C&O / GAP Forum

We are doing the GAP/C&O from Pittsburgh to D.C.

Can we access the WMRT close to lock 56 on the C&O?

Where can we first access the WMRT going west to east?

Thanks!!

Yes, you can access the WMRT from C & O towpath. It is at mile marker 136.3. When you see lock 56, go back about 100 feet or so, take the gravel road on the left, go about 150 feet directly to the WMRT. Be on the look out, if not, you will miss it, no signs or anything. A very appreciated paved trail!

Thanks. We will try it.

If you miss it at lock 56, don't despair. You can leave the C&O ion many places and local roads will intersect the WM trail.

The webpage was very helpful in providing me with the address to the visitors center where I park every year to do the ride to D.C. I just wanted to point out that the address incorrectly has MD for the state instead of PA.

For those of you who have done this trip from PA to DC I have a question about pedals. Does being clipped in make it easier to do this trip or since it's pretty flat are flat pedals ok to use which will allow you to wear more comfortable shoes.

We did the entire route with normal shoes on a bike we bought at Walmart. It's flat and easy, you just need endurance.

last week on a similar river trail I went over the handlebars before I knew what happened.End result was 2 cracked ribs and a dislocated,fractured finger....Had I been using clip in pedals Im afraid I would have gotten hurt much worse..Just my opinion....

great comments, as I have been having this discussion with my riding partner recently. I'm reluctant to spend $150 on shoes/clips, and did the GAP w/o them. I also like the ability to leave my pedals quickly if needed.

Did the entire gap/co in 2015. I used clipless because that's what was on the bike. I'm doing the route again in October and I'll be sporting sandals and flat pedals this time. No need to be clipped in. One less pr. of shoes to keep up with.

I like clipless pedals because when I am doing a long ride it gives me the option to us a different set of muscles and rest the other. You can set the tension so they are easy or hard to get out of. I have the mountain bike shoes which are easier to walk in then the street shoes so I did not need a second pair. It all boils done to person preference.

My wife, Tampabiker's wife, just reported on our trip.

Before our trip, we read a lot of advice here and other forums about tire sizes, fenders and stuff like that.
Here are some other things to think about before you go that I didn’t read anywhere:

If you are the faster rider in a group, practice riding long distances at a slower pace. Riding off your normal pace is difficult.

Get shoes that will dry out quickly. My shoes dried out in 15 minutes using a blow dryer.

If you have not ridden long distances, besides your legs and butt, you need to strengthen your neck, shoulders, and arms.

Decide if you are going to stop along the way. Do you want to read the historical signs along the path or swim in Ohiopyle? We happened upon an old-time country fair in Old Town complete with a bluegrass band. If your schedule is too tight you may miss these unexpected jewels along the way.

Make sure you have a weather APP on your cell phone. It worked wonders for us. We were able to dodge 90% of the rain.

We packed everything in 2.5-gallon plastic bags. Zip the bags up almost all the way and then roll them up letting all the air out. Then zip it the rest of the way. Also, if you plan on doing laundry once on the trip you don’t need to bring a whole lot of clothes.

Plan your first day based on when you want to start. We flew into Pittsburgh and started the ride about 1:00 pm. This obviously can make your first day hard if you are planning on a big ride that day.

We brought rain coats and started to wear them in a light sprinkle. After an hour, we get more soaked from sweating in the rain coats than if we just enjoyed the cool rain drops.

If you are going to be the lead rider, get a mirror to keep track of your riding partners. I got so tired of looking back that I started yelling “Marco” to which my wife would yell “Polo.” If I didn’t hear the Polo I would slow way down until she caught back up.

If I were to do this again, I would consider buying or renting an EPIRB or satellite phone in case of an emergency. We went for hours at a time without seeing a single person on the trail.

We averaged about 20% slower than our normal 20-mile rides on paved roads.

Lastly, just do it. If you forget something, you can get it along the way.

