vena_cava

Is anyone familiar with Route 9, between Hillsboro VA and Charles Town, WV? Can you tell me if it's a reasonably bike-friendly route?

I'm taking the W&OD from Arlington VA to Purcellville and then heading for Charles Town from there.

Looking at the ADC Bike Map, it looks like the most direct route from Purcellville to Charles Town is to head north from Purcellville to Hillsboro and then head west on Route 9 directly into Charles Town.

However, according to the ADC map the "On-Road Bike Route" on Route 9 ends at Harpers Ferry Road.

I'm wondering if it's safe to stay on Route 9 anyway, or is it better to just go up Harpers Ferry Road, meet up with the Towpath, then head back south after hitting Harpers Ferry (which will make the trip longer, but perhaps safer?).

I hope some of you who are familiar with these roads can advise. This will be my first solo ride through that area and I'd like to avoid bike-unfriendly road predicaments as much as possible. Thank you.

jagraham

Best of luck to you. Harper's Ferry Road in WV looks like it would be a nice ride until you reach US Route 340. I would not (repeat NOT) cross the Potomac into MD via 340. That's one nasty stretch of highway between Harper's Ferry and Keep Tryst (where you'd exit from 340 to get to the towpath). The section between the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers in the summer is crowded with outfitter's busses during the day, sightseeing tourists on the weekends and commuters going to Charlestown during rush hour. Choose your crossing time wisely.

Wish I could offer better advice...

Judy

CCrew

Rt 9 is a death road. No shoulders and high speed and lots of blind turns. There have been two head-on fatals in the last month, and that's in cars. I wouldn't ride it on a bike. Ever.

If you're going to run Arlington to Charles Town I'd ride the C&O to Shepherdstown or Harpers Ferry and go from there.

vena_cava

That's what I was afraid of.

Do you know of a good route from the C&O toward Charles Town that won't involve crossing the Potomac via 340 (heeding Judy's advice above)?

Neil_B

Try crossing at Shepardstown.

Or, if you don't mind the extra traffic-free and scenic miles, take the C & O to Cumberland and cross there.

DuckFat

I have ridden from Purcellville to Harpers Ferry and if you go up 690 (Hillsboro Road) from P'Ville to Hillsboro it's a pleasant ride but avoid rush hours. There is no shoulder at all but the traffic is light and not all that fast. From Hillsboro, go up Rt 9 for a mile or so to Route 671 (Harper's Ferry Rd). The traffic is a bit faster but still pretty light if you avoid rush hours. There are more stretches with shoulders but it's not consistent. The terrain is up and down not the big mountain on Rt 9. Route 340 South from 671 toward Harper's Ferry is busier still but there are wide shoulders. 340 will turn into 4 lane if you climb the hill toward Charles Town but it's much safer than Route 9.

For safety, I'd avoid going to Charles Town altogether unless you have a real purpose in going there. Going up the towpath from Harper's Ferry is very scenic. There is are nice campgrounds along the way and Shepherdstown is a nice little quirky town to explore.

vena_cava

Thanks for the info. I do have a purpose in going to Charles Town (specifically, Claymont Court).

So if I take 671 north from Hillsboro, I'll hit 340 before I get to the Potomac, correct? (I'm referring to the ADC Map as I write this, but the map is a little unclear.) If that's the case then I won't even have to worry about the aforementioned unbikeable 340 bridge.

vena_cava

Judy,

https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,0.075359&z=14

From what I see on the map, there are two bridges across the Potomac on 340, is that right? You advise against the Maryland-to-Virginia bridge; do you know if the Virginia-to-West Virginia bridge is better/worse/just as bad?

vena_cava

Well, Cumberland's pretty far from my ultimate destination, so I won't be doing that. Crossing at Shepherdstown is doable though. The ADC Map suggests Clement Hill Road to Engle Road as a southward route from there...are either of those roads familiar to you?

Neil_B

Sorry, I'm not from the area. I crossed to find a bike shop when I had a problem touring on the C & O. The bridge and local roads seemed OK.

CCrew

No need to use 340. There's a pedestrian bridge from the C&O into Harpers Ferry. Requires you hump the bike up two flights of steps, but you avoid the 340 bridge. I agree that is indeed one to avoid.

I'd run the C&O to Shepherdstown personally, simply because it's more scenic. Good wide access across the bridge across the river and bike lanes until you get out of town, then rural.

-Roger

CCrew

Virginia to WV bridge is only a couple years old and has wide access. The old bridge was very narrow, but that's gone.

KoYak

Here's an option for you. This is part of a ride I have planned for the summer.

https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...23962566667898

From the W&OD it's just a short 5.5 mile to White's Ferry which will basically take you right to the C&O.

The only busy road is the short ride on Rte 15 but if I remember correctly, this stretch of 15 has nice, wide shoulders, so it should be a pretty safe ride. Toll for the Ferry is $4, but I think it's less for bikes.

vena_cava

That sounds perfect (well, except for those stairs!).

My current plan (which is of course subject to change several more times as I gather more information) is to take the W&OD to Leesburg and head up to White's Ferry per KoYak's suggestion, then take the Towpath to Harpers Ferry and cross the pedestrian bridge, then head to Charles Town from there. (Alternately, I might stay on the Towpath and cross at Shepherdstown as you suggest. It sounds safer, but the question is, is it so much safer that it will justify adding the extra time/mileage to the trip?)

