Ridefreemc

I am in the planning stages of a trip for my daughter and me this summer. For those of you that are familiar with the area I ask if you know a way to shorten the trip in some way between Washington, DC (Union Station) and Pittsburg, PA.

We would be coming from Tampa, FL to DC via AMTRAK. Riding folders from there up the Potomic (on the C&O) to Pittsburg where we can get back on AMTRAK to Syracuse, NY. From there AMTRAK over to and down the East Coast - stopping to ride a bit along the way back to Tampa.

We only have two weeks time for this and the 328 miles shown between DC and Pittsburg are a bit much for my daughter - and we don't have the 6 days to do it (miles that she could handle each day). I am looking for advice on how to shorten this trip via transit or other means. For example, if we had to we'd take a cab out of DC and cut off some miles - and the same coming into Pittsburg. However, I feel that might cause us to miss some interesting city riding.

Any ideas on how to make this part of the trip shorter?

alan s 

With folding bikes, you could hop on Amtrak's Capitol Limited. If you plan it right, you could have time to explore Harper's Ferry and then catch a train to spend the night in Cumberland. Probably other options, as well.

Wouldn't skip the beginning part out of DC, because of the interesting sights along the way, like downtown DC and Great Falls.

Philly Tandem

Lots of options with folding bikes. The Capitol Ltd, as mentioned, makes stops along the route. See more info here. Stops along the C&O and GAP include Harper's Ferry, Cumberland, Md., Connellsville, Pa., and Pittsburgh.

I'm confused by the Syracuse leg. Is there some reason you are doing that? If not, then just hop on the Capitol Ltd. and head back to DC and then to FL.

Having ridden both, I think the GAP trail is more nicer and enjoyable to ride. If it were me, I'd ride the C&O from DC to Harper's Ferry (beware, though, the westbound train leaves around 11am), take the train to Cumberland, then ride to Connellsville. After Connellsville the GAP isn't quite as scenic as it is to the east.

You could also do a rental car as part of the leg. Hertz has a location in Cumberland not too far (1/4 mile) from the C&O/GAP trailheads.

If you are curious, I have my rides on the C&O and GAP written up on the Web at https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/briwasson

alan s 

The current schedule shows the westbound train leaving Harper's Ferry at 5:16 pm.

Ridefreemc

The Syracuse leg is for visiting relatives (spending a few days on Oneida Lake). It does add a lot to the trip though, but I think it would be fun to go down to Albany, NY, and then some of the larger East Coast cities such as Philadelphia or Boston. I usually do a 6-7,000 mile motorcycle trip this time of the year so the big loop is about normal (although half the distance). Last year it was my oldest daughters 13th birthday so I took her on my Ducati to Newfundland (from Florida). This year it is another daughter's 13th so I have another big trip to plan. Next year - one more!

I tried to plan over to Chicago and down to New Orleans, but back to Tampa was way up to Charlotte, NC and then down. Too weird.

I have copied down your idea and will work that out - thank you.

Ridefreemc

That sounds better.

Philly Tandem

Oops, you are right. It stops in Harper's Ferry around 11 am on it's way back to DC.

spinnaker

"Supposedly" Amtrak will be offering roll on roll off service very soon so you will be able to take anything.

But I question the wisdom of folding bikes on the C&O. Unless they are touring folders you are in for a very rough time. Even touring folders might be an issue. I'd see if anyone else has done that. I would probably try it on a touring folder but I would never try it on a regular folder.

An option would be to take the paved path to Harpers Ferry (assuming you can cross there, I know you can cross at Whites) then take the train to Cumberland. From Cumberland to Pittsburgh I think you would do OK on a standard folder assuming it does not rain to hard.

Let me know if you need help at the Pittsburgh end. SAG, a place to crash, tour guide, whatever.

Ridefreemc

Got to read Briwasson's five page trip write up and it is getting me more insprired. Thank you for the information and offer. As I get it put together I may be back in touch.

To start that conversation is it tough to get from the GAP to the station in Pittsburg?

I may be getting a couple of Mezzo folders that should be up to the GAP, but maybe not the C and O from what I have read.

After reading much of the story of the GAP riding I may see about doing more miles and making this a little more of the trip focus. Much depends on the AMTRAK schedules and time to do the loop overall.

VT_Speed_TR

I have a touring Dahon folder and I don't think I'd like to ride the entire C&O on it. It even has a Thudbuster seatpost! Also, check out my tour journal when a number of folks from this forum did the ride a couple years back. In particular, check out the day of riding from Cumberland to Hancock. Rain does a number on the C&O and with those small wheels I think you'd really get bogged down. Just have a fallback plan if weather turns south on ya.


https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?...c_id=5496&v=5m

spinnaker

And VT_Speed_TR speaks from experience. He has done the trail more than once. Once being with me! The blog that he posted was from that trip. First picture is a subset group of something like 15 total.

Ridefreemc

i haven't tried a folder yet (will tonight), but don't think it would have liked that mud!

Sounds like a great trip. Funny how food and beer get better when you are doing a trip like that. Provides quite an appreciation.

Thanks or sharing.

alan s 

Just to give you some perspective, this is the bike I use on the C&O Towpath. I live a couple miles from the towpath, and commute daily and ride weekends on it all the time. Plenty of people ride with skinnier tires, but it can be punishing. Not sure if a folder would be the best (never ridden one).

spinnaker

Hey VT_Speed_TR,

I reread your blog. At the Connlesville campsite, you forgot to mention WHY we told you to get ice cream.

Let me tell you guys that that for once the real pleasure with ice cream, wasn't the eating. It was the buying!

spinnaker

Just a little of what your are in for along the C&O.

VT_Speed_TR

My wife was reading the journal over my shoulder as I composed it, so the truth had to be hidden. But that ice cream stand had the BEST view of the entire trip :-0

VT_Speed_TR

Why did you post a pix of your bike after you had hosed it off ;-)

spinnaker

Yeah figure as much. They do have a heck of an awesome view in that ice cream store.