combatdecoy

My girlfriend and I are planning a trip along these two trails next month. We are probably going to travel by train to Pittsburgh, then ride to DC, then take the train back home to Minneapolis. We will most likely camp the entire time, at campsites.
I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips about the trails in Pittsburgh and DC? I've read on here it is better to try to start from Boston. Unfortunatey, we will have to ride right out of the train station, which I believe is in downtown Pittsburgh.
If anyone has any experience or thoughts I'd sure welcome the input!
thanks for the time
Mark

Tandem Tom

My wife and I did this trip last June and then the GAP by itself in late October. You will have a great time!
Here is a link that is quite helpful.
https://www.atatrail.org/

alan s 

The C&O Companion iPhone app is well worth the $2.

https://www.bikewashington.org

iforgotmename

I did it from Pit in 2010 and ended up on Carson Street...not the best route. I am going with a group of 3 or 4 the Fri before Memorial Day and this is the route we are going to use. https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Pi...&z=13&lci=bike

Neil_B

Check your arrival time, and the on-time record of the train. IIRC Amtrak's service to Pittsburgh is in the middle of the night.

VT_Speed_TR

Why not take the train all the way to DC, and then cycle back to Pitts. The cycling in DC is much nicer, many more paths & routes. Besides, if you didn't want to cycle up the Cumberland Gap, you can take the train to Frostburg, which eliminates most of the climbing. Then once at the top, who have many miles of gentle downhill riding. You could likely get a taxi or shuttle from Boston into Pitts. If you didn't want to ride into the city.

chefisaac

There is a book that is published about both trails. A lot of great info in the book too. If you need a link, let me know.

Bezalel

I took the P7 bus from McKeesport to the Pittsburgh train station. I could have gone further but I wanted to get on the bus at the terminal rather than a bus stop.

RexBeans

I did a Buffalo to DC trip last summer and traveled all of the GAP and C&O from Pitt. My only advice is to take your time on the GAP. We covered the whole trail in a little more than one day and I regret it. My riding partner and I coveted it after getting to Cumberland. The C&O is a fine trail, I've done significant portions of it three times prior, but the GAP is seriously something else. Enjoy the ride on it, even if it's only a day or two.

combatdecoy

Wow, this is some great info. I don't know why I never thought of riding back from DC. It seems so logical.. We are going to give ourselves 6 days to ride so we can lolligag a bit. My main concern is routing and safety in DC. I've read that the trail going from the mall to the Georgetown trailhead is safe and loaded with touristy sights. I've checked out the bike map rig on google maps and it "seems" pretty on... But, I really don't trust that too much. So I was thinking of picking up a map ahead of time.
I think it would be wise to pick up the book on both trails. That might just have the mapping I'm looking for.
Thanks again for all the info!! If anyone has any special sights or trail favorites, please please share!
I'm super stoked!
Mark

Neil_B

From Union Station to Milepost Zero you ride alongside the Mall for a few blocks. Be careful with DC drivers.

There are a couple of good books on the C & O and the GAP. For instance:

https://www.amazon.com/The-C-O-Canal-.../dp/0801866022

https://www.amazon.com/The-Great-Alle...5166143&sr=1-2

The second book is a little out of date, since it was published before the trail connected to the C & O at Cumberland, but its still worthwhile as a guidebook.

The "Trail Book" for the GAP is available from the website ATAtrail.org . You can also download for free Mary Shaw's little booklet on riding the GAP.

I have so many favorite places to stop I couldn't list them all. But on the GAP, starting at McKeesport, take the alternate route through Dead Man's Hollow nature preserve. See the small graveyard and campsite at Dravo Cemetery. Enjoy the succession of high bridges starting at the entrance to Ohiopyle State Park (PA's largest and most visited.) Enjoy the break in the green tunnel 12 miles into the park where you go up a small rise and get an overview of the Yough (pronounced "Yock"). By all means ride off trail a few hundred yards and see the falls in Ohiopyle. From there on the features become too numerous to list....

I'm less fond of the C & O, but there are some remarkable views of the Potomac, and some oddities you'll not find other places. There's a privately owned toll bridge at Oldtown that's reportedly the last one in the US. Harpers Ferry is worth an afternoon, but it's a difficult river crossing for bikes - up a spiral staircase and across a pedestrian bridge.

Philly Tandem

FYI, there's also a Yahoo group dedicated to the GAP. Great resource for info, and fairly active.

spinnaker

What is you arrival night? Depending if I am home, I could pick you up at the train station and both of you could crash here. You would be sort of backtracking but it is a free place to stay.

As said, train arrives at night. You should not ride to Boston at night. I would probably do it but then again I know the city. But personally I would only do it if I had to.

A bus is an option but not much better. You will be riding through some rough neighborhoods one way or the other.

