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Fall in Ohiopyle
Fall in Ohiopyle, PA on the GAP
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Rockwood Mill Shoppes in Rockwood
 -  + Not only are we a pizza shop that offers delicious handmade dough, subs, salads, specialty coffees and homemade goodies but we also offer unique entertainment in I our historic Opera House.
Discussion started 06/05/2014 10:08 AM - 2 replies (last reply by Brad at 06/10/2014 01:08 PM)
Anonymous on 06/05/2014 10:08 AM
Not only are we a pizza shop that offers delicious handmade dough, subs, salads, specialty coffees and homemade goodies but we also offer unique entertainment in I our historic Opera House.

 
Anonymous on 06/05/2014 11:26 AM
I ate there last week. One of the best Pizzas I have ever had. Love that place. My favorite on the entire GAP/TOWPATH.

 
Brad on 06/10/2014 01:08 PM
Sounds like a commercial. :)


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Great eats
 -  + Rockwood mill shoppes has amazing pizza and let's be frank their baked goods are unresistable. Stop in when riding through on the GAP. They also have a Hostel so no need to camp or try to make it...
Discussion started 06/07/2014 01:47 PM - 0 replies
Anonymous on 06/07/2014 01:47 PM
Rockwood mill shoppes has amazing pizza and let's be frank their baked goods are unresistable. Stop in when riding through on the GAP. They also have a Hostel so no need to camp or try to make it those extra couple miles. Only $25 a night.


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C & O trail.
 -  + I am thinking about taking Amtrak to Cumberland and scheduled to arrive mid morning on a Thursday How far can a reasonably fit person get on the by the end of Friday assuming an overnight stay somewh...
Discussion started 04/25/2014 01:33 PM by S. MacDougle - 5 replies (last reply by getoutandoit at 06/07/2014 11:37 AM)
S. MacDougle from Hoosier, IN on 04/25/2014 01:33 PM
I am thinking about taking Amtrak to Cumberland and scheduled to arrive mid morning on a Thursday How far can a reasonably fit person get on the by the end of Friday assuming an overnight stay somewhere on Thursday night? Is it all down hill? Will be renting equipment. Where ever I land my son will come meet me on Saturday and we will be on toward Georgetown where he lives. Or is there an Amtrak station closer to Georgetown??

 
lenny on 04/25/2014 05:12 PM
Assuming 60 or so miles per day, Harpers Ferry, which has a RR Station.

 
Greg K from Chicago on 05/02/2014 10:26 AM
Cumberland to Harpers Ferry took me two full days with a stop in Hancock for the night, 60-65 miles a day as Lenny says. Coming from Indiana - I'm guessing on the Capitol Limited - you get to Pittsburgh around 5AM (which is where I started), but by the time you get to Cumberland you'll really need to hoof it to get 65 miles and still have any light on your first day.

 
Paul from Quincy, IL on 06/01/2014 08:08 PM
I hope you realize you can't take a regular bike to Cumberland via Amtrak since it doesn't have baggage service. A folding bike will work.

If you can surmount this obstacle, you might check whether there are still overnight accommodations in Paw Paw. Unless the train is grossly late, you should be able to make it that far.

 
Rugger from Arlington, VA on 06/03/2014 12:27 PM
Consider DRIVING your bike and equipment to Cumberland, then driving back to DC, leaving your car at the airport, taking the subway to Union Station, and then taking the train to Cumberland. I did this, only just went as far as Harper's Ferry, spent day/night there, then rode back to DC/the airport over a three day period, stopping along the way, camping on the C&O. As to how much you can travel each day, a loaded bike is a LOT slower than a casual weekend ride, and the bike trail west of Great Falls gets more and more rough, and 20 miles west of Georgetown is overgrown with roots, grass, rutted. I did well making thirty miles a day.

 
getoutandoit from linthicum md on 06/07/2014 11:37 AM
C&o bicycle offers a shuttle service. that i have used several times. Prices are very reasonable.They will take and pick you up any where along the trail.It is well worth it.

