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Faouzi from Sterling on 9/1/2021 11:39:26 AM:

I have a question in regard which better to start form D.C. toward Pittsburgh, Or Rent a car drive the car (Drop it) spend a night there, early morning start biking form Pittsburgh toward D.C. of course it is divided into 4 days (84 mile per day).
your answer will be really appreciated. Also I heard the the Tunnel its closed not, they told me you have to add 1/2 hour for such deviation.

Thank you to all!
Faouzi

Bob Bolesta from Frederick MD on 9/1/2021 3:11:05 PM:

I started in Pittsburgh on Sunday morning. Ride 62 to Connellsville, PA on Monday then 90 the next day to Cumberland. I was not planning on anywhere that much but bad weather was coming and wanted to be closer to home. Rode 72 yesterday to Clear Springs, MD, just past Hancock. COMPLETE wash out today. 24 hours of heavy rain to hopefully stop at midnight tonight. Will try to restart tomorrow. THE PAW PAW TUNNEL IS CLOSED AND THERE IS NO WAY THROUGH, just over by way of the detour. It took me exactly 20 minutes to climb up, pushing my bike. You won't be able to ride up the mountain. I was able to ride down the backside yesterday but with this rain, it'll be mud for days. The ride down took me 5 minutes. So my total time on the detour was 30 minutes (5 minutes rest of way up). I'm 58 but in great shape and my bike and gear is a beast (70 pounds). No way it should take anyone 1.5 to 2.5 hours of unless they are in terrible shape. You should start in Pittsburgh if going soon so that the c&o is dried out.

John W. from Pittsburgh, PA on 9/1/2021 3:50:48 PM:

I prefer Pittsburgh to DC. The slow gradual climb on the GAP up to the continental divide is barely noticeable. Then you get an amazing 24 mile nice downhill into Cumberland. The C&O is generally condsidered "flat" but you get the benefit of following the Potomac River downstream to Chesapeake Bay and the downhill plunges at the locks. Not much to cheer about but you're not going up them.

Going the other way, the climb up the divide is annoyingly long and the "downhill" to Pittsburgh isn't worth it in my view.

Tunnel detour is in effect. Plan for an extra 30-45 mins depending on your fitness/load.

Man, I hope you're not going right now, the storm is right now going through Maryland and the puddles and mud are going to be crazy for the next 2-3 days, as the poster above me can attest.

Faouzi from Sterling on 9/1/2021 10:30:01 PM:

Thank you Bob and John for taking time to enlighten my path and which way I should start. I really appetited it.
I am planning to start form Pittsburgh, driving on the 6th of September, then the 7th it will be all on the GAP. I just celebrated my 58birthday, I will try to do it in 4 days.
Thank you again and God Bless you all.

Willy from Alexandria,VA on 9/2/2021 11:03:20 AM:

I always prefer to start at one end and pedal to the other end. The uphill and downhill seem to cancel each other out. Just do it.

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