From my place you have two options. Back through the city or down the Montour Trail which connects to the GAP. I can give you more details on both if you are interested.

ks1g

C&O - absolutely plan to stop and sightsee at Great Falls - park/lock bikes and walk out on the trail to the island in mid-river for the best view of the falls. Especially if there was heavy rain upstream. If you are an ice cream fanatic, consider a detour near the Antietam Creek H&B site into Shaprsburg to visit Nutters Ice Cream (E Main St (Rt 34) & S Mechanic St/Harpers Ferry Rd. The Antietam Battlefield and the battlefield auto road is a nice ride if you are a Civil War buff. There is a bit (!) of climb out of the river valley. At Harpers Ferry, you can carry bikes up the spiral staircase to the Appalachian Trail walkway on the railroad bridge and cross into Harpers Ferry WV. Ft Frederick - a stone fort (looks like a smaller Ft Ticondaroga) from the French & Indian War period is just uphill from the C&O. You have the Western Maryland RR trail (paved) paralllel in this area if you want a respite from dual track dirt/mud.

spinnaker

+1 for Great Falls. It is beautiful. Plus the wildlife in that area is something else. If I did not know any better I would have thought I was in a zoo.

Also as mentioned above look up Western Maryland Rail Trail. It is a 25 mile trail that parallels the C&O and is a nice break should the C&O be muddy.

I wanted to add that there is a bike trail that takes you from the city to the start of the GAP. The only issue is there is a short piece that is not to be completed till October. Getting to the trail won't be too bad during the day. I can give you a decent route or take you there. But a night, either you would need to go down a busy road with no shoulders or go through a fairly rough neighborhood and even then you would still need to deal with a busy intersection. Plus the path is accessible to all of the rough neighborhoods. If I did it at night I might opt to take the main street, at least you would be in public view.

You also have an option of taking a Taxi. There is someone that runs a private Taxi out of Boston. I am guessing he would charge at least $50. For that time of night maybe even a bit more. If you are interested let me know and I will see if I can get details.

combatdecoy

Man, you guys are awesome. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to help us along.
So, I'm wondering now about whether to go from Pittsburgh to DC or vice versa.
As far as the train schedule, If we ride to Pittsburgh we arrive at 4:45am, which if we put our bikes together
at the station(or is this a bad idea?) I would venture to assume that we would be on the road by somewhere between 6 and 7.
My thought on going this way is that if we get there early, we can get a room and hang out in DC and take in the sights.
As opposed to hanging out in Pittsburgh or somewhere around there. The train leaves DC at 4:45 in the afternoon so that shouldn't be to big of a deal either I'd think.
If we ride from DC west, we arrive in DC around 1pm I think.. At that point I'm thinking we would have to ride out of the city some to find a place to camp. Hopefully I'll get my hands on the relevant books at maps so I know exactly what and where. The train leaves Pittsburgh at midnight, so that would mean we would have to get there earlier to avoid conflicts in the city.
So, I'm torn at this point as to what to do....
I'm so stoked to hear of these great sights to check out. I'm going to try to make time for all of them.
Thanks again soooo much!
Mark

spinnaker

When you say "If we ride to Pittsburgh we arrive at 4:45am, which if we put our bikes together"

I assume you mean the train arrives in Pittsburgh at 4:45? That sounds about right as far as times.

I would start from the Pittsburgh end from the sound of train arrival. By the time you get the bikes put together, there plenty of daylight.

I would not have any issues with putting the bikes together in the station but I am not sure. If you chose arrive by train in Pittsburgh option then I will scout out the station this week and see if there are out of the way places to work. My guess there is, Pittsburgh is not a huge destination for trains.


What is your intended arrival day? Assuming I have the day off I could meet you in town and give you a little tour of the Burgh, including Bicycle Heaven. You can't miss that. Then I could guide you the "safe" way to the new trail to the GAP.

pardonme

I put my bike together in the station there. There is a little seating area, and there weren't really any people around as it was the middle of the night so I just unloaded and did everything there.

spinnaker

The other thought I had was you could spend your last night in DC. Treat yourself and stay in a hotel in Alexandra. I think we paid something like $80. And the hotel was BEAUTIFUL . You would need to call them but I am guessing they would give you a lift to the train station. You could break down your bikes at the hotel then haul them to the station for your return trip home.

Pittsburgh station is going to be FAR less busy than DC.

iforgotmename

I recommend staying at the Husky Haven and the C&O Bicycle Shop bunkhouse along with the other great suggestions.

Another option is to stay in one of the lockhouses on the C&O, I did not do so but am considering this year

Cedar Creek is a nice place to camp on the first day if starting in Pitt. I had no problems putting my bike back together at the station in Pitt.

Spinnaker...what do you think of this route to the GAP? https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Pi...1,2,3,4,5&z=13

spinnaker

There is also the hostel in town. It is very inexpensive and a nice break.

I like the idea of staying at the lock houses. Are there any within easy reach of town so there is no need for cooking?

No iforgotmename. On map that looks like a great route but those are some of the steepest hills in Pittsburgh.

This might not be the exact hill but I am pretty sure it is right nearby.


And it gets steeper.


