Current Trail Conditions
- + 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. ...
Discussion started 06/26/2017 06:43 AM by JK - 6 replies (last reply by anonymous at 07/02/2017 11:20 PM)JK on 06/26/2017 06:43 AM
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.
Lenny on 06/26/2017 12:10 PM
Keep us posted.
Anonymous on 06/26/2017 09:48 PM
On the WMRT trail is 136 to Hancock the extent of the ride by?
JK on 06/26/2017 10:09 PM
Trail from WMRT to Harper's Ferry MM 60 very dry and in terrific condition. Riding from Harper's to DC tomorrow.
JK on 06/27/2017 10:49 PM
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.
Anonymous on 07/02/2017 09:36 PM
what is WMRT? excuse my ignorance.
Anonymous on 07/02/2017 11:20 PM
Western Maryland Rail Trail. It's runs right besides the C&O Trail for I thing 20 miles. All asphalt.
T-Shirts
- + 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?
Discussion started 07/02/2017 05:37 PM by Tampabiker - 1 reply (last reply by sergio at 07/02/2017 10:58 PM)Tampabiker on 07/02/2017 05:37 PM
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?
sergio from oc, CA on 07/02/2017 10:58 PM
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... ...
Discussion started 06/29/2017 05:59 AM by Lenny - 3 replies (last reply by Lenny at 07/02/2017 04:20 PM)Lenny on 06/29/2017 05:59 AM
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.
Lenny on 06/30/2017 06:37 AM
6/29 still cool in am. Ohiopyle to Cumberland 74 miles. Still dry got war after noon. 90's in Maryland.
Lenny on 06/30/2017 04:04 PM
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.
Lenny on 07/02/2017 04:20 PM
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.
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Parking at point state park
- + Is there week long parking at point state park? And is it free? Thank you for any help.
Discussion started 06/30/2017 11:47 PM by Damon - 1 reply (last reply by Stillriding at 07/02/2017 11:49 AM)Damon from Indianapolis on 06/30/2017 11:47 PM
Is there week long parking at point state park? And is it free? Thank you for any help.
Stillriding from Pittsburgh on 07/02/2017 11:49 AM
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.
August or Sept to ride Pittsburgh to Cumberland
- + Being a FL gal, I want to avoid the heat and rain during 1st venture with hubby on long distance biking. What would be the best time to go? late Aug? Sept? Thanks
Discussion started 06/27/2017 01:14 PM by Gail - 5 replies (last reply by sergio at 06/30/2017 10:04 AM)Gail from Florida on 06/27/2017 01:14 PM
Being a FL gal, I want to avoid the heat and rain during 1st venture with hubby on long distance biking. What would be the best time to go? late Aug? Sept? Thanks
Anonymous from Pittsburgh on 06/27/2017 02:05 PM
I like September as the nights in the mountains are cooler and there are normally less bugs. Contact Steel City Outdoor Adventures LLC. for trip support Steelcityoutdooradventures@gmail.com
Richard from DC on 06/27/2017 02:27 PM
The weather isn't that predictable. You are just going to have to accept whatever nature hands out. August typically doesn't get day-long rains, but there can be afternoon thunderstorms. This is supposed to be a busier than normal hurricane season, and those would pose a bigger threat to the ride. And we can get hurricanes from late August on.
John W. from Pittsburgh, PA on 06/27/2017 04:30 PM
September! Early September is great time to ride. Still summerlike but with cooler nights and much less traffic on the trail as the schools will have restarted. The days will be slightly shorter though, not a big deal though.
Harold Heckler from Erie on 06/27/2017 09:02 PM
Early September can be perfect, especially after Labor Day, where the crowds are down, and in some cases, so are the prices.
sergio from oc, CA on 06/30/2017 10:04 AM
We completed the trails the first week in June and experienced both cold rain and excessive heat, but mostly perfect conditions. Even though it was record highs in DC, the towpath is shaded and we didn't feel the heat there at all. The biggest problem with rain wasn't the wet or cold. It was that mud kept us at 5 miles an hour at times. Fortunately we only had 2 days of it and we also used the paved WMRT. We're in our 50's and had a close to perfect first trip!
Transportation to Pittsburgh
- + Just biked the GAP/C&O. I rented a Dodge minivan one way from Enterprise @ Dulles Airport to downtown Pittsburgh within a mile of the GAP trailhead. $200 including gas. All rear seats fold into fl...
