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The C&O Canal Towpath Trail and Great Allegheny Passage

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Cenzolorenzo on 3/28/2015 10:09:16 AM:

When does the tow path open for the season? Also, the guy at my local bike shop is telling me that my "department store bike" is not up to the task. it's only 2 years old. Is he just trying to sell me a new bike?

Rick from Grafton, Va. on 3/28/2015 6:08:38 PM:

The Tow Path is never really closed. People cross country ski during the winter months if there is snow. Most people choose to thru-ride starting around mid April when the water pumps are turned on. Trail conditions can be rough early in the spring due to a harsh winter (like the one we just had.) People have ridden the Tow Path on just about every thing from a high end road bike to a beat-up paper boy bike. A hybrid or Mt Bike with wider tires would be your best bet and a nicer (more expensive bike) might give you better service and fewer mechanical issues. If your planning to haul overnight gear like tent, sleeping bag, cook gear, etc. A better built bike would be a wise investment. I ride a Trek Mamba 29'er with 2" to 2.4" tires. Never had a mechanical issue other than tires. My wife and I met a group that had a ton of problems on the Tow Path due to extremely muddy conditions several had broken or bent derailers and other problems. They had a sag wagon so help wasn't far away. A nice well built durable bike will give you a comfortable, dependable ride.

John from Richmond, VA on 3/29/2015 7:50:09 AM:

Rick- how are the current conditions? I am planning a Mt. Vernon VA to Cumberland trip in about a week during my spring break. (I'm a teacher). I'm not so much worried about my bike as I am me being miserable! I've ridden in mid-April during a soggy time and it wasn't fun!
Thank you-

Rick from Grafton, Va. on 3/30/2015 5:22:09 AM:

Small world, I work for the Newport News School System and am also on break a week from today. I haven't been on the Tow Path since last Oct. At that time there were stretches that were rough but that is normal. We had a pretty hard winter with all of the snows and rains. I'd guess that the trail is wet and muddy along most of the route. We are supposed to have warmer weather this week that might dry things out abit. Sorry I can't help more.

Have you ridden the Capital Trail? The newest completed stretch between the Chicahominy River and Charles City Courthouse is pretty nice. 13 miles one way.You can do a nice 60 miler if you start at Jamestown and head out and back.

John from Richmond on 3/30/2015 10:48:22 AM:

Cap trail is going to be great! I guess this summer/fall it will finally be finished b/w Richmond and Williamsburg. I've been doing the CaptoCap rides the past 10 years. Always a lot of fun.
I'm hoping the trail will be on the dryer side of things. The first time I attempted to ride the whole thing we left in a cold mist and it didn't get any better. We got to Point of Rocks and had to stop. I might have to bump up my ride by one day too (less time for drying!) I haven't done any of the Western MD trail, so I'll try that b/w Hancock and Pearre.

Rick from Grafton, Va. on 3/30/2015 8:22:58 PM:

Yeah the Western MD route is a nice alternate to the C&O. It would be nice if they could extend it to Paw Paw but the tunnels are home to endangered bats and I'm not sure if it will ever happen. It would be a great loop along one of the most remote stretches of the Tow Path. The weather has chased me off a couple of times also.
Have you ever biked the Greenbrier River Trail in WV? Nice 75 mile Rails To Trails route. We ride and camp along the route twice a year. We'll be heading that way April 24/26. We have room for one more rider if you can get a Fri. off of work. We bike 25 miles on Fri. and camp near Marlinton, 42 miles on Sat. camping along the river, and finish with 10 miles on Sun. Give me a shout if your interested. The group that participates is a mixed bag of skill levels.

John from Richmond on 4/1/2015 9:19:58 AM:

Thanks for the invite!
I have a Boy Scout campout I'm doing that weekend. I've never biked the Greenbrier Trail, though I've heard good things about it. This summer I'll have to wander up there to take a look.
I'm worried about the weather this weekend- several storms are supposed to move through before I leave which would make riding miserable. I'm now having second thoughts about going this week.

Rick from Grafton,Va on 4/1/2015 6:42:52 PM:

Yeah, the weather is going to be a bit unstable at times next week. I was planning to bike the High Bridge on that Thur. but rain is in the forecast. If you decide to bike the Greenbrier at some future time feel free to contact me athiker80@cox.net. I've done about 8 thru rides. I'd be glad to share some info. It's a fun route.

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