C&O / GAP Forum

Kind of a strange question, but it doesn't look like this has been asked before -- do you know if there are easily-accessible electrical outlets at any of the "picnic areas" along the side of the GAP or C&O? My husband will be using our low-powered e-bike to tow our son in a trailer next week, and while we hope to not use much battery, it would be good to know if there are potential recharge points for when we stop to eat! (the bike+trailer takes up a lot of space so I doubt we could bring it inside any cafes or anything)

First of alll there are no outlets at any of the Hiker/Biker trail side campsites along the C&O that I am aware of. Electrical outlets are available There are outlets on the Meyersdale Maple Festival stage. There is one or more outdoor receptacles on the Service Building at the Connellsville trail side camp site. The KOA in Adelaide near Connellsville has electrical sites. While I know there are indoor outlets at the Husky Haven Camp office in Rockwood, I expect there are some outdoor receptacles there as well. But note that office is not in the campgrounds however.

These are some of the ones I know of. A more stealthy , but less savory, option is to look for outdoor receptacles on service stations, convenience stores, parks, banks, etc.

I’m sure others will know of still more options.

I'd take an extension cord and choose the "less savory" option when needed. Charge up from an exterior outlet whenever you stop for a soda or lunch or ice cream...

If it feels like stealing, give the person inside 5 cents. That would be about double the actual price of electricity.

Oh, also, be aware that some towns are right on the trail, and some are a pretty spicy distance away. Connellsville, right on it. Perryopolis, quite a hike.

Or you can just look for the closest Sheetz store in the trail town. They've got electrical outlets at every indoor seat. Not just normal plugs but two USB ports in the same outlet as well, so you can charge your phone without using up any of the other plug slots. They're open 24 hours a day / 7 days a week, so you can get made to order food whenever you get off the trail. They have free fast wifi which is better than slow patchy wifi found at B&Bs with less IT support.

We are on a tour with no sag wagon. We are riding 60 miles each day and we are a bit worried about the distance. Are there shuttles or taxi that can pick us up if we are too tired to bike to our next hotel?

Can you give us some more info about your trip? Where are your start and end points? Have you done these distances before or are new to bicycle touring? Based on your post have you already begun your trip?

There are shuttles but they won’t be cheap. I would only do that if your are in dire straights or in an emergency. If 60 miles is leaving you concerned, maybe just do 40-50? Remember you’re going to be riding from breakfast to dinnertime so you have many hours to do those miles. You can take meal/water/sightseeing stops to break it up. You’ll be surprised the variety of people and body types who manage to do 60…young, old, heavy, light, no experience, etc. just try to enjoy the scenery and that your not at work/home. It seems a lot but the miles will go by. Making to town/camp is a great feeling and sense of accomplishment.

We’re about to head out on C&O tomorrow, unsure if conditions so I got a couple of names of folks who shuttle from the GAP/C&O Enthusiasts FB page lots of good info there. Daniel Kaminski in Paw Paw 304-671-5153, Gregory Stocksdale 240-674-7626.

No we don't start the trip until mid October. I have been on other bike tours but on a road bike and shorter distances. Hopefully I'll get in much better shape this next month. But its good to know there are shuttle services!

Good to hear HH. Make sure to carry a light(s), it will be getting darker much sooner in mid October.

John

if you can ride 40, you can ride 60. take breaks. pay attention to your calorie intake & hydration. eating and sleeping enough to recover each night is important. don't take it for granted

Eat eat eat. Matt got it right. Put in all that your stomach can hold. This is not the time to say, "oh I hope I can lose a few pounds." Just one guy's opinion.

For the price of a shuttle, you could put a hub motor on your normal bike and use that when you get tired.

(Hub motors are cheaper, less complicated and more durable than mid-drives: https://ebikes.ca/learn/why-hub-motors-are-awesome.html )

My wife (54) and I (55) just finished backpacking the entire 184.5 miles. This was our first thru hike of any magnitude and we thought it would be a good place to start.

We started off fast (100 miles in 5 days) and took 11 days overall.

