Have a water plan, or bring a filter
- + I rode from Cumberland to DC last week (Sept. 20-24th, 2021), and much to our group’s dismay, we found that many of the water pumps were not working. A lot of them had the handles removed, but even se...
Discussion started 09/29/2021 02:52 PM by Brian - 4 replies (last reply by Rivnuts at 10/25/2021 07:53 PM)Brian from Lexington KY on 09/29/2021 02:52 PM
I rode from Cumberland to DC last week (Sept. 20-24th, 2021), and much to our group’s dismay, we found that many of the water pumps were not working. A lot of them had the handles removed, but even several of the ones with handles were not pumping water. Fortunately, we all brought filters because we had to pull straight from the Potomac when we found ourselves in a pinch.
I’m not sure if it’s pandemic-related (not enough staffing for maintaining the pumps), but it’s something to keep in mind.
I remember doing the C&O back in 2014 and nearly every pump worked. I’m glad I didn’t put my confidence in that prior experience!
Lammetrack from Monona, WI on 10/05/2021 05:59 PM
We rode the C&O west to east on September 15-17. We also found many pumps not working. We did bring a water filter for an emergency, but did not have to use it. We were not camping, so we decided to each carry enough food and water to get us our 60 miles or so for the day. That worked out fine for us in the warm, but not hot weather. There are not many places to stop and get refreshments between Cumberland and Hancock (at least we didn't fine them) so be prepared.
FungoMoonstar from Lutz on 10/19/2021 01:15 PM
I rode it last week and found all pumps working at C & O site
. They do take some finesse to get them pumping, and it is potable!
AndrewM99 from Powell, Ohio on 10/25/2021 04:28 PM
Rode the GAP and C&O the week of October 9th - 16th.
A volunteer trail guide we met up with near PawPaw, indicated each County is responsible for testing the wells.
If there is ANY contamination, the County removes the pump handle and treats the well with iodine. FYI - Hope this helps!
Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 10/25/2021 07:53 PM
I just returned to Pittsburgh last night from riding/camping along the GAP and C&O Towpath to DC. A number of pump handles have been removed and some of the pumps with handles take a long time to prime and get water, if any. In short, top off or get water when you can along the Towpath if you are relying on water at hiker/biker sites.
campsites
- + We are planning on doing the GAP during the last week of October. However, my husband and I are at different fitness levels, so I have no way of knowing how far we will ride each day. We intend to d...
Discussion started 10/11/2021 08:48 PM by Jane Smith - 4 replies (last reply by FungoMoonstar at 10/19/2021 01:13 PM)Jane Smith from Roanoke on 10/11/2021 08:48 PM
We are planning on doing the GAP during the last week of October. However, my husband and I are at different fitness levels, so I have no way of knowing how far we will ride each day. We intend to do mostly tent camping, but I understand that there are limited camping spots, and most require reservations. Is this correct, or is it similar to the C&O in that there are many first come, first serve campsites?
John W. from Pittsburgh, PA on 10/11/2021 09:10 PM
All of the free campsites on the GAP do not require reservations. Just show up and pitch your tent.
With you traveling the last week of October, the campsites will be wide open. Even during peak summer, I’ve never seen campsites full….you’ll have the trail and campsites to yourself.
That said, there are only four free sites on the GAP. Check the guides so you can find to locate them. They are located at mile markers 89, 99, 110 and 122.
All others are traditional fee based campsites and may require a reservation just to make sure you get a spot. Can’t see you not getting one though. There are way fewer thru-cyclists in late October and campsites would be glad to take your money, compared to peak
Summer. :-)
Jane Smith from Roanoke on 10/12/2021 07:57 AM
Wonderful! Thank you so much for that info!
Rivnuts from Homestead,PA on 10/12/2021 08:16 AM
Note that there are Adirondack shelters at those free campsites along the western end of the GAP, and those shelters are first come first serve.
FungoMoonstar from Lutz on 10/19/2021 01:13 PM
I camped at the Outflow campground in Confluence on 10/14. This is a State site. It is officially closed, which means that you can camp there for free. I set up at a picnic table behind the playground. It was close to an open restroom. My only complaint would be that there were too many lights on all night, restroom and power station at base of dam. Check out Mitch's Food & Fuel in town.
Harpers Ferry KOA
- + Has anyone stayed at the KOA in Harper's Ferry? If so, where do you cross over the Potomac, from the C&O Canal trail? We're considering staying there in a cabin or a tent site. Thanks for your respons...
Discussion started 10/05/2021 09:41 PM by Barry - 3 replies (last reply by Barry at 10/06/2021 08:57 AM)Barry from Hershey on 10/05/2021 09:41 PM
Has anyone stayed at the KOA in Harper's Ferry? If so, where do you cross over the Potomac, from the C&O Canal trail? We're considering staying there in a cabin or a tent site. Thanks for your response.
Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 10/05/2021 10:01 PM
To get from the C&O Towpath across the river to Harpers Ferry, you have to walk across the pedestrian portion/causeway of the railroad bridge that crosses the Potomac there at Harpers Ferry. To access the pedestrian causeway, you must climb the spiral stairs on the Towpath side of the bridge. You'd likely need to unload your gear from your bike to carry them up the stairs.
Edward from North Carolina on 10/06/2021 06:12 AM
I stayed next to it last week. It looked nice but, it is a little ways to get there, mostly uphill. Brunswick has a nice campground that is right on the trail. It's 7.5 miles away from Harper's Ferry and the KOA is not quite 6 miles round trip from the trail. Edward
Barry from Hershey on 10/06/2021 08:57 AM
Thanks for the information. I'm not certain that we'll stay in Harper's Ferry.
lodging
- + Riding the whole trail next spring. Will stay in hotels or inns. What towns are a must to stay in?
Discussion started 09/25/2021 06:31 PM by Craig W - 3 replies (last reply by Edward at 10/05/2021 01:48 PM)Craig W from springfield MO on 09/25/2021 06:31 PM
Riding the whole trail next spring. Will stay in hotels or inns. What towns are a must to stay in?
Rivnuts from Homestead, PA on 09/25/2021 10:18 PM
In my opinion the towns themselves are not the highlights of the trip. I guess that's a backhanded way of saying the towns themselves are not particularly special such that I wouldn't plan my trip to visit a particular town in and of itself That said, you may have a particular interest in something such as, say, the civil war, which would lead you to perhaps want to stay in Harpers Ferry.
Of course the two terminus towns of Pittsburgh and Washington have a little something for everyone so you may want to stay an extra day or more in these cities. The choice of cities in between is typically a function of your itinerary including distance desired to ride each day and/or the length of time you have allocated to complete the trip. That will dictate what cities/towns you stay at. Once those are known you can evaluate the lodging options and points of interest in those cities.
With a little more information about your preferences, interests and itinerary those on this forum will have a variety of recommendations on where to stay and what to see in those cities/towns.
tl from Pgh on 09/25/2021 11:56 PM
If you are capable of 73+ miles on your first day out of DC, the Bavarian Inn at Shepherdstown is a nice place to visit. Steep climb from the C&O across the river, but worth the effort. Decent restaurant, nice pool, bike wash station & great view of the Potomac. They make their own beer too which goes down pretty easy after 73 miles on the towpath. Shepherdstown has some interesting shops and has a lot of Civil War history. A little pricey and you usually need to get your reservations early.
Edward from North Carolina on 10/05/2021 01:48 PM
I rode the GAP and C&O last week and I mostly camped, but I did stay in hotels a couple of nights. The Super8 in Hancock was fine and it is close to the trail. I also stayed at the Clarion Inn at Harper's Ferry. It was nice and had an attached restaurant, but boy was it ever a hike to get there. Going back to the trail wasn't bad since it is mostly downhill. They were both pretty easy on the budget. The Trail Inn in Frostburg looked nice, but I camped behind the lodge. I also camped at Camp Jellystone in Williamsport, but they also rent cabins and they looked really nice. It is a little ways out but the road was fine for cycling. I wanted to visit Antietam Battlefield so I rode from the camp to it and picked up the trail below the town of Sharpsburg. I would also recommend the The Schoolhouse in Oldtown, MD for breakfast and Bill's Place in Little Orleans for the Maryland Crab Cakes. They were great, just not far enough South for hushpuppies.
Hostel in Rockwood
- + Hostel= 2 thumbs up! Convience store pizza= 2 thumbs up!
Discussion started 10/01/2021 10:45 PM by Mosovich - 0 repliesMosovich from North Augusta, SC on 10/01/2021 10:45 PM
Hostel= 2 thumbs up! Convience store pizza= 2 thumbs up!
Paw Paw Tunnel in Oldtown
- + The Paw Paw Tunnel is only open for visitation, but NOT for riding through. I was riding the C&O both ways in mid September, and the tunnel was closed, and cyclists were walking their bikes over the d...
Discussion started 09/28/2021 02:54 PM by Rich - 1 reply (last reply by Brian at 09/29/2021 02:59 PM)Rich from Detroit, MI on 09/28/2021 02:54 PM
The Paw Paw Tunnel is only open for visitation, but NOT for riding through. I was riding the C&O both ways in mid September, and the tunnel was closed, and cyclists were walking their bikes over the detour route.
There are signs there, on both sides, indicating that you can walk and visit the tunnel, but you cannot ride through it.
Brian from Lexington KY on 09/29/2021 02:59 PM
I can confirm. There is a locked gate on the downstream end of the tunnel, making it all but impossible to get around if you were wanting to pass through the tunnel. At one time, I had heard it was just a barrier, but it is a locked gate that spans the entire walkway from the wall to the railing.
