C&O / GAP Forum

I am looking for some advice, if anyone has any ideas I would appreciate it. I am leaving DC on May 3, 2014 and riding the C&O/GAP Trails to Pittsburg, PA. I have set aside a week to make the trip, 6 days would be nice.

Anyway, once we finished the ride the plan was to rent a full size truck from Enterprise and drive back to Virginia. Today I spent over an hour on the phone with Enterprise and I am absolutely disgusted. They will not have a truck and they did not seem as if they really cared. There is three of us, I'm the smallest at 5'10" 215lbs and the biggest coming in at 6'8" so we need some room and we will need the bed space for our bikes and gear. I really thought this would work and had been the plan for about 6 months, glad I called trying to reserve today and found out that this is not an option.

What do you guys suggest? I talked to Iron City Bicycles today and the guy on the phone was really helpful, I will certainly be visiting that shop when I arrive. He said they will break down and package our bikes to be shipped but we would need to deal with UPS/FED EX. Anyone know what it cost to ship a bike? I will have a BOB trailer as well so my cost is starting to climb. Anyway, I am looking for any ideas? Your help is greatly appreciated.

Take the train. cant cost to much more to stay at a hotel overnight, and freight them on the train.

Shipping via UPS was going to cost me $210 from D.C. to home in Ohio. Instead, started in Connellsville PA and took train back then drove to DC overnight...with gas, not counting wear/tear on car, cost less than $50 extra. Never found cost for FedEx as they didn't have a box big enough to ship bike/even taken apart. If you allow enough time, shipping on Amtrak might be your best bet and shouldn't cost too much.

You can take the Amtrak from Pittsburgh to DC for less than $100. There are a few logistics involved, but very doable. Another suggestion would be to check Craisglist for ride sharing options.

I am going in the opposite direction but this should still apply. I priced a U-Haul (the smallest truck) it is about $200. the train is $50 plus buying a bike box (2 with your BoB) @ $15 plus the bike fee $10 again probably twice with the trailer.
The train is still cheapest. I even checked several of the shuttle services but they are $$$

Thanks for the ideas everyone, what a pain In the rear end. Train sounds good but there are a lot of moving parts and then how do I get from DC home? That's another 2 1/2 hours. By the time I take the train and pay all of the fees, rent a car from DC, ship the bikes the rest of the way I am paying more.
There is a train from Pittsburgh to Ashland, Va that puts me an hour from home but I could not get a clear answer on the transporting of bikes. It's not cheap at all and it's about a 14-15 hour ride.
Uhaul has nothing in Pittsburgh but a small box truck, can't get a pickup and can't get a van, already checked. So, the smallest they have will be $454 one way from there to home.
I never thought in a million years that this would be an issue.
I'm gonna consult with my partner and see if he wants to cancel, it's been a real big hassle and I cannot lock anything down and quite frankly I'm tired of trying to figure it out.
I guess I was an idiot for thinking I could rent a van or a truck, not gonna happen in Pittsburgh....I thought that is what rental companies did?

I'm doing the opposite trip of yours. I live in PGH and am going to start my trip in DC and ride my way back home. How am I getting my bike there? I am renting a van/SUV one-way to carry my bike to get there (I did not want to disassemble the bike to ride Amtrak like I did last time). The only hitch is that airports are typically the only place where you find one-way car rentals. My wife is dropping me and my bike off at PGH airport and I'm driving to Dulles Airport (tried to go to Reagan National but they didn't do one-way's there). From Dulles, I'll catch the Washington & Old Dominion Trail (W&OD)then onto the Metro at Dunn Loring and get off at the first stop in DC proper (if the Silver Line was open on time I could save a few miles that way but no dice). Then onto Georgetown and the C&O Canal to begin.
a little inconvenient but it will work. If Amtrak had proper roll-on bike service, I wouldn't hesitate to use that each and every time.

Drive your car to Washington. Park at Union Station. I think its $20-$25 a day, not cheep but maybe cheaper than a one way rental. Put your bike in the Amtrak box in DC. Take the train to Pittsburgh. Ride back to DC.

I have about 7 days to take a bike trip on the GAP and C&O trails. I was wondering about starting around "Falling Water" and connecting to the trail near Ohiopyle State Park and try to continue to Georgetown. Is the connection from near Falling Water an easy one to make? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

Dangerous piece of road from Mill Run to Ohiopyle...but doable.

