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Steve from Brooklyn, USA on 5/25/2016 1:16:50 PM:

DC to PGH in August. Should I use my mountain bike or road bike withh 700c x 32 wheels? Saw some pics of C&O looking like a sloppy mess and wondering if the trail is full of ruts. Preference is for the road bike.

John W. from Pittsburgh, PA on 5/25/2016 8:47:03 PM:

I used Bontrager Race All Weather 700 x 32 on my Trek 7.3 fx hybrid. No problems. The GAP you will be fine no matter how wet as it's packed crushed limestone rail trail. The C&O can be wetter and muddier and offer more "surprises" as its old canal trail that was used by mules and does indeed have tree ruts. You definetely have to pay attention more here than on the GAP where you can daydream while riding. Even though it didn't rain on me, it must have rained ahead of me in the trail because the C&O was wet in spots. It doesn't drain as well as the GAP and there is lots of tree canopy coverage so the sun doesn't get to dry it out as fast. Yeah you'll get a little muddy and wet if there's been rain but hey, you'll be going in August and it will be hot and sticky anyways. After trying to avoid the first few puddles, we just went right through them after. Kinda fun! The pumps at all of the C&O hiker biker sites have ample water to clean off. :-)

steve on 5/26/2016 10:00:51 AM:

Thanks for the info. Hot and sticky I can deal with. Cold and wet I can't. Probably will do the road bike, will be traveling light but still may still have 10 lbs of gear which would bode well for the mountain bike. I'll do a few trips before then with my gear to test it out.

Anonymous on 5/29/2016 9:02:26 PM:

Steve, I really like John's comment, it's realistic, not like others I have read that just want to make it sound like they are pro riders and can do the trip in no time. So my opinion, either bike will do it and I have both type also but I use a mountain bike just to be more comfortable. Speed or comfort, after all day of riding it only ends up being 10 to 15 minutes differences. Enjoy the ride and GO PENS!

kim from Cuyahoga Falls, Oh on 6/6/2016 11:45:46 AM:

I have done this with a commuter bike 700X32. Had no trouble, but no suspension was tough on my shoulders. Doing it again this June, taking my mountain bike this time!

Steve on 6/7/2016 7:02:58 PM:

Encouraging comments, thanks. Leaning towards my commuter bike 700x32, although may put 35's on. Plan on staying PGH for a while and would prefer the road bike to get around. Go Pens!

Bob G from Columbus, OH on 6/15/2016 8:04:43 PM:

John W is on target. The other thing to consider is fenders, which will keep you and the bike much cleaner if wet conditions exists.

Mark G. from Columbia, MD on 7/12/2016 11:00:35 PM:

Regarding the sometimes muddy conditions on the C & O, especially when approaching a puddle, I have found it best to just ride through the puddle. The mud on either side is often turned to slippery slush and a wipe-out can happen. You may get a little dirty, but the Potomac is right there to scoop up in your hands and clean up. As for bikes, either a mountain bike or hybrid is my choice--never a road bike. Beautiful as the trail is, it has some rocks and roots here and there. Nothing to worry about.

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