Long-term parking
- + Where can I get the best rate on long-term parking (10 days) near the end of the C & O? We thought we had this figured out but now it appears we don't.
Discussion started 05/13/2016 07:25 AM by rail to trail lover - 4 replies (last reply by Stacy at 05/23/2016 10:20 AM)rail to trail lover from Tuscaloosa, AL on 05/13/2016 07:25 AM
Where can I get the best rate on long-term parking (10 days) near the end of the C & O? We thought we had this figured out but now it appears we don't.
Shawn Ambrose from Fort Wayne, IN on 05/13/2016 07:38 PM
Which end? Thanks!
Rail to Trail love from Tuscaloosa, AL on 05/14/2016 07:00 AM
Georgetown
Shawn Ambrose on 05/15/2016 05:12 PM
Bike Washington recommends parking at Reagan National Airport: http://www.flyreagan.com/dca/economy-parking
Stacy on 05/23/2016 10:20 AM
We're doing this trip next week starting in Georgetown. We're staying in Crystal City and got a great rate for parking at the Marriott Crystal Gateway (although we're not staying there) - $95 for 10 days through Park 'n' Fly www.pnf.com.
The start of GAP
- + Can anyone tell me the location of the start of the GAP in Pittsburgh? Street address?
Discussion started 05/19/2016 12:14 PM by teresa - 2 replies (last reply by anonymous at 05/22/2016 06:35 AM)teresa from baltimore on 05/19/2016 12:14 PM
Can anyone tell me the location of the start of the GAP in Pittsburgh? Street address?
Ann from Pittsburgh on 05/20/2016 02:39 PM
The GAP Trail starts at Point State Park fountain. There are some signs that takes you through the city streets a short distance. Once you get to the Allegheny County Jail, it's smooth sailing all the way to DC. Note that the Three Rivers Heritage Trail overlaps the GAP, so you might see signs for that, too.
Anonymous on 05/22/2016 06:35 AM
Thanks. This answers my question as well.
Lost Camera
- + I lost my camera (Canon Powershot) on August 8th between the Devil's Alley H/B site, and Little Orleans. I'd really, really like the pictures on it, which are of scenes along the GAP trail. It's proba...
Discussion started 08/08/2010 08:30 PM by Drew - 1 reply (last reply by anonymous at 05/19/2016 01:43 PM)Drew from Elkridge, MD on 08/08/2010 08:30 PM
I lost my camera (Canon Powershot) on August 8th between the Devil's Alley H/B site, and Little Orleans. I'd really, really like the pictures on it, which are of scenes along the GAP trail. It's probably right outside the porta-potty at Devil's Alley.
Anonymous on 05/19/2016 01:43 PM
There was another post by someone who found a camera in the 2010 time period. It may be yours. I know its 6 years later but maybe Camera and Owner can be together again.
bike dropoff in cumberland
- + I plan on dropping my bike at Cumberland and driving to DC then taking the train back to Cumberland. I need somewhere near the police station to lock it up. Any bike racks in the vicinity?
Discussion started 03/23/2010 08:53 AM by PROTECH - 4 replies (last reply by anonymous at 05/19/2016 01:38 PM)PROTECH from BARDSTOWN, KY on 03/23/2010 08:53 AM
I plan on dropping my bike at Cumberland and driving to DC then taking the train back to Cumberland. I need somewhere near the police station to lock it up. Any bike racks in the vicinity?
Paulie from Knoxville on 03/29/2010 06:43 AM
Try calling the visitor center in Cumberland. Nice people and I'm sure they could give you some good advice.
http://www.nps.gov/archive/choh/Visitor/Centers/Cumberland2.html
By the way, nice site Ray !
Paulie
Protech from Bardstown, Ky on 03/30/2010 07:25 AM
Thanks for the tip Paulie. I'll give them a call.
Anonymous on 07/13/2010 12:17 PM
Please let me know what you ended up doing and how your trip went. Was thinking about doing the exact same thing. Thanks
Anonymous on 05/19/2016 01:38 PM
How was your experience?
GAP AP Apple Store
- + Has anyone had any "positive" experiences with the GAP/C&O AP that is available for the IPHONE? I heard there is a new version that is good. I checked reviews for the one AP and they were all negati...
Discussion started 05/19/2016 01:35 PM by Randy - 0 repliesRandy on 05/19/2016 01:35 PM
Has anyone had any "positive" experiences with the GAP/C&O AP that is available for the IPHONE? I heard there is a new version that is good. I checked reviews for the one AP and they were all negative. Basically it relied on Google Maps. Is there another AP available?
- + My husband and I will arrive by train from DC to Pittsburgh at midnight. Can the taxi service in Pittsburgh accommodate two bikes as well as ourselves?