Great place to eat any meal, but we especially like the breakfasts, with the amazing smiley pancakes and home town sausages. Good prices, fast and friendly service. When you leave you know that you have had your fill of delicious food.

That is a great home town place for breakfast and coffee, diner style. The smiley pancakes were great and the food very filling. Starts your biking off perfectly and a block to the Morgeun Toole Company - which is a great place to hang your hat and put you head on a pillow on your biking trip.

I've been eating breakfast at the GI Dayroom for the past 5 years or more during my Passage rides. In fact, when we stay at the Hostel in Rockwood we don't eat breakfast till we bike the 12 miles or so to Meyersdale then ride down the steep hill to town (it's only steep if you have to ride back up after eating)if we're continuing to Cumberland or further east. The waitresses are always so nice to my wife and I. They don't know me by name but they know I'm from VA. and always recognize us. Another thing to remember...if spending the night stay at Yoders Boarding House. Mrs Yoder is such a great lady. The Boarding house is clean, each room has a bed and bathroom, and the rayes are very fair. Cash or check only.

I am THINKING about a Pgh. to DC. ride starting May 24th, 2014. Being the holiday weekend my concerns are that the camping sites may be too crowded. Does anyone know how busy they may or may not be during Memorial Day weekend? Thanks.

Actual camping options are further apart along the Gap and it seems to me that a lot of people do indoors stays. I've used both options on several trips. The c&O is totally different with campsites every 5-10 miles average. Along the Towpath you'll meet like-minded people who don't mind sharing a campsite or at least that's been my observation.

I did the Pitt-DC thru ride this past summer during the memorial day holiday. No problem with campsites. As Rick stated, campgrounds on the GAP section are few and far between but you won't have any problem getting a site. Most of them have special areas set aside for bike campers. You'll need to do your homework and plan your ride along the GAP to determine where you'll be camping. As Rick said, there are trailside campsites every few miles on the C&O.

Found this partial list of camping rules along the C&O.
1st come 1st served basis. No fee.1 family or camping unit allowed per site. Park defines "family" as 1 head of household plus family. A camping unit consists of up to 6 persons per site. Campsites may not be reserved. I've ridden up to an occupied camping site several times and set up after introducing myself. I've also extended an invitation when I was there first. Just common courtesy and a simple bending of the rules to accommodate like minded people out having fun. Like I mention in my other post the C&O is easy to plan camping options. The Passage requires some thought mainly to adjust your mileages.

Didn't think to mention but my wife and I plus 2 friends will be departing from Pittsburg on Fri. May 23rd and biking to Cumberland. We might see you on the trail. Also check out the trail side shelters as you enter Connellsville from the west. There are 2-3 small Adirondack type 3 sided shelters that are free for overnight usage. Also, I can't remember where but along the Passage there was a small park/campground that had a small 3 sided shelter with a stone fireplace directly in front complete with cast iron cooking utensils. It was a pretty neat set up.

Thanks for the info Marc and Rick. It's appreciated.

make sure the tunnels are open before you start your trip from Pit to Cumb.

"Also, I can't remember where but along the Passage there was a small park/campground that had a small 3 sided shelter with a stone fireplace directly in front complete with cast iron cooking utensils. It was a pretty neat set up" - - -

We used this shelter last year when we went through. It is in Cedar Creek Park. It was great for us, due to the rain. We set up our inner screen without the rainfly and were able to keep out the bugs. If I remember correctly, the cast iron implements consisted of the means to hang pots over the fire, but you needed the basic cookware.
One thing, ...if you are bothered by noise when sleeping, the open side of the shelter faces the river and the train tracks on the opposite bank. It really catches the sound. Of course, you do get the train noise the whole way along the trail system, so one has to get used to it.

That was the place Cedar Creek. When we rolled through there were a few cast iron pots/skillets hanging over the fireplace, very rustic but they may have belonged to the people that were there for the Indian Pow Wow. Your right about the noise but I tend to sleep pretty good regardless of the racket.

I,m also leaveing from around pitt on the 23rd.for dc and back.Did pitt to frostburg md.last oct.camping is hard to find.might see you on the trail.I,m riding with my little jackrussel

Thanks all for the feedback. I have decided to go from D.C. to PGH. leaving the week before. Kurt, maybe I will see you and your little Terrier at the end of my trip. How do you plan on carrying him?