Excellent tips! It really is “easy” if you are prepared physically and mentally and logistically. We’re still amazed at how much fun it was.
Blow dryers and ziplock bags saved us too. We got some of the extra-large plastic ziplocks at a Dollar Store and doubled everything up. Things get muddy and dusty too.
We also went slower than we thought, but enjoyed stopping when we could. We trained with shorter, hilly distances but loaded the bike with gallons of water. We wore padded cycling underwear with our shorts and adjusted pretty quickly. Chamois cream kept away chafing and doubled as hand lotion. Walking a mile or so every night helped stretch out our muscles and felt really good!
Be flexible (we made a mud flap from some flashing in a trash heap behind the Cobblestone Inn) and know that most stores have Dollar Generals or similar (even Rockwood has an “everything” store).
Be flexible with plans too. Some places closed early or were closed the day we were there. Bill’s Place is closed Tuesdays.
As for leaving partners behind, our solution was a tandem. We took a chance and ordered it from Walmart. It was fully assembled and waiting for us in West Mifflin, not too far from the trail. Two flats the first day, but then no problems! It wasn’t fun getting to Harpers Ferry, going over that big tree in the trail, or pushing over the Paw Paw detour, but we managed just fine. We donated it to a group that works out of Great Falls Tavern. We were surprised not to see any other tandems.
Don’t stay at the America’s Best Value in Hancock if you are allergic to cats or don’t want to be bitten. Shortish version is the county there told me to get rabies shots because the owners wouldn’t admit it was their cat (wearing a collar in the lobby). Fortunately for me, doctors back home overruled health officials in two states- so no shots.

Thanks for great information.
My wife, daughter (20) and me planning to bike from Cumberland to DC later this month. We average 12-14 on flat. If we leave Cumberland at about 10 AM (we need to drive from Delaware), will it be difficult to plan to bike to Hancock that day? We plan 2nd night - willimasport, 3rd - Harpers Ferry, 4th - whites Ferry. Please comment. Thx.

Yes. It is very doable from Cumberland to Hancock. However, the Paw Paw Tunnel is closed. We took a shuttle around the tunnel. Others that have hiked it said it takes 1 to 1.5 hours of tough climbing and descending with your bike and gear. So, at 10 mph you have about 6 hours on the saddle plus the time around or over the tunnel. I think the shuttle took us about an hour (riding to the Wrenwood Inn in Paw Paw, cleaning the mud off the bikes, loading the bikes, and the drive.)

We left Cumberland about 9 and had plenty of time. As I mention in other posts, we're in our mid 50's and pushed our tandem up and over the Paw Paw. Not exactly easy, but not that extreme. We didn't need a break/rest afterwards - only a quick stop for soda at Bill's Place. Still made it to Hancock with plenty of time to clean up, shop the Dollar General, and walk around town. We ate at Buddy Lou's, which was very nice. Having a leisurely sight-seeing ride to Williamsport the next day was perfect.

Planning C&O in September. I'm a senior citizen in good shape, did GAP last year. I'm planning 60 miles/day, and hoping to avoid leg cramps after riding. Is Gatorade enough? Any advice?

Did the GAP in 2015, averaged 40 miles a day, often in light rair. The gap is a first class trail, easy ride for both mind and body. Was going to do the C&O at same time but cancelled to to many reports from north heading riders that trail was near impossable due to rain and mud. Point is, yes you can do it in 3 days but why would you? Lots of things to do and enjoy. Why abuse and damage yourself and your bike? Life is short. People will be more interested in the great time you had than how you set a personal record. (Friendly advice from someone who did an "around the world" in 62/63 and is planning to do the C&O this year.)

I think Gatorade is a good electrolyte replacement..I usually alternate between that and water making sure I get equal parts of both.

Getting ready to do this ride from PA to DC and was wondering of the cost of camping verses staying in a hostel or motel.

I am not sure of the GAP(Pittsburg to Cumberland), but the C&O Canal hiker/biker campsites are free. The only ones you have to pay are at the drive in campsites: Spring Gap, Fifteen Mile, Paw Paw, and a couple others.

Enjoy the ride!

Hi. On the GAP I have stayed at the Connellsville Trailhead and they have 4 Adirondack and they are free but on a first come basis but they have lots of room for tent camping also. It's all right next to a 24 hour food store in walking distance. I have also stayed at the Husky Haven Campground in Rockwood and sites are only $10.00. They have everything and places to eat right across the bridge. The Apache Springs Canpsite next to the Dravo Cemetery is also free and all are safe. I know of others sites but have know info of them. Hope this helps.

For comparison, my wife and I just completed the trip and spent 7 nights lodging on the trail. The total cost for us including all taxes was $679.14. We stayed at a combination of 3 B&Bs, 2 AirBnBs, and 2 motels. Five of the seven places included breakfast. We could have probably spent a little less or a lot more.

GAP accommodations are reasonable, and the advantages of a good night sleep and not carrying the camping gear are significant. I carried the gear on a 3 day ride, used it once reluctantly just because I had it. Never again.

Good place to stay. Great folks run this one. It's a bit out of town but they provided a shuttle to go get dinner.

