Philly Tandem

For those who might be interested, I just posted a trip journal from my 2008 C&O Canal Trail bike ride on Crazyguyonabike:

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/cando-tour

I hope to have a journal from my Oct. 2009 tour posted soon.

I also have a few trip reports from my tandem tours in Germany, Austria and Czech Republic on my personal website at https://www.brianwasson.com/trips/index.htm (I'm planning to port them over to CGOAB, too).

Neil_B

Very nice report. I enjoyed reading it, especially because you rode the trail two weeks before I did in 2008.

The toll bridge between Oldtown and Greenspring is fun to ride across, but be careful your tires don't get stuck in a crack.

Philly Tandem

Thanks Historian! I've also enjoyed reading your personal blog in the past. Great insights and motivation! We should hook up for a ride sometime once the snow melts in the spring (assuming it ever does...).

Neil_B

If my knees ever work again, it's on! :-(

n3vqh

Very Nice report... I want to do the C and O this summer/fall but your last line leads me to believe I should consider the GAP having road the C and O as a kid with the scouts I would love to do it again but all at once... but then having done it maybe I should do the GAP

Mike

Philly Tandem

Lots of folks love the C&O, so don't let me dissuade you. That said, I definitely found the GAP to be overall a much nicer trail, from the way it is surfaced (crushed gravel vs. dirt), the scenery, the small towns en route, etc. One big thing the C&O has going for it is the free hiker-biker campsites every five miles or so. Very nice feature. I'm eager to go back and ride the GAP; indeed, if I was closer I'd probably ride sections of it all the time. I don't feel so drawn to the C&O, but everyone is different.

By all means, if you can do both sections, that's great. Not too many (any?) similar long-distance off-road routes in the US. If it's a choice between the two, and you've already done the C&O, I'd recommend trying out the GAP. Logistics are often quoted as a problem for either trail, but I found using one-way rental cars to be an easy fix.

Philly Tandem

FYI, I've updated my trip report on CrazyGuy a bit to include maps of the two on-road detours I took (especially the one from Williamsport, Md. to Harper's Ferry) and additional links that take you to info about historical sites along the trail. Working on the GAP tour write-up, and hope to have it done sometime next week.

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/cando-tour