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The C&O Canal Towpath Trail and Great Allegheny Passage
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Anonymous on 5/17/2012 7:47:22 AM:
Still trying to figure out what kind of tires to use on a planned ride in July from DC to Pittsburgh. If I understand correctly, things are paved from Cumberland on west. Don't want a big clunky tire on the pavement. How thin of a tire can I get by with from DC to Cumberland?
 
speedster on 5/17/2012 6:35:31 PM:
I've done a large section of the C&O on a 32, no flats and no issues.

Your thinking of using the thinnest tire (within reason) seems right to me. Less rolling resistance, which consumes less energy by the rider while pedalling. Over a sustained distance, the savings in energy exerted is substantial. Your average speed will be higher and you'll presumably finish earlier (which near the end of your trek, the finish will seem like it can't come soon enough!).
 
lenny on 5/18/2012 4:12:36 AM:
The GAP isn't paved, it is packed crushed limestone. It can be soft if it rtains but is generally smooth and hard most of the time. I use Panaracer TSERV PT, which are kevlar, and run 90# air,are very fast and hard. I've done the entire ride on them.
 
Rod Bruckdorfer from Baltimore, MD on 5/22/2012 9:38:01 AM:
I have ridden the C&O trail twice with front and rear panniers on self-support tours. Both times I used 32 mm X 700C tires - Conti Contact tires. The C&O trail is a rough surface and 60 miles is a long day. The trail surface is composed of pea size gravel and clay. In some sections the gravel is on the surface and not packed into the clay. If I could fit 35 mm wide tires to my Miyata 1000 LT touring bike, I would use this width of tire on the C&O. If you plan to go self-supported with panniers, etc. lightweight skinny tires are not suitable for touring.
 
Anonymous on 5/23/2012 11:39:59 AM:
I've run on 32 with no problems. For enduring comfort along the way I wouldn't go any narrower. I'm now riding on 37's, which greatly improve my comfort with negligable speed penalty. I tour and commute on my bike daily, and hit the towpath twice a year for weekend tours.
 
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