My husband and I just finished GAP and C & O. We have been following comments here so I figured I'd include our experience, ideas, info, for anyone to use as they wish. Sorry it’s long, but…it’s a long ride!

We wrestled with the thought of how to get bikes, get to trail, rent, drive, etc. We ended up flying from Tampa to Pitts., renting bikes, riding all the way to DC, returning bikes there, spending a few days in DC, then flew home.

Tom from GET OUT AND GO gave us an awesome rental package. We highly recommend him! He picked us up at Pitts. airport, drove us to starting point, set up our bikes and paneers and even took a small suitcase for us to get once we were in DC. Once in DC, he came to our B&B and picked up bikes and gave us our suitcase of fresh clothes. Nice guy, good bikes, helmets, locks, perfect option.

We usually ride 10-12 mph on flat,paved trails, so on these surfaces and with some hills every ride took longer and was harder. We did longer mileage on GAP (57, 60) shorter on C&O (30-40).

First day was just 1/2 day since we flew in that day, we went to West Newton, stayed at Bright Morning (right on trail, perfect! )We stayed in Confluence, Cumberland (Inn on Decatur was great, roomy, nice laundry), Little Orleans (Little Orleans Lodge, guy took us for drive to beautiful view but I wouldn’t eat there), only 1 restaurant in town, no cell service or internet. Maybe stay somewhere else (Hancock?) Then Red Roof Inn in Williamsport (up a big hill but cheap), Shepherdstown (Airbnb, also up hills but beautiful, secluded house, and the host drove us to town about 2 miles away), then took White’s Ferry and stayed at Comfort Suites Leesburg (free shuttle), then on to DC. We found mile marker 0 after a little searching, then took Rock Creek trail to B & B for 4 nights, then flew back to Tampa.

Memorable stops we enjoyed: Ohiopyle (swam above rapids and cooled off), Harper’s Ferry (cute town to tour or walk through), viaduct on way to Continental Divide, Mason-Dixon Line and view, small town fair in Oldtown with music, food on a Sat. afternoon.

We did not climb the mountain with our bikes around PawPaw tunnel closure (not my idea of fun!) We got a ride from folks at Wrenwood Inn in PawPaw (Carol 304-947-5983, arrange in advance)

We loved WMRT (Western Maryland Rail Trail), about 23 miles of nice, paved trail parallel to C & O, around Hancock, MD. No signs. Look for Lock house 56, then go back about 100 ft, take gravel road on left to trail. Mile marker 136.3

From Leesburg we took W and OD (Wash and Old Dominion) paved trail since we were sick of the gravelly, uneven towpath, but it had a lot of hills which I had a hard time with (Florida is flat). Nice trail though, takes you over Key Bridge and into Georgetown.

My husband downloaded an app called C & O Companion by James Menzies ($2.99) and it listed everything on trail by mile marker, cell service, etc. Good thing to have.

All in all, great adventure, feeling of accomplishment, and check it off my husband’s bucket list. We were blessed with no rain, except for a bit of sprinkles on our long ride day, but C&O from Cumb. to PawPaw was a muddy mess! We hosed off at PawPaw before loading bikes for detour ride.

Any questions or more info, just email back, happy to answer if I can.

Great info from both of your posts.
I rode a couple of short sections of the trail last year and am returning to dome some more this year.
Last year,on one section near Connelsville, the gravel was so loose it was like trying to ride through quicksand for about a mile ..anything like that now?
The section of the C&O I rode was pretty much a double tracked trail with some grass in the middle..Is most of the trail that way? I ride a recumbent trike, the section I rode wasn't too much of an issue but I was wondering if any of the trail is single track?
As a side note I used to work across the street from the University of Tampa and commuted from the Ballast Point area every day..back in the 1970's.

I think it would be difficult riding a three wheel recumbent bicycle on the trail. There are some places with only a small single track. And as you pointed out, there are lots of places with two single tracks with grass between them.


If I were you, I would do a video google search on the C&O bike trail. Lots of people have posted videos of their trips and you can see what the surface looks like. I have to admit, I don't know a lot about how recumbent bikes ride over that type of surface. It may be ok, but the videos will give you your answer I believe.

We were there after a big storm at night and spent a day riding in mud and had to lift the bikes over trees that fell in the path.

BTW, neighbor, we live in Carrollwood Village in North Tampa. My wife goes to Paase Grille beach often. It is one of her favorite beaches. Years ago, I lived on Sunset Beach just south of Treasure Island.

Should we bike Cumberland to DC or vise versa?
Suggestions?