We tented for 7 nights (including getting flooded by rising Potomac (Hurricane Ida remnants) and 4 nights in B&Bs/hotel.

Happy to answer any questions about detours, restaurants, B&Bs etc!

Which direction did you hike the C&O? What are your observations of the Paw Paw Tunnel bypass trail? Where did you get flooded by the Potomac? What B&B's did you stay at? Any you would not recommend?

Rivnuts, I replied on the other thread re: Paw Paw.

We hiked from DC to Cumberland.

We were flooded at Swain’s Lock campsite the day after Ida went through DC. I think the sites are perfectly safe, we just made a rookie mistake by camping very close to the water, in a lower lying area, the day after heavy rain.

We stayed at the following B&Bs:

Williamsport—-Bay Farms. Nice place, nice rooms, self serve breakfast which was good. Would stay again. Owner Jessie was very responsive to texts. Ate dinner at Tony’s Pizza…typical pizza/pasta/sandwich joint, right across street. Beer/wine and good food.

Hancock—-1828 Trail Inn. Nice place. Only 3 rooms. Owner Joe Decker was one of the most genuinely kind people ever. Fantastic hot breakfast, served in courses by Joe. Very good place. The restaurant we wanted to go to was not open on Wed and we decided to eat Subway.

Little Orleans—-Town Hill B&B. We loved this place. We stopped at the famous Bill’s Place for beer and food, and called Town Hill for their shuttle service ($6 pp each way). Lovely Inn, very nice grounds, incredible hilltop views. Amazing self serve breakfast with a number of hot, prepared dishes, including “Biker Beans” which was a mixture of beans served hot for a great carb load,

We would happily stay at all three places again.

Art, thanks for your reply. I've camped at Swain's Lock albeit further up the hill closer to the trail. Indeed those campsites closer to the river are more scenic but, as you noted, are more susceptible to high river water.

I've stayed at Town Hill albeit under previous ownership. (AT that time the proprietor's daughter was talking of buying him out and maybe she did.) It's good to hear it has been maintained well. It sounds like the previous proprietor's famous "tomato pie" has been replaced by the "biker beans". Curiously, we didn't pay an extra fee for the shuttle when I stayed there but I would have easily paid it to avoid having to ride my loaded bike up there.

I have not stayed at Bay Farms nor the 1828 Trail Inn but have read good reviews for both. I'll have to try them out.

The “tomato pie” is still there! Alas, we have started a plant based diet so we did not sample it, but it was a hit wit others.

Hey guys, any route advice going from the train station to the Holiday Inn Southside on 10th street?

My advice depends on your level of aversion to riding on city streets and sidewalks. First of all, if you are very risk averse, then I would not recommend any of three routes that Google Maps provides when entering Union Station as your origin and the Holiday Inn in Southside as your destination. The shortest Google-offered route is, in my opinion, the sketchiest. That said downtown Pittsburgh traffic is not NYC, Chicago or other major metropolitan city traffic and, with normal caution, can be ridden on a bike.

I'll suggest two different options. The first will minimize the amount of city streets to traverse and provide some scenic views of Pittsburgh and the second would be the route I would choose to ride through town, across the river to and through Southside.

The following is a Ride With GPS map link for the scenic and least/safest city street route. It takes you to and along the riverfront trails along the Allegheny, Ohio and Monongahela Rivers through Point State Park. You can see the Convention Center, PNC Park, Point State Park, Heinz Field the Carnegie Science Center and the Inclines as well as downtown. Also you'll ride right over the medallion citing the beginning of the Ohio River and the literal beginning of the GAP trail. You have to get onto the sidewalk along 11th Street at Waterfront Drive to get down to the riverfront trail along the Allegheny River and ride up the switchback ramp along the Monongahela River to get up to the Smithfield Street Bridge sidewalk. The ride from the Smithfield Street Bridge over to Bingham Street and the Holiday Inn may be challenging to follow but watch for other riders going that way as there is usually a stream of people coming into or leaving town through Southside to help guide you there or just ask another biker. If you've never been to Pittsburgh before, this is the route to take.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37501307

The link below is the route across downtown rather than around it. Its shorter but takes you on more downtown streets including Grant Street which is arguably the busiest street downtown. However, you can ride on the sidewalks (Yeah I know its "illegal") and stay off the street itself if you choose. (You won't get arrested.) The route from the Smithfield Street Bridge (sidewalk) to the Holiday Inn is the same as the previous route.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/37501635

Ok, that's my advice but as always its only as good as it cost. :-)

I'm planning to start my annual bikepacking trip to DC on Thursday 9/23. If anyone is leaving Pittsburgh on that date as well and wants some company leaving town, leave a reply on this forum and we'll see if we can cross paths on the trail out of town.

I plan to meet another rider who is starting at Bethesda. I'm looking for lodging I can ride to the trail near Bethesda, Great Falls, or White's Ferry. I understand the White's Ferry is closed.
Any suggestions welcome.

With the recent weather and looking at recent posts, I'd expect the GAP trail to be pretty wet. We are traveling in from Illinois, planning to start tomorrow, 9/3, in West Newton and riding to Cumberland. Is the trail going to be rideable? Will campsites be usable or would they likely be super wet/muddy still?
Also, any suggestions on best options for getting a shuttle today or tomorrow from Cumberland back to West Newton?

This is our first backpacking trip and rather last minute due to our other weekend plans falling through, so hoping we can pull off this alt option!

Thanks!

While I don't know current conditions, I did bike through after a heavy storm in 2018 that flooded stretches of the towns along the trail. There was one detour through a back road for ~2 miles and I had to lift my bike over a couple of downed trees, but it was passable. I use a hammock for camping and found a covered 3-wall shelter I could hang up in without issue.

That sounds like a fun ride to me. I wouldn't worry about the trail.

With all of the rain and stores randomly closing for the long weekend, your food stops could get really hit or miss. Make sure to have plenty of food and water.

No idea on shuttles, sorry.

Contact the bike shop in Cumberland’s Canal Place on the trail about a shuttle. I understand all such shuttles are fairly costly.

With sunshine and dry weather today, I would not expect the GAP to be muddy tomorrow. There will be some soft spots and maybe a few puddles here and there, particularly in shady areas. Many of the camping areas along the GAP have Adirondack shelters. In Meyersdale at the Maple Festival Campground, there are some covered areas that will be dry.

Riding the GAP starting tomorrow won’t be the best/ideal conditions but they should be quite rideable and generally decent.

It’s in good shap, although some sandy spots and ruts between Frostburg and Cumberland. We biked Ohiopyle-Meyersdale Thursday and Meyersdale-Cumberland yesterday.

Sarah..if you could update on the C&O trail conditions as you make progress, it would be much appreciated. Specifically Culvert 82 at MP 52.5 (just past Brunswick). ..thx..

We're riding both trails in a couple weeks..

Fellow cyclists, I'm looking for current conditions on the GAP/C&O trials after Ida passed through.
Are the trails open or closed? Are there any detours due to washouts of trail or bridges?
Any changes to the camping facilities or other utilities that are on the trial that may have been changed or altered to Ida.

Thank you,
SpinDan

Fellow cyclists, I'm looking for current conditions on the GAP/C&O trials after Ida passed through.
Are the trails open or closed? Are there any detours due to washouts of trail or bridges?
Any changes to the camping facilities or other utilities that are on the trial that may have been changed or altered to Ida.

Thank you,
SpinDan

The bridge is out at mile 52.5 downstream of Brunswick. The low water crossing looked fairly deep today and we turned around. Has anyone gone through since all the rain on Wed? How deep was it?

I would be in interested in more information about this location.
please contact be at dlynch211@gmail.com. I will be passing thru on 9/13 or 14th, 2021
Thank you.
SpinDan

Businesses don't really monitor this forum. Best bet is to reach out to them directly.

I have a question in regard which better to start form D.C. toward Pittsburgh, Or Rent a car drive the car (Drop it) spend a night there, early morning start biking form Pittsburgh toward D.C. of course it is divided into 4 days (84 mile per day).
your answer will be really appreciated. Also I heard the the Tunnel its closed not, they told me you have to add 1/2 hour for such deviation.

