C&O / GAP Forum

So I will start by saying I am not a bike rider, though I am in my mid 20s and in pretty decent shape.

I am considering doing the C&O in early August, but don't know very much about bikes. I was wondering if anyone could give me any direction on where to start looking. Things Im looking for are what kind of bike one would need to complete this and base starting point (I'll have just finished taking the BAR and will be oh so poor). Thanks for any advice.

I would suggest a hybrid type of bike or a mountain bike. I would not recommend a road bike. I would consider how much and what type of biking you think you may do in the future. This should help you decide on what type of bike to get and how much you may want to spend. Personally, (if money is an issue), I would get a lower end name brand bike before I would buy a big box store bike. Other things to consider: helmet, gloves, biking shorts, some type of bike rack and bike bag/panniers, water bottle cages, bike computer, bike light, etc. You do not neccessarily need all of these things but all are useful. Let me say this, despite all of the cute Facebook postings and other things about growing up and surviving, you need to purchase a good helmet. Nobody plans on crashing, that is why it is called an accident. I have buddies who have wiped out on smoother trails than the C&O and have cracked their helmets. If you choose not to buy a helmet please fill out an organ donor card and carry it with you.....O.K., that is a little harsh but seriously, invest in a quality helmet.

If you have other questions about the trail or what you may need, just ask away. Good luck on your ride!

As for a bicycle, you don't need to own one. While I don't know what it would cost, you could rent one from some of the bicycle shops you find listed on this web site.
In fact, you don't really need a bicycle at all, you could hike the trail like I did back in 2011. It's flat easy walking, you'd be surprised how many miles you can do in a day.

Try this. this is the time of rear that new bikes are purchased, and with that bikes are traded in. In my area, near a college town they are resold to people like you for alot less than new. these are usually very servicable machines.

Hello First Timer,
Since you don't regularly ride a bike your best options are to rent a bike or just hike the C&O Canal Trail. There is a descent bike shop in Hancock, Maryland that rents bikes. You may even be able to rent a bike in your locality. Check your local bike shop.
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You MUST know how to repair a flat tire (front and back) before starting your journey. I've seen several people with flats on the trail due to its rough stony surface. With luck the place you rent your bike from may outfit their bikes with Kenda Kevlar tires which do a beautiful job of deterring flats.
Take a couple spare inner tubes and a pump with you as a precaution.
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Perhaps you should just ride the trail in sections first to get a "feel" for the trail before heading out to cover the whole trail.
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Also, consider the hiking option. I've seen a few hikers/backpackers on the trail.
Best of luck in your journey!

You can get a Raleigh Mountain Bike as a starter. They are great bikes and are built to last. You can get a nice Raleigh for under $500.
Don't get anything too cheap because you may end up really enjoying your cycling experience and make it your Hobby. (Some lower end bikes are unsafe and not designed for a long ride. You run the risk of the frame cracking, among other things.)
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As Derek mentioned you must know how to change a Flat Tire. There are also some esential gear you will need to take along as well.
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Best advice is, try riding the trail in sections first so you can get acclimated with the trail. Set up a couple day trips.
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Best of luck with your decision.

Definitely need a hybrid or mountain bike. You don't need top of the line but a cheap bike rides and performs like a cheap bike. Helmet, gloves, padded shorts, spare inner tube and patch kit plus the know-how to use them. I prefer Trek Bikes and use a Mamba with 29er tiers. Aug. can be hot and buggy if your planning to camp out. Have you considered the Allegheny Passage? It's closer to home and for a first time rider the route is smoother and has less obstacles (mud, ruts, etc.) If your planning on camping out you'll need a rear rack and panniers plus tent, sleeping bag, ground pad, stove and cooking gear although you could plan on eating your meals in the various towns. Do a web search for trail journals and you can get a good feel for what to expect

Thanks everyone. Im looking at getting a Specialized Sirrus Sport. Id rather purchase than rent, as I'd like to start biking some, for exercise and convenience. Also, I want to to the C&O in part because my family will be in DC that week, as will be the Mets. So I think I'm pretty set on buying and doing the whole trail. Appreciate the advice. I've already started doing some research on what it takes to do the trail. Ie. what gear and such is necessary. I'll spend the next couple months doing real research and decide specifically what ill need. Thanks again.

I understand, I'm a Pittsburg Pirates fan (hate the Steelers!) If you'd like feel free to give me a call 757 619-5522 I've biked both the Passage and C&O and can offer a lot of advice. too much to write.