Passed over the tunnel on 9/20/21 and there was a lot of construction work going on at the downstream end.
Ramada Inn Cumberland in Cumberland
- + While staying at any hotel after 3 nights of camping and riding would be luxurious, I strongly recommend against staying at this hotel in Cumberland. The amenities listed are misleading.
Restaurant: N...
Discussion started 09/27/2021 08:12 PM by JZ - 1 reply (last reply by Willy at 09/28/2021 01:57 PM)JZ on 09/27/2021 08:12 PM
While staying at any hotel after 3 nights of camping and riding would be luxurious, I strongly recommend against staying at this hotel in Cumberland. The amenities listed are misleading.
Restaurant: Not Open
Bar: Not Open
Breakfast: Ridiculous - the smallest Quaker granola bar in the world + a banana and a bottle of water. What a joke. Thankfully there is a McDs a block away where I got something more substantive.
Willy from Alexandria,VA on 09/28/2021 01:57 PM
I hate to burst your bubble, but what constitutes free breakfast has deteriorated pert near everywhere during the pandemic at hotels across this land.
At least the Ramada is 30 bucks cheaper per night than the Fairfield Inn in Cumberland. For the price of Fairfield,I could stay at a B&B for the same price.
Then again, I have heard good things about Fairfield Inn in Cumberland.
For me, the big thing about riding the C&O and GAP is the journey, not the lodging.
Cumberland is the third largest city on the C&O/Gap route. There are restaurants and Bars in downtown Cumberland.
After a long day riding, I would personally go to a local joint than the hotel bar or restaurant.
Gap Trail Bikers Campground in West Newton
- + Absolutely fantastic place to stay for the night! More luxurious shower facilities than you'll find in most hotels! Great lounging area. Awesome hosts. Just make a reservation - you won't regret it. W...
Discussion started 09/27/2021 08:14 PM by JZ - 0 repliesJZ on 09/27/2021 08:14 PM
Absolutely fantastic place to stay for the night! More luxurious shower facilities than you'll find in most hotels! Great lounging area. Awesome hosts. Just make a reservation - you won't regret it. Was one of the highlights of my trip.
Beware of inns, hotels that won't refund cancellations
- + Some friends and I recently had to call off a GAP trip that we had planned for a while due to one of us catching COVID. We canceled all of our reservations at least a week ahead of the planned stays,...
Discussion started 09/18/2021 01:00 PM by Tom M - 4 replies (last reply by Ross at 09/23/2021 10:14 PM)Tom M from Raleigh, NC on 09/18/2021 01:00 PM
Some friends and I recently had to call off a GAP trip that we had planned for a while due to one of us catching COVID. We canceled all of our reservations at least a week ahead of the planned stays, but several places were unwilling to give us refunds. I realize this is a tough time for businesses, but we canceled with plenty of time for them to rebook the rooms. For all we know, they may have rebooked the rooms to other guests and doubled their money.
One of the places that refused a refund was the River's Edge in Confluence and the other was the Fairfield Inn in Cumberland. Be aware of their policies if you plan on staying at either place.
BTW, we also canceled at the Connellsville B&B and they refunded our money with no hesitation whatsoever.
Edward from North Carolina on 09/18/2021 05:00 PM
I'm sorry you are in that situation.
Fairfield Inn has a 24 hour cancellation policy, I would contact the Marriot customer service.
River's Edge website says they will refund if they can rebook the room so maybe they just need to see if they fill your room(s) before they issue a refund.
Tom M from Raleigh NC on 09/19/2021 10:26 AM
The other place that won’t issue refund is Springhill Suites in Pittsburgh.
Apparently my friend made reservations through booking.com and they are all denying responsibility. Hotels blame booking.com, which blames it on hotels. Reservations were canceled at least a week before planned visits.
River’s Edge was reserved directly with the inn.
I could understand their reluctance if we had canceled at the last minute but a week is plenty of notice. Most hotels these days will let you cancel with 24 hours notice or less.
Anyway, I posted this as a caution to others planning trips on the GAP. My advice is to make reservations directly with hotels/inns and make sure that they will refund cancellations within specified time periods.
Rivnuts from Homestead,PA on 09/20/2021 08:24 AM
A number of third-party travel reservation services.offer non-refundable rates as well as normal, refundable-with-notice rates. All rates must be transparent and fully understood prior to booking regardless whether they are with third-party services or with the direct providers themselves.
Ross from North Augusta, SC on 09/23/2021 10:14 PM
I learned the hard way, never use 3rd party sites. We did a trip to NYC and they double booked the hotel. Expedia wouldn't refund us and let's just say they got way more than an earful.. So, I never use any of those sites. The problem is, a lot of times it's hard to tell if you're on their site or the actual hotel, so I now call the hotel directly to make my reservations.