The Schoolhouse Restaurant is the VERY BEST place to stop! The owners are some of the kindest folks in the world 🌎. The GAP is great, the C&O is absolutely GOLDEN!
I plan to do the GAP/C&O next Spring (2024). I've watched lots of videos and gathered information. This one has answered more of my questions than any I've seen. Thanks for sharing your experience. You have heightened my expectations.
Make sure you come back and tell me how it went. Also an update, the wells on the C&O are no longer being certified, so make sure you bring either a life straw or some tablets.
Thanks for this video. I watched it many, many times before embarking on my own GAP trail adventure. I did a 3-day - Pittsburgh to Connellsville to Meyersdale to Cumberland. I actually enjoyed that split. The 60 miles to Connellsville allowed me to ease into the ride - several towns, lots of people/bikers, lots of places to stop and eat. The second day, Connellsville to Meyersdale, was more of a grind. You're in the woods, not many on trail towns/people (besides Ohiopyle) - and for me it was head down, deal with the shale, clock the miles, and climb up to Meyersdale. Then on the third day, for me, it felt like a straight high-speed run to the Continental Divide, and then the downhill to Cumberland. I wish that I knew that Frostburg was up, up, and up the hill. I rode up the switchback to the Carriage Museum, but I did not ride up further to the town of Frostburg. My loss. All in all, it was a great trip, which I would do again.
I did both trails last year. Camped along the way. Some pay, some free. Good time. Went from Pittsburgh to DC. The Continental Divide is the high point of the trail. Based on Ride with GPS profile, it’s less elevation and distance to the Divide going east. Keep in mind this is RR grade. Not a huge deal. The GAP trail is great. The C&O is a different story. Rough and fatiguing. If you’re not a purist, check your map for the Western Maryland Rail Trail. It runs parallel to the C&O. It’s a 25 mile paved trail. Nice break from C&O.
I did the Katy Trail with zero plans. Landed at Lambert Field, put my bike together and started pedaling. I did end up camping right on the trail twice (contrary to signage I noted), but it really added to the excitement and feel of "me versus nature". Having a hotel and bike packing are really contrary concepts to each other in my opinion. Getting wet, starving, lugging 30 lbs of gear, sleeping on the ground, eaten by bugs, bathing in rivers...adds to the "ambiance of outdoor living and interstate travel by pedal bike". Something very spiritual about going Truly Primitive. In any event, thank you for sharing your many outstanding observations and thoughts. Very enjoyable.
@@BikesTrainandAuto The Bike Stop Cafe in St Charles (10 miles from Lambert on Katy) will watch your bike bag for free and has great food. Be sure to carry plenty of water, at least a gallon. Long stretches of the Katy are food store deserts, no place for snacks or to refill water bottles.
Paw paw has a cool biking campsite with 4 sleeper cabins, it’s across the street from the dollar general behind the gas station. We’ve stayed, I definitely recommend it. Sometimes you can book a cabin the day of if you just want to sleep in a bed for a night. They’re on Airbnb. There’s also big and Tiny’s tavern next to DG. It’s not much to look at but the food is really good and reasonably priced.
Nice work on this video! I've watched 4 times and have taken notes and putting my travels togeter as per this video. Thank you so much with the detail and the sharing of your travels. Taking Amtrak to Pittsburgh then ride back to DC 9/1/2024 looking forward to this trip!
Good luck and please post any changes since I made it, for example now the C&O pumps are on, but you need a filter because they don't iodine anymore due to flooding issues.
When you mention the complexity of a bike and to keep it simple, definitely reminded me of cars and why older vehicles are better…not over complicated.
I don't know if I would say better or worse, but in terms of field repair, simple is better. If this were road biking up and down hills I would love all the bells and whistles. But grit and grime finds a way. Thanks for watching.
Video can be found on youtube of a guy that paid $5200 for a 2018 Ford F150 taillight module. New vehicles use I.T. bus to switch the light and the module failed sporadically tripping ECU and transmission faults. $5200 of swap-tronics at two shops and the problem was correctly identified and fixed. Lots of what were once fine products are now junk because of "over engineering". The days when an old F150 would run for three decades are over.
Thank you for this informative video. It's the best I've seen to prepare for the trail. I will be riding the entire trail 2nd week of May. Camping all the way to DC. Great job and keep up the good work. Thanks again and have a great day, Steve
Great suggestion to do the Gap first. We’ve done & recorded the Ohio to Erie in weekend back & forth mini trips. Can’t wait to bike Pitt to Cumberland & then take the train back!
I'm looking to do this next year, I'm retired and have a "Lectric" XP 3.0 and I'm reasonably fit. The electric is a comfort. I would love to do camping but I need to charge. I am looking to get extra battery to bump up to 100+ miles. 👍✌🖖🥃thanks for the work of recording this.
RIP White's Ferry 😢 Once connected 2 bike worlds - Maryland: C&O and the quiet farm roads in the northwest quadrant of Montgomery County, to Virginia: the retail in Leesburg, gravel roads in Loudoun County, and the popular Washington & Old Dominion trail.
One time I did a loop from Great Falls down to D.C. across to VA up to Leesburg one the W&OD and took Whites Ferry back to the C&O to get back to my car. It will be missed and I hope they find a way to eventually work things out, but the VA side owners seem to have overplayed the hand into killing the whole thing.
@@BikesTrainandAuto Full loop there was a epic ride for long summer days, yeah... Washington Metro silver line has finally opened into Loudoun county, which could have put Whites Ferry on more modest routes. Nowadays going upstream beyond Chain Bridge, there is no crossing until US15/Point of Rocks, and that bridge can be terrifying on bicycle.
@@BikesTrainandAuto Got back last night. Man that was tiring - I definitely underestimated it, especially the C&O. To anyone heading out soon, the hardest parts for us were a very steep detour over the Paw Paw Tunnel, and a long climb over the Eastern Continental Divide. We covered about 70 miles a day on average, but we are pretty much beginners and it kicked our butts. I'd recommend bringing a LifeStraw or other filtering device if you don't plan on going into town every time you need water - the C&O has a lot of non-potable water pumps, but I was surprised that the GAP did not have as many fountains as I thought it would while doing my research. I bought about five bottles of water every time I went into town, and I still spent a night thirsty, which isn't fun. Be careful out there, there isn't always an easy way to get what you need, especially when it gets dark.
Very helpful, I also plan on doing this (well, most of it, I don't plan on going all the way to DC, just to Shepherdstown, WV), my issue is getting to Pittsburg as I can't drive. Train is an option but the only train (from Harper's Ferry) to Pittsburg gets to Pittsurg close to midnight
That is the same train in the video and it does get there close to midnight but there are hotels across the street from the station and some hotels in the area will do shuttle service from the Amtrak as they are used to those arrival times there.
@@BikesTrainandAuto good to know; but i plan on doing shorter trips to warm up to that anyway as I haven't done ANY bike-camping trip yet and i need to work up to such a trek :D
Thank you for the very useful information. My husband and I will actually be going in the other direction from DC as we are going much further west - but take your point about elevation. Was curious about the mention of bears. I know we will have a greater chance of encountering a bear the further west we go - but wasn't aware there would be bears so close to DC. Thanks again for all the tips. 🚴♀
The bears on the East Coast are black bears and other than stealing food from campsites you should be fine. They are very passive, more a nuisance that a risk, unlike bears out west. You may get lucky and see one swimming before it runs away from you, but most years I've never encountered one. I wouldn't worry.
Great video and provides a lot of great information for those who plan this trip. I appreciate all the work you put into it. Images and video are much appreciated. I'll be spending a week along the GAP and C&O in the fall. I plan on running 700x35 mm. Everything I have heard is that this should be adequate with a rare exception of muddy spots along the C&O. Thoughts on that? Also, as far as water along the S&O, should i bring a filter for getting water out of the pumps and hiker/biker campsites, use the pumped water as is, or plan on carrying extra between "civilized" stops? Thanks again.
That tire width should be fine, rule of thumb I would use is if you can ride it on grass for at least a little while on those tires you'll be fine because you may have to detour onto grass briefly on the C&O if the puddles get deep. But the puddles aren't generally pot holes or something that would full stop you as the base over the dirt has been packed down since the 1800's. National Park Service tests all the pumps regularly and will pull the handle on any that don't pass so I wouldn't worry about using them. I've never run out of water on the C&O, but I generally always top off when I come to a hike or bike on the off chance the next one has a pulled handle or just is a pain to pump. I don't remember if I mentioned it, but they also add iodine to the wells as the purifying which some people don't like the flavor of. I generally carry energy drink powder and throw it in when I fill up so I never really notice.
@@BikesTrainandAuto Thanks for the reply. Looking forward to the trip! Have you ever done the Ohio to Erie trip or the Erie Canal Trip? Planning for those next year.
@@timsmith5986 I did a lot of investigation of the Erie Canal but never pulled the trigger. Seemed like to many road bike sections for my taste but if I'm wrong or those sections have been closed I'd be open. Hadn't looked into the Ohio to Erie, but I will now as it looks better than the Katy, which was my next goal. Thanks.
We are doing the GAP and C&O this May/June. Great video, lots of goof info! Question, do you get on the Capitol Crescent at Fletchers Cove area? I am not familiar with that area and am using Google Maps. Thanks!
That would be my suggestion. They have done some restoration in Georgetown, but I still think the best way to get to Mile 0 is the Crescent as it follows the river more directly and avoids some sections that can get confusing.
Thanks for this informative video. I noticed that on the GAP portion I see a bike with a trailer. Didn’t see it on the C&O. The C&O looks more like a road bed with the grassy median. Would a trailer still fit.
It is a road bed with a grassy median in most places, but I've both seen people with trailers and been a person with trailers in some places with my kids. That being said, trees falling across the path are frequent on the C&O so don't bring what you can lift over a fallen tree.
All my adventures started after age 62. Thru-hiked the AT, biked across America on the Southern Tier, walked from the Golden Gate to San Diego and walked the 444 mile Natchez Trace pushing my Runabout Stroller. Planning to leave in April from Pittsburgh to finish in DC. My only concern is whether my Stroller wheels are suitable for this walk. Since gravel is a big part of the trail, I wonder if my more narrow polyurethane (tubeless) will be okay. I'm now 76.
I'm not familiar with Runabouts specifically, I've hauled my kids on the GAP without issues but the C&O is very muddy and prone to things like trees falling across the path. I've done it...but I can't say I would recommend. Good luck!
Any questions about specific areas or things I didn't mention (or corrections of things I got wrong), just post below and I'll answer when I have time.
I'm thinking of doing the C & O November 17th 2023. Planning on going to Cumberland and back from DC. Curious of what you thought about that judging by the time of year. Also if you knew if water and tunnels were still available to use. I plan to camp the entire time, not worried about bnbs or restaurants just water. Really enjoyed the video it was very informative, thank you!
Water will be off at the pumps because of freeze concerns, the only Tