure would be great.

There is a parking area On Swinburn St. off of Second Ave, that connects with the Eliza Furnace Trail. It is in the Oakland section of Pgh. This location may take some investigation on your part, but is the only free parking that I know of in Pgh.

OK, thank you very much for the input.
I may have to go to what I know, (Mckeesport) and take a little side trip up to the point to see what I'm missing.

I did a Pitt-DC thru ride earlier this summer and parked for 10 days at the Pumphouse Museum located in Homestead (Pittsburgh). I had to pay for a $25 membership in the museum but I didn't have to worry about my car being towed and no one broke into it (their number is 412-782-0171)

But the Pump house is 10 miles from the POINT.

mqharris, thanks, I checked it out. www.riversofsteel.com has the info on it I need.
This looks promising.

Twisteroo - what did you decide to do about parking?

I was able to park at Station Square for a week at $5/day. This was not posted, but I talked with the people in the parking garage office to get this rate and paid in advance.

Looks like the Station Square parking for $5 a day is no longer available. I just called them and for long term (I need 10 days) they could only give me a monthly lease or a daily rate of $18. Anyone else have any experience to share?

If you are biking the towpath and are considering a stop in Leesburg, VA; I strongly recommend you avoid the Leesburg Colonial Inn! Their website is quite deceiving. They promise a free shuttle. We waited over an hour for our shuttle and called back to remind them to come get us. Some clown showed up with "the boss's" truck and tossed our bikes in the back. The next morning they told us we had to schedule the shuttle the night before with "the boss" which we didn't so we were on our own. The waiter who checked us in the night before (they have no reception area or receptionist, it might be the cook checking you inn if he's not busy) told us the shuttle starts running at 8am as does our free breakfast. He also said we get a complimentary drink at the bar, none of these claims were true. The room was dingy, just a small bar of soap in the bathroom, no shampoo, clutter in the hallway upstairs (a true deathtrap if this place caught fire). A band in the bar downstairs and another one at the outside bar to the rear made it hard to fall alseep. In addition, the morning staff made no apologies nor did they make any attempt to get us a shuttle back to the ferry. They simply brought our bikes to the street and walked back inside without saying a word. It's approximately 5 miles to the ferry. One section of road is quite busy and four lanes. My advice is to stay elsewhere. The Comfort Inn has a reliable shuttle as experienced by some fellow bikers the same day we arrived. My brother and I did the trip from Pittsburgh to DC over 7 days. This was our last overnight stop and by far the worst experience. All of our other stops were great, mostly B&Bs but also a hostel in Rockwood was very nice. The town of Leesburg was great. We had a great dinner and some delicious beer at the Vintage 50 brewhouse. Enjoy Leesburg but a avoid the Leesburg Cononial Inn!

There have been a number of car break-ins lately at the trail access point under the bridge. Don't leave valuables in your car!

Posted 2007 - may still apply. Take the necessary precautions wherever you park on the C&O.

Keep all valuables out of sight (even small change). Lock your valuables in your trunk. Don't be an easy target.

It can be hard to find "mile zero" - here's a video to help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kzs51zRsSY

thanks for the Mile Marker "0" info.

Can't find a map that has the miles from the trail, up over the bridge into downtown Shepherdstown WV. Anyone know the miles and how safe of a ride it is?

Try this site we're now on: click on "Towns and Services" go to Shepherdstown and click that link, map is displayed. Safe? Couldn't tell you...after 300 miles this ole boy didn't want to spend energy to get UP to that bridge!

I hiked the C+O in 2011, including the walk into Shepherdstown. I didn't think it was too far.

Do I need a permit to camp. If so where do I get it.

This is a free campsite at mile marker 16. I think it has 5 to 7 sites available. Right next to the river, very nice.

It's been a few years ago, but I camped there and no permits were required.

I just finished doing my first ride from Pgh to D.C. At the end of the C&O canal in D.C. we stopped at the local bike shop to ask them where the mile marker 0 was at and they all told us there wasn't one. We eventually found it on our own the next day hidden off the trail behind a metal building. Anyone else have this problem? Why doesn't the bike shop know it's there?

Haha....yeah. What is up with that?!? The first time we did the trip, (we start at MM 0), we spent maybe close to an hour looking for that darn thing. None of the locals knew what it was let alone where it was! Most folks did not really know what the C&O Canal was. We were right besided the building you spoke of when we asked people. We wondered off but eventually came back to the building and somehow ended up going on the other side of the building and found it. You would think they would put of some signs for it.

For what it is worth, our second trip we used a shuttle service who "specializes" in the C&O/GAP trail and the driver did not know where MM 0 was. He knew how to get us in the general area. We had to show him where it was.

