Originally Posted by
DropBarFan
Good points, if path is paved one tends to speed up & then bumpy sections are even worse. My local paved bike paths have a lot of under-maintained sections. DC C&O has a short concrete section which is bumpier than the regular gravel part. Fixing C&O is a challenge even with money: canal side is inherently vulnerable to erosion & moving back trees & banks on the outside might be unpopular due to altering the leafy semi-natural condition.
In my opinion, the C&O is a mixed bag with varying conditions. that is what I want and makes it fun! I've only taken it from Whites Ferry north and that was on purpose. I enjoyed the C&O more then the PA side to the burgh portion which I thought was boring although I was getting sore (another unrelated thread here).
I don't know if you are from the DC/NOVA area but I've taken the Fairfax CCT from Occoquan to Pickets and back many times. Same mixed bag but there are some sections of asphalt that are are severally rooted and it is brutal. I'd rather have mud, gravel and roots than that.