Touring - Thinking of riding the C&O soon?

Did 65 miles today. All I can say is that it was a tire sucking mud pit! :notamused:

Been there, done that, got wet.
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=RrzKj&doc_id=540&v=1

been there, done that, never need to do it again!

I used it to get from Cumberland, MD, to DC, in three days when there were 100 degree days on the nearby roads, and for that I was grateful. I hadn't known about it before my tour, and would never use it again. You're near the river, but there are very few views of it, because you're in a tunnel of trees 98% of the time. I would suggest MTB/fat tires only, as the constant roots destroyed the nerves in my fingers (using gel gloves) with wide touring tires. At one point I reduced the air to reduce the pain and got a pinch flat. About the only thing I liked were the alternating ducks and turtles sharing logs in the hundreds of ponds/bogs by the side of the trail. The Katy Trail is much more pleasant, scenic and varied, if you want a long-distance trail.

Yeah.. I've ridden the C&O lots since it's so close to home, but for some reason yesterday it was just one of those soul sucking rides. You literally couldn't tell what color the bikes were and I doubt the mud stains are coming out of the clothes.

My wife actually has fun hitting our close by MTB trails after a rain and getting covered in mud, but after a half day of it there was no fun left, which just made the second half a grind to the end..

Was on the C&O two weeks ago from Cumberland to DC and had the same experience. I made a point of jumping off at Williamsport for a scenic detour through Sharpsburg then bailed again at Brunswick to head south and hit the W&OD. Was the best decision I ever made and saved my sanity. I'll never forget the look on the B&B owner's face in Harpers Ferry when I arrived covered in mud (me, bike, panniers) and proceeded to hose everything down outside. It was "why did I agree to have a cycle tourist here" transitioning to "thanks god he's not tracking all that mud into my house."

Lousy surface maintenance; lack of river or distant views; mudholes that take days to dry. When compared with Katy Trail, Greenbrier River Trail or The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP), it's embarrassing (and visually boring).
ACA runs a fully-supported tour of C&O/GAP in September when the conditions are drier. Their intro encourages hybrids or MTBs, not touring bikes. I wonder what their clients think?

I would never take the chance of running a tour when the weather can alter a trip so much. What would the clients say after a day or two of rain? I want my time and money back!!!!

Only if they're wimps. For me, one of the great satisfactions of touring is putting myself in a position where I'm not in control of all criteria and have to deal with unexpected and, yes - sometimes unpleasant, situations on a daily basis.

There is no such thing as bad weather - only having the wrong clothing.

Good weather is an act of god - bad weather is the trip leader's fault.




I would never take the chance of running a tour when the weather can alter a trip so much. What would the clients say after a day or two of rain? I want my time and money back!!!!

I have no problem with any weather conditions but if I was running a tour with paying customers there is no way that I choose this trail! I do believe that you do have more wimps(sorry if this doesn't include you) on organized supported trips.

It's such a shame that they can't lay down more substrate on the trail which would make for a much more enjoyable ride (when wet or dry) since it sees so much use.

It's such a shame that they can't lay down more substrate on the trail which would make for a much more enjoyable ride (when wet or dry) since it sees so much use.

Preservationists get their pantaloons in a wad when people mention the idea of paving the C & O.

Rode a short portion of it last weekend (Sycamore Landing to Edwards Ferry) and wisely decided to detour on River Road (gravel portion) to Whites Ferry. Rest of the ride was on roads to Poolesville and back home. It was like riding through chocolate pudding at times. Not much fun this time of year. I'm planning on riding the entire length later this summer when it dries up. A couple weeks ago I ran into a few guys with skinny tires who rode the entire length in 3 days, and they did not look too thrilled.

I disagree, I think the C&O is great as it is. Paving it helps keep the bike snobs off of it and paving it would make it become overused. There's history all along the C&O.... Harper's Ferry, Fort Frederick, Antietam, Brunswick, Sherpardtown, Hancock, Cumberland, etc etc.. And free camping throughout....

I'm not aware of anybody in the National Park Service ever suggesting that the C&O towpath be paved.

I grew up within walking distance of the C&O and biked on it all the time. I was well aware that if there had been lots of recent rain I should avoid it. I also knew that the towpath stays muddy much longer when it's cool than during the hot summer. Therefore, when a friend & I planned to ride from Pittsburgh to DC, we deliberately scheduled it for the summer (late June/early July in our case). We had a torrential thunderstorm on the day we approached Harpers Ferry so we had mud the rest of that one afternoon. But overall, we had good conditions.

I'm not aware of anybody in the National Park Service ever suggesting that the C&O towpath be paved.


It's not the NPS. But every now and then someone in one of the trail groups raises the issue.

BTW, I wonder how the NPS is going to build the trail surface when they 'restore' the 2 mile section south of Williamsport that's been washed out since the 1970s.

I arrived at the C&O after 9 months on the road. It was the rainiest period of this tour, and I still love the C&O. I intend to ride it again in a couple years

Different strokes, but... The C&O isn't really my cup of tea. I may do it at some point, but personally I would usually rather be on regular roads than "bike trails". Actually I might be more likely to run or hike it than ride it.