Go to youtube.You will find a really nice short video that explains and rides right to it.

You'll be surprised at the number of people in the Washington DC area who don't even know what the C&O Canal is, or where it is located. There are many Rail-Trail enthusiast who are not familiar with the trail. Glad you found MM "0".

You have to spend the night in the “Chicken Coops” at Dennis’ place. You can’t miss it because you pass right by on either the C&O Canal trail or the WMRT.

We stayed there summer of 2011. I had no problems with the place, but not sure the wife has forgiven me yet! But, beats a tent and cheaper than a hotel room!

I stayed there when I hiked the trail a couple of April's ago. Had the place to myself but that's OK as it got me out of the rain that night and I was able to get a shower. What could be wrong with that? I could see how it would be a great place for a small group to stay at.

The bunkhouse, store, were really nice; however, the portajons made me gag. I tried to get up early enough to go to town for restroom, when I realised I would have to use the "filth-pit" again, I cried. I think there is enough income being generated to put some chemical in the potty. If management doesn't care that the toilet seat is smeared, he could at least provide cleaning essentials. Perhaps a man could stand this, but definitely not for a woman.

When we made plans for a few days in Ohiopyle, I assumed that we would ride our bikes out there--it seemed that many people had. However, others have said the road is unsafe.

We are bike commuters and are used to sharing the road, have yellow vests, etc. but there definitely are roads I won't go on.

What are the opinions here about the road to Fallingwater? Any ideas of alternative transportation?

Fallingwater is only 5 miles or so from Ohiopyle, but Route 381 is hilly and lots of curves and no bike lane that I know of. You don't say where your riding in from. But lots of riders do it.

I have family that live on that road half way between Ohiopyle and Falling Waters and we have biked down the hill to Ohiopyle, but believe you'd have to walk up the hill. Its very steep and as others said, no shoulders to speak of! Good luck.

We did the GAP/C&O ride a couple of years ago. We took a layover day and visited Fallingwater and it was awesome. The folks at Wilderness Voyagers did our shuttle. Great folks and reasonable price. Locked the bikes at their place, they took us to FW and then picked us up when we called for a return ride.

Before we left on our trip, I couldn't verify any of the food options except for Aroma house pizza. The google map failed to find the other listings.
Whether or not this was accurate, I am not sure, but I wanted to mention a new food stop located there (just started within a few weeks of our trip). I can't recall the name (thanks to the husband and his joking name he gave it), but there is a deli in an old gas station building. They have breakfast sandwiches, fruit, subs/sandwiches, cheesesteaks, etc., as well as some pastries and the typical drinks and snacks that you usually find at gas station convenience stores.
It is easy to get to, ...just cross the bridge leaving the parking area and the towpath and you can either follow the road out, or go straight ahead through the grassy area, and it is pretty much directly ahead of you across the street.

(I gave the owners the website address here so that they can write in for a listing.)

Is the convenience store at whites ferry md opened?

If it's not, it's a short trip into town. The only thing is that the name of the town escapes me right now. I guess I'm having a senior moment :)

The store at Whites Ferry is a real oasis on that section of the C&O. It's more than a store, its also a diner. The food's not bad. They also sell ice and beer. I passed through Whites Ferry right after Memorial Day on a thru ride this year. He happened to be closed that day in order to clean up the bathroom facility. It's best to give them a call (301-349-5200)

Husband and I were there last week. Had great bar-b-q sandwich and burger. If you are looking for lunch on the spot, it is great, ...if you are looking for things to take with for later, you mostly have convenience store snacks (as far as I could find). I don't know if he was just low in stock, or that is his usual (?). We had planned to get something to take with for dinner later (we were camping in Swains Lock, to be picked up the next morning in Georgetown). We survived on snack crackers and almonds until we could get to the waterfront deli for breakfast.

I was terribly disappointed in my stay last October at the Town Hill Inn. Got the impression that I was inconveniencing the driver who shuttled me up the hill then was shoved in the back door so not to be seen by the “regular” guest. Very negative atmosphere towards bicyclist from the management in general. Makes you wonder how they deal with hikers? Stopped at Bill’s on the way out the next day and learned of a lodge just around the corner. Going to check it out during my 2013 trip.

It's unfortunate but I'm relieved to see that I'm not the only one disappointed in my stay at Town Hill. As outlined in my earlier post I'd stayed twice and was treated great. However, the last trip will be my last stay. As a hiker and biker I never feel "entitled" to extras. I plan on paying my way and whether I'm staying in a $30 dump or a $200 palace I always treat the room and furnishings as I would my own. I'd already told my group that they would need to clean their gear and bodies (clothing) before entering. I just never expected to be eating a gas station supper on a picnic table in cold and windy conditions after a full day of bike travel through pretty rough, muddy terrain. I understand that the property is listed "For Sell" or may be sold by now.

