C&O / GAP Forum

So I'm trying to determine the so call formal west end of the GAP to start a planned trip in July to DC. I read they plan on finishing the end starting at Sand Castle park in Homestead? Then I go to Google maps and they show a "planned" trail going west along the river at the Sand Castle park as the GAP, then it turns into the Steel Valley Trail and then the Three Rivers Heritage Trail crossing the Hot Metal Bridge. Are these other trails different? So where would the real marked end of the GAP be located in late July?

The trail that I have been riding for years is comprised of many inner city trail segments beyond Sand Castle (west). They are called South Side Trail, Eliza Furnace Trail and others that I don't recall, although they together make up the very west end of the GAP. ending at Point State Park.The section west of Sand Castle is under construction now, and will be finished by summer. It is less than 1 mile.

By the way I believe the Steel Valley Trail begins at Duqusene and continues through Homestead.

Lenny, you are the true source. Going west, I see after crossing Hot Metal Bridge I can follow the Three Rivers Heritage Trail all the way following Penn Lincoln and Lincoln Highway (I376) west on the trail until it comes to Smithfield St. Bridge by Ft. Pitt Blvd. But it goes south over the bridge. I can instead just stay on the north side following it west for about 6-8 blocks until it gets to Point State Park? There are enough signs to keep me going in the correct direction? I can start in Homestead if this starting point (from Point State Park) takes me into unfriendly neighborhoods or bad traffic? What is your educated opinion?

No bad hoods. The worst of the worst you will encounter is the projects in McKeesport and its not bad, and have never Had a people problem. By the way this is Swin Cash's hood. She of college basketball fame.

Planning on riding this summer from Pittsburgh to Washington DC. We plan on coming into Pittsburgh on the Greyhound Bus and would like info on getting from the bus station downtown to the beginning of the trail. Can anyone help with directions or suggestions? Thanks

Go to Allegheny Trail Alliance sight. click directions to trail heads. You should find all you need . I like to start at Point State Park, it is at the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers. And its on the way to the start point.

Lenny, Will it be done by late July? Is it govt. or private will determine on time completion?

4-23-2013: The Sandcastle road is closed for trail construction. Paving has begun bicycle, pedestrian and car traffic cannot get through until paving is completed. Please respect our contractors request and stay away from this site. Stay tuned for updates. We do not recommend riding Route 837 from the Waterfront to the Hot Metal Bridge: this well-traveled highway has poor sight lines in many areas and non-existent shoulders. Most of the local buses can transport two bicycles per bus. Schedules and maps are available at Port Authority's web site: Visit the Website

The last mile is scheduled for Grand Opening 6/15/13. Go to ATA, Great Allegheny Passage site and look under news and events, scroll down to June 15, and you will find it.

The trail is now open (since May 17) all the way into Pittsburgh. See the GAP website and other information on line.

We are planning a short three day trip on the C & O. My wife and I are planning to bike from Williamsport to Shepperdstown and spend the night. The next day we plan on biking down to Brunswick and then back to Shepperdstown to spend another night. On the third day we would return to Williamsport. First question - an problems with this run? We are bikers however have not done the C & O yet. Second question - we will need to park our car in Williamsport for a few days. Is there overnight parking somewhere relatively safe?

Both days are short rides, with los of time for sightseeing. And yes the williamsport Trailhead has alot of safe parking , with restrooms.

Really nice ride and great sight seeing. We stay at the Bavarin Inn in Shepherds Town.Great rooms and eat at the basement Pub..Food is fantastic.

Thank you!!!!

This shop is great, just a block or two off the C&O in Brunswick, MD. My pedal stripped and fell off on the path just before Brunswick. The Three Points Cycle owner was able to reinstall it safely (and insisted "no charge"), and I was on my way. I encourage anyone on the trail to stop off in Brunswick and visit the shop.

Hondo, are you still doing your ride to DC this month? I am leaving this coming Saturday for my 1st trip. My starting point will be Rockwood because I have ridden between there and Pittsburgh a lot. Looking forward to the challenge and scenery. I will be carrying a spare link after watching your video.

Hey Stillriding, wild that we would cross paths in the middle of the savage tunnel going opposite directions. I hate it we didnt get to hook up going the same direction. I could have used some company on this trip as I didnt really meet up with a lot of talkative people. I still have 2 days of riding left as of this posting from Husky Haven campground . Enjoy your ride and I hope to post one of those "hey look at me riding my bike on the gap" youtube things in a week or 2.Ride safe

Hi Hondo, WARNING LONG POST, its Monday afternoon here. What a low percent chance that we meet in the middle of a tunnel and having never met eye to eye before. Wow! It was a real pleasure for the 10 to 15 minutes we shared talking. Hope all is going well for you. I had a great first day and I was conquering the Great C&O with no problem. It had all the good and the bad that you read about with the rain and shine. Completed 77 miles and was looking forward to day 2. Only two thinks I didn't like. 1st, I, like yourself, was doing a self contained trip, had my whistle, bell and cell phone for any emergencies. The problem was there was no cell phone service most of that area after Cumberland, and the last person I had seen was in 2 1/2 hours ago. So if you did have a problem, no one would be there to help, could be the next hour or it could have be all night. I didn't see any one at the camp sites along the way either. 2ond, I know the C&O is a historical trail, but that does not mean that they can't take care of it, like cut the grass, all camp sites had at lest 1 foot of tall grass with the exception of Spring Gap which looked pretty nice. The grass in some long riding areas of the trail was 3 to 4 foot high (and that was in the middle of the two narrow bike lanes). So I rode all the way to the Paw Paw Camp site thinking it would be nice because you pay $10.00. Wrong, 1 foot high grass to. No trail bikes in site. Maybe its me because I am that neighbor that cuts the grass all the time. Well that night in the tent because I could not get a hold of my family to insure them that all is going well, I decided to just ride through the Paw Paw tunnel, go a little ways up and turn around. Plan B would be ride back to Boston, trail head where I am only 15 minutes from home. That would be a 250 total mile trip and I would be happy with that. Today I was looking at about an 80 mile day back to Rockwood camp ground. Was doing great till about 8 miles into the mountain. Got worse

Continued: Was doing great till about 8 miles into the mountain. Got worse and worse until I was wasted at the top. Was going to camp out on the mountain but my wife said she would pick me up at Meyerdale trail head. Tired as I was I said OK. Got there at 8:15pm. Two days and 148 miles on bike riding I can say I did good, but, didn't make. At 61 I don't know if I will try again but I did have a great time. IF I ever do it again (once this soreness goes away), I won't go by myself, for the company and safety issue. Like you said, there are not a lot of talkative people out and too many that don't even acknowledge your wave or hi and some that my even ride by when you need help. But my hat goes off and a pat on the back to all the riders that do. Hondo, it was my pleasure and until we meet again, safe riding. Maybe next time it will be on the motorcycles.

Hey Stillriding, I finished my ride yesterday and made it home today.Yes,I was a bit surprised at the grass not being mowed on the trail and the campsites.I hate it you had a bit of a frustrating ride and honestly unless you are a loner it can get somewhat lonely on the trail.This year I just didn't meet many talkative people and I like to talk with everyone and I think had you and I hooked up we could have had a blast riding to DC.Oh well,what do you do? In a week or so I hope to youtube the GAP part of my ride.Im not doing any of the C&O since I didn't get to DC and would therefore be incomplete. Keep riding!

A friend and I are planning a GAP/C&O ride for June 20th, expecting to finish on the 25th. As we are both novices, we would appreciate any advice or insights anyone has for us. Also, if anyone near Philadelphia is interested in sharing the rental car expense to Pittsburgh, let me know...

Matt, I would be happy to try to answer any questions you may have but you left your original post / question pretty wide open. Too much info. to try to pass on in a reply. Make sure to read through all of the posts on this site. There is a lot of good info on here.

JBB is right, specific ?? are easy. But it looks like six days are a good time frame for novices, and June is still relatively cool.

I'm contemplating a spur of the moment trip to ride the C&O round trip starting in Cumberland. Two concerns--does rain soften the trail to the extent that you can't make a full day (60 or so miles) on a loaded bike? Or is it firm enough that you just have mud splattering, rather than sinking? Second, I read somewhere that there is a rockslide near Paw Paw that requires either hiking overland, or a detour by paved road. Is that still the case, and is it feasible for an old guy to lug a fully loaded bike up and over the path? Thanks for any info...I'm thinking of doing this early next week.....

The trail is open. As for rain, the puddles are huge and you and your equipment will be a mess. I have done this a couple of times and always got my mileage in.

My wife and I, not being in the best shape of our lives....lol, did a 62 mile day on a day that it stormed in the morning. We did it but it was a little tough. I had to stop and clean our cassettes several times, they were so caked with mud. The mud really slowed us down. Paw Paw is open. You can find info. in posts below this one. Also look on C&O Canal Trust, (Google it). Good luck on your ride!

Greg, if you are concerned about trail condition and are starting in Cumberland, why not do the GAP instead which has a smoother trail that drains water much better. Just a thought.

I RODE THE C&O AFTER A HEAVY RAIN STORM THE TRAIL DOES GET SOFT BUT MANAGEABLE WITH FULL LOADED BIKE.AVERAGED 60 MILES A DAY.TOOK A LITTLE LONGER BUT DID IT AT AGE 60.

Planning our annual C&O and GAP trail trip this year for the first week of June. We're wondering what kind of effect the cicada invasion is going to have on trails and campsites. Anyone have any insight or experience to share??

The little critters are LOUD during the day but quiet down after dark. Ride with your mouth closed?!

The cicada is harmless, just noisy, however I'd rather hear them than Rap music :)

Does anybody know of safe overnight parking relatively adjacent to the trail in Seneca Maryland? I can't remember what Seneca looks like from when I last biked through. I'm planning to drive there, park there, bike into Georgetown for Memorial Day weekend, then bike back to my car.

I was under the opinion that it is possible to take the train w/bike from DC to McKeesport to start riding the GAP & C&O trails back to DC?

Not quite. You have to ride the train all the way to Pittsburgh.

So then how does one get to the trail head, and which trailhead?

The station is about six blocks from Point State Park, on Liberty or Penn Ave. Start by Googgling the locations and ceck out the GAP sight. I also have posted on this sight many times the directions, just look back through the posts.

We just opened an eatery only a few steps from the train in downtown Meyersdale. We offer healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner options. We are currently open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. As the summer warms, we will be opening during the week and will even have some overnight rooms. I don't know how to officially be added to this list, but we are here and ready to serve the people!

Ray, the Webmaster of this sight will be sure to help you. He does a great job with this sight.

Are there any trailhead parking areas on the C&O in the first 8 miles of the trail coming out of Georgetown. We'd like to stay out of town, then drive to a trail head and commute into D.C. to bicycle tour the town.

Check towns and services on this sight. Bathesda has parking and is 10 miles out.

I plan on doing a through ride from Pitt to D.C. later this month. Trying to work out the logistics of getting back to Pittsburgh. I think the best solution for me it so ship my bike home from D.C. and take the train back to Pittsburgh. Does anyone know of a shop in D.C. that can take care of boxing and shipping my bike?

I tried shipping from DC to home in Ohio last year. The bill was going to be $200. I drove back to DC from Connellsville instead. Do it over & I'd ship to Pittsburgh on Amtrak, they allow boxed bikes to Pitt.

Dealing with a boxed bike in Pittsburg at 1:00 in the morning doesn't sound appealing and I'd still have to get the bike and myself to Homestead. I spoke with someone at City Bikes (2501 Champlain St in D.C.) and they said that they can box up my bike for $50 and then loan me a dolly to transport it to a FedEx store a few hundred feet away. The cost of shipping from DC to Cincinnati is about $100.

Why not just get a one way car rental?

That's an option, but it expensive renting one way and I'd be stuck at 1:00 in the morning with a rental car and have to spend the night, thus the added expense of a hotel room. I thinking shipping it back will work fine.

