scutchin

I am doing a loop that includes about 35 miles of the C&O canal from White's Ferry to Chain Bridge. I ride a Roubaix Expert Ultegra Di2 with Roval C38 carbon wheels, specs say I can fit up to 33mm wide tires. We're riding Saturday, October 30th, hopefully it will be dry. Right now I have Turbo Pro 700x28, I know they're not the correct tire.

What tires would you recommend?

Also, and be honest, am I foolish to tackle this route with this bike?

Marylander

If it hasn't rained the 28s may be fine. 33s would feel a little smoother. I use gravelking slicks and am on the tow path pretty frequently. I usually run 32s. It is true that 38s are nicer though.

jpescatore

The first five miles from Whites Ferry downstream to Edwards Ferry has been resurfaced, it is now packed crushed stone and still in very good shape. From there to Chain Bridge, I've done on my gravel/touring bike with 32mm tires in the past year, not that much fun but easily doable. But, I also did some on that section with 40mm tires on and that was much more fun!

I wouldn't use my Domane carbon road bike on that section, that's why I've been on the steel gravel bike. But, many others doing it on carbon bikes with skinnier tires - but I'd say at least put on 32mm tires with some tread and run lower tire pressure.

balto charlie

I've done it in 28's but was not that fun. It was a harsh ride and squirrley in the muddy areas. I agree with the others, minimum 32, but 35-40 is the sweet spot

blazin

You’ll be fine. Just throw on the 32 GravelKing slicks already recommended.

travbikeman

I thought most of the trail from Shepherdstown to Georgetown had been resurfaced? Or has this not been completed yet the closer to DC? It's a nice surface to ride on from Shepherdstown to Brunswick and back.

But will admit, I kind of like the further west part of the trail around Hancock area. Fewer other people, but that should need wider tires. I've been enjoying a 42 gravel tire with some knobs since ... yea... I sometimes like going through mud (sometimes it's hard to miss).... But typically try to miss it since I don't want to destroy the trail.

jpescatore

The resurfacing hasn't gotten any closer \to Georgetown than Edwards Ferry at MM 30, supposed to now started working on there to Swains Lock, mm 16 or so.

jpescatore

A few days ago some friends walked the Towpath in the Seneca/Riley's Lock area (around mile marker 25) and resurfacing was underway. She said "all done at mm 25 and south, in process mm 25 to 31."

That is good news in the long run but the surface stays soft until they have really steam-rollered it - can be like riding on oatmeal.

Marylander

Very nice, thanks for the news jpescatore!

balto charlie

thanks for the update. Do they close the trail when applying the crusher run or let the cyclists pass by

jpescatore

I've been on rides last year and hit the construction - always was able to get around it. But, I'll bet there are some narrow stretches where you might have to wait.

If there is any longer term or planned closure, the NPS usually pretty good at listing here.

balto charlie

Thanks

kaos joe

Back to the original tire question, I'd use the biggest that you can fit up to 2 inch or so. On dirt there's really no downside. My towpath trips have been on 32mm, 38mm and 52mm wide tires. The 32 was OK but I felt the wider tires were an improvement.

jpescatore

Scutchin: did you do the ride? How did it work out?

I was going to do a Sunday am "Beat the rain" ride yesterday on the towpath but the rain started early!

scutchin

We couldn't ride Saturday, so instead we took off Friday and did W&OD in Herndon to DC/Reagan/Custis trail and back. About 50 miles, the first two hours were in rain but beats workin'!

balto charlie

I was doing volunteer work along the Gwynns Falls Trail trying to finish by the 11 am rain time.....It came earlier than forecast, 9:30ish. I got soaked by the time I returned @ 11:00