It's a continuous uphill from DC to Cumberland, and the towpath generally gets worse. Most people ride from north to south for that reason and because arriving in DC with all the great places to eat and things to do is a lot nicer than ending up tired and hungry in Cumberland. No offense to Cumberland.

I think you want to get the Paw Paw Tunnel detour and long stretch to Hancock out of the way the first day. Then it's smooth sailing for the most part to DC. Cumberland is nice, but the Georgetown House on the canal in DC was the perfect place to end the trip!

Thanks for the recommendation.
My next question: we are a little below average bikers (10-12 miles / hr on the road). Can we make it in 4 days? If we leave Cumberland at around noon time, please suggest where to spend the next 3 nights (we prefer not to camp)?
Thx, Nadiv

I am a biker of about your speed.With friends, I completed the GAP/CandO in 2014. Yes, you can do the CandO in 4 days. We will be riding the CandO again this year beginning on July 8. We will overnight in Cumberland, Hancock, Shepardstown, and Leesburg. Then we will stay in DC. Other than Day 1 being @60 miles (plus whatever the PawPaw tunnel detour adds), our days are about 40+ miles each.

Just went over PawPaw detour last Friday. A hot dry day, approached form the west. Twrentyfive minute assent,20 minute decesnt, we rode most of it. But for all intents it adds 1 hour to that leg. And it takes alot out of you. The eastern approach is a longer climb.

It is very reasonable to do the C&O in 4 days. We were on a tandem, did all motels/B&Bs and rarely went much over 10mph. We took 5 days, partly because we also did the GAP and mostly because we wanted to do some sightseeing too. We’re in our 50’s and could easily have done it in fewer days. You can find B&Bs in Paw Paw and Little Orleans if you don’t have a full day to do the 60 miles plus detour to Hancock (Super 8 and B&Bs). Look at this site and the guidebook for places to stay based on how many miles you want to do. We stayed in good places in Williamsport, Harpers Ferry, and Leesburg (the hotel have shuttles from Whites Ferry – don’t bike the highway there). We also considered staying in Shepardstown/Sharpsburg, and found Brunswick to be a nice town we wouldn’t have minded staying in.

Just finished C&O yesterday,towpath is is in the best condition ever, I have been riding it for seven years. Even with the rain!

Just finished Gap (Thu-Sat), and started C&O in Cumberland yesterday (Sunday). Trail conditions from 184 to 170 were not very good. Lots of puddles and mud. And very bumpy, needs some maintenance. Detour over Tunnel was strenuous but not terrible. Took about an hour. Ride after Paw Paw to mile 136 was a lot better. Move to WMRT from there to Hancock, very nice. Heading to Harper's today. Hope this helps.

Keep us posted.

On the WMRT trail is 136 to Hancock the extent of the ride by?

Trail from WMRT to Harper's Ferry MM 60 very dry and in terrific condition. Riding from Harper's to DC tomorrow.

In closing, Harper's to D.C. dry today. However, several areas east of Whites Ferry in need of maintenance.

Six tough days on GAP/C&O. Be prepared for grinding up hill from Confluence to ECD.

what is WMRT? excuse my ignorance.

Western Maryland Rail Trail. It's runs right besides the C&O Trail for I thing 20 miles. All asphalt.

I see t-shirts for the GAP and t-shirts for the C&O. Does anyone know where I could buy a Pittsburgh to Washington DC t-shirt for both trails?

Ours arrived today from https://gaptrailstore.org/collections/trail-apparel They are very nice shirts that say Ride of My Life and have both trails on the back. The women's is fitted and runs very small but looks good. We're proud to wear them!

Finished day 1 6/28. Pgh. To Ohiopyle. 77 miles 7:50.feel good. Great riding with my son. His first passage. Leaving for second leg to Cumberland. Weather is pleasant but cold in the am. Fry track... So far.

6/29 still cool in am. Ohiopyle to Cumberland 74 miles. Still dry got war after noon. 90's in Maryland.

6/30 Dry warm early hot after ten am. PawPaw detour tough. Take an hour for a one mile advance. In at Hancock in six hrs.

7/1 good ride good weather. Slight rain in afternoon. Crowded at Harper's Ferry. Got in hotel at three.
7/2 left Harper's at 5:30 am to beat the heat and make the train. Got into DC. ,At 1:30 took awhile to get to the station, but was scenic in the Capitol.

Is there week long parking at point state park? And is it free? Thank you for any help.

Nothing free in Pittsburgh. There are a few places that you can park for free just east of Pittsburgh that are along the trail. In the Waterfront and the Boston Traihead. You should always call the local police and let them know your car will be there during that time.