C&O / GAP Forum

im planning a trip from Pittsburgh to DC. Would you recommend an older steel framed road bike or a mtn bike? I understand a hybrid/touring is ideal but purchasing or renting a bike isn't in my budget. Thank you for your help!

would use the mt bike but put a less agressive tire on it, if it doesnt already have them.

okay, thank you for the quick response.

If your road bike will fit larger tires, at least 32 mm wide, and has mounts for fenders and racks, it should be fine. I rode the entire trail on a touring bike with 32 mm Panaracer Paselas and it was fine. Next time, however, I will put cross tires with some tread on my bike.

If I'm planning on completing the entire trail from DC to Maryland, would I need to pre plan/ reserve a lodge or camping ground to stay in, or do people usually play it be ear? and how much would it normally cost to complete the trail with the use off all the necessities (eat,sleep,drink,shower,etc.)

We usually have a support vehicle and camp. There are campgrounds every 5 miles with water, picnic table and porta-pot. Some are free - others cost $10 to put up a tent if they are road-accessible. If you stay in hotels, cost would be more. Meals extra, accessible at limited places - carry snacks with you.

Gracie, Last year my wife and I rode from Pittsburg to Dc. This was a credit card trip (no camping.) Due to the fact that it was mid Oct. and great weather we made all nightly reservations in advance. We ran into a snag about the 4th day when i had a tire rupture mid way between 2 major towns. Cost us part of a day getting a replacement tire. There was no way we could honor a reservation at a motel we'd reserved and cell service was spotty at best. We were able to contact and cancel the reservation but they didn't have to work with us as it was way less than 24 hours. I made a promise to myself at that time to always travel with at least a minimum of overnight gear. Tent, and sleeping gear.
So the answer is, if camping you probably don't need to reserve a space but if staying indoors I would likely reserve at least a few nights. Camping is a different matter the HBO's along the route (Hiker/Biker Overnights are free and have plenty of room. There is a fee for the group sites. As far as costs most B&B's are appx. $125, a motel might be anywhere from $65/$95, hostels around $25, etc. Meals would be about what you'd pay anywhere else, As low as $5/$10 and over $20 depending on the type of resturant. A nice option might be to switch between a campsite one night and a motel the next. There's something really great about a shower after a 40/60 miles ride! We generally do a 7 day ride for $600/$700 including a shuttle, meals, and indoor lodging. Nope this helps.

Hi Gracie. You did not mention when you plan on making your trip. If you are doing this during the summer, and you are planning on doing any B&Bs, I would absolutely make reservations. We book our entire through ride several months in advance. Some towns only have one or two places to stay, Paw Paw for example. Rick has some very good information in his post. Good luck!

A little word of warning about some of the Hiker/Biker campsites along the C&O towpath; some are very prone to pooling after a decent rainstorm (pooling in that there will be a pond of water about three to six inches deep). The most notorious sites are Cumberland Valley mp 95.2 and Turtle Run mp 34.4 but the best advice is to always seek the high ground when pitching your tent. There is also the issue of railroad noise especially from Harper’s Ferry to Dickerson, MD. There are two campsites I highly recommend that if you stay their that you use earplugs; they are Bald Eagle Island mp 49.9 and Calico Rocks mp 47.6 because the CSX mainline is less then 100 feet and it sounds like the train is coming right through your tent at night. Oh and they do blow their horns. As far as motel/B&B establishments, yes get reservations but always ask about their cancellation policy and will they work with you if your delayed by weather or mechanical breakdowns. I can’t speak too much about any of the establishments along the GAP, but along the towpath I personally recommend the Wernwood Inn in Paw Paw, WV or if you are going to push hard from Cumberland, you can stay cheep at the C&O Bicycle Shop’s bunkhouse for only $10 a night. Just remember to bring your sleeping bags if you plan to stay in the bunkhouse. Highly recommend that you avoid Little Orleans Lodge in Little Orleans and Candlelight Inn in Williamsport at all cost. Both are pricey, overrated, and have persistent cleanliness issues. The Tea Horse Hostel in Harper’s Ferry is very nice and a real bargain, also Laurie the owner is very hiker/biker friendly. In closing I want to invite you when you pass through Williamsport to stop at the Third Base Tavern for a libation and tell the bar tender that you’re “trail virgins”. Not to worry you’ll not be sacrificed in any pagan ritual but will be offered a shot of “Rocket Fuel” and a sharpie marker. After you down your shot, take a moment to scribe something on the ce

Gracie,
The Lockhouses are also available but you need to reserve those in advance with the National Park Service

I would just play it by ear, and that's what I did.

