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Reply to Best section of C and O to “sample” the trail


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Reply to Best section of C and O to “sample” the trail
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Purple Paul from Allentown PA on 10/6/2019 8:45:37 AM:
I’m looking for suggestions for a section of trail to sample on a one day out and back ride. I’m considering a full trail trip next season but find myself with a free Saturday this month and an itching to try out the C and O. I’ve done the GAP twice, so it’s time to try something new.

What is the best section of trail to try out?

Thanks...

 
Rivnuts from Homestead. PA on 10/6/2019 9:11:33 AM:
My suggestion would depend on a number of things such as your location, what you want to experience and the distance you'd like to ride in a single day. One thought would be to start in Hancock and ride toward Little Orleans on the paved WMRT that parallels the Towpath and then drop down on the Towpath itself and head back to and beyond Hancock to the downriver end of the WMRT and return to Hancock on the WMRT.. That would be about 45 miles and you would get a good sample of the Towpath and a fairly easy ride. Perhaps the best part of this ride would be the ability to finish off the ride with dinner at Weaver's Restaurant in Hancock.

There are numerous other options depending on your location and preferences.

 
Tom from Pgh PA on 10/6/2019 9:51:29 AM:
Possibly the section between Williamsport and Shepherdstown would be good for you if your coming from Allentown. Williamsport is probably the nearest trailhead to you, plus the Conococheague aqueduct at Williamsport was just rebuilt and rewatered & appears to be an interesting location. Also the concrete structure section of trail at Slackwater around mile 87 is worth seeing although probably not recommended for inexperienced riders & kids due to the unprotected drop to the river. If you have access to Google-Earth you can actually see what the trail looks like in "street view". Not sure how they filmed the trail, maybe in an ATV, but it gives you an excellent view of the trail as you would see it from a bike. Possibly have lunch in historic Shepherdstown, then back to Williamsport for a do-able 55 mile day.