Richard from DC on 10/20/2020 3:36:51 PM:
The C&O Canal towpath has three different surfaces: crushed limestone; dirt; and hardpacked dirt, sand, and small stones. A hybrid would work on all except a few graveling and sandy areas if the towpath is dry. Unfortunately, the dirt areas take a long time (like two weeks) to dry out completely after rains. The crushed limestone runs from White's Ferry to past Shepherdstown. There is an old railroad line around Hancock that is asphalt, so a hybrid is definitely fine there. The worst dirt/mud is from White's Ferry to Violette's Lock. From Violette's Lock to Georgetown is the mixed surface of compacted dirt, stone, and sand. In some places there will be maybe a half mile of large stones embedded in the dirt. That makes for a rough ride and might cause a flat on a hybrid, but you can risk it. There are also a few graveling and sandy areas that a hybrid tire might sink into, but those are only ten or fifteen feet long, so if you stop in time, you can walk through them. Otherwise, they might throw you. in the dirt areas, if the dirt has turned to mud, you won't be able to get through.