Discussion started 06/28/2017 09:05 PM by JK - 1 reply (last reply by Tampabiker at 06/29/2017 08:34 AM)JK on 06/28/2017 09:05 PM
Just biked the GAP/C&O. I rented a Dodge minivan one way from Enterprise @ Dulles Airport to downtown Pittsburgh within a mile of the GAP trailhead. $200 including gas. All rear seats fold into floor. Easily fit two bikes inside. Probably could have fit three. Was a great option. I picked it up last Wednesday night. Then we departed Thursday AM. No muss, no fuss.
Tampabiker on 06/29/2017 08:34 AM
We went through all the possibilities for transporting our bikes from Tampa to Pittsburgh. We finished our ride from Pitt to D.C. yesterday (6/28/17) and are staying an extra four days in DC. We decided to rent the bikes instead.
Tom from Get Out and Go provided us with a great rental package.
He picked us up from the Pittsburgh airport in a van with our rental bikes, drove us to the start and set up our bikes. After we finished he picked up the bikes at our Bed & Breakfast in D.C. He also transported out luggage that we have for the city. If you add up all of the costs it turned out to be a great deal for us. We were very pleased with the service. I highly recommend them.
Video Blog of My GAP/C&O Ride
- + I just finished the GAP / C&O from Pittsburgh to DC yesterday. We completed this in 6 days (6/22-27), which was not easy. We pedaled a total of 354 miles, once you count all the detours to hotels, e...
Discussion started 06/28/2017 04:45 PM by JK - 0 repliesJK on 06/28/2017 04:45 PM
I just finished the GAP / C&O from Pittsburgh to DC yesterday. We completed this in 6 days (6/22-27), which was not easy. We pedaled a total of 354 miles, once you count all the detours to hotels, etc. I have video recaps of each day on my blog, including the Paw Paw tunnel detour. Great experience.
http://bikingforachromatopsia.blogspot.com
Enjoy!
East or West
- + I read a multitude of questions from people riding from DC to Pittsburgh. IMHO, I would take the train to DC and ride TO Pittsburgh. Coming west, it's flat, then up 8 feet, flat then up 8 feet, repe...
Discussion started 04/09/2017 10:13 PM by Jon C. - 5 replies (last reply by Charles at 06/27/2017 01:44 AM)Jon C. from Coshocton, OH on 04/09/2017 10:13 PM
I read a multitude of questions from people riding from DC to Pittsburgh. IMHO, I would take the train to DC and ride TO Pittsburgh. Coming west, it's flat, then up 8 feet, flat then up 8 feet, repeat. The only real climb is to the Divide at Cumberland. Then it's downhill the whole way to Pittsburgh.
lenny on 04/10/2017 05:00 AM
Cumberland to the continental divide is over 1600 feet in elevation, over about 24 miles.
Allen from Shawnee, KS on 04/10/2017 07:57 PM
In my opinion and I have ridden it both ways, going from west to east is the easiest way to go. The uphill from Pittsburg to continental divide is barely noticeable. From continental divide to Cumberland is a nice 24 mile downhill with a lot of coasting and easy pedaling. Going from east to west from Cumberland to continental divide on a loaded touring bike (self contained, with camping and cooking gear) is a 4 hour 6 mph slog. The C&O is essentially flat both directions with small hills at locks and of course larger hills going into towns to eat and resupply.
stillriding from Pittsburgh on 04/11/2017 08:19 AM
Enjoyable both ways but I total agree with Allen. West to East.
John W. from Pittsburgh, PA on 04/11/2017 06:07 PM
I agree with Allen and Stillriding. Pitt to DC is much more enjoyable. The downhill from the Continental Divide to Cumberland is a joy to ride. From there you go down all of the plunges at the locks along the canal to DC. Not huge drops but you don't have to climb them either. The consensus is that the continental divide to Pittsburgh is "Downhill" and while technically true, it really isn't noticeable at all when you're riding. I hated the climb from Cumberland to the Divide and when I got to the top I was expecting a bit of downhill reward the rest of the way but it never seems to arrive. It just seems....pretty flat. I prefer the nice 18 mph ride to Cumberland. That elevation profile is deceiving! :-)
Charles from Pittsburgh on 06/27/2017 01:44 AM
I have a daughter in school in DC and if I was able to coordinate with a visit to see her I might be able to help you out.
