Originally Posted by jagraham

Oh Geez, started working on this before I left for work, didn't see the post about keeping kosher. Western PA -- where everything is served with a side of pork. I'd make sure to bring a stove. Do you need info on Supermarkets? You know, places to buy REAL food (as opposed to convenience stores).

I've ridden the trails on a Trek Navigator, a Novara Randonnee, and Libby has used an MTB without knobby tires. No problem on any bike. We've also used a two-wheeled trailer, a BoB and just panniers on various trips.

Originally Posted by jagraham

All good sources of info. Another good read you might try to find "184 Miles of Adventure" (http://www.patc.us/store/XX250.htm). It's a nice paperback guide, only 48 pages, and provides a wealth of info you can easily tuck into a trunk or handlebar bag. Some people print out the maps that are on the bikewashington and atatrail websites.

Originally Posted by jagraham

The River's Edge Campground. Libby and her friend ****y liked staying there. There's a pool. It wasn't too expensive, although we were charged the group rate of $5 per person; we were a larger group and paid more than a regular campsite. Bring shower shoes... the showers were not in the best of shape. There are washers/dryers on site. (OK - I'm a mom and I travel with kids).

Originally Posted by jagraham

Frank Lloyd Wright fan, eh? Are you just doing the general public tours or any of the other (in-depth) tours. Tickets for the regular tour at Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob run $18 each if you order online ($16+$2 service fee) and are available up until 9am of the day of the tour. For the special tours, reservations need to be made 48 hours in advance. They say to allow two hours per tour. What they don't tell you is Fallingwater is 4.5 miles to the north from Ohiopyle (and uphill on a shoulderless PA road); and Kentuck Knob is about 5.5 miles to the south. The auto directions are "Go south on 381 through Ohio Pyle for 4 miles. Turn right at the state park sign across the Meadow Run Bridge. Follow winding road up a steep hill for 1.5 miles. Turn left at the intersection. Kentuck Knob is located .08 miles on the left." It *IS* a steep hill. RVs and busses are discouraged from using this route (can't remember if they are prohibited though). My car had a hard time on this hill. [shakes head... KILLER hill]

I think you‘re a little optimistic about your mileage for the day. Adelaide to Connellsville is about 2 miles, Connellsville to Ohiopyle is 18, Ohiopyle to Fallingwater and back is 9, Ohiopyle to Kentuck Knob and back is 11 miles and Ohiopyle to Husky Haven in Rockwood is 30 -- total would be more like 70, plus about 4 hours or so taking the tours. You could probably shave off a few miles by heading up the Kentuck Trail (MTB/hiking trail) before you get to the town of Ohiopyle, but everyone I’ve spoken to have regretted trying to get their loaded bikes up to the campground. The other thing is, although it is barely discernable (only 1-2% grade), you are headed uphill the entire trip from Connellsville to the Eastern Continental Divide. I don’t ever remember coasting on that section (in other words, continuous pedaling).

I have an idea though... you can pm me when you firm up your plans. I've got a Chevy Suburban, and can put on the hitch rack. I'll be more than happy to SAG you to the Wright houses if you plan on doing the tours. If you run out of time, you could probably stay at the State Park... camping in Confluence is 11 miles from Ohiopyle. Your destination (Husky Haven) in Rockwood is 30 miles from Ohiopyle.

Oh, and if the weather's hot you may want to visit the bum slide at Meadow Run (
http://www.naturalwaterslide.com/pho...album=9&pos=41) -- here’s a map of Ohiopyle State Park -- look for the area marked “slide”: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/statepar...opyle_mini.PDF (this is a very large PDF file)

Originally Posted by jagraham

Quite do-able. The last 18 miles are known as the “Cumberland Glide”. You just coast into town. You could even start your day at Confluence, 19 miles upstream. Camp at the Outflow Campground (ask for the hiker/biker site - $6 per person) and freshen up with a warm shower. Head into town to Sister’s Café or get ice cream at Suder’s Soft Freeze, just outside the campground entrance. Don’t forget to stop at the GI Dayroom in Meyersdale. Remember to use lights in the Borden and Brush tunnels, and it is advise that you walk your bikes through these two (and the Paw Paw tunnel on the C&O)

Where will you be staying in Cumberland? If you camp at the YMCA, bring earplugs (bring them anyway) because you will be camped *very close* to an active rail line. As a matter of fact, both trails are across river from active rail lines for most of the distance.

Originally Posted by jagraham

Yep, save your butt and take the paved WMRT. You may miss the Round Top Cement Mill ruins, but your butt will thank you. Walk your bikes through the Paw Paw tunnel, please. It’s darker in there than it appears, and the towpath isn’t very wide to pass people coming from the opposite direction. Stop in at Bill’s Place in Little Orleans to leave a dollar bill for the ceiling… have a beer as well. Stop in at Fort Frederick and tell the re-enactors “hello”.

I assume you’re staying at the Red Roof Inn? We’ve always been treated well there. There is a single washer and a single dryer there (but there is a Laundromat in town next to the pizza place on Conococheague Street (Rte. 68) next to the pizza place.

Originally Posted by jagraham

You’ll have to ride the dreaded mile 84-88 road detour. I didn’t find it all that bad, (my daughter thinks otherwise) but some people have had problems with the recreational boaters using more than their fair share of the roadway. It can be hot and miserable in the summer. One year we rode directly to Sharpsburg (Antietam Battlefield) via Rtes 68 and 65 from Williamsport. Libby prefers the towpath, but she handled the road well (for an 11 year old).

100 miles is a long day on the towpath., and longer if you visit the battlefield and take a side trip into Harper’s Ferry. How fast were you planning to travel fully loaded? I think I’d break up the day, and save the century for a road trip. If you go into Harper’s Ferry, take the spiral staircase up to the bike/pedestrian bridge. Stay off of US340. The staircase is a real bytch, but we’ve always had people offer to help us carry gear (and bikes).

If you don’t make your century, Swain’s Lock is the last available campsite at mile 16.6. There was a concession stand there that was run by the Swain family, but two years ago it closed. Then there’s Horsepen Branch H/B at mile 26, Chisel Branch H/B at 30.5 and Turtle Run H/B at 34.5 (miles from DC). White’s Ferry is at milepost 35.5 and is the last operating ferry on the Potomac ($1 per bike)

Originally Posted by jagraham

Special visits - of course I have suggestions, but you only have 6 days. Maybe you could take a couple of extra days your next trip.

As far as other roads - if you choose not to visit Antietam, you can pick up Canal Road at Md. Rte. 34 (the road that crosses the river and goes into Shepardstown, WV). Canal Road runs parallel to the towpath and terminates about 3 miles downstream at the Antietam Creek campsite. You can re-enter the towpath here. It appears you can take Harper’s Ferry Road to Limekiln Road and Limekiln will run parallel (more or less) to the park borders, the take a right onto Mtn. Lock Canal Road to get back to the towpath. I haven’t tried this yet (maybe I will this summer).

Another alternative is to jump off at White’s Ferry and ride into Leesburg and catch the W&OD trail. I understand it is crowded at the DC end, though. You could plan an overnight in a motel in Leesburg ($100+/night), and call for a motel shuttle to run you to your motel. Then pick up the W&OD or return back to the towpath. The BikeWashington site has info on the W&OD.

Originally Posted by jagraham

I’ve heard nothing but good reports about Freedom Trail Riders Shuttle & Delivery Service in Cumberland, MD 21502 (phone) 301-707-6097 (http://www.freedomtrailriders.com/)

Enjoy your trip!

Judy