C&O BICYCLE SHOP 9 PENNSYLVANIA AVE HANCOCK MD
1 301 678 6665


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C & O trail.
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 -  + Meeting Jay Boyle of Toms River N.J.tomorrow am at the Point. He is riding to DC. I agreed to ride 2 days with him to Cumberland as I must be back at work on Monday. I have never met the man but got t...
Discussion started 06/06/2014 04:28 AM by lenny - 0 replies
lenny on 06/06/2014 04:28 AM
Meeting Jay Boyle of Toms River N.J.tomorrow am at the Point. He is riding to DC. I agreed to ride 2 days with him to Cumberland as I must be back at work on Monday. I have never met the man but got to know of his plan threw this site and an entry he made last January. What a great tool we have here. I you are out this weekend say hello.


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Amtrak
 -  + If Amtrak would move into the 21 st century and start roll on service the program would soar. Not to mention make life a lot easier for bikers.
Discussion started 04/16/2014 04:21 AM by lenny - 5 replies (last reply by anonymous at 06/04/2014 04:19 PM)
lenny on 04/16/2014 04:21 AM
If Amtrak would move into the 21 st century and start roll on service the program would soar. Not to mention make life a lot easier for bikers.

 
Ray (webmaster) on 04/16/2014 04:50 AM
And Amtrak has successfully offered roll-on bike service for many years in Missouri, along the Katy Trail: http://www.bikekatytrail.com/amtrak-katy-trail.aspx

It's frustrating that the Amtrak bureaucracy won't make the effort to offer such a simple, customer-demanded service along the C&O as well.

 
Anonymous on 04/17/2014 03:06 PM
Unfortuantely AMTRAK is contrained by Budget cuts. Their emphasis and investment is on high speed rail, especially in the NorthEast Corridor.

 
Anonymous from Maryland on 04/26/2014 09:23 PM
To quote Donald Rumsfeld 'Amtrak roll on service is not going nowhere.'
http://www.vabike.org/one-step-closer-to-roll-on-service/

 
Anonymous on 04/29/2014 01:16 PM
Donald Rumsfeld is the last person I would ever quote. He was incompetent as the Sec. of Defense. Light armored Humvees, Light armored Strykers, Armored Vest that were defective. I could go on and on.....

 
Anonymous on 06/04/2014 04:19 PM
http://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/blog/amtrak-bicycle-task-force-bringing-bikes-on-board/

Today we are featuring a guest post by Deborah Stone-Wulf, Amtrak's Chief of Sales Distribution and Customer Service. She manages all of Amtrak's distribution channels including Amtrak.com, mobile applications, the Quik-Trak kiosks and Amtrak's Contact Centers. Deborah also sets and implements the strategy for each of Amtrak's distribution channels as well as their intermodal distribution strategy. She is a co-chair of the Amtrak Bicycle Task Force, along with our Travel Initiatives director, Ginny, and is an essential partner in the initiative to expand accommodations for bicycles on Amtrak.

I am very excited to be working with Adventure Cycling and the other representatives of the bicycling community on the Amtrak Bike Task force. I believe the partnership we have created will lead to some very exciting developments in Amtrak’s ability to expand the level of service available to the bicycling community.

What many outside of Amtrak don’t know is that we have been working on this issue for quite some time. We understand and appreciate the synergies between rail and bike travel, and continue to work hard to better serve the bicycling community. We, however, have many challenges, primarily with our core infrastructure. Among the key issues are finding space for bicycles on our trains and developing the ability to safely and efficiently load and unload bicycles. Much of Amtrak’s fleet is quite old with many cars more than 40 years old and bikes were not a consideration during the original design. The good news here is new equipment for long distance trains is on the way, featuring design elements that will help on this front. That still won’t help with our station platforms, however, which are of varying heights and present an obstacle for loading and unloading bicycles. The challenge to identify space on the train where bikes can be safely loaded, s


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Parking at the pump house.
 -  + I'm doing pitts. to DC. Are car safe to be left at the pump house for a week??.. Is there any lone term parking around?? 8
Discussion started 06/03/2014 05:53 PM by Carl S. - 0 replies
Carl S. from parkersburg WVa. on 06/03/2014 05:53 PM
I'm doing pitts. to DC. Are car safe to be left at the pump house for a week??.. Is there any lone term parking around?? 8


