Vinesy from Melrose, MA on 9/23/2017 1:40:28 PM:
I rode the GAP and C&O over 3 days. Pretty aggressive, 106 miles on Day 1, 104 on Day 2 and 124 on Day 3. Here are some notes/suggestions (sorry for the lengthy post). 3 days is alot of riding and since the weather conditions were wet/muddy - Day 2 and Day 3 were alot longer that planned. If I did the ride again, might do it in 4 days. I knew going in 3 days was aggressive, but challenging. Any questions, please let me know.
Day 1 Pittsburgh to Rockwood.
Accommodations: Stayed at the Springhill Suites Southside - 2950 South Water St. On the GAP trail. Allowed you to take your bikes to our room. Breakfast @ 6:30 am. In Rockwood. Rockwood Trail House located on the GAP trail. When you check in, you just find your room number and let yourself into the house. Nice B&B - bring earplugs. There are trains running thru the night. Spend the extra money to have Debi make breakfast!!
Food: Stopped in West Newton for snacks. Rite Aid and other places right off the trail. Lunch in Connellsville - Bikes Unlimited suggested Keedys. Warm subs and waitress filled bottles/bladders. Food in Rockwood is limited - Rock City Cafe closes the kitchen @ 7 pm. We ordered from the Rockwood Mill Shoppes - a pizza/sub/salad place.
General advice: nice riding, you do have a false flat - so don't be surprised why your speed drops.
Day 2 Rockwood to Hancock
Accommodations: Super 8 - Limestone Rd. Biker friendly. They have a hose outside to clean your bike and provide towels to dry your bike. Rooms have refrigerator and microwaves.
Food: Cumberland stopped at European Desserts for sandwiches and of course dessert. Hancock - Subway in town. Ordered extra sub for the next day (highly recommend). The towns off the C&O are actually off the trail. There isn't anything on the trail like the towns on the GAP. Need to make sure you have plenty of food with you.
General advice: Stop on the Salisbury Viaduct - nice views. Once you hit the Eastern Continental Divide - it is all down hill. Shortly after the Big Savage Tunnel, you will cross the Mason Dixon Line - photo op. Bring headlight and taillight - due to the many tunnels. At lock 56, be sure to take the PAVED Western Maryland Rail Trail to Hancock, MD
Day 3 Hancock to DC (a really long day)
Accommodations: Key Bridge Marriott. I don't think you can find a more convenient hotel. A short ride across the Key Bridge from Georgetown.
Food: Stop by Barrons right of the trail to get some snacks near Snyders Landing. For lunch, we stopped in Shepherdstown at the Blue Moon Cafe. Good food and very biker friendly. We picked up 2 sandwiches for the rest of the ride. Good bike shop in town - Pedal & Paddle.
General Advice: Heading out from Hancock,take the PAVED Western Maryland Rail Trail down to Ernstville Rd - take the right and get back on the C&O towpath. Stopped to enjoy lunch @ Catoctin Aqueduct. Nice view of the Catoctin Creek.
All in all, I found the ride challenging but not impossible. I commute to work about 17 miles round trip and ride 50 - 70 on Saturdays. As well as I mtn bike ride, so the C&O with mud wasn't overwhelming. As I posted earlier, your speeds will drop. I ride an avg speed of 17 on the road, but on this ride avg 11.
Best of luck to those who are planning their trips.