You get a lot more freedom and flexibility in your trip that way. There are campsites all along both trails that are free with no reservations needed. There are plenty of towns along the way where you can look for indoor accommodations for the nights you don't want to camp.

I rode from Pittsburgh to DC with two friends last June, and we stayed in inns/hotels the whole way. Our trip lasted a week, and we averaged about 60 miles a day. If you are in good shape and know how far you can ride each day, I would highly recommend making reservations. I would not want arrive at a town after riding 60+ miles and find there were no rooms available. If camping, you should have no problem winging it.

Looking forward to our annual Passage/C&O ride this Oct. I've been looking at the Amtrak site concerning roll on service but the info seems to all be old or just rehashed. Another question is biking from the end of the trail to Union Station to retrieve our vehicle. Been looking at the map but I'm not sure if there are additional connector trails or if we'd be on heavy traffic streets. Any comments/suggestions? Thanks.

Rick, has any "new" news come out on this? I keep hearing they're going to test it, but I've never heard of a time frame or a firm date that they'll make it an everyday, permanent thing. Any internet search for Capitol Limited Bike Roll-on Service only gives me news articles from 2013 that it will just be in a test phase (with no time defined). I can't seem to find any more recent news on this. Hopefully they decide soon and make it a permanent fixture!

John,
No. No new news. Just the same we're working on it, we'll let you know. At this rate I'll be 105 before Amtrak pulls their head out of their butts and get the ball rolling. I would use train service every trip and I average 3 per year along the Passage/C&O.

Did you try calling them? I've floundered on their website for far too long to not make Amtrak's employees lift a finger.

Reservations & Customer Service
1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) or TDD/TTY (1-800-523-6590)

I haven't actually spoken with a human. Just on hold for several minutes and finally hung up. Tried maybe twice and gave up as my time is too important.

Spoke with a very pleasant customer service rep in California this afternoon. I was on hold for probably 8 minutes before speaking to a human. He was only able to tell me that the Roll On Service experience that took place last spring (I think) was a success and Amtrak was still in the planning stages. Not very useful info but better than just sweeping the idea under the carpet. He spent a lot of time checking with a couple of supervisors before relaying the info to me. Really nothing new but I guess we can keep hoping.

About all I can add to the saga is that the new baggage cars WITH BIKE RACKS have finally made their appearance. All 5 long distance trains originating from New York have them. I suspect the Capitol Limited will be next, if it doesn't already have them.

Unfortunately, that doesn't mean roll-on, roll-off bike service is any nearer. The only thing that makes me think such a radical idea (for Amtrak) will come about, is that two years ago baggage service was reinstated at several stations even when there is no agent on duty, another very radical idea.

Does anyone know if the Capitol Limited (DC to Chicago with a Pittsburgh stop) is still doing "testing" this season with Roll On Roll Off? Secondly, if so, can you get off at Cumberland, MD without boxing your bike up? News seems so hard find on this route. If offered I would 100% use it this summer. Here's to hoping.

Hi,
Thought you all might be interested looking at our pics from our trip. Here's the tumblr
http://candotowpath.tumblr.com/

Hi ya folks

I promised I'd update on the trail condition.

We have ridden from Cumberland to Williamsport thus far.

The trial has been soft in places and felt like it was sucking the tires.

There have been puddles and a couple wet places but in general, it has been a typical gravel trail.

We've made great time.

Thanks again to everybody who helped us plan this trip.

Hello all,

A buddy and I are interested in riding the C&O over an extended long Easter weekend (6 days) from Cumberland to DC.