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REI trip from Harper's Ferry to G-Town
 -  + Anyone been on the REI trip along the C&O from Harper's Ferry to Georgetown, your thoughts and comments please. This would be my first overnight bike trip.
Discussion started 05/21/2014 11:35 AM by John - 12 replies (last reply by Greg K at 06/03/2014 10:24 AM)
John from Owings on 05/21/2014 11:35 AM
Anyone been on the REI trip along the C&O from Harper's Ferry to Georgetown, your thoughts and comments please. This would be my first overnight bike trip.

 
Anonymous on 05/22/2014 10:31 AM
Friday the 16th we started our ride at Georgetown right after it stopped raining for 12 hours. The towpath was shocking very good. Wet and puddles but enjoyable. If the river would not have overflowed it's banks it would have all been good.

 
lenny on 05/24/2014 07:25 AM
I can,t believe people spend good money to be lead around and fed on a bike trip. Have done this with many others many times over the years for half the money. I,d be happy to advise how we do it just ask.

 
John from Owings on 05/28/2014 08:21 AM
Good morning Lenny, your advice would be welcomed, REI's trip is not cheap by any means.

 
lenny on 05/29/2014 04:38 AM
I use this site to find hotels and the services I may need. I pack bike clothes and toiletries for 3 Days,3,bike shorts, shirts and socks.I wash 2 sets on the 2nd day. I bring a pair or shorts and flipflops for the evenings, I wear the next day shirt. We generally ride 60 to 74 miles per day doing the trip i 5 dsays Point Parp to the national Mall. 1, Pgh. to Ohiopyle.2, Ohiopyle to Cumberland. 3, Cumberland to Harpers Ferry,5 Harpers Ferry to DC. There are convenient stop about half way between each stop to have lunch.I usually do this for less than $600. If you have specific Question just ask. I do this annually with several friends.

 
Jbone from Cortland on 05/29/2014 11:23 AM
Thanks for posting this. Its great info. Does it take less time to do the C&O than the GAP?

 
lenny on 05/29/2014 07:16 PM
Gap 150 miles 2 days. C&O 185 3 days. First 2 days are very long, about 7 hrs in the saddle at 12 mph. Last 3 easy 60 or so a day

 
dbbcpa from Tampa on 06/01/2014 04:00 PM
Lenny, I your comments you said it was five days, in you detail listing the days you skipped Day 4. Could you revisit this. I am thinking of doing this trip by myself unless I can get someone to come along. I hate to camp when it is hot, when does it begin to cool off at night up there, I am from Florida? Is there a rainy and a dry season? If I camp I will have to pull a one wheel trailer, is this doable? What speed do you guys ride at and on what type of bikes?

 
lenny on 06/02/2014 04:33 AM
I didn't miss day 4 , I just lumped C&O together. From Cumberland day 3 to Hancock, lunch at Paw Paw. Hancock to Harpers Ferry day 4 lunch at Williamsport.Harpers Ferry to DC day 5, lunch at Whites Ferry.

 
lenny on 06/02/2014 04:39 AM
I ride a Gary Fisher Utopia, it is a dual sport, somewhat like an aggressive Hybrid. My younger friends ride cross bikes. I average about 11 mph. Usually about 6 hrs. saddle time per day. The Gap I do in 2 days, 75 mile per day.

 
dbbcpa from Tampa on 06/02/2014 05:55 PM
Thanks for the clarification Lenny. I am new to this site and hope to ride the whole trail in either August. I am hoping to catch a Pirates game and start the next day then catch a Nationals game after the ride. Has anyone else done this? Kind of mixing two things I enjoy, baseball and biking.

 
lenny on 06/02/2014 07:38 PM
never thought of that sounds cool

 
Greg K from Chicago on 06/03/2014 10:24 AM
Five days works okay since the GAP is in really good shape and you can squeeze 70+ mile days out of it. The C&O is a bit rougher and would have been more pleasant if it didn't rain *every* day. I mainly did it for the GAP, anyway, and that was fantastic. My trip mirrored Lenny (Ohiopyle, Cumberland, Hancock and Harpers Ferry) and I went in late October when the weather was cool and the leaves were turning. I stayed at various hostels and B&Bs along the way. There's a trail book that's sold for something like $10 from the GAP website that's pretty good at listing everything along the way.
I absolutely hate heat so if I can swing another trip this year it will be later in October or even early November just before Big Savage Tunnel closes for the year.


