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Trail Speed


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Kelly G from Erie PA on 3/9/2016 6:38:22 PM:
About how many MPH would you guess you can travel on the both the GAP and the C & O? I would say I am a strong cyclist (at least on a road bike!!!!) Do you think an average of 60 miles/day is too ambitious? I am working with time constraints (as I'm sure most are :))
 
Anonymous on 3/10/2016 8:20:39 AM:
You can easily do 60 a day. I ran into one fella doing 100 which is the end of the spectrum but you get the idea.The C&O will be a bit slower but you will be good with that mileage average.
 
Willy from Arlington, VA on 3/10/2016 10:12:59 AM:
I biked form DC to Pittsburgh in September.
I did it in 6 days.
Most days were around 60miles per day.
Going toward Pittsburgh you may want to consider doing 44 miles from Cumberland to Rockwood PA That is because the trail from Cumberland to Deal is all up a 1.5 percent grade. You will find yourself going 6-7 mph going up the grade instead of the 10-12 mph on regularly flat terrain elsewhere.
 
Rick from Grafton on 3/11/2016 5:29:20 AM:
Kelly I think you might have emailed me about trail info. My wife 65 years old averages 10/14 MPH on the Gap and slightly slower on the C&O. I ride a bit faster at 12/16 MPH and we're still able to enjoy the ride. You'll be able to ride quite a bit faster on the GAP even with the slight uphill grade. From Rockwood to Meyersdale we tend to slow down but it's the end of a 45 mile day and we're usually packing camping gear etc. The steepest portion of trail is the 8 miles from Meyersdale to the Continental Divide but still it's not bad just a grind. The C&O is slower but still 10/14 MPH for us. WE generally do the Gap in 3.5/4 days. We rarely have time issues but 60 miles is doable. Invest in a couple pairs of quality bike shorts with a well made pad.
 
lenny on 3/11/2016 5:41:19 AM:
Have done Pgh to DC many times never less than 60 m/d. most trips are 2 - 75 mile days and 3 60 mile days. Pgh to Ohiopyle and Ohiopyle to Cumberland. Toughest grade going east is Rockwood to Myersdale....relentless grade for 16 miles. By the way we were in our late 50's.
 
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