C&O / GAP Forum

Hello all! We are planning a complete bike trip from pittsburgh to DC. I was wondering if someone could give me insight to the incline from Pittsburgh to let's say the divide. I know it's on a rail trail with a 1% grade. Just want to know what to expect! Thanks!

I don't remember the grades, but the trail doesn't start climbing noticeably until Connellsville. It's not steep but you notice you're climbing. Connellsville to Confluence felt like the steepest part to me, though I guess that's only because it was the start of the climb and after Confluence you hit all the big sightseeing spots. http://i.imgur.com/rmtMxC5.jpg

We recently rode from Pittsburg to Paw Paw. My wife is 64, and I'm 59. We ride often and generally distances of 35-45 miles at a time. Although your personal fitness and endurance play a part I didn't feel that any portion of the trail was that difficult. The incline west to east is always "there" but apart from the final climb from Meyersdale to the Divide (maybe 8-9 miles?) The route isn't difficult at all. We were not carrying camping gear just clothing and toilet items as this was a credit card ride. We have also done the trail self contained and still it wasn't difficult.

As n example: 1st day was 36 miles to West Newton, started at appx. 2pm and was there by 6pm. The next day was 44=45 miles to Ohiopyle. We started around 10am were there by 5pm including lunch in connelsville which was almost 1 hour. We also took plenty of breaks, stopped to read trail history signs, talked to anyone we met, just enjoyed the day. On Sun. our big day we rode 75 miles from Ohiopyle to Cumberland. We started early about 7am and were in Cumberland by 5 or 6pm stopping for lunch at Rockwood and a visit to the Meyersdale Visitor Center. Once again we stopped often for a snack, water, or to talk with other trail users and people who lived near the trail. Our normal pace is 8-13 MPH pretty much the bulk of the day. My wife isn't quite as strong as I am but she pedals steady. Overall, I don't think that any of the route could really be called tough just a slight uphill grind in some spots and more level than not in others. Hope this helps.

Thanks guys for the feedback! Puts my mind at ease knowing I'll be able to handle the pace we have set! I can't wait to ride it!

I think the big factor here is how much gear you're carrying. On my trips, I've always camped on the trail. I usually lug about 40lbs of gear (too much I know). As such, even on a slight grade I can really tell the difference between going uphill and going downhill. I'm lucky to maintain 8 mph going uphill.

Hello, everyone,
My husband and I would like to ride the GAP and C&O next spring. What would you say is the best time of spring to (hopefully) avoid rain and mud?
Thanks for your help.
Noreen

Speaking in generalities I'd say the later in spring the better. I hiked the trail the end of March, beginning of April in 2011 and it rained almost every day. I don't know if that is typical or not. I'd say check weather dot com for monthly averages.

I did it in the middle of May and the weather was perfect. I had a couple of hotter days and a couple of cooler days but NO BUGS and the trail was dry.

It can vary. We have wet Springs and normal springs. The best is to wait until late Spring.
Weather in general is more volatile in March and April. You can have a lot of Thunderstorms and Severe weather in April. There can be significant Flooding in early Spring especially if we have a harsh Winter. I would wait until late May, even going into June.

My wife and I just completed a ride from Pittsburg (Point State Park) to Paw Paw. WE stayed at the Wrenwood B&B and were treated very well by Carol. We arrived early in the afternoon and were greeted by Scott who let us rinse our bikes before storing them in a locked garage. Carol arrived shortly afterward and greeted us like family. Pumpkin Cookies and tea were available as was a hot shower. The B&B is in an older home but was very clean and well kept. Carlo is an artist and had quite a few pieces on display. Another biking couple arrived and Carol offered to include the 4 of us in her dinner plans (breakfast is included in the cost)for a small additional fee. I'm not sure how often she would offer supper but it was very good. Our room was very clean and comfortable. There are I think 3 rooms with a 4th waiting to be furnished? WE needed to contact the shuttle service with final plans and I couldn't get cell service Scott let us use the house phone to place a call. I can't say enough about how well we were treated in this small out of the way location. I would like to point out that the road access from the C&O is at/near MP 156.2 and not MP 151. At the Rt. 51 bridge just before Paw Paw Campground if heading east bound go up the hill to the right (if you go under the bridge you've gone too far)and follow the road toward town. There is a paved trail almost completed that will take you to Paw Paw and you don't need to ride on the road/bridge which I didn't feel was that dangerous or busy. I also noticed on the side of the bridge a faded sign for the old Red Rooster which you'll pass as you ride into town. Great Stay.