Your experience is the same as mine from fall 2011. I'd stayed there 2-3 times and was always treated very well but my last visit will be my last. In fact I had another reservation with another group I was guiding on the Gap/C&O and I canceled it. I'd rather ride the extra miles from Cumberland to Hancock than to spend money where I'm not wanted. My group had to get sandwiches at the gas station and sit outside in the cold and wind at appx. 7pm to eat. then after using wire brushes to clean our gear we were escourted up the back staircase to our rooms and were given one shower (there are 3 showers up stairs) for 6 people to use. I'd rather stay behind the C&O Bike Shop in Hancock in the bunkhouse. Hot outdoor showers and it's clean.

I have reservations for a night during the week of 9/9. The gentleman on the phone was very pleasant and welcoming. I hope that my experience is better than these descriptions as I'm a bit nervous now.

Tyoungs,
As I mentioned in this post and another forum. I had wonderful stays on several occasions but the last stay will be my last. I'd always treated my stay etc with great respect. I understand his concern about dirt/mud and possible lack of respect but I'd never misused the property. Good luck and hope your stay is as nice as my first couple of stays. With all of the weather we've had this summer I'm not sure what kind of shape the C&O will be in.

I am riding bike to Wash. DC and I can not find a phone # or contact about parking in Pittsburgh for a week

Find my post of 6/28/13. Scroll down just a bit.

David, what did you do for parking?

Hi everyone!

I'm an ultra runner and have been running sections of the GAP all year long. I've been looking recently at running the section from Connellsville to Homestead, but I'm wondering if there are any safety issues in this area as far as riff-raff. I've read elsewhere that some areas of the GAP closer to Pittsburgh can be questionable.

The plan is to leave a car in Connellsville and get dropped off in Homestead. I have run to Connellsville from Ohiopyle before, and it seemed like a good place to leave a car for 10-12 hours.

Thanks in advance and happy trails!

Looking for some sage advice from locals, regular C&O bikers or someone who’s been on the towpath recently. Have been planning a three day Williamsport to Connellsville trip, slated to start tomorrow, 8/8/2013. Given the weather reports that I’ve seen for the last few days (and the next few) looks like a lot of rain. Reports I’ve read said the towpath gets quite muddy. Any knowledge of current conditions, or advice on conditions from similar past weather cycles? (I really don’t want to postpone my trip, but I also realize there is some prudence in in not riding into three days of thunderstorms). Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. This site and the comment forum has been a great help in planning my trip.

I believe Rock Run Inn is in Elizabeth, about a mile from the trail at Buena Vista

Anyone know about this place? Google says it has closed or relocated.

This stretch is to be done in one day, coming from DC, ending in Pittsburgh. Has anyone done this and what am I up against. Thanks

That looks like 84 miles.In perfect weather I would think you could do 10/12 mph which would be close to 8 hours on the bike. Im sure its been done many times but it will be a full day. good luck and enjoy

Please note that I am assuming the 84 mile calculation is correct.

I know of two brothers who do the entire C&O / GAP in three days. They do this, (or used to do this), every year. It was a brotherly testosterone kinda thing. Every year the one brother griped and complained about it and paid the price physically. So why did they do it? Just to say they did. My point? Yes, you can do 84 miles in a day. My very non-judgemental question to you is why 84 miles in one day? Are you on a time restraint? Just my opinion but I don't think you will enjoy the ride. This is a rough trail and averaging 12 miles an hour over 84 miles will be hard to do. It is worse if you get caught in the rain or this has been a recent rain. Mechanical failures are also a consideration. Time of year is still another consideration.

I hope you are successful on your ride. It would be nice if you let us know how it went. Your experiences may be helpful for someone else.

One factor is whether you are willing to do part of it on the Western Maryland Rail Trail, a paved surface where you will make better time, or if you are a purist who insists on sticking to the towpath.

TO JJB, The reason for this stretch run is that there is not motels except approx. halfway between the two towns, 40 miles

O.K., I got you. My wife and I had to do a 62 mile day last year, (Hancock to Cumberland). We would normally stay in Paw Paw but there was nothing open last year. We got a late start due to a storm with plenty of lightning. The trail was a mess! It also got to about 92 degrees that day. We were fully loaded and could only do 8-10 MPH and we took plenty of breaks. We got into Cumberland late and ran into another scary storm. Wind was so strong it literally blew us off the trail. We rode single file so we wouldn't run into each other!

Again, I wish you luck on your ride. You can always ride the WMRT around Hancock. That should increase your speed and decrease your ride time.