C&O / GAP Forum

According to the Pittsburgh Post is finally ready to start offering roll-on service for bikes on their Washington to Pitt line, starting as early as next week. Charge will be $25 and cyclists will be able to get on or off at any station on the route.
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2015/08/28/Amtrak-ready-to-allow-roll-on-bike-service-between-Pittsburgh-Washington-D-C/stories/201508280137

The article in the above link merely described another test by real live cyclists. Apparently, it was successful (again) because, against all odd the service has begun. There are 8 spaces in the coach-baggage car on the END of the train, not the baggage car on the front end. There are spaces for 8 bikes. You reserve a space by clicking the "Add bike to trip" icon on the reservation page. Oddly enough the cost is $20. For more details than Amtrak would be able to provide, see http://www.atatrail.org/.

Adventure Cycling released press on the new service on 9/14. Cost is $20 and there are spots for 6 bikes. There are restrictions on type and weight of bike. Bike service is not available at all stops. Just booked 4 spots today for Oct.

@Majahonke:

"there are spots for 6 bikes" Everything I've read, including the two articles on the Adventure Cycling site say 8.

"Bike service is not available at all stops" Similarly, everything I've read says all stops. Nothing at Adventure Cycling seems to contradict that.

I did a test booking from Waterloo, In to Alliance, OH for 8 people in late October. It limited me to 7 bikes; one space must already have been booked.

The AC site did say: you need to "arrive 30 minutes prior to train departure to allow time to transport the bike to the baggage car". Practically speaking, with the exception of DC and Chicago, and possibly Pittsburgh, that means get there when the train arrives. If you get there earlier, and they let you onto the platform, position yourself to the rear of the expected train. In Cumberland, that would be to the left as you face the tracks.
For DC and Chicago, that means get there when they begin the boarding process, which is usually 30 minutes before departure. They won't let you onto the platform before that. Normally, they board seniors, disabled, and those with children first. I doubt they will add bicycles to the priority boarding list. That's not too bad since the bike car will be the last one on the train, and the one nearest the gate.

It will be interesting to find out how they handle the sleeping car passengers' "kindergarten walk" from the Acela (DC) and Metropolitan (Chi) lounges to the train.

I jsut reserved 2 spots (DC to Harpers Ferry, and DC to Connellsville) on Oct 4th. Hope it all works out. Did not meet any issues in the online registration.

Amtrak's press release:
http://www.amtrak.com/ccurl/939/340/Amtrak-Offers-More-Bike-Service-On-The-Capitol-Limited-ATK-15-048.pdf

"In Cumberland, that would be to the left as you face the tracks."

Sorry. The rear of the train will be to the left IF YOUR ARE TRAVELING TOWARD CHICAGO. To the right if toward DC.

I am planning to ride DC to Pittsburgh in first part of Oct. Camping most nights. What can I expect for temperature overnight while camping? 30s, 40s ?

Accuweather for Cumberland Md October 2015 is saying mid 40s for that week.
I'll be on trail at that time too, have a good ride

Highs of upper 60s and lows in the 40s
I will be there too. Camp at Cumberland YMCA and Harpers Ferry Hostel/campground

What part of the C&O Towpath in your opinion are the toughest areas to do when it is wet and raining? I myself think its the 20 miles between mile 25 and 45. But I have only ridden the trail once and that is when it rained on me.

From the about mile 42 to 48 can get very muddy after it rains. I find it can be especially tricky between miles 43 & 44,and again between 47 & 48. This summer was particularly bad in these areas.

Any news on the status of the repaired tunnel? Has a targeted date for opening been given? News is sort of hard to find on its progress. Hope it's open
for my trip!

Wasn't open three weeks ago but the detour was one of the highlights of total trip for me... It's a really pretty work-around.

Thanks Jerry. I saw a photo posted on the Bike Pittsburgh by someone saying it's almost done! I hope so! https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/11288822@N00/17555252622/

Has anyone rode near the tunnel in the last week or so and got a look at it? Has it been opened yet or look close to being done? Thanks!

The tunnel was still closed as of August 5th ... And judging from the pile of materials at the construction site it will be closed for some time still ... A couple I was chatting with told me that they had "just stopped working on the tunnel" in early July and were surprised when I told them I saw workers at the site when I rode past ... The ceiling appears to be still being installed and the floor looks very rough ... Maybe 2016 ...

still closed came through wed

Just came thru it today. Its nice. It saves you about 1.5 miles.

I'm planning to ride from Pittsburgh to DC in late Oct and have no experience with these trails. Would a LHT touring bike or Tarek hybrid be adequate or is a MTB required? Thank you.