I will post my route tomorrow night if I get a chance, if not the next. Time to get ready for bed now.

iforgotmename

There are a few lockhouses, not sure of exact proximity to towns though.

I wouldn't mind the climbs but my riding partners would probably want to kill me for taking a hilly route.
Thanks for the help.

spinnaker

I am posting the directions from the train station to the GAP but I suggest you do not head straight to the trail. The first free campsite is at Dravo and it is only about 30+ miles or so to the campsite. There is a lot to see in the city and I suggest you take some time to look around.

My offer to all Bike Forum members is I am here as tour guide, a free room, SAG or whatever you need when you ar in Pittsburgh and I am available.

We have some really wonderful old architecture in the city. But you have to look up. Much of it is on the tops of the buildings. One of the many beautiful old buildings is the Union Trust building.



From what I was told the chapels on top are replicas of the churches that were replaced by the building.

There is also the homes on the Mexican War streets on the North Side.

Of course there are our 3 rivers and our two inclines.

The Duquesne


and the Monogahela




We also have Bicycle Heaven.

https://durangoherald.com/article/201...955&source=RSS

and the Bicycle Cafe

https://www.otbbicyclecafe.com/

The Bicycle Cafe is just a short detour that I will mention in the directions below.

Now for the directions. For anyone searching this thread after Oct 2012 there will be new directions as the path from the city to the GAP should be complete I will add these directions below but as of this date that part of the trail is not yet open.

The AmTrak Station is actually on Liberty Ave but it runs into into Grant St as Liberty Ave takes a sharp turn to the right. Exit the station and proceed to the far end of the parking lot. Take the sidewalk on your left and cross the bus ramp at the cross walk. Cross Grant Street and turn left. Grant is a cobble street. Proceed all the way to the other end of Grant Street till you see the PNC First Side building.

This picture is pretty much looking down Grant St. (the school bus or whatever that yellow vehicle is, is on Grant)



Pass the park on your left and head for the sidewalk on the Grant St. side of the building. Pass the building while on the sidewalk and turn left between the building and the river. This is the start of the Eliza Furnace Trail (we call it the Jail Trail, you will see the country jail on your left after you pass First Side).

There is a bicycle rental here with water, refreshments and a misting station.

Eventually you will come to the Hot Metal Bike Bridge.



Pre October 2012, you can make a detour here to got to REI or the Bicycle Cafe. REI will be your last chance for camping gear for a long way so be sure you are stocked up. Post October 2012 you will want to cross the bridge as the trail all the way to the GAP should be finished and it will be on your left just across the bridge.

Pre October 2012 to get the the GAP, you will stay on the Pittsburgh side of the river (or cross back there should you take the detour to REI).
Proceed to the end of the trail. Make a left through the parking lot and then make a U-turn left on to a side street. You will see a railroad overpass in front of you. Go under the overpass and make a left onto 2nd Ave or Route 885.

2nd Ave will pass under the railroad tracks again. Stay right onto Irvine Ave. This is Hazelwood. It is not the worst area of the city but not the best. You will be fine if you stick to the main street and it is day time.

Follow route 885 across the bridge and look for the signs the say Homestead. Careful in this area as the ramps off of the bridge are very busy.
This is another area where you want to stay on the main streets. You will need to go down one or two to get to the Waterfront Shopping area but you will be fine as they are well traveled.

Follow Route 837 into Homestead. Make a left onto 7th St. It is more of a bear left rather than a real left. Follow 7th St. You will go under an overpass. Just past that look to your left and you should see a street that cross the tracks into the Waterfront. Follow the road all the way into the Waterfront and make a right onto the road that goes through the shopping area.

(those coming through post October 2012 will end up here if you followed the trail through Sand Castle).

If you want you can look for the Red Robin. There is a bike trail just behind the restaurant. It is very pretty along there but usually congested and will dump you back on the road you are on anyway so you can just stay on the road.

Look to your left for the Pump House.

https://battleofhomesteadfoundation.org/pumphouse.php

If it is open, you should stop as there is a very interesting story of early labor strikes in Pittsburgh that were really more of a war than a strike. There is a unique bathroom in the historic stack just right of the pump house.

Pass the pump house and you will see some warehouses on the left. Just past the warehouses is the start of the bike trail.

Follow the instructions in this thread

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post12798679

Starting at the bottom and working in reverse (the instructions were written for from the GAP to Pittsburgh).


Hope that helps. As I said feel free to call on me. A lot easier if you have a local guide.

TheReal Houdini

You shouldn't have any problem making the first hiker/biker site west of DC arriving at 1300. If you want to speed that part of the journey you can take Key Bridge out of Georgetown, ride the Custis Trail to the W&OD, exit the W&OD at Leesburg and take White's Ferry back to the C&O. Unfortunately you'll miss Great Falls if you take that shortcut.

spinnaker

But there is a ton of stuff to see in DC to. IMHO I would not be racing out of the city. There is a Youth Hostel and a Quaker Hostel that are supposed to other nice and fairly cheap. If Historian sees this perhaps he will comment on the Quaker House.