Discussion started 01/24/2016 08:42 PM - 10 replies (last reply by Bill at 05/19/2016 01:22 PM)Anonymous on 01/24/2016 08:42 PM
My husband and I will arrive by train from DC to Pittsburgh at midnight. Can the taxi service in Pittsburgh accommodate two bikes as well as ourselves?
Shawn Ambrose on 01/28/2016 08:02 PM
I don't have experience, but I have seen Bill's Taxi Service mentioned a few times: http://linkup.shaw-weil.com/outfitters.htm
Anonymous on 01/31/2016 05:26 PM
Thank you Shawn
What about Uber? I know you can request an XL vehicle. Could two people and their bikes fit in an XL vehicle? I'm not sure what that means a all van, a 15-passenger van, a truck? Does anyone know?
Rick from Grafton Va. on 01/31/2016 07:48 PM
Where are you trying to get to after arriving at the station? The train is scheduled to arrive appx. 11:45 plus unloading time. The trail head is only 5-8 blocks away. Are you planning on heading to a motel, etc. When my wife and I arrive this Oct. we're planning to just wait in the station till early morning then head out.
Rick from Grafton Va. on 01/31/2016 07:57 PM
From Point STate Park cross Commonwealth Pl. and start riding on Blvd of the Allied (bike friendly.) In about 5 blocks turn right on Grant St. (be careful that your on Grant. Follow to 3 Rivers Heritage Trail and turn left. From there you'll begin to see some Passage signs as well as other trail signs. From Hot Metal Bridge east you'll have no problems. Pay careful attention on the far side of Mckeesport. There are trail signs but it's kind confusing.
Howard from Lexington, KY on 02/29/2016 03:46 PM
Not speaking from experience, but I'm doing the same thing this summer and just biking to a nearby Holiday Inn to grab some zzz's, then checking out Pittsburgh's bike trails and maybe an incline before heading out.
Laurie from South Portland, ME on 03/07/2016 11:46 AM
My friend and I are taking the train with bikes from DC to Pittsburgh in May (after biking the GAP and C & O). We are planning on biking to the Holiday Inn at 11:45pm - it is a short distance (if we don't take a wrong turn). It is unfortunate that this is the only train to put a bike on for this trip. Did you find out anything about an Uber request for an XL vehicle?
KG from Erie on 03/09/2016 03:29 PM
I'm in the same boat (biking from Pittsburgh to DC then taking the train back) in May. I will be traveling alone so Im a bit nervous riding back to Point Park at midnight to retrieve my car. Does anyone know if Amtrack lets you park your car at the station long term? I was thinking, I'd park at the train station, bike to the park to BEGIN my ride, that way my car would be at the station when I return the following week???? Advice/comments welcome!!!!
Anonymous on 03/09/2016 10:30 PM
Parking is very limited and small at the train station and you will pay an arm & leg anywhere in Pgh. for long term. But if I had to I would pick the garage on the Boulevard of the Allies / Smithfield Street. Google map it.
Anonymous on 05/09/2016 04:44 PM
I did find out from Uber that we would have to ask the XL vehicle driver if they were willing to take our bikes when we get there. That's not an option for us. We like to plan things out so that when the unexpected happens we won't be overwhelmed.
Bill on 05/19/2016 01:22 PM
Give a couple Taxi Cab companies a call and get the information first hand.
post to Facebook
or share this link to just this thread:
https://bikecando.com/talk.aspx?tid=795&tonly=1
Vegetarian Food Options Along the Trail
- + I'm a vegetarian and plan on biking the trail in June. I'd like to pack as light as possible so I'm looking for vegetarian food options for lunch and dinner along the towpath. Anyone have any favori...
Discussion started 05/11/2016 07:13 PM by SoMD - 1 reply (last reply by Roger at 05/19/2016 01:19 PM)SoMD on 05/11/2016 07:13 PM
I'm a vegetarian and plan on biking the trail in June. I'd like to pack as light as possible so I'm looking for vegetarian food options for lunch and dinner along the towpath. Anyone have any favorite spots you'd recommend? I'll also have a non-vegetarian with me so would be nice to have options for him at the same spots as well.
Roger on 05/19/2016 01:19 PM
There's plenty of grass and dandelions to munch on. Have fun. :)
Towpath Conditions?
- + Given all the recent rain, does anyone know what the towpath conditions are between Great Falls and Shepherdstown? Yesterday I biked Georgetown to Great Falls and except for two muddy spots, it was su...
Discussion started 05/15/2016 08:01 AM by Teacher - 1 reply (last reply by Jim at 05/19/2016 01:16 PM)Teacher on 05/15/2016 08:01 AM
Given all the recent rain, does anyone know what the towpath conditions are between Great Falls and Shepherdstown? Yesterday I biked Georgetown to Great Falls and except for two muddy spots, it was surprisingly dry.