CCrew

Ferry toll is only $1 for bikes if I recall correctly. Just plan it so that you hit Rt 15 on non-rush hour.

Were it me I'd prolly run the towpath to Harpers Ferry to the Ped bridge and bypass Shepherdstown, that will put you on 340 south of Harpers Ferry. 340 into Charles Town is 4 lane divided highway with wide shoulders from there.

Only bugaboo would be weather, the C&O can get muddy in the stretch north of Whites Ferry if there's been a lot of rain.

CCrew

As an additional FYI, when you look at the Google map of Harpers Ferry, the Ped bridge is shared as part of the one railway trestle. You can see how it bypasses both bridges on 340.

jagraham

Your main stumbling block appears to be the Shenandoah River crossing at either Route 9 or US 340. Neither looks very attractive, and the last time crossed via 340 it was by bus - I didn't really notice the road condition. I'm very glad to hear that the old bridge is gone across the Shenandoah (VA-WV). It was nasty. Here's a YouTube video of the MD/VA/WV crossing at Harper's Ferry -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYfzzFacnEQ. US 340 widens to 4 lane after HF and the short stretch we traveled on was OK. Don't know how it would be to Charles Town.

1. Harper's Ferry to Shephardstown via the canal is quite lovely. The crossing at Shepardstown is new, and has allowances for bike/pedestrian traffic. Access from the canal is via service road (and I think there was signage last time I was through). The scenery to me would justify the extra mileage, but YMMV.

2. The Harper's Ferry Pedestrian Bridge - Libby and I haven't had any problem with getting our bikes AND gear across... and there's usually a couple of boy scouts falling over each other to help out. There is a minor nuisance factor, but I'd much rather head into Harper's Ferry this way.

3. White's Ferry is a nice crossing, I think Lib and I paid $1 each. US15 wasn't too bad headed into Leesburg.

4. If all else fails and you feel the road is too unsafe, call a cab... Ranson, WV has a taxi service in the Charles Town area - Community Taxi (304) 725-3794.

Hope I've been of help.

Judy

vena_cava

This is why I was hoping to avoid the C&O altogether (I'm more comfortable on pavement), but unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a good route from the end of the W&OD into West Virginia (seems like Harpers Ferry Road/671 is the best option if I go that route).

staehpj1

I don't remember 340 or either bridge being all that bad other than maybe during especially busy times. I have definitely toured on worse roads than the way I remember 340 and worse bridges than the 340 bridge over the Potomac (the other bridge is over the Shenandoah and is new and has a nice wide shoulder).

I have not been there for a few years though, have they gotten all that much worse?

CCrew

The bridge from VA into MD is pretty much a mess. What used to be a fairly narrow bridge with railings is these days an even narrower bridge with the addition of portable jersey walls down both sides...

CCrew

Well, Rt 7 is 4 lane with shoulder most all the way to I-81. You could run it into Clarke County and pick up 340 at Berryville and run into Charlestown from the south. It's an option, certainly better than Rt 9 but sections of 340 have no shoulder. That leaves you pulling a mountain at Snickers Gap also. Long downhill on the other side tho. You could run the W&OD into Purcellville at it's end and run Business 7 up to Round Hill. There are options albeit some longer.

Getting off the W&OD to run to Harpers Ferry would have you getting off at Clarks Gap/Rt9 which is about 5-7 miles from Purcellville BTW.

vena_cava

I was following the ADC route, which has you get off the W&OD at the very end, then taking Allder School Road to Hillsboro Road to Route 9 to Harpers Ferry Road. I see that Route 9 crosses Clarks Gap, but is Route 9 reasonably tame in that area?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, btw, it's very helpful.

CCrew

That's probably the most "modern" section of Rt9. Much more so than the area further up when it crosses the mountain into WV.

No problem on the help for the area. I actually work in Arlington (N. Courthouse) and commute to Winchester.. I bike in from Herndon and back out daily. I think I know every crack in the W&OD

DuckFat

The safest route is crossing at White's Ferry and then going to Harper's Ferry. It will be slower and the canal can be muddy this time of year. Just avoid rush hours in the Leesburg-White's Ferry link. You aren't going to be able to avoid 340 from HF to Charles Town unless you go to Shepherdstown which is a long way around and you'll still be on some two-lane/no shoulder roads from Shepherdstown to CT.

If you are riding in non-rush hour times then the route I outlined above is fine if you are comfortable on roads with a little bit of traffic. Just wear something bright. If you and your bike are able to go on the canal, it's much prettier and a very nice ride.

It all depends on your skill and comfort with traffic. I have gone both ways and it's a good ride either way. If busy roads really scare you, I'll bet you could find a pickup truck / SUV driver to take you to Charles Town from HF. People are friendly there, just ask for a ride and you'll get one I am sure.

vena_cava

Thanks. This is the route I'm probably going to take.

I'm hoping the C&O will be as not-muddy as possible, but I don't know how likely that will be considering the rain in the forecast for today and tomorrow (ugh).