I have a very sturdy road bike. Is the trail crushed enough to support my bike or should I rent a hybrid?

Which trail? Certainly not the C&O.its to unpredictable. The GAP would be OK if it has been dry, and will stay dry.

Just this past Monday 4/7/13 My husband and I started in Cumberland and did 40 miles on trail, half Gap and half C&O. He had a Diamondback Menona 2010 with front suspension and 700c x 35 tires. I had a Novara Randonee with 700c x 32 tires. He was completely comfortable on either trail. I had a sore butt from my new saddle, but other than that both bikes worked exceptionally well on both surfaces. Wider tires with a little tred on the edges, that is wider than road tires, are suggested though for the C&O since the surface is rougher.

The C&O Canal Trail is not your typical Rail-Trail. It is hard packed dirt and rough stone with tree roots and mud mixed in at times. Hybrid Tires would work, Mountain Bike Tires would be better. Be sure to pack some spare inner tubes. Lots of opportunities for punctures. Enjoy your ride.

Hybrid tires work great, I have never used a tire bigger than a 35. The advantage is it is an easier tire to peddle and faster with less drag. I have had a few flats, but only the tube never a tire failure. And most of the tube failures were thorns.

There are lots of sharp rocks as well, which can lead to punctures. The wise man carries spare inner tubes.

I rode solo Pittsburgh to Georgetown last October on a traditional steel-frame touring bike (circa 1976), with 700c x 32mm in front and 700c x 35 in back. Back tire was a Schwalbe Marathon Plus -- tough tire. GAP was great. C&O was rougher going. With leaves down, I had to be very careful about bouncing off of tree roots hidden by the leaves. I wouldn't do it with anything smaller than 32mm, and most road bikes these days won't fit even a 32. See what you can fit in your frame. But if clearance is really tight in back and you bust a spoke, the out-of-true wheel will lock up against the chainstays. So either bring spare spokes and a mini cassette remover, or a kevlar spare spoke, or go with thinner tires that give you safe clearance. It's all dependent on what you are comfortable with in your riding style. I've heard some people have done it with 25mm road tires.

Hi all,
I'm in West Newton, PA, sitting and looking out of the rail car on the GAP. Lots of local riders out for their recreational rides are rolling by. I've been talking with locals all day...
What I'm interested in now is what C&O and GAP through-trekkers are thinking. If you could have a photo of yourself riding your bike, where on the GAP would you like it to be? Or, if at a standstill, what pose would you like for a photo?
I'm thinking that a portrait taken during the Ride of Your Life could make a tremendous souvenir.

Your thoughts, please!
Betsy

Hi Betsy. I just looked at your site. I think it is a neat idea. My wife and I do just about everything together and we usually try to get pics. We have them from skydiving, zip-lining, and rafting. Actually the rafting pics were at Ohiopyle on the Yough. We did not know about it but I think they had a sign somewhere on the river(?) It is something we would get. Good luck with it.

I have grandchildren who love getting paper mail. I am hoping to send a postcard every day of our trip from Brunswick to Pittsburgh. I am sure that I will be able to find postcards in the touristy places or park bookstores at Harpers Ferry, Cumberland, etc. But what about Hancock, Meyersdale? Any suggestions?

Although I have never looked for post cards, I am fairly certain that you can get postcards in the train depot at the trail head in Meyersdale. They have a small gift shop & museum in it. You should check their hours of operation. Best bet at Hancock is the new C&O Park visitors center. It is right on the trail. We have bought several books there. Hope this helps.

Betsy, I don't think this sight is the appropriate place to announce your business, unless of course I'm wrong and your going to take my picture for free.

Lenny,
I noticed that my business is not listed in the section on trail amenities on this site. I decided to announce it so that people know that it is available to them. I'm sorry if I offended you or any other forum user.
I will be happy to take your picture for free!

Bets, I suggest you ask ray the webmaster of this sight, how you can get on the lists. No hard feelings, just asking. Good luck with your venture.