Jim on 05/19/2016 01:16 PM
Probably the same.
GAP from Munhall to Pittsburgh
- + Could someone tell me whether the final stretch of the GAP from Munhall to Pittsburgh is a dedicated trail or shares the road with car traffic. Is it well marked and easy to follow?
Discussion started 01/10/2016 08:36 PM by Jeff - 4 replies (last reply by Bob G at 05/17/2016 01:32 PM)Jeff from Woodbridge, VA on 01/10/2016 08:36 PM
Could someone tell me whether the final stretch of the GAP from Munhall to Pittsburgh is a dedicated trail or shares the road with car traffic. Is it well marked and easy to follow?
John W. from Pittsburgh, PA on 01/11/2016 07:22 PM
Other than the very end (Smithfield Street bridge to Point State Park), all of the trail is dedicated. Near Sandcastle there is some parts with the trail on the sidewalk (watch for cars coming out of Costco parking lot for example) and some bike lanes in the streets but you are clearly on a marked trail and not at all left to your own devices to mingle with traffic. 99.9 percent Of it is dedicated and the .1 percent is clearly marked and safe. You'll love it and feel very safe.
Anonymous on 03/22/2016 06:29 PM
To add to what John W said, if as you approach Pittsburgh, you cross over on the Hot Metal Bridge, I believe it is a dedicated by lane separated fro traffic. Then you turn left on the Eliza Furnace Trail.
As others have said, the trails in that area have various names. My advice is to look at Google Maps bike option.
Rick from Grafton on 03/22/2016 07:13 PM
Allegheny Passage, 3 Rivers Heritage, Eliza Furnace, The first few miles of trail go by various names. There is a Passage Trail Marker at Point State Park but not another one till you hit Smithfield Bridge area. Once you get to Hot Metal you'll see Passage signs all the way to Cumberland. It's a bit confusing but plenty of bikers are on the route at any time. The trail is on shared roads, sidewalks, and trail all the way to Mckeesport. Once you leave Mckeesport you hit the woods and the fun begins. The whole route including roads/sidewalks is very user friendly.
Bob G from Columbus, OH on 05/17/2016 01:32 PM
As of Friday May 6 there was a detour in the Southside area of Pittsburgh that puts you on the road through an industrial area. Stay on the north side of the river (i.e., cross at Hot Metal Bridge)and you can dodge this. Concur with other comment on the markings.
Heading to sat this weekend?
- + I'll be leaving Point State Park Sunday May 15 mid-morning, heading east, My teenage son just got a job interview and bailed last minute. Anyone looking for company riding the GAP?
Discussion started 05/14/2016 12:21 AM by Jim H - 0 repliesJim H from Philly suburbs on 05/14/2016 12:21 AM
I'll be leaving Point State Park Sunday May 15 mid-morning, heading east, My teenage son just got a job interview and bailed last minute. Anyone looking for company riding the GAP?
C&O with Dog Trailer
- + Has anyone ever done the C&O with a dog trailer in tow? Contemplating a trip later this summer/early fall on a hybrid. What are your thoughts? Curious about trail conditions and tire/tread recommend...
Discussion started 06/07/2015 07:27 AM by Bacpkn - 3 replies (last reply by Rick at 05/12/2016 08:59 PM)Bacpkn from Arab, Alabama on 06/07/2015 07:27 AM
Has anyone ever done the C&O with a dog trailer in tow? Contemplating a trip later this summer/early fall on a hybrid. What are your thoughts? Curious about trail conditions and tire/tread recommendations too.
Meg from NJ on 04/04/2016 05:51 PM
Bumping this post as I am interested in the same. Also, would love to hear how "dog friendly" towns and campgrounds are along the way.
Carol, Wrenwood Inn from Paw Paw on 04/07/2016 05:42 PM
I own a B&B off the towpath and can tell you from observation that we have a good many cyclists with dogs come thru here. Pretty universally they are carrying small dogs in carriers on the handlebars or frame and only large dogs have we seen in a trailer. I suspect its too bumpy for small dogs in trailers. Just an observation.
Rick from Wyandotte, MI on 05/12/2016 08:59 PM
I don't have any experience with dogs on the trail, but I was contemplating the same thing while riding it last weekend. I was paying attention to the trail and how it would be for big dogs in a trailer. It seems like the GAP would be fine, but it would probably be a rough ride on C&O. As mentioned above, a small dog in a handlebar mounted basket would be OK. Also, towing a trailer would have made a real mess of things while navigating the crowds on the trail for the last 15 miles or so into DC (we did this part on a Sunday afternoon with nice weather, so it was like an amusement park out there).