I am taking my 10 year old daughter on this April trip in less than 2 weeks on her spring break. We never biked on the towpath before. We want this to be an adventure. Need your suggestions on itinerary, etc. We have about about 7 or 8 days. We'd like to take time to do something more than biking: hiking, attend ranger programs, visit historical sites and parks, etc.
Day 1: Someone drop us off at Cumberland: visitor center, museums. Stay in a hotel for the night.
Day 2: Bike about 40 miles to Little Orleans. Stay in a hotel there. Spending time in Paw Paw for a couple of hours. Would we have time for the Paw paw tunnel Hill Trail?
Day 3: To Williamsport and stay the night. Stop by Hancock visitor center. What else?
Day 4: To Harpers Ferry and stay in a hotel. Stop by Shepherdstown (what to do there?)
Day 5: Spend some time in Harpers Ferry. We love it in HF. Should we spend another night here or stay in Brunswick or Point of Rocks?
Day 6: To somewhere around DC. But where? Seneca?Potomac? Bethesda? We'd like to do the whole Billy Goat Trail.
Day 7: Stay around DC for another night. Where?
Day 8: Wondering around and see what else we want to do. Someone will pick us up from DC.
From Cumberland to Geogetown, is it slightly down hill? Is it ok for my daughter to use a regular bike with no gears? Is it going to be real muddy if it rains? We are going to pack our clothes in the backpack and carry it on our back. Is it going to be too heavy if we had to ride 40 miles a day? Do I have to wear a helmet?

Feel free to give me a call and I can share some info that might help in regards to you upcoming ride. I've ridden the Passage 4-5 times and the c&O several times. I can pretty much answer your questions but it's easier to talk than email as your ideas generate other questions. You could call me any time after 5pm 757 619-5522. I'd be happy to help.

Thank you Rick. I probably will give you a call tonight. Thanks for your time!

Is there a trail head with parking available that bypasses the city/traffic/highways ? I would like to start my ride at the 1st available but rural trail head. Any suggestions ?

I have used Boston Pa. and Harpers Ferry Wva. I left my car at the visitor center in Harpers Ferry and at the ball park right beside the trail in Boston and didn't have any problems. There may be other choices but both were easy to get to and away from the larger cities.

Thank you Hondo

the water front at Homestead has ample parking.

Does the Waterfront allow parking for a few days?

My plan is to park in that trail lot at the Oakland side of Pittsburgh, just off the intersection of 2nd Ave and Swinburne St for my P'burgh to DC ride. Is that a safe place to park for a wk plus? Anyone have experience with this? Thnx.

That lot is not safe at all. There have been several smash and grab car break-ins at that lot over the last year or so. And that was during the day while people were out on the trail for just a couple hours. There are also signs that say no parking after dusk. Here's an article about the break-in at that lot.

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/02/25/smash-and-grab-thefts-increasing/

The hardest part of the trip just might be finding a safe place to leave your car for a week in downtown Pittsburgh. If you are willing to pay, you could leave your car at the Grant St garage across from the Greyhound station. For free, you could look for some street parking. When I biked to DC in Oct, my friend drove and he parked his truck down at the Cork Factory in the Strip. There are some non-residential spots available on the north side of that building, if you can find any open spots. His truck was fine parked there for 5 days. Another option is some street parking around Heinz lofts. And finally, the Pump House along the trail near the Waterfront allows overnight parking. Not sure how safe it is though.

Good luck!

I knew you were the right guy to ask, Paul. Thnx. I like the idea of street parking, having previously had a car broken into in a parking structure.

It sounds like you know a lot about this area. Can you give me the name and address or contact Info for a hotel that is close to the start of the trail. I would like to spend the night in a hotel and then get started the very next morning, I will be driving in from Va in a rental vehicle. I will turn the vehicle in and crash at the hotel, I'm hoping they will allow our gear inside. Do you know of anyplace there that does what I am looking for? Not sure if the local Marriott will acommodate my plans. Any help is greatly appreciated.

The Hilton. Literally at the head of the trail, across the street from point state park. There are a lot of new hotels on the north side near the stadiums.

That Hilton at the point is now called the Wyndham Grand. It's quite pricey, but it is a great location overlooking Point State Park. The perfect starting point. If you need less expensive options, there is a Hyatt on the North Shore and Doubletree Hilton deeper into downtown. You could also try the Sheraton at Station Square which would be a nice starting point right on the trail too.