We plan on camping along the way.

I am a little concerned that a lot of the accounts from people n the web are many years old.

Is the trail still in good repair?

Do you think it will be too muddy in early April?

I assume the water pumps will be still shut off, any other advice you could offer us?

Many Thanks in advance for any input.

Will be cooler, river will be high and lots of chance for April showers. some of the camp sites are in lower riverside areas.I thing the pump handles go on April 1. The trail has been in good shape but it is still close to the end of winter and damage at this point is unforseeable.

Thanks for the comment Lenny.

Cool is ok :) We are Canadians, it's in our blood! lol

So the trail is still in good repair then? And the tunnels will be open in April?

Thanks again

Last fall on my ride there were sections of the trail that were in pretty bad shape 9deep ruts, mud, downed limbs, etc.) We've had some pretty lousy weather since then including tons of rain and snow. If we can get some drier weather I'd think that the trail will be in fairly good shape considering. According to the website the pumps aren't turned on until April 15th so that's just about a week after Easter. There are plenty of water options and most are just off the trail. The only tunnel would be Paw Paw and that will be open unless there are repairs being made. You can give your butt a break by riding on the Western Md Rail Trail west of Hancock to near Fort Fredrick about 24 miles of smooth travel. Enjoy your trip.

Deep ruts...not 9 deep ruts. I've always rode my Trek Mamba on this route with 2" tires and 15/20 pounds or so of gear. The wider tires give you a bit more control and help get out of some of the ruts and allow you to roll over some of the limbs.

i personally wouldnt make my final plan til I got some feed back a little later this month. since your first post winter has continued in Maryland D.C. with a vengence.

Hi Lenny, folks. Thanks again everyone for the info .

We are about 2 and a half weeks put for our trip. How is the trail doing? The temps have been well above freezing for a while, just wondering if the snow has gone?

Do you guys think the trail will be reasonably passable? We both ride mountain bikes.

Thanks again

Trail conditions so far are muddy. All our snow has melted away and the stuff forecasted for tonight will not last till noon tomorrow. Generally speaking the pump handles are attached around the second week of April. The wells are treated with Iodine and has a peculiar aftertaste. Recommend filling up with good old tap water, which is plentiful if you look for it in either Nelgene bottles or H2O bladders. Spring along the towpath is generally rainy and there are some of the hiker/biker campsites that you have to pay attention to when pitching your tent or you’ll wake up swimming in your sleeping bag. Best rule of thumb is always pitch on the high ground and avoid the “bowls” where rain water pools, some times several inches deep! The condition of the towpath from Cumberland till about the other side of Williamsport is pretty, well, poor. The closer you get to Washington, DC (and all the Doctors, Lawyers and Supreme Court Chief Justices) the better it gets; and so does the traffic. If you are not a purist, you can avoid some of the muck and mud at milepost 136/Lock 56 and switch off onto the Western Maryland Rail Trail, which is packed black top like the GAP trail surface, for about 40 miles then swing back onto the towpath just west of Fort Fredrick state park and on to Williamsport, MD. Have fun, be careful and enjoy the adventure.

I will be completing the trail during this time and the plan is to camp as long as it isn't constantly pouring. We are leaving March 28th from Pittsburgh. I will try to let you know the conditions as we go. Anyone have any recommendations for Big Savage Tunnel? Detour? Up and over? How about detouring taking MD-47 around the trail meeting up on MD-36?

Can't thank you all enough for the advice and updates. We are getting excited. You know when the weather network starts forecasting on your trip dates.... you are getting close :)

Thanks so much Chris for the offer to post updates on the trail condition as you go. We will be running behind you by a few days.

I'm sorry Chris, I don't have any idea how to get around the Big Savage Tunnel? I wish we did, it is influencing where we start from.

If the board would like, we can post conditions as we roll through too. Twitter or a tumblr maybe? Let me know if there is any interest and I'm happy to oblige.

The WRMT is only 22 miles of paved surface.

