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The C&O Canal Towpath Trail and Great Allegheny Passage

Type of Bike Required?


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Edward from Silver Spring, MD on 7/2/2018 10:58:00 AM:
Hello All

Ok for starters I'm definitely not a cycling expert. I just got into it this year and have been taking rides of 20-30 miles.

My question is what type of bike I need for the C&O trail? I currently have a 2018 Giant Escape 2 Hybrid bicycle. It's great for the paths (sligo creek and capital crescent) but do I need something more durable for this trip? Something more like a trail bike or mountain bike?

Reviews seem to suggest a hybrid bike would be ok, but I just want to make sure I'm not being crazy given my amateur status. I'm looking at doing the C&O ride in October.

All comments welcome. Thanks.

 
david gorman from hollidaysburg on 7/2/2018 11:30:42 AM:
I believe that a hybrid bike would be fine but would want to make sure that your tires will be able to handle the trail on the C & O Trail, especially with the weather that we have been having. Something better than the normal "street" tires that may be on your bike.

 
Richard from Bethesda on 7/2/2018 11:52:20 AM:
I agree. It's the tires and not the bike. Conventional hybrid tires might be too thin for the mud and rocks. I'd suggest taking it out to Seneca and riding to White's Ferry as a test. That's about 20 miles roundtrip and is muddy for weeks after the last rain.