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Speed on the trail
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Anonymous on 9/1/2017 11:07:27 PM:
For those have ridden the C&O and GAP, how does your speed on the trail compare to your speed on an hour or two ride on the street?

I averaged about 20% slower on the trail than on the street (even with stop and go traffic).
 
Anonymous on 9/2/2017 1:15:11 PM:
I average 14-15 mph. on paved roads. Riding the C&O and GAP an overall average of about 10 mph. Better on the GAP, the Canal was not in the best of shape when we rode it a couple weeks ago.
 
Richard from DC on 9/2/2017 2:21:16 PM:
I agree completely with anonymous. On the downhill part of the Gap from the Continental Divide to Cumberland, you can go as fast as traffic permits, but on muddy stretches of the Canal, I slowed to about 9 mph.
 
Vinesy from Melrose, MA on 9/4/2017 5:45:12 PM:
Just finished a 3 day - Pittsburgh to D.C. last night. We rode the following: Pittsburgh to Rockwood, Rockwood to Hancock, Hancock to D.C. So yes, it was aggressive. I normally ride on the road about a 17 mph pace, the pace on Day 1 was avg of 12, Day 2 was avg of 11, and Day 3 was avg of 11. Day 2 and Day 3 - the trails were muddy and wet.
 
Henry from Plano, tx on 9/7/2017 11:52:23 PM:
Expect 20 % slower on the GAP, possibly 30 % slower on the C&O, especially during and after rain.
 
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