The C&O is fun precisely because the surface is dirt. I had a blast dodging mud puddles and sometimes sailing straight through them. The GAP, which I road on before it, is a good trail, but a little dull.

I've been back to the C&O, but I don't forsee returning to the GAP.

I took my two teenagers and one of their friends for their first overnight bike trip on the C&O over the weekend. We were on the towpath from Chain Bridge near DC to about the 50 mile marker and then back to White’s ferry. It was great.

I think it’s all about the bike and your expectations. Fat tires, fenders, and reasonable expectations for how fast you will be traveling can make it quite pleasant. That said, we planned the trip on three days’ notice and rode from our front door. If rain were likely we would not have gone.

I think folks complained when it was suggested that it be surfaced in the same way GAP is. They want it to remain unchanged. I think it would be better if it had crushed stone.

Anybody have any suggestions on a good bike group for doing the C&O/GAP trails this late summer/fall? I am looking for a bit more hardcore pace than the super laid-back 9-10 day trips.

Why not go yourself? No reason to join a group unless you're looking for company as the logistics are straight forward. The trip breaks up nicely into 5 days, about 65 miles a day. Start in McKeesport or Boston and first night in Confluence . . . About 70 miles. Confluence to Cumberland, aout 63 miles. Cumberland to Hancock, about 60 miles. Hancock to Harpers Ferry, anywhere from 52 to 62 miles depending on whether you stay on the canal or detour at Williamsport through Antietam and Sharpaburg. Harpers Ferry to DC about 62 miles.

"Why not go yourself?"

He may need someone to pull him out of the mud!

My brother, friend and I head out Friday morning for a ride from McKeesport to DC. Stories so far seem to read that the GAP is in good condition and that the C&O is muddy and terrible. We're 'upgrading' to 37mm tires with fenders and hope that's enough to stay somewhat 'clean'. While the trails may not have the most fantastic views, I think the ride and the company will more than make up for the conditions.

Should we tire of the mud and trails, can anyone suggest alternate routes? I'll be doing some research myself, but would like to hear some favored routes when things turn muddy.

Thanks all!

I did the C&O on 700x32 tires without fenders. Would now swap out for my 700x34 knobbies, but really, except for picking some stuff out of my drivetrain now and again, the 32's were fine. (Admittedly, this is a 3x7 touring drivetrain. 9-speed cassettes may not be as sturdy.) Bring some lube and a few rags along if you like.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/2580763380_90700c9989.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2580763380/)
100_7539.JPG (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2580763380/) by neilfein (http://www.flickr.com/people/neilfein/), on Flickr

I understand people with road bikes or 9-speed drivetrains steering clear of the C&O, but I really think people worry about a little dirt too much. You get to play in the mud! Camping in the mud... yeah, that's no fun.

In the last 40 miles of the C&O coming in on DC, you can cross over into Virginia and ride the W&OD trail. It's paved, hilly, and has no camping, but it's a good final day of touring. It ends in Alexandria, VA and you can take the Metro into DC proper.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2741/4500909389_31163a4f71.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/4500909389/)
IMG_2627 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/4500909389/) by neilfein (http://www.flickr.com/people/neilfein/), on Flickr

However, if you do that you'll miss the Great Falls, accesible from the C&O:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4502049220_b0b047e0c2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/4502049220/)
IMG_2717 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/4502049220/) by neilfein (http://www.flickr.com/people/neilfein/), on Flickr

But you don't have to choose: Taking the W&OD out and the C&O back (or vice-versa) is actually a very nice little tour on its own. My wife and I did it in three days, but it can be done in two (or even one) but where's the fun in that? Here's our tour journal (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/hahaitoldyouso).

I would say my experience wasn't as prim and proper as yours.. Or at least just a touch past the "lube and a few rags" you suggest.

http://www.tsplace.com/jeep/muddybike.jpg

In the last 40 miles of the C&O coming in on DC, you can cross over into Virginia and ride the W&OD trail. It's paved, hilly, and has no camping, but it's a good final day of touring. It ends in Alexandria, VA and you can take the Metro into DC proper.

You don't have to continue all the way to Alexandria on the W&OD Trail if your goal is DC. When you get to Arlington, there will be an intersection on the left with the Custis Trail. Take the Custis Trail to Rosslyn (a neighborhood of Arlington directly across Key bridge from Georgetown). You can either cross Key bridge or you can continue a bit further south on a nice trail along the Potomac on the VA side, and then cross Memorial Bridge which deposits you at the Lincoln Memorial. To get up to Memorial Bridge you have to carefully walk your bike across a parkway and push your bike a short distance up a grassy slope to the bridge. It's not as tricky as it sounds.

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Bonus photo: joel2old getting a SAG to dinner after riding 60 miles in pouring rain.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/3671038879_37ae4ce8da_b.jpg

Bonus photo: joel2old getting a SAG to dinner after riding 60 miles in pouring rain.



I was crazy from all of the mud so they had to put me in the back of the car to be safe. It was a once in a life time ride and I mean ONCE.

All these pictures of the C&O and mud are making me want to ride it again. It's a matter of preference, of course. @CCrew - But your bike has such soft, supple skin now, yes?