Trip Report- PGH to DC 5/29- 6/3 2017

Three of us on city commuter type bikes with 32 or 35 mm tires set off from Waterfront in Pittsburgh, carrying clothes, bike gear and credit cards. We did days of 56, 76, 60, 72, 60, 38 miles. Both GAP and C&O trails were no problem. but more work than city streets. No trees or other major obstacles. We averaged 10-12 mph the whole way. C&O was pretty muddy for the 20 miles past Cumberland and bumpy the whole way. PawPaw Tunnel was still open on June 1. The trail to bypass it looked very steep. Bike shops in Ohiopyle fixed a spoke and in Cumberland provided some minor repairs. both were very helpful. Accommodations (from Air B&B) all worked. Don't expect Bill's place in Little Orleans to be open past 7 or on Monday or Tuesday.-there's not much else there. Wildlife was amazingly abundant including deer, bear, fox, wildcat, and a ruffed grouse that chases bikes, Road to Leesburg was a little scary but nobody died. Last day we opted for the W&OD path to DC rather than C&O, trading bumpy dirt for Lycra-decorated asphalt. Variety. We still sought out (with difficulty) the C&O Mile 0 post in Georgetown for the triumphant picture. Only crowds we found were in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Final assessment is that keeping mileage <50 makes for a shorter day with more time to explore. Good trip. Do it.

You said that you averaged 10-12 mph. I am assuming that you averaged 12 mph on the GAP trail and 10 mph on the C&O trail. Is that true? Also, for perspective, how fast do you do a casual 20-mile ride on the street? My wife and I are starting on 6/21.

On flat roads I ride 10-12 but my companions are faster. We did about 11.5 mph from pittsburgh to connelsville (mostly paved); 10.0, connelsville to frostburg (uphill); 11.6, frostburg to little orleans (big downhill); 10.5, orleans to leesburg; 11.6 from leesburg to DC (all paved).

I have ridden Pgh.- DC many times, Always taking between 30 and 33 hours total ride time for the transit. Of course stops are not included. so I guess I'm doing a little over 10 mph, on a Gary Fisher Utopia with Nimbus 700 32 tires, 95 psi.

Lenny, Thanks for the information regarding speed on the trail. What is your speed for a casual 20-mile ride on the road? I am trying to put your 10 mph into perspective so that I know what I can anticipate what to expect. For instance, if you average 20 mph on a casual 20-mile ride on the road on a similar bike and then slow to 10 mph on the trail, that is much different than if you average 12 mph on the road and then slow to a 10 mph on the trail.

Just rode 18 miles last night. in 1:29. On much steeper grades than the Gap or tow path. Look like around 12mph. Bike had no gear on it though.