I will say I debate the question often. I prefer to get the C&O over with and enjoy the nicer better kept GAP trail for the end of the ride when I'm tired. I have not gone from DC over mountain due to the Paw Paw being closed so I can't factor that into my opinion.
Pitt to DC Trip Plan
- + Riding next month - here's our riding & lodging plan. Renting a one-way van from DC area to Pittsburgh.
Day 1 - One-way Van Rental DC area to Pittsburgh.
(afternoon ride) Pittsburgh to B...
Discussion started 05/28/2017 08:54 PM by JK - 1 reply (last reply by Anne at 06/27/2017 01:30 AM)JK from Herndon, VA on 05/28/2017 08:54 PM
Riding next month - here's our riding & lodging plan. Renting a one-way van from DC area to Pittsburgh.
Day 1 - One-way Van Rental DC area to Pittsburgh.
(afternoon ride) Pittsburgh to Boston, PA - 22 miles (lodging Trailside Treasures)
Day 2 - Boston to Ohiopyle, PA - 54 miles (lodging Yough Plaza)
Day 3 - Ohiopyle to Cumberland, MD - 74 miles (lodging Fairfield Inn)
Day 4 - Cumberland to Hancock, MD - 61 miles (lodging Super8)
Day 5 - Hancock to Harpers Ferry - 65 miles (lodging EconoLodge)
Day 6 - Harpers to DC - 59 miles
Hope this is useful to others.
Anne from Pittsburgh on 06/27/2017 01:30 AM
How many of you are going? I can't find a rental company that has trailer hitch racks on their vans. Are you getting a regular van or a utility van? mice if I ask what that will cost and how you are getting from the rental company to the trail?
Trip Planning!
- + Hello All,
I’m in the early stages of planning a GAP & C&O tour and had a few questions. I was hoping you fine folks could help me with some answers.
We’re planning on leaving Pittsbur...
Discussion started 05/08/2017 08:21 PM by Josh - 4 replies (last reply by anonymous at 06/27/2017 01:07 AM)Josh from Santa Monica on 05/08/2017 08:21 PM
Hello All,
I’m in the early stages of planning a GAP & C&O tour and had a few questions. I was hoping you fine folks could help me with some answers.
We’re planning on leaving Pittsburgh on September 10th. How hot will the weather be in early September? Should expect rain that time of year?
Has anyone done a credit card tour with a six day itinerary? If so, could you share what towns you stopped in and what places you stayed?
I have a Trek 520 with 32mm tires. Will I need larger tires?
Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.
Getting excited already!
Thank you for you time.
Josh
John W. from Pittsburgh, PA on 05/08/2017 11:12 PM
September might be the best month to travel! Days will still be summery and warm but not the brutal heat of Mid-summer. Daylight will be a bit shorter but doing a six day schedule you will be making town comfortably before dinner time.
My bike was a Trek 7.3 D.C. With 32 mm tires. You be totally fine on the GAP and in pretty decent shape on the C&O, just a few puddles if it has rained. September should be too rainy but you really can't predict.
My 5 day trip was Ohiopyle, Cumberland, Hancock, Harpers Ferry, DC. If stretching it to 6, get rid of Ohiopyle (which was 78 miles on first day) and replace with Connellsville and Rockwood, then into Cumberland.
Don't forget the Western Maryland Rail Trail on each side of Hancock. 22 miles of paved asphalt that runs parallel to the C&O. Good luck!
John W. from Pittsburgh, PA on 05/08/2017 11:14 PM
Ugh, spellcheck....Trek 7.3 fx! :-)
Josh from Santa Monica on 05/09/2017 03:51 PM
John!
Thanks for the great tips!
Anonymous from Pittsburgh on 06/27/2017 01:07 AM
Try calling Steel City Outdoor Adventures for trip support
- + Has anyone been on the Towpath since Cindy started pushing rain north. We here in southwestern Pa. have been flooded since Thursday night. Just wondering how bad western Maryland got it. Starting ride...
Discussion started 06/24/2017 05:13 AM by lenny - 4 replies (last reply by lenny at 06/26/2017 05:09 AM)lenny on 06/24/2017 05:13 AM
Has anyone been on the Towpath since Cindy started pushing rain north. We here in southwestern Pa. have been flooded since Thursday night. Just wondering how bad western Maryland got it. Starting ride Wed, June 28 from Pgh.
