Hello,

1 . I am looking for a 700cx40 or similar for my trip from DC-Cumberland , would you please recommend a good pair.
2. When is the best time to go for Fall Foliage and good weather?


Thank you,

I've never used 40's so I can't recommend tires that size. I will caution you to be sure that if you have fenders that you be sure to have adequate clearance. The C&O can get muddy and lack of clearance can ruin your ride.

The max clearance for my bike is about 40. What tire size bellow 40s would you recommend for C&O ?

Thank you,

Just to be clear, when I am referring to clearance, I'm talking about the clearance between the tire and fender. I was on the C&O last spring and it was not in very good shape. You are probably best off with the widest tire that fits. I like and use Continental tires on all my bikes and have had good success. I have Top Contacts on my 520 with no reason to change. I haven't toured with any other brand but I'd guess that the other top brands also work well.

I rode it a couple weeks ago on 700x40 Schwalbe Marathon Supremes. It was OK, but I prefer going even wider. Fenders are almost a must if it's wet. Best time for fall foliage is in the next 2-3 weeks.

I like these 700x40 Forte Greenway tires. Roll great on pavement and hardback. Never tried any significant mud though.

Forté Greenway-K Mountain Bike Tire

MAK, Alan,
Thank you very much, i think my bike can have 700x40 without fenders. so i think it is around 700x32 with fenders.
Looks like it won't be an ideal bike for the C&O trip.

I was just on the C & O this summer and ran 32's and was fine.



Do note: me, gear, and supplies was 195lbs.

I was running Panaracer Pasela Tires 700 x 32C

Late October is usually best but depending on where you are coming from, you are really risking having your trip ruined by cold weather even snow.

If you don't mind the weather or you plans are flexible then go for it. We can have some really great weather in late October or some really lousy weather.

I was just on portions of the GAP this past weekend. Foliage was probably at 70% on the section from Meyersdale to Big Savage Tunnel, and maybe 40-50% from Confluence to Ohiopyle. It looked a lot greener going east from the Savage tunnel to Cumberland. I suspect peak foliage on the C&O is 1-2 weeks off. Here in the Philadelphia area it's just starting, and DC area tends to be a bit behind us since it's farther south a bit.

Everything in the DC area is still pretty much green. Maybe in a week or so there will be more color.

I'll be in the Hagerstown area this weekend riding on 32s.

For loose C&O surface some tread or even knobbies might help. I would also try a Thudbuster seatpost.

Fall colors vary a lot between DC/suburbs & higher elevations. Suburban tree colors actually have more variety for longer time than in the Blue Ridge where the native trees change earlier & faster. Peak for C&O foilage is probably about now I'd reckon esp since trees are already stressed by summer heat/drought.

Not sure where you are getting your info, but there is no higher elevation to speak of on the C&O. There was no drought this year. Knobbies are useless on a flat mostly hard packed surface. Peak color has not yet arrived. I live very near the canal, and ride it almost every day. I'll bet next week will be different after the cold front comes through.

I did not take it as just the C&O. I took it as comparing the trees on the C&O to other trees in the region (north west of Cumberland for example).

I'm thinking Pittsburgh and the highlands between Cumberland and Pittsburgh are about a week ahead of the C&O. How are things out your way?

Just starting to turn. But we just had a huge rainstorm for about 2 days so it is going to knock a lot of leaves off of the trees. I know because my deck and driveway are filled with wet leaves. We needed the rain but really horrible timing. I think it is going to be a lousy fall.

Yes, I exaggerated saying that C&O was at peak but for leaf tours I feel it's better to err early than late. Local summer/fall rainfall below avg combined with near-record heat; not technically a drought but still stresses trees.

Even if knobbies aren't necessary for handling they might give some extra cushion esp if one has limited tire width.

Thank you everyone for your kind replies,i probably will use 700x40 knobbies tires for this trip, but i won't have fenders.

I did the ride in the first week of October. I was on 43mm Bruce Gordon Rock'n'Roads, and I was glad to have the width and the tread because of the mud that we encountered. We also ran into a lady who couldn't get her rear wheel to even budge because of all of the mud packed under her fender - dirty legs & gear are a lot easier to deal with than that.

As of a few weeks ago, some of the businesses along the trail were starting to change their hours (or even close completely) for the season. Something to bear in mind.

We noticed that two weeks ago, too. In Ohiopyle, for example, a few businesses said they were closing after the weekend of Oct 15-16. Bonus: they gave us generous scoops of ice cream since they were closing the next day!

If you are camping, Outflow Campground in Confluence is closed for the season. It seems you can still camp there (and for free!), but there are no services (no water/toilets/etc.).

The river is a great place for a bath. That is what I do. I hate those showers. If there is ice on th eriver then just chip it away.

Downside is no bathrooms but there are a couple of restaurants in town.

Yikes, that would be cold!

There was a porta-potty at the GAP trailhead across the street, but it was very, very, very "full" and the nastiest porta-potty I've ever seen. I assume at some point in the season those get removed, too.

I was just on the upper Allegheny a few weeks ago. I took a bath in the river. I though it was going to be really cold, as we were getting a stretch of cooler weather but not too bad.

+1 to this...did Pittsburgh to DC in early Oct last year..ran Panaracer Protek 700x35s on a Trek Hybrid w/ rear rack. I'd argue on GAP the thinner tire is an advantage, the GAP is in really good shape. C&O is rougher, but totally doable with < 40s.