Am riding Pitts to DC starting the 21st of Oct. Been following the weather and it looks to be cold and wet. Leaving dry and warm weather here in Ca and wondering what the conditions of the trails are and how are the colors ?

We did the trail in May and it rained rather hard one day. It was terrible to say the least. Pot hole of water and slowed up down considerably. The next day the trail improved considerably but if it is going to rain be prepared.

It has been unseasonably cool lately (most all of Sept). Here in October it has been 70s during the day, 50s at night. By the time you arrive Oct. 21 the peak color in Pennsylvania will probably be a little past prime (but still pretty), however WV and MD should be just fine. If you wish, ask again a couple of days before you leave and I'll give you an update.

I'm always inquiring of guests who stay with us what the conditions on the trail are like. Remind me about conditions and I'll relay what other riders are saying.

Thank you everyone and Carol I will touch in next week. Also Paw Paw will be my lunch stop if all goes as planed. Any food or local interests I should check out? Thank you in advance :)

Just came off the trail yesterday. Pittsburg to Paw Paw. Passage is in excellent condition and the C&O between Cumberland and Paw Paw is rough and muddy in spots but not too bad. You will get muddy and with the approaching storms the trail may be in worse shape. Of course your ride is another week away so the trail may dry up. There will still be rutted areas along the route. As far as stopping for lunch in Paw Paw...the Liberty Gas Station is IT. There is a road side sign for Big & Tings Best Wings in Town...don't bother riding up the hill. Please see my review of Wrenwood B&B in another post. My wife and I greatly enjoyed our stay.

My wife and I are considring doing both trails in Sept or Oct. I had an idea if someone else is doing it at the same time, we could arrange a mutual shuttle. For instance, we could meet you in Washington, DC and you could drive our car to Pitsburgh, or vice versa.

The logistics and legalities are probably a bit much for some folks, but I'm game to consider it. I'm planning the same time frame from Pitt to D.C. Are you starting in D.C. and just want to have your car shuttled up to Pitt?

hi, just saw your comment, and thought i'd chime in. not sure when you were thinking, but I'm part of a tiny crew that is planning on doing the ride the 2nd weekend of oct. we're going west-bound but we've got people from dc and from pittsburgh on the ride so we'll be planning some one way logistics on both ends.

if you're thinking the same weekend, and want to chat, let me know!

Well, I just got on a plane and am headed to Nicaragua for 8 days of diving! When I get back, I thought I'd take a couple of days to recoup, and then drive to Pittsburgh to ride them both to D.C. My plan at present is to leave my bike in D.C., fly back to Pitt to get the car, drive back to D.C. and get the bike, and then drive home to near Chicago. I'm guessing I'll be starting the first week in October, riding alone, but if it works out that it works with anyone else's plans, I'm game.

That's a lot of driving and flying.

You can take Amtrak from Chicago to Pittsburgh overnight (6:30 PM - 5 AM), then take it from DC to Chicago overnight again (4 PM - 9 AM). I did this trip last year in mid-October during the shutdown. Bike and box for each leg of your trip make your total transportation cost about $230 before you consider food.

Yeah, Greg, it is. But I don't want to arrive on an overnight train and ride dead-tired or waste a day. I'd have to do that twice. And Amtrak doesn't have roll-on on those routes, so I'd have to break down the bike. And I retired from an airline so I can fly from D.C. up to Pitt for free. I love trains, but Amtrak just doesn't make it easy enough. For the original poster....I'm riding from Pitt down to D.C. and will arrive in D.C. on the 11th if that works with your schedule in any way. Looking forward to the ride!

Either way Pittsburgh to Washington's a great way to go and October is the perfect time of year. I'm still considering a trip at the end of the month but time is getting short.

Where is the parking at Whitsett?

Thank you, jim

Overnight C&O parkers, in case you hadn't seen this from the National Parks Service:
Before parking a vehicle overnight in any Canal Parking area, visitors must register their vehicle through the new online registration system. Print your reciept and place on your dashboard. If unable to print, please visit the nearest visitor center.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13MDCIFnc_lnp3CXPTzDiikf3kAD2wEMtgBVoaC7-yaQ/viewform

Thanks for this information as I was unaware it was available.