Tampabiker on 06/25/2017 10:05 AM
We were on the Towpath yesterday 6/24. It was a muddy mess and one tree had fallen across the path where we had to lift the bikes over it.
But this was the first time my wife and I have ridden our bikes off the pavement and we are real novices and made it with no problem.
If you are trying to break a speed record it will be difficult. Some of the puddles were 3 to 4 inches deep.
Lenny on 06/25/2017 11:03 AM
Done this ride many times. Just was curious as to how much rain the towpsth got. I have riden it in over 100 miles of mud. It may dry a little by Friday. Thanks.
Tampabiker on 06/25/2017 05:03 PM
The rain was the remnants of tropical storm Cindy. The heavy rains were coming in bands diagonal to the Towpath. Some places got three inches but a city a few miles away didn't get much.
There was a light drizzle the whole day and we were sitting on the bench at the visitor center when we felt a few bigger drops. The weather App (Dark Sky) said heavy rains in 3 minutes lasting 40 minutes. So we ran into the little sandwich shop and ate lunch. The rain and wind picked up and a huge storm blew through so hard the rain was going sideways. We checked the weather radar and there was no rain just a few miles from us.
Summarizing, it is difficult to answer your question because it really depends on exactly where you were that got the big 3 inch rain whereas a few miles away got 0.1 inch.
lenny on 06/26/2017 05:09 AM
Thanks that suffices, just wanted a general report. You can only be in one place. Up hear it did the same thing.
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D.C. to Pittsburgh June 19th
- + Starting my trip tomorrow. Riding the Capitol / Amtrak to D.C. Hoping to be in Pittsburgh on Friday. Anyone else? Any advice? Carrying as little as possible with AirBnB and B&B stops along the way. T...
Discussion started 06/18/2017 12:11 PM by Jim - 3 replies (last reply by anonymous at 06/23/2017 03:56 PM)Jim from Hudson Ohio on 06/18/2017 12:11 PM
Starting my trip tomorrow. Riding the Capitol / Amtrak to D.C. Hoping to be in Pittsburgh on Friday. Anyone else? Any advice? Carrying as little as possible with AirBnB and B&B stops along the way. Thunderstorms and a day of rain to start the trip kinda sucks but whatever. Train gets into D.C. Around 1pm - Harper's Ferry stop day one.
lenny on 06/19/2017 05:11 AM
Looks like rain off and on all week.
Mark from Pittsburgh on 06/22/2017 01:17 AM
I am actually starting from Ohiopyle PA to D.C Friday and hoping to be in D.C by Tuesday. How is the C&O conditions and paw paw tunnel closure? Is it a mud pit?
Anonymous on 06/23/2017 03:56 PM
Trip was awesome - not muddy but wet and I was covered in grime. I rode a 29er with 2.5" tires and it tracked well. Some guys on cyclocross bikes were complaining which i found odd. C&O is the best. Not as "polished" as the GAP and love it.
Luggage Transfer
- + We have a group of 11 doing the trail from Pittsburgh to DC early October. What is the best\inexpensive way to transfer luggage from Inn to Inn. No one in our group is interested in going self-conta...
Discussion started 05/18/2017 08:48 AM by PedalPusher52 - 4 replies (last reply by Charles at 06/23/2017 02:32 AM)PedalPusher52 from Sioux Falls, SD on 05/18/2017 08:48 AM
We have a group of 11 doing the trail from Pittsburgh to DC early October. What is the best\inexpensive way to transfer luggage from Inn to Inn. No one in our group is interested in going self-contained.
Rick Hancock on 05/18/2017 03:31 PM
I've done 5 thru rides on the Passage and 2 C&O thru rides give me a call and I can help you out 757 619-5522. I live in Va. I've done self contained and credit card rides.
PedalPusher52 from Sioux Falls, SD on 05/24/2017 09:35 AM
thanks - what is the best time to contact you?
Rick Hancock on 05/24/2017 03:30 PM
I'm HOME AFTER 6PM MOST NIGHTS. GLAD TO SHARE INFO.
Charles from Pittsburgh on 06/23/2017 02:32 AM
Drop me a note indicating the dates of the trip and number of nights you will need the transfers for and if you know the towns you plan on overnighting at.
Steelcityoutdooradventures@gmail.com