With some of the cheaper options, how far are they from the beginning of the trail at Point State Park? I've never been to the area and I'm just trying to get a plan together so I'm not winging it on the start of the trip.

Go to booking.com and put in your info. do the search and bring up the map. Many to choose from.

That's part of the problem, I don't know where I am going. Does the beginning of the trail have an address? I have never been to Pittsburgh but just because you are downtown doesn't mean you are close to the trail. I will only have my bike at the hotel so the closer to the trail the better.

If you are downtown, you ARE close to the trail. Pittsburgh's downtown area is very compact. The downtown hotels, north shore hotels, and Station Square hotel will all be less than 2 miles from the trail. Pittsburgh has river trails on both sides of both rivers. You are always near a trail and they all connect to the GAP.

If it helps, the address listed for Point State Park is 101 Commonwealth Place #1
Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

If you google "pittsburgh hotels" and click on the map, then click the "bicycling" tab, it will light up the bike trails in green so you can see where they are in relation to the hotels. Zoom in and look for "Three Rivers Heritage Trail"

Here's another resource to find the trails.

http://friendsoftheriverfront.org/interactive-map/

However the map is not totally up to date. The trail south of the Mon River shows a gap before Homestead, but that portion is now complete and will take you all the way to DC. :)

Scott, here is my opinion. Go to Google Map. Zoom out and then zoom in Pgh. Right click on any street. Press on "directions from here" once you do that an "A" will appear on that street, then over to your left you will see 4 icons for which type of directions do you want: car, bus, walking or bicycle. Press the bicycle icon, then all the bicycle trails become dark green (or little green dotes for street trail). You will see the trail starts right at the point of the two rivers. You can follow the trial all the way to DC if you want. Depending on your start time I would ride 8 miles out to the homestead waterfront. The Pittsburgh Courtyard Hotel is right on the trail and is bike friendly. Should be less $$$$ then staying right in downtown PGH. Hope this helps.

Thank you so much for the assistance. If I am understanding you correctly, we can start at the beginning where the two rivers meet, ride about 8 miles to the Homestead Waterfront where the Pittsburg Courtyard Hotel is located and it is right on the trail. Sorry for the...what seems like repetitive questions but I am making the plans for the three of us and I don't want to screw it up. I really appreciate the time you are taking to help me out.

Scott that is correct. The GAP at that section is actually a sidewalk and the hotel will be on your left. You can't miss it. Just google your start at the point state park and your finish in DC and bicycle icon it so it will show you the entire trip. The first 8 miles will be all smooth surface to. You should watch some videos of the GAP from Pgh. to boston trail head so you see what the trail looks like. Just make sure the videos are from May 2013 or newer because they will have the new section that was completed.

Thanks a bunch. Your reply's have helped me out a bunch. Thanks again.

Scott, this should help you. Go to youtube and search for GOPR1070 David Tucker. watch his videos from 1070 t0 1074. He starts out on the GAP about 1/2 mile from the Golden Triangle Bike rental location (600 First Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 which is on the GAP)and ends up in the hotel parking lot that I was telling you about.

That parking lot at the end of the "jail trail" probably isn't the best. On street parking can be found in the southside neighborhood. Across the hot metal bridge from your original idea. I like the area on 26th street...past Jane street, alongside a larger commercial building. Check the small signs for some direction pay attention to when the street cleaner comes thru but I think it is ok for extended parking at your own risk.

there is a holiday inn just off the 10th street bridge, zip code is 15203 there are 2 newer ones at the hot metal bridge ...a few miles from the point but right on the trail, you can ride into town (3-5 miles??) and then double back to head towards homestead and out of town

I wouldn't leave a car in a street spot for fear of it getting towed or vandalized/stolen. Hotels would have secure lots that would be okay if you can agree on a price for the time, and is there still secure parking on Mon Wharf or is my local Pittsburgh knowledge 20 years out of date for once? Nothing I saw in the city last year looks like it's changed since PPG Place was built.

I guess to each his own, pittsburgh is a small city, nothing like chicago…I can't say I have ever seen a car on blocks vandalized within my neighborhood. It still is a city and if you are dumb and leave items out then someone could decide to make it their own. Was only a suggestion.

I grew up in Knoxville with four generations scattered across both sides of Mount Washington. When I rode the trail last year I stayed just off Carson St. I guess there's no problem if you park in Mt. Lebanon for a week, but near the city or downtown I'd really consider something secured.

