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Catrikes on the GAP
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Allison on 3/29/2017 5:02:43 PM:
My husband and I are planning a trip in July to ride from Homestead, PA to Cumberland. We have catrikes. Are the trails conducive to these types of bikes? We have ridden the Katy Trail in Missouri. Are the trails similar, as far as "crushed stone" is concerned?
 
John W from Pittsburgh, PA on 3/29/2017 5:44:13 PM:
Allison, the GAP will be perfect for your bike. Crushed limestone (like the Katy Trail) the whole way (the first 15 miles out of downtown Pittsburgh is paved) to Cumberland. Enjoy!
 
Steven Gaub from Lakewood on 3/31/2017 9:36:10 PM:
You might enjoy this Journal of a solo lady on a trike on the C&O. I have a trike and did the Katy but decided to forgo the tight towpath through the tunnels on the C&O. I will be riding on a 2 wheel. Have a wonderful trip. https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1fs&page_id=466633&v=7P
 
Allison on 3/31/2017 10:50:44 PM:
Thanks so much, John! What if we decided to go all the way to DC? Are the trails in good shape there, as well?
 
lenny on 4/1/2017 7:44:09 AM:
the towpath is rough with roots,puddles and ruts. Single track most of the way.
 
John W. from Pittsburgh, PA on 4/1/2017 9:19:21 AM:
I've never ridden a trike so I can't say how well it would handle the C&O but I know people have done it. The C&O is much rougher than the GAP as it's not a Rail Trail but an old dirt path used by horses. Search for some images online and see what the towpath typically looks like to give you an idea of what's in store. There will be puddles even if it rained days ago! :-)
 
Allen from Shawnee, Ks on 4/3/2017 9:11:27 AM:
I think on a trike one wheel is going to be in the grass that separates the two tracks in most places. Keep in mind this trail is not as bad as some make it out to be, park service vehicles travel it all the time. I wouldn't be afraid to do it on a trike it will be a lot slower than the GAP. I have done this twice during wet times and it is quite rideable, there are lots of puddles but they have a rock base, I would definitely recommend fenders. My rides have been on a regular bike, one of the guys in our group tows a BOB trailer.
 
Tom M from Raleigh NC on 4/26/2017 9:46:54 AM:
As others mentioned, a trike would be fine on the GAP, but not the C&O. Many sections of the C&O are single track with muddy ruts, potholes, roots, etc. The tunnel at Paw Paw would be a challenge.

During one of my trips on the GAP-C&O we stayed at an inn in Cumberland, MD, where some other riders had abandoned their tricycles. One of them actually got damaged trying to ride the C&O. They left their trikes at the inn while they went to get their vehicle to retrieve them, and cancelled the remainder of their trip.
 
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