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trailers
 -  + How much slower does one travel with a trailer attached? If its split between two people?
Discussion started 05/06/2014 11:27 AM by jonnybgood - 8 replies (last reply by Naismith at 06/02/2014 09:23 PM)
jonnybgood from johannusberg on 05/06/2014 11:27 AM
How much slower does one travel with a trailer attached? If its split between two people?

 
Anonymous on 05/06/2014 11:47 AM
I am not trying to be negative but that question is just too general to answer. Things like weight, wheel size, one or two wheel trailer, type of hook up, your condition and brand of trailer are just a few things someone would need know to answer that. You should just ask someone that has one next time you go for a ride.

 
JJB from Fairmont, WV on 05/06/2014 04:02 PM
Something else to consider. If there is any type of detour it can be very difficult to get a trailer around / over it. One ride there were two detours, this was before Big Slackwater was repaired and another one that involved stairs. That would be tough. Also there was a problem by PawPaw tunnel last year that caused folks to take a detour. Trees down, mudslides, etc. Just something to think about.

 
Scott from Powhatan, Va on 05/07/2014 06:19 AM
I just got back Monday from riding the GAP, Pittsburgh to Cumberland. I pulled the BOB Ibex trailer for the whole ride. The trailer is tough and can handle most of what you throw at it. It tracks like a dream.
With all of that said, I over packed mine and I was carrying way to much weight. In Connelsville the weight of it knocked the bike over, ultimately bending the rear derailer and I could not fix it. Luckily, even though the shop had closed for the day, the guys at Bikes Unlimited in Connelsville saved me. They got my rig fixed and took real good care of me, everyone needs to check these guys out, first class operation.
You do know the trailer is there, I got it done but it kicked my rear end. There was a few times we had to carry the bikes around objects and this becomes a pain in the arse.
I'm not sure which is the better way. My next ride of the C&O I think I'm gonna try without the trailer. IDK. GOOD LUCK.

 
Fruita Riders from Fruita,CO on 05/07/2014 12:17 PM
We rode the GAP-C&O a couple of years ago pulling Bob trailers. Yes, we too over-packed and found we could have lived with a whole lot less. The trailers were, however, awesome; they track well and allow you to find out what is essential and what is luxury. My husband attached a small kickstand on the trailer and at first I balked at the added weight (negligible), but it made a huge difference in regards to the stability of a parked, fully loaded bike. The GAP-C&O experience was incredible and we plan to repeat it this summer!

 
Scott from Powhatan, Va on 05/07/2014 07:14 PM
The kickstand is nice, I used the one that is recommended. With that said, be careful with it as if it is not perfect each time it will fall over, bending your rear de-railer, rendering you dead in the water. Ask me how I know? Thank goodness for Bikes Unlimited in Connelsville....they saved us.
The BOB trailers are the ones to pull if you are going to pull one. Just don't overpack the dang thing. My stand fell over easier because of the weight. Good luck.

 
lenny on 05/08/2014 04:11 AM
were you guys camping, needing a trailer for all of your gear?

 
Scott from Powhatan, Va on 05/08/2014 07:02 AM
Yeah, we were going to camp so we had all of our gear. The trailer I not needed in my opinion, you just don't need to take that much stuff. My trailer totaled out was at approximately 75 pounds and pulling that from Pittsburgh uphill to the Eastern Continental Divide damn near killed me. Opinions will vary. I'm gonna do the C&O next year, the BOB will stay home if I haven't already sold it.

 
Naismith from Florida on 06/02/2014 09:23 PM
We also had bike work done in Connellsville and they were great, and fast and reasonably priced as well. Nobody likes bike issues, but a good place to have it happen, forsure.

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