I think knobby mountain bike tires slow you down too much, forcing you to pedal and exert way too much on such a long and flat journey. Nor would I recommend really thin racing tires, they'll get gobbled up in the mud and ruts on the C&O. I have a Trek 7.3 FX hybrid and have seemed to found a happy medium that is perfect for the GAP/C&O. I use wider tires than a racing bike, but not as wide and knobby as MTB tires. Safe Travels!

A LHT would be ideal for riding the GAP-C&O but the hybrid would be fine as well. Tires are your more important decision. I would recommend at least 32-35 mm tires with some tread, such as cyclocross tires. I've ridden the trails twice on touring bikes, once with Panaracer Pasela 32s and the other time with Clement LAS 35s, and the wider stance and tread of the Clements was preferable.

I'm a little late but thanks for your input. Very reassuring. We'll be travelling the entire trail mid to late Oct.

My wife road a stock Trek Neko hybrid she bought this summer for the trip. The only change we made was to use her regular saddle. She had the light load with sleeping bags and shoes in panniers.

I rode a cyclocross bike with 700x35 tires pulling a BOB trailer. Worked well for me but I am a roadie and am most comfortable on that geometry.

We road both the C&O and GAP in dry weather. Both bikes worked well for us. Without a load I might even ride my road bike on the GAP. Enjoy your trip.

While researching for a possible trip, I found that this is now a Knights Inn (Knoxville) with exceptional reviews on TripAdvisor.

Thank you for posting this! I've been looking for a place just past Harper's Ferry to stop for the night. Stayed in HF the last three years, want to see something else and also save my family from carrying their bikes up the stairs to the bridge across the river! Will have to check this out.

I stayed there in June '14. It was clean and basic. Going up the hill from the canal after riding 65 about did me in. I would stay there again.

I just stayed there last week when I made it from Arlington, VA to Canonsburg,PA in 6 days.
Agreed, basic,~70/night,
Good Liquor store next door with a better than average beer selection.
A family restraunt and gas station convenience store across the street.
I missed the turn off and went to Harpers Ferry before I realized my mistake.

Are there any people that meet in Cumberland (or nearby) to ride the C&O or GAP together on weekends? If so, when and where? Is there room for one more? Looking for maybe 10 miles out and back. THanks!

Added a bike washing station and you can take your bike to your room. Tell the front desk your off the trail and get a 25% off the room rate (some occupancy restrictions apply). Stay includes free breakfast...happy riding!

all of the hotels along the way that I have used over the yeas has a hose for cleaning the bike and let one take the bike in the room.

Lenny, while that is true he did mention a free breakfast and 25% off. Plus this is a Ramada Inn and not a Super 8, that's the different.

I Have one problem with that. It is the old Holiday Inn, I stayed there twice before the Fairfield was built. It is in front of the rail yard and the engines are switching all night. worst sleep I ever got. Fairfield has free breakfast as well and you can also roll your bike in. Oh yes a washing station outside as well. And it is right on the towpath.

Sounds like Lenny only gives the Ramada 1 Star.

I guess we all have our favorites. I was happy just staying in a tent and cooking my own food. To each his own. Just enjoy the ride.

no favorites just couldn't get any sleep there.

I'm not disputing Lennie's experience; and I've not stayed there. We did sit in the lobby several hours waiting for the westbound Capitol Limited, and never heard any trains. Although the CSX mainline with lots of train trafic is 1 1/2 blocks away, the rail yard is not in front of (or in back of) the hotel. It's clearly visible on the map about 1.5 miles away. The Fairfield Inn is actually slightly closer.

Under new ownership - but it still "bites!" Literally, our room was infested with stinkbugs and mosquitos. My wife was ready to sleep outside, which honestly would have been more restful. The room also had a terribly musty, moldy odor. Stay at the Super 8 instead, just across the bridge.

Staying at the America's Best tonight and find it to be quite pleasant. The owner is somewhat charming. No problems on my end.

Wish that I would have had that experience -- or gotten sleep that night. I won't take the chance of staying there again. The owner was rude to my wife when we complained and they refused to switch our room. Because it was early evening and we were on bicycles, we were stuck there for the night. I have nothing personal against the place or the owners... I just want to warn other bikers - If you're planning on staying there, get there early and inspect your room!

Hello,
If you ever make the trip again, the super 8 right up the hill was great..reasonably priced, bike wash, clean rooms, internet, continental breakfast. We always had a pretty good experience there.
Frank, Pittsburgh

Heading out of DC to Pittsburgh on Friday any trail condition updates Thanks

After a summer of what seemed like constant muddy conditions, the towpath is finally dry!