Has amtrak made any decisions concerning the trail run,roll on service,experimentented last fall??

We just called and spoke w baggage @ Union Station last night and as of this date, no, bikes must still be boxed. That is our current plan for our ride in April on her train to PIT.

We'll need to rent a vehicle to return to DC, and I'm having a hard time finding a rental company somewhere near Confluence. We may not have enough time to get to Pittsburg, but was hoping to get further than Cumberland before time ran out.

You might check with Enterprise to see if they can bring a car and meet you somewhere along there.

I know that our B & B in Connellsville offered to make those arrangements, if we wanted to do a daytrip by car.

Also, the bike shop in Cumberland offers shuttle service, that might bring you back there to pick up a car.

Taking the trip in June with my 15 y.o. son and need a lot of equipment. I have enough for me, but this will be his first, (maybe last, depending), and I don't want to get more than I may never use again, plus the cost involved. I have two sets of rear panniers but no front ones. The two trailers I've seen look interesting. Any Thoughts?

Minimize. Aim for 20-25 pounds, tops. Alternately, if more weight is a "must" cut way back on mileage per day...depending on pre-trip conditioning: or that discouragement you want to avoid might set in quicker than you think.

I agree with the 20 - 25-lb limit if one is doing a lot of climbing. My son and I did the Durango to Moab hut2hut ride in 2010 -- 26,000 ft of climbing in 7 days, 1st hut at 11,400 ft -- and limited our daily onboard, incl. almost 9 lbs of liquid, to c. 25 lbs. But on the flat, wt. doesn't make much difference, except for acceleration which isn't at issue here. And, of course, the more wt. the better on descents, assuming you have good brakes. Having said that, I always try to take just a bit less than I think I might need and I still end up taking too much. (I'm opposed to trailers, for aesthetic and other reasons. They seem to contradict the basic point of a bike.)

My wife and I have done DC to Pitt twice now and have only used rear paniers on each bike. We also have a bag that sits on the rear rack. From our own personal experience I can say that you can do without more than you think. We have watched people struggle with trailers. We met one family who had two trailers. We kind of leap-frogged with them on the trail. By the third day they told us that they had started to unload, (read - leave), items at campsites. They had simply brought to much stuff because they had the room for it.

Like Ned said, you need less than you think. I did my first full ride last Oct and had 2 rear panniers, a trunk bag and handlebar bag. I had a whole large plastic bag full of clothes in one pannier that I never even opened. My friend loaded down his bike with 2 rear panniers, trunk bag and 2 front panniers and he certainly felt it. Popped 2 spokes too. It was just too much stuff.

The GAP/C&O is mostly flat, so I didn't think you have to limit yourself to 20-25lbs of gear, that really isn't much. I had 45lbs of stuff on my bike and I really never noticed it, and we averaged about 70 miles a day. Well, except for when I had to LIFT the whole bike up the spiral staircase to Harpers Ferry. Now THAT sucked.... lol

Are you planning to camp along the way or will you make other plans? If you're not camping, you really don't need much. If you will be camping you may be able to rent what you need. If there's an REI near you check about renting equipment.

I understand that you want your son to the enjoy the ride and have a comfortable trip. I typically carry 20 lbs or less on multi day rides where I'm camping. If staying indoors my load consists of extra set of bike clothing and one st of "town clothing" snacks, toiletries, andthat's about it. You and he might have a better time not being burdened by a lot of extra gear. Some ways to cut weight is to use an alcohol stove and FBC cooking. Freezer Bag Cooking. That way you only need one pot to heat water and eat out of the bag. Use trail bars for light weight quick energy. Bring a Kindle to read or play a game. Or just talk years from now the trip will be a great memory. If you choose to pack heavy the Passage won't really be a factor the trail is well graded, smooth, and not too steep. The C&O is a bike more of a challenge with extra gear. You can resupply almost daily if need out want and it's fun to meet various people interested the trail towns.

In true respect to Dr Skeep I read that he's in top shape and probably has been for some time. For the commoner, weight does matter: F=MA is true regardless of flat trail or climbing mountains. Over a long trip Mass will add to much more force required: fatigue, heat, mud, rain, puddles, roots, mosquitos etc.etc.etc can make anyone miserable in short order. 25lbs on a bike adds up quick...aim for less!

boat ramp