I'm planning on making a 3 day trip from Pittsburgh to Georgetown beginning 8-27 and would like to buddy up with someone during all of portions of the trip. If you're interested, please reply.

planning a similar trip, although later this fall, sorry couldn't help out there. but was wondering how you broke down the mileage on your 3 day, and how'd it go (was it too much?). trying to decide between 3 and 4 days for our ride.

I'm planning a ride from Cumberland to Pittsburg in the near future. I was hoping to use Amtrak for the return but it doesn't appear that any of the trains can accommodate checked luggage. Does anyone have any suggestions for public trans or a shuttle with a bike? I'd like to avoid renting a car.

Various bike shops and outfitters in the area run shuttle services. You should be able to find names thru a Google search, or check with bike ships listed on this website.

Amtrak is far for user friendly. We park/leave our car in Cumberland and I take the train back to Cumberland, pick up he car, drive back and pick up our bikes and gear. I know it's involved and there are other ways, however it still may be an option.

I'm looking at the same thing...I'm looking at hiring Grouseland Tours for a shuttle..they charge 250 for up to four people plus bikes...the train schedule makes it I would have to stay an extra day in PT, so the money for the train + extra hotel and meals pretty much washes out...would love to split it with someone else who was planning to return the same date I am in September...

Look into renting a van. I rented a van in DC and returned it in Pittsburgh. Slid two bikes right in the back ane we were off.

We are planning a through ride starting n Pitt. We want to get an early start, so we want to stay in a hotel the night before we start. What is a nice hotel close to the GAP that is bike friendly?

If you can make the 10 miles to Homestead you can save quite a bit of money. Can't recall the name of the motel we stayed at but they we're bike friendly. In fact, when I make a reservation I always ask and 9 out of 10 times they don't mind. If they don't want my bike in the room I look elsewhere.

I stayed at the Hampton Inn in Homestead on my thru ride in June. Bike friendly and free breakfast. Also it is right on the trail.

The Holiday Inn in Cumberland is just feet from the start of the trail. Bob

i'm planning to ride from cumberland to washington over the labor day week end,arriving in washington either sunday or monday, depending on my start day..and in need of shuttle back to cumberland. i'm having difficulty getting any info on shuttle service...i contacted one service twice and haven't gotten any response any advise ???

We used Cumberland Bike shop and they were wonderful. Can take up to 6 riders and you can split the costs. Very professional

I can second the suggestion to use Cumberland Trail Connections, bike shop. We used them for a shuttle and the driver was right on time, friendly, and drove safely to exactly where we wanted to get to.

Where is a good and safe place to park overnight in Brunswick, MD. It may have been asked on this site before but there is no search available and there are 41 pages of comments to try and go through. Thanks ahead-of-time for any info.

Opinions please. Whats the best option for multi day parking at the DC end of the trail. Can you park at Great Falls, I've heard no. Carder Rocks, heard yes. Also Regan Airport. We'll begin our ride in Pittsburg and head to DC leaving my truck for appx. 7 days. I understand that Great Falls and Carder Rock parking won't put me mile point 0. More like 10/15 miles from the end of the trail.
Thanks

Great Falls (Tavern) is roughly 15 miles from the end of the C&O canal/trail. I don't know about multi-day parking at this site, however. It costs $5 to enter the park (unless you arrive a few hours before closing, at which point entrance is free). Contact the Tavern Visitor Center to see what the policy is on overnight/multi-day parking: 301-767-3714

There are several commercial parking garages at mile point 0. To find them, use Google maps, zoom in to a half mile around MP0, then type PARKING in the search field. Each resulting pinpoint can be clicked and phone numbers will be displayed which you can use to call the establishments and see what their policy is with regards to multi-day parking.

We parked in long-term at Reagan National. There's a bike path virtually from mile '0' right to the parking lot. The ride is about 5 miles but is easy and has great views. (We went to the south parking lot).

Hi, I am posting this in the hopes that it will help with a search for a missing person from Gaithersburg, Md. If you are hiking or biking along the C&O, it would be a huge help if you could keep an eye out for a Blue 2001 Audi A4 with the license plate: IBF6739. If you have any information, please call 301-279-8000. For a full description and the latest information, please go to: John Rogers facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006826666361. Thanks in advance.

What a lovely place! Very friendly and warm! Real treat! I will definitely come back here again!