Little Orleans Lodge
- + Spent many a night at Little Orelans Lodge on Appel Road, about .5 miles up the road from Bill's Place in Little Orleans. Why is Steve Huebner's place not listed? Close to trail, great value, and a ...
Discussion started 09/15/2012 03:26 PM by Swagman - 2 replies (last reply by anonymous at 05/11/2016 01:33 PM)Swagman from La Grange, GA on 09/15/2012 03:26 PM
Spent many a night at Little Orelans Lodge on Appel Road, about .5 miles up the road from Bill's Place in Little Orleans. Why is Steve Huebner's place not listed? Close to trail, great value, and a killer breakfast. Beats the hell out of the Hill Top Inn who charges six bucks (both ways) to shuttle your butt from Bill's.
YellowBird from NJ on 10/17/2012 07:32 PM
I loved Top of the Hill Hotel; fantastic inn owners, totally worth the $6 shuttle each way.
Anonymous on 05/11/2016 01:33 PM
We stayed at little Orleans Lodge last fall. We stayed in the main house and it was very dirty. The kitchen was a mess and we weren't very comfortable eating the breakfast. Steve is a nice man, but he needs to clean the place up. I would not recommend this lodging to anyone.
share a shuttle
- + We are planning to leave Homestead PA (Pittsburgh) Hampton inn on June 20th. Anyone interested in sharing the cost of a shuttle to Cumberland that morning?
Discussion started 05/05/2016 10:09 AM by Cheryl - 0 repliesCheryl from Richmond TX on 05/05/2016 10:09 AM
We are planning to leave Homestead PA (Pittsburgh) Hampton inn on June 20th. Anyone interested in sharing the cost of a shuttle to Cumberland that morning?
Planning round trip starting near DC
- + Hi everyone
I am planning my first bike packing trip and can't seem to find any routes/trails where I could start biking at/near DC and go through the C&O Canal and get back to where I started ...
Discussion started 05/03/2016 03:08 PM by Yaron - 0 repliesYaron from Bristow on 05/03/2016 03:08 PM
Hi everyone
I am planning my first bike packing trip and can't seem to find any routes/trails where I could start biking at/near DC and go through the C&O Canal and get back to where I started while trying to not go on the same trail twice (or as little as possible). This will be a 3 day trip so probably bike about 100-125 miles in total. Any suggestions to what trails I can go on to make this round trip would be great, please be as detailed as possible this is my first time planning a trip.
Thank you,
Pittsburgh Hotel
- + I'm still trying to figure out a hotel in Pittsburgh that will accomplish 2 things.
1. Be a reasonable distance/hopefully rideable distance to the Amtrak station so that we can get ourselves an...
Discussion started 03/26/2016 10:41 PM - 7 replies (last reply by anonymous at 04/30/2016 02:13 PM)Anonymous on 03/26/2016 10:41 PM
I'm still trying to figure out a hotel in Pittsburgh that will accomplish 2 things.
1. Be a reasonable distance/hopefully rideable distance to the Amtrak station so that we can get ourselves and our bikes to DC on the train.
AND
2. Be on or near the trail when we finish the ride several days later.
Would be a wonderful bonus if we could safely leave a car at the same hotel.
Surely, I'm not the first person who thought about this but I can't seem to find much information or figure it out.
Anyone with recommendations??
THANKS!
Anonymous on 03/26/2016 11:34 PM
Holiday inn on 19th street southside is on the trail and is 1.4 miles from the amtrack station.
Anonymous on 03/26/2016 11:35 PM
the holiday is on 10 street
Tom M from Raleigh NC on 03/30/2016 01:53 PM
We stayed at Springhill Suites, which is directly on the trail near Hot Metal bridge. It is about 3.5 miles from the Amtrak Station, which took us about 20 minutes to ride in the dark (with headlights on bikes). Very comfortable hotel with breakfast included and biker friendly.
Anonymous on 04/03/2016 08:37 AM
Thanks for the input! This is very useful.
Rich Jones from Hilliard, OH on 04/10/2016 04:16 PM
I'm taking a scout group and doing the same thing, ride to DC and Amtrak back. I was looking at staying at the Hampton Inn at 1247 Smallman St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 which is 0.2 miles from the Amtrak station and there is a Courtyard right there also.
Anonymous on 04/27/2016 05:23 PM
Rich - how close is that hotel to the trail?? Thanks!
Anonymous on 04/30/2016 02:13 PM
Thanks all. I went with the Holiday Inn Express South Pittsburgh. It seems to meet our criteria of close to the trail, close to PNC Park, close to Amtrak and with a parking garage to safely leave a car for a few days. Thanks again for all the responses.