Thank you to all!
Faouzi

I started in Pittsburgh on Sunday morning. Ride 62 to Connellsville, PA on Monday then 90 the next day to Cumberland. I was not planning on anywhere that much but bad weather was coming and wanted to be closer to home. Rode 72 yesterday to Clear Springs, MD, just past Hancock. COMPLETE wash out today. 24 hours of heavy rain to hopefully stop at midnight tonight. Will try to restart tomorrow. THE PAW PAW TUNNEL IS CLOSED AND THERE IS NO WAY THROUGH, just over by way of the detour. It took me exactly 20 minutes to climb up, pushing my bike. You won't be able to ride up the mountain. I was able to ride down the backside yesterday but with this rain, it'll be mud for days. The ride down took me 5 minutes. So my total time on the detour was 30 minutes (5 minutes rest of way up). I'm 58 but in great shape and my bike and gear is a beast (70 pounds). No way it should take anyone 1.5 to 2.5 hours of unless they are in terrible shape. You should start in Pittsburgh if going soon so that the c&o is dried out.

I prefer Pittsburgh to DC. The slow gradual climb on the GAP up to the continental divide is barely noticeable. Then you get an amazing 24 mile nice downhill into Cumberland. The C&O is generally condsidered "flat" but you get the benefit of following the Potomac River downstream to Chesapeake Bay and the downhill plunges at the locks. Not much to cheer about but you're not going up them.

Going the other way, the climb up the divide is annoyingly long and the "downhill" to Pittsburgh isn't worth it in my view.

Tunnel detour is in effect. Plan for an extra 30-45 mins depending on your fitness/load.

Man, I hope you're not going right now, the storm is right now going through Maryland and the puddles and mud are going to be crazy for the next 2-3 days, as the poster above me can attest.

Thank you Bob and John for taking time to enlighten my path and which way I should start. I really appetited it.
I am planning to start form Pittsburgh, driving on the 6th of September, then the 7th it will be all on the GAP. I just celebrated my 58birthday, I will try to do it in 4 days.
Thank you again and God Bless you all.

I always prefer to start at one end and pedal to the other end. The uphill and downhill seem to cancel each other out. Just do it.

Are the pumps for potable water still working, have handles or do need to filter water from them.

Have done trail before - Pit to DC (2020).

Handles have been removed before. NPS wanted to get rid of portable classification due to river water getting into wells.

Pumps are up and working as of yesterday.

There's an updated list of available pumps on the National Park Service's Current Park Conditions under "Remote Water Faucet List": https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

Thanks for the quick replies and the link to the faucets.

Is the trail too sloppy for fenders? I have 3/4 inch clearance for tires.

is 38 mm gravel king (slick) sufficient?

Heading there in 9/13/21 to do C & o GAP

Under wet, rainy conditions fenders will be fine on the GAP and much of the C&O, especially the restored sections of the C&O. The fenders would obviously reduce the amount of trail grit and mud on your shoes and lower legs...as well as your back.

With 3/4" clearance between your tires and fenders, you should be able to traverse the C&O successfully. There would usually be enough water in standing puddles in the tracks to partially flush the mud. At worst you may want/need to stop at some of the trailside hiker/biker campsites with functioning pumps to use a water bottle to help spray some water up under the fenders, especially at day's end so the mud does dry underneath the fenders before starting the next day. If your are diligent and stealthy enough, you'll also find places such as hotels, convenience stores, gas stations, banks, etc. with a hose to flush out your fenders.

As a suggestion, you should probably not try to skirt around the perimeters of the puddles in the tracks to avoid the water. The sides of the puddles become quite slick and add to the risk of crashing should the tires slide back into the bottom of the puddle. I recommend you simple grin and bear it and ride straight through the puddles. You 38mm tires should be ok in doing so but care is always advised.

I second Rivnuts opinion to just plow through the puddles. Fenders or no fenders, you are going to get muddy when the C&O is wet, there's just no way to avoid the majority of it.

