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Williamsport to Cumberland
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Timothy on 8/1/2013 6:28:12 PM:
This stretch is to be done in one day, coming from DC, ending in Pittsburgh. Has anyone done this and what am I up against. Thanks
 
Anonymous on 8/2/2013 10:25:30 AM:
That looks like 84 miles.In perfect weather I would think you could do 10/12 mph which would be close to 8 hours on the bike. Im sure its been done many times but it will be a full day. good luck and enjoy
 
JJB from Fairmont, WV on 8/3/2013 8:56:17 AM:
Please note that I am assuming the 84 mile calculation is correct.

I know of two brothers who do the entire C&O / GAP in three days. They do this, (or used to do this), every year. It was a brotherly testosterone kinda thing. Every year the one brother griped and complained about it and paid the price physically. So why did they do it? Just to say they did. My point? Yes, you can do 84 miles in a day. My very non-judgemental question to you is why 84 miles in one day? Are you on a time restraint? Just my opinion but I don't think you will enjoy the ride. This is a rough trail and averaging 12 miles an hour over 84 miles will be hard to do. It is worse if you get caught in the rain or this has been a recent rain. Mechanical failures are also a consideration. Time of year is still another consideration.

I hope you are successful on your ride. It would be nice if you let us know how it went. Your experiences may be helpful for someone else.
 
Naismith from Florida on 8/3/2013 10:31:25 PM:
One factor is whether you are willing to do part of it on the Western Maryland Rail Trail, a paved surface where you will make better time, or if you are a purist who insists on sticking to the towpath.
 
Timothy on 8/4/2013 6:13:53 AM:
TO JJB, The reason for this stretch run is that there is not motels except approx. halfway between the two towns, 40 miles
 
JJB from Fairmont, WV on 8/4/2013 8:25:25 AM:
O.K., I got you. My wife and I had to do a 62 mile day last year, (Hancock to Cumberland). We would normally stay in Paw Paw but there was nothing open last year. We got a late start due to a storm with plenty of lightning. The trail was a mess! It also got to about 92 degrees that day. We were fully loaded and could only do 8-10 MPH and we took plenty of breaks. We got into Cumberland late and ran into another scary storm. Wind was so strong it literally blew us off the trail. We rode single file so we wouldn't run into each other!

Again, I wish you luck on your ride. You can always ride the WMRT around Hancock. That should increase your speed and decrease your ride time.
 
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