Yeah I would love some updates. I'll be starting in Pittsburgh on the 6th. Any info on the trails would be great.

We'll post our experience with the trail. Conditions etc. Happy to!

The Big Savage Tunnel was opened for the season today!
http://www.post-gazette.com/life/recreation/2015/04/03/Illuminated-tunnel-on-Great-Allegheny-Passage-opens/stories/201504030309

When does the tow path open for the season? Also, the guy at my local bike shop is telling me that my "department store bike" is not up to the task. it's only 2 years old. Is he just trying to sell me a new bike?

The Tow Path is never really closed. People cross country ski during the winter months if there is snow. Most people choose to thru-ride starting around mid April when the water pumps are turned on. Trail conditions can be rough early in the spring due to a harsh winter (like the one we just had.) People have ridden the Tow Path on just about every thing from a high end road bike to a beat-up paper boy bike. A hybrid or Mt Bike with wider tires would be your best bet and a nicer (more expensive bike) might give you better service and fewer mechanical issues. If your planning to haul overnight gear like tent, sleeping bag, cook gear, etc. A better built bike would be a wise investment. I ride a Trek Mamba 29'er with 2" to 2.4" tires. Never had a mechanical issue other than tires. My wife and I met a group that had a ton of problems on the Tow Path due to extremely muddy conditions several had broken or bent derailers and other problems. They had a sag wagon so help wasn't far away. A nice well built durable bike will give you a comfortable, dependable ride.

Rick- how are the current conditions? I am planning a Mt. Vernon VA to Cumberland trip in about a week during my spring break. (I'm a teacher). I'm not so much worried about my bike as I am me being miserable! I've ridden in mid-April during a soggy time and it wasn't fun!
Thank you-

Small world, I work for the Newport News School System and am also on break a week from today. I haven't been on the Tow Path since last Oct. At that time there were stretches that were rough but that is normal. We had a pretty hard winter with all of the snows and rains. I'd guess that the trail is wet and muddy along most of the route. We are supposed to have warmer weather this week that might dry things out abit. Sorry I can't help more.

Have you ridden the Capital Trail? The newest completed stretch between the Chicahominy River and Charles City Courthouse is pretty nice. 13 miles one way.You can do a nice 60 miler if you start at Jamestown and head out and back.

Cap trail is going to be great! I guess this summer/fall it will finally be finished b/w Richmond and Williamsburg. I've been doing the CaptoCap rides the past 10 years. Always a lot of fun.
I'm hoping the trail will be on the dryer side of things. The first time I attempted to ride the whole thing we left in a cold mist and it didn't get any better. We got to Point of Rocks and had to stop. I might have to bump up my ride by one day too (less time for drying!) I haven't done any of the Western MD trail, so I'll try that b/w Hancock and Pearre.

Yeah the Western MD route is a nice alternate to the C&O. It would be nice if they could extend it to Paw Paw but the tunnels are home to endangered bats and I'm not sure if it will ever happen. It would be a great loop along one of the most remote stretches of the Tow Path. The weather has chased me off a couple of times also.
Have you ever biked the Greenbrier River Trail in WV? Nice 75 mile Rails To Trails route. We ride and camp along the route twice a year. We'll be heading that way April 24/26. We have room for one more rider if you can get a Fri. off of work. We bike 25 miles on Fri. and camp near Marlinton, 42 miles on Sat. camping along the river, and finish with 10 miles on Sun. Give me a shout if your interested. The group that participates is a mixed bag of skill levels.

Thanks for the invite!
I have a Boy Scout campout I'm doing that weekend. I've never biked the Greenbrier Trail, though I've heard good things about it. This summer I'll have to wander up there to take a look.
I'm worried about the weather this weekend- several storms are supposed to move through before I leave which would make riding miserable. I'm now having second thoughts about going this week.

Yeah, the weather is going to be a bit unstable at times next week. I was planning to bike the High Bridge on that Thur. but rain is in the forecast. If you decide to bike the Greenbrier at some future time feel free to contact me athiker80@cox.net. I've done about 8 thru rides. I'd be glad to share some info. It's a fun route.