I guess a "glass half full" outlook on it is that the mud adds to the "adventure" and you'll have a great story to look back on as well as a huge sense of accomplishment that you made it through.

I am planning this week or the weekend of Sep 4th to start my trip from Dickerson to Pittsburgh, then form Pittsburgh back to Dickerson. its 580 miles. is there anyone did this before? I am planning to do it in 4 days; is double? or I just go and start form Pittsburgh. The issue, I could not find any place for my bike at the Train form Union station to Pittsburgh, as well rental cars are 0 available. This is why I decided to just start form the closest place to me, as everyone know that the Whites Ferry still close, other wise I would start form there.
Please I need some guidance.
Thank you

If I understand your question correctly, you are considering riding the round trip distance of 580 miles in 4 days. Doing the simple math, that would be 145 miles on consecutive days. Unless you have ridden lots of miles in training, that would be a difficult ride. You may even run out of daylight each day in doing so.

If you meant 4 days in each direction requiring average daily rides of 72.5 miles, then that is quite possible if you are in decent riding shape. Note the day you ride from Cumberland to the Eastern Continental Divide will seem longer given the 23 miles at 1.4% uphill grade.

Thank you for your replay, yes I was planning to do it in 4 days, my wife keeps telling me take it easy, I guess I am renting a car to Pittsburgh so I can start from there. I will try to do it in 3 days.
Thank you

Planning on riding and camping Cumberland to DC next week and would be going through Paw Paw tunnel on Wednesday 1 September. Anyone know the latest?

I am planning to do around trip George town to Pittsburgh, back to D.C. is it double in 4 days?
Thank you

Are bear canisters a necessity to camp here, and if so, anywhere specific they should go? What would you recommend in terms of overnight food storage?

I’ve never seen (during dozens of rides through there) nor heard of bears in that area. I do not believe bear canisters are warranted there. I’d be more concerned with raccoons getting the food rather than bears. However, if you are truly concerned about your food you could employ the simplest solution which would be to hang your food sack in a tree. That said there are enough places along the GAP to get food, one really doesn’t need to carry much in the way of food. Others may have different experiences or opinions.

Are bear canisters a necessity to camp here, and if so, anywhere specific they should go? What would you recommend in terms of overnight food storage?

Going to be riding in September and looking for any updates on the Paw Paw tunnel and the detour?

I, myself, do not have first hand, current information to respond directly to your question.

However, as you know, this has been a recurring question since the National Park Service (NPS) announced the construction project along the towpath downriver from the tunnel. Originally the NPS C&O website stated that the towpath at the downriver exit would be closed from November of 2020 until the spring of 2022 and that riders would have to take the tunnel bypass trail.

However, forum contributors have consistently reported that the tunnel exit is not restricted and have not had to take the detour. That said, the NPS C&O website now states that the towpath "construction in that area is estimated to begin the week of August 9, 2021 and extend into the summer of 2022..."

With that statement, it will be important to obtain current feedback from travellers this week and thereafter as we move into the fall.

Its unfortunate that the NPS cannot simply provide a consistent and current status of that project to guide travellers in their planning.

The GAP website is also reporting the start of construction work beginning August 9. I'll try to query those on the GAP coming from DC this week to see what their experience at the tunnel was.

Paw Paw tunnel was fine to go through today (8/11)

Folks that live in the area are quoted on the facebook rail trail site that work will start in two weeks...

TC:

Since I’m not on Facebook, please let us know if future posts on the Facebook rail trail site indicates that work has actually started and that the Towpath is closed.

Thanks

TC:

Since I’m not on Facebook, please let us know if future posts on the Facebook rail trail site indicates that work has actually started and that the Towpath is closed.

Thanks

I also want to send a "shout-out" to Jesse at Bay Farms. We stayed there 4 years ago under a different name. We returned this year because it was a nice place to stay. IT has been renovated under Jesse's ownership and everything was amazing! The Roost, top floor, was all new, comfortable and clean. Jesse couldn't have been a better host. Worth staying there, if you stop in Williamsport.