...dry and dusty. We used our rain cover stuff to keep the dust off our bags.

Had a great ride over the long weekend, Point of Rocks to Williamsport Md on Sat. and then back on Sunday. The trail is in great shape, a little damp in places, but no real mud. Stayed at the Red Roof Inn. Simple, clean and cheap. Be prepared for a big hill just off the trail but it is do-able. We were on a tandem. Dinner at Marco's NY Pizza, across the street from the Red Roof Inn. A GREAT place, will work the mile ride from the trail even with the hill. One update.. the bike shop in Williamsport has closed. One of the Park Rangers told me that the Desert Rose Cafe bought all of the bike supplies.. I will check that out and post an update.

Update, Rose from the Desert Rose Cafe states that they did purchase the available tubes from the Williamsport Bike shop and they also have a bike floor pump available

Can anyone give me any Info. on the Red Roof Inn in Williamsport? The Map shows it right on Rt. 11. Is there easy/safe access from the C&O to the hotel? Do they have a shuttle?

I've never stayed there, so I can't answer for certain. It's doubtful that they have a shuttle (call them and ask) but from looking at the map it's not far off of the trail at all. It's a half a mile past the Sheetz in town, and I've ridden to that Sheetz from the trail plenty of times. There is a hill to go up, but it's just one and not really all that bad. I've ridden up it after doing 60 miles on the trail, and it doesn't bother me. I'd think that you'd be able to ride to the hotel without any problems.

I have stayed there twice. It is a straight ride up the main road. They do not have a shuttle, nor do you need one. You are a distance away from attractive dining options with only a MacDonalds and Waffle House nearby. The hotel does not have a complimentary breakfast. What you will get is a bed, a hot shower and a good night's sleep.

Does anyone know of any crime along the C&O canal? My sister is thinking about doing a solo bike trip and I wonder about her safety. Anyone have any info?

I biked the Canal solo from DC to Cumberland last year around this time, and I didn't witness any crime whatsoever. I took my time, and only 1 out of 5 nights did I share my campsite with others. They were friendly and respected my privacy as it was a larger campsite.

When I had this very same question out of curiosity last year, I could only find a few sporadic reports of minor assaults occurring years past. However, these only occurred within the District proper and happened to joggers at weird hours - not bikers.

I didn't feel threatened from anyone I passed on the Canal during the entire trip, everyone is there to enjoy the national park. It's a shared experience. Everyone is in it together. Everyone was friendly and warm, except for two passive-aggressive joggers.

I grew up around the Hancock section of the trail so I know Paw Paw to Williamsport the best and I've never witnessed anything shady in this more rural section of the trail.

The only concern she'll probably have to worry about is hanging her food at night to keep little critters from getting into it.

The most dangerous things I encountered on the trail were: 1. A saddleback caterpillar, a copperhead that two US Forest Service members were in the process of killing, and a small black bear that was about 150m up the Towpath and who away faster than I could turn my camera on.

Biking the Canal solo was one of the most rewarding experiences I've had. Don't worry too much about your sister. I'm sure she'll be fine. You're close to civilization most of the time should something arise. Personally, I've always felt safest in the most rural section of the park (between Paw Paw and Orleans). I was 23 at the time, and while I'm a guy so that differently defines how I am treated in my travels, the only time you would be vulnerable is in your tent/hammock at night. The criminal wouldn't know who your gender. I didn't even worry about petty theft, but I went t

(Oh I didn't realize there was a post length limit)

The criminal wouldn't know what your gender was.*
I didn't worry about petty theft at all, but I went through the proper motions anyway out of habit. I locked my bike tires at night because the bike was my ticket out of there should someone have taken my things off the picnic table at night, and I kept most things in my tent.

I realize this has turned into a text-wall of a reply, but I just wanted to reassure you that the Canal is safe and crime besides the occasional victimless toke is nonexistent - at least in my experiences on the towpath.

For those that camp in tents in the evening, what do you do with your food bag? Are there many bear sightings that would force you to hang your food bag from in a tree or can I put in my tent each evening?

I would definitely hang your food at night, not just for the potential for bears but raccoons and other critters. I don't know how common they are, but black bears definitely live in area and tend to like rivers. We saw photos of black bears in the "Yak" river at Ohiopyle while eating at one of the local restaurants.

I'm sixty plus now but several years ago a friend and I rode from Frostburg Maryland to DC in 3 days, staying with our spouses overnight. I'm looking for some friends to ride along approximately the same route, starting point could vary, ambitiously I would like to start from Pittsburgh and ride the entire trail, but I would have to do some serious training to be sure. any interest please let me know. thank you