I've camped at a lot of the HBO's along the C&O but I'm curious if there is a web site that would give a brief description of each site. Looking for view of the river, cleanliness of the site, low or high (marshy) noise level, etc. Like I said, I've stayed at several but over the years they tend to blend together.
Thanks

We have had the privilege of riding the GAP-C&O two different times. What fun!! The following site was very helpful in planning our camping.
http://elephanteating.blogspot.com/2009/03/c-and-o-canal-campsite-guide.html
Enjoy!

Can't say I've seen anything on-line with reviews so I'll give you my experiences. I camped at Swain's Lock (mile 16.6) and Horseshoe Bend (mile 79.9). Swains Lock was big and had at least 50 people but it's a large site with parking access so not everyone was biking or walking, some drove there to camp but it was quiet and spacious. The only thing that woke me up in the morning were the honking of the geese flying across the Potomac! You could see the river but I can't say it was too high off the river, people were loading canoes in the water nearby the next morning. Horseshoe Bend was a really small campsite in comparison and I was the only person there which was a total 180 from the night before. You have to take the concrete stairs down to the site off of the trail 8-10 feet below. You can see the river and it was up off the water a little and certainly quiet (no car parking for about a mile). When I was there it had experienced a flood a week or so prior. I had to walk my bike down the stairs (should have just left it up top against the railing near the port-a-john thinking back but I wanted my stuff near me). I was fortunate to find a mildly dry position for my tent as it seemed most of the camping area was damp from the flood. I got in at twilight and did not have time to waste to get my tent up. I was concerned for a moment that I would not find a dry spot to camp but I made it work with a plastic tarp underneath. That said, I am grateful the Park Service maintains these sites for free. Such a great amenity to have.

Nice find Colorado Riders! I had not seen that site before...excellent resource. Thanks for sharing.

I love the GAP but I have a buddy from Wisconsin who will be joining me this summer (2013) and our wives thought it would be fun to meet half way and look for a trail in that area .. so they could hang out while he and I bike . . .

are there any trails like what we have on the GAP/CandO in either of those two states?

Check out trails in the Miami Valley of Ohio. The Little Miami trail is paved and is at least 70 miles long and connects to other trails that go all over southwest Ohio. I've ridden thousands of miles on the Little Miami trail over the past 6 years and never tire of it. Lots of towns along trail with character of their own. Here's a link to help out: littlemiamibiketrail.com/

There are quite a few bike trails around Columbus. All the paths are paved. I really like the one that leaves out od Darby Creek and goes all the way to Cincinnati.

Does anyone know of anyone that will provide a shuttle from Cumberland to Pburg? Looking for someone that would like to make a few extra $$. Would shuttle 2 bikes and 2 persons on Monday morning October 13.

My wife and I used the bicycle shop Cumberland Trail Connection. The driver was right on time, was friendly and drove safely. That was last year. I say give them a call and see what they can do for you.

does anyone know if theere was ever a glass maker by the name of CARDER IN OLD TOWN MARYLAND

If you do a Google search of Carder in Old Town, MD a PDF comes up in the search results with some history of the dwelling. Some other information pops up also. Good luck.

Just saw the post concerning the Wren Wood Inn B&B. visited the web site and obtained some info. 107 Winchester St. 304-947-5983. Queen Rm. $85/Twin (single) $65. Wi-Fi, Tv, hot or cold entrees. Ad included an exterior picture, foyer, and a shot of one bedroom. I'm planning on calling to see if they offer a brochure. No other way to contact that I could see. That's a long stretch of trail between Cumberland and Hancock with very limited overnight options unless camping.

We stayed there this past Thursday. Carol, the owner couldn't have been a sweeter person. She even offered to do our laundry. The breakfast was outstanding.i highly recommend. It's not as fancy as some b&bs but she makes up for it in hospitality.

Anyone have any experience staying at Donge's Motel in Meyersdale? I've eaten breakfast there once (the pancake was huge!)and it was pretty good. Not as good as GI Dayroom, but they we're closed for the holiday. I stayed at Yoder's Boarding House several times as well as the hostel before it was closed. All I know is that they have 8 rooms, 4 down/4 up and they look to be pretty small. Just wondering if they are clean, appx. cost, bed size, any info would help. We're trying to save a couple of bucks as we already have 2 B&B stays between Pittsburg and DC. Looking for an honest appraisal from someone who might have stayed there.
Thanks

Just rode the gap and c&o this past week. We stopped donges to get a room and the one they showed us was disgusting. I wouldn't stay there if I was paid. We went to Yoder for 10 dollars more and it was money well spent.