Originally Posted by
phughes
Remember you can get a lot of what you need along the stops on the trail, so no need to carry a lot of food.
Not on the C&O Canal, in my experience. I didn't find a whole lot of "what I needed" along the trail on the section I rode (from Harper's Ferry to Cumberland). At least not a reasonable distance from the trail. I even made a detour from Williamsport to Clear Springs (to find a hotel on a cold rainy day) and didn't find anything. Even at Harper's Ferry, I had to do a 14 mile detour find a grocery store.
Even on the GAP, it was a bit difficult to find "what you need".
Originally Posted by
DropBarFan
Wide as possible (with the cross bike) for C&O, it can punish even young & fit riders.
I've got to disagree. I've ridden sections of the C&O a few times and never found it "punishing". It's a bit rougher than most trails but it's not exactly rocky or even that rough. Perhaps my perspective is colored by mountain bike experience but I found lots of trails in the eastern US that I've ridden on a loaded touring bike that were rougher.
Originally Posted by
Vexxer
What style tires should be used on the Gap/C&O? I know chances of mud or poor conditions on the C&O are possible, so I am wondering if Cyclecross tires would be best. I'm going later this summer or early fall. I will be using my Tricross, which I'm told can take up to 38mm tires. I currently have 28mm Gatorskins for road riding on it.
I rode the GAP and C&0 last spring on 32mm Panaracer Ribmo tires. Even in a day of rain (on the C&O), I never found them to be particularly slick or difficult to navigate puddles. The trail doesn't have a lot of sharp turns nor twists so I never found a need for tread. I did reduce the pressure slightly...from 100psi to 80psi...for the C&O but I pumped the tires back up to 100psi on the GAP. 28mm tires might be a bit narrow, however. Not for handling the terrain but because you don't have as much cushion if you reduce the pressure.