Planning to ride from DC to Hancock, starting May 23rd. First time on the trail, I have a Trek DS 8.3. I don't intend this to be a grueling event. DC to Whites Ferry the first day, and then hang out, Whites Ferry to Shepherdstown the second day, stop and enjoy the area, and the last day Shepherdstown to Hancock. Any recent terrain or trail issues worth mentioning? Any ride sugggestions?

I have a Trek DS 8.3 too and did the full Pittsburgh to DC ride last Oct. Perfect bike for this! Very efficient ride. I had no problems at all. You'll have a great time.

Trail conditions should be good at the end of May. When I rode, it was the week after some heavy rains and the trail was muddy in spots. Also, it was during the govt shutdown and there was no trail maintenance, so I had to lift the bike over a few downed trees. Still, it was a pretty easy ride. Your trip should go even smoother. Good luck!

Can you get from the car rental place at the airport to the trial easy enough??

And how far is it??

Which airport? Pittsburgh? Dulles? National? I do know that National is the closest to the beginning of the C&O

Planning to ride from Hancock to DC in June. Is there a safe place to park the car for a few days?

There is parking between the canal and the Potomac River (never had an issue with theft) or check with Dennis at the bike shop. Just don't block the access gate. Buy a candy bar, some Gatorade, or a tshirt to help out.

Used to go there all the time with friends to hang out and eat dinner. Was there on 4/17/14. Well after it changed hands and let me tell ya it didn't change for the better. It got worse! Dirty tables, unprofessional waitresses. The salad bar was missing alot of veggies. It used to be the only place to get a decent salad. It is no longer included in the price of dinner. The waitresses were sitting at tables talking instead if waiting on diners. Had to ask multiple times to get a cup of coffee. No they were not busy. It was 8 pm on a Thursday. I won't be going back.

I used to go there daily, then it dropped to a couple times a month.. Since this restaurant was bought by another company; the food seems to be 2nd or 3rd class now, the staff,aren't as friendly as they once were. I won't be going there, for a while.

Was surprised when we rolled into town to find the Holiday Inn is now a Ramada Inn. Still good service, only the name has changed.

Do they still allow you to roll the bikes right onto the elevator and into the room?

Hey everyone, I start my trip in 18 days, leaving from the start in Georgetown. Does anyone have a physical address to the C&O so I can find the start? If not, how would one find the start? I have a guy dropping us off and I am not sure where to tell him to drive us to. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Here is the easiest explanation. Google search C&O tow path mile marker 0. you will see a youtube video. Perfect.

Thanks, that helps.

Weaver’s now has new owners and is serving breakfast Wednesday through Sunday starting at 8AM. Also, Omar and Adel have added a salad bar. Quality of the food has improved since my last visit but the prices appear to be the same. Their signature baked goods are still available so I’ll continue to stop by when ever in Hancock.

Whew! That's good to know that they'll still offer baked goods. I usually call a day or 2 ahead of time when I'm biking through and have them bake a couple of loaves of Rye Bread for me to carry down the trail. Good food, fair prices.

Just a heads up to anyone who plans on camping here when it rains, the camp ground is basically a big bowl and if there is any significant precipitation you’ll be swimming in your tent. So a word to the wise, pitch your tent on some high ground if the sky looks dark and ominous.

Kerrigan's is now Deli on the Rocks. Stopped in and had lunch, nothing to get excited about. Should have gone up the road to Aroma’s instead. Only redeeming factor is the very close proximity to the towpath.

Stopped by Harpers Ferry last month while on the C&O. Rooms over the Town’s Inn Tavern/Restaurant were available; the other building appeared to be shut down and “For Sale”.

Was going to stay at the Town’s Inn this trip; however they no longer offer the hostel style lodging for $33 a night. Everything has gone high-end B&B; $120 to $160 for a room. No thanks went up the hill to the Tea Horse Hostel instead for under fifty bucks!

Great stop for lunch on the C&O. Excellent menu selections and variety of micro-brews! If we didn’t have to cover another twenty miles, would have stayed for a few more rounds. Two thumbs up!

Anyone knows is water available along the towpath now? We are starting our bike trip this Saturday from Cumberland.

I sent an email to the C&O National Park and the following is what I received. Also have I nice trip and please respond back on its condition. Thank you for your interest in the C&O Canal National Historical Park. All port-o-pots are open. As of April 15, all well handles will be installed throughout the park. There are a few wells that had bad water samples and those handles will stay off until clean samples are obtained.

Hi all. I am planning my trip on the C&O starting mid May. I would like to hear from "anyone" who has ridden the C&O currently or will be riding the C&O before me and comment back on it's conditions at that time. I know parts of the GAP are still soft and some are in great shape because I live close by. But I only ride the C&O once a year and hope for the best. Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Big Savage Tunnel is now open for the season!

We've got the standard "no baggage service at Cumberland" problem, and are thinking of using Grouseland Tours to shuttle back to Pittsburgh. The person I spoke with on the phone seemed cordial and the terms reasonable. But has anyone had any shuttling experience with them?

Grouseland Tours is reliable and reasonably priced. Murray is the owner/driver. I used his shuttle service July 19, 2013 for a ride from Cumberland to Confluence. Murray arrived before the scheduled meeting time. He's friendly and has lots of information on biking in the area. Highly recommend. I'm planning on using Grouseland again next week for a shuttle from Pittsburgh to Cumberland.

Reporting back here. All went well with our ride and the Grouseland Tours shuttle. The four in our group who rode the shuttle also reported being intrigued by Murry's bike touring wisdom. Unfortunately, my wife and I missed out because we were enjoying a steak dinner in the dining car and nightcap in the lounge car on the Capitol Limited, along with our folding bikes.

I'm the original poster to the thread. When I reported the good experience with Grouseland, I didn't mean to make myself anonymous.

Good service, on time, and very knowledgeable. Mile for mile they are more expensive. About $40 more for a shuttle from Dc to Pittsburg than the bike shop at Hancock. I understand they may have to drive further to pick you up so that maybe a factor.

So Anonymous, are you implying one should spends hundreds of dollars (or more) for folding bikes so Amtrak can be utilized? Pricey for a schoolteach. Real businesses meet the demands of the customer or go out of business. Even U.S. Gov runs out of money from time to time!

I certainly didn't mean for my post to degenerate into a political rant. It was simply my way saying that if there is anything this retired school teacher likes better than a bike ride, it's combining a bike ride with a train ride.

@ Roy

What do most people pay per year for a smart phone? To me, that's about as stupid as it gets. The $480 and $550 (about the same as a bottom of the line road bike) I paid for my wife and I's Dahons were one of the best purchases I ever made. But that's just me. FWIW I bought the Dahon Stow-awy that my that my son rode at a second hand shop for $60.

I get it that you don't like Amtrak. Did you have a bad experience riding a train, are you disappointed that the Capitol Limited doesn't have roll on-roll off service, or are you just a disciple of Rep. Mica? For those who aren't aware, Mica is a Florida congressman whose mission is life is nit-pick and micro-manage Amtrak hoping that it will somehow or another go away and make his constituents, the highway lobby, happy. Do you really know anything at all about Amtrak, or were you parroting Fox News?

Rather personal there, anonymous. I asked a question of you and made two non-political comments. Perhaps you should reread my post. Business meets the demand of the consumer or face bankruptcy. And did the government partially shut down since my post? Monopolies in general have been discouraged historically in the U.S. with notable exceptions.
And I own about the dumbest, cheapest cell phone around and a disciple of but One.

If only you had had the extra days to go from Pittsburgh to Washington Amtrak's schedule lines up perfectly for coming in and out of Chicago as well as connecting to the numerous locals running from out to Quincy.

I post here quite a bit, and am not picking sides. But my feeling is that for the cost to amtrak(federal govt.)to make roll on service available would be incidential. But that is why rail service is nearly extinct. Won't adapt.By the way I ride Pittsburgh to DC at least once a year, that train would be sweet.

I feel the same Jenny. Amtrack is losing business. I lead groups of 4-8 riders several times a year along the Passage and C&O. We would be more than willing to sit back and enjoy a train ride from DC to Pittsburg and not have to worry about parking, gas, etc. I realize that the train is on a tight schedule and stops are timed. I just feel that they are doing a disservice to themselves and the public.