Loved the Gap trail

We rode, self supported, the GAP and C&O trail a month ago camping along the way. It took us 5 days and we ended up totaling 354 miles with side stops. I loved the GAP trail. The GAP trail was amazing. The amount of work they have done with bridges, signs, and benches was amazing. Not to mention the condition of the trail. The C&O trail was much more rustic, in worse condition and with fewer places to stop for water, food, etc. But I enjoyed both. But what we enjoyed the most were the people we met while riding. The were a lot of friendly enthusiastic people on the trail.

We rode west to east because of the weather forecast. But if I had a choice I would rather begin in DC and do the GAP second and save the nicer trail for last. I think my buttocks would have been happier for that choice.

What I enjoyed more than the ride was the planning and logistics. This site helped a great deal. If anyone is planning a trip and needs any advice I would be happy to send them the planning guide I put together.

I'm planning to do the GAP in Mid September. My big decision is which way to ride. Did you find the slight uphill from PB to Cumberland very noticeable? I keep hearing that there is a headwind that blows west to east that is helpful if you ride in this direction. How far did you go per day? Any particular recommendations on towns/or places to stay?

Susan, the headwinds were never really noticeable for me as you are curling and looping in different directions along the rivers, so it's not really noticeable. Plus in many spots, you're surrounded by tree canopy. As for direction, it depends on your wants. The first time I did it, I did Pittsburgh to DC because I thought it would be cool to end a long trip at the National Mall for some cool pics of the Capitol. That said, in terms of physically enjoying the ride, I'd do DC to Pittsburgh. It's totally flat from DC to Cumberland of course except for the canal locks which are little 8-10 foot climbs but are really small and nothing to worry about. Then from Cumberland, it's 24 miles going "uphill" (1.5 - 2% grade) to the Continental Divide but then you get the reward of 126 miles of going slightly downhill all the way to Pittsburgh. For most people, this is two enjoyable days of a slight downhill to end your trip. You're not going to coast of course but you won't be fighting gravity either even if it's just a subtle grade but you are going downhill. None of these grades are steep in any real sense. I did it in five days with overnights in Harpers Ferry, Hancock, Cumberland, Ohiopyle or Connellsville, and ending in Pittsburgh (or campgrounds near them). Approx. 65-75 miles day.

Susan, I agree with John W. Ignore the headwind issue when deciding which direction to go.

I just completed a 5-day ride between DC and Pittsburgh yesterday, stopping in:

-Harper's Ferry
-Hancock
-Cumberland
-Confluence
-Pittsburgh

So similar to John's itinerary except I stopped in Confluence instead of Ohiopyle. If I'd stopped in Ohiopyle, the last two days (Cumberland-to-Ohiopyle and Ohiopyle-to-Pittsburgh) would have each been about 75 miles I think. As I did it, I had about a 60 mile day (Cumberland to Confluence) and a 90 mile day (Confluence to Pittsburgh). It was rough coming into Pittsburgh after biking 75-80 miles already. But I made it. :) I think John's itinerary is better.

If you wanted to make it a 6-day westbound trip, you could stop in Confluence (like I did), then stop again in, perhaps, Boston (it seemed like there might be some lodging there), and then have an easy 25-30 mile ride into Pittsburgh on the last day.

Happy riding!

Oh, I should add: it seems to me that plenty of people do west-to-east, so if that seems better to you don't let us dissuade you.

And I agree with John that the "uphill" heading west out of Cumberland is hardly a big deal at all. I am a wuss with hills and this doesn't even feel like a hill. It just feels like your tires are low on air or something because you're going slower for some reason. ;)

I also just finished the C&O and GAP -- fantastic 9 days spent on the trails. I did a back and forth, so essentially did both trails twice! Took a few different routes going and coming back (including the Western Maryland Rail Trail) -- it was a super nice diversion to the bumpyness of the C&O, even if only 22 miles of it! GAP s lovely - did not really notice the headwinds or much of a climb -- like mentioned above, sort of just felt like tires were a bi deflated! I was doing at least 70 miles a day to make it, and camping along the way, but stopping to eat in a number of different towns. Really, reallly loved Shepherdstown! Enjoy it -- it is stunning!

Thank you all for your comments and advise. I'm really glad to hear the headwinds are not an issue because I really wanted to go east to west and experience the long down hill. Being from Florida flatlands, I'm a real wimp about hills too, but your comments about the trek from Cumberland to the Divide no big deal is also reassuring. We are just doing the GAP portion and plan of 4 fairly leisurely days. Now that I have my direction, I can start solidifying our plans! Thanks everyone!

Thanks for taking the time to post your experience, this is quite helpful in planning a trip. Does anyone have any details on the campgrounds they stayed at or saw along the way? We are planning a trip along the Allegheny Passage and identified the camp site in Buena Vista and Perrypopolis as places we may want to camp at.

I agree with everyone else the headwind did not make a difference because of the tree cover. I would recommend going east to west as you are going to get the better trail last and get the C&O over with 1st. There was a 39 mile slow climb from Confluence to the Continental Divide but it was not very noticeable. The only consideration for me, is how wet will the C&O trail be. The C&O trail does not absorb water very well. It takes about 3 days for it to dry off. The weather forecast as to when and where the rain will fall might make a difference in direction.

I did it in 5 days staying in the overflow biker campground in Confluence which was very nice. night 2 we stayed in a campground around mile marker 175. I would not recommend that campground at all. Night 3 we stayed in a B&B in Williamsport and night in a very nice campground around mile marker 38.

If you would like to see Pics of my trip. I posted them on facebook here. https://www.facebook.com/bruce.drysdale.1/media_set?set=a.10153154190132928.1073741830.692197927&type=3&pnref=story If you contact me there, I would be happy to send you the word docs I made with list of restaurants, bike shops, campground, etc and any help that I can be. Best of luck on your trips.

We are also from Florida, and the elevation chart convinced us that we would be happier going east to west. We "cheated"--um, expanded our overall travel experience?--and took the train from Cumberland to Frostburg, so only 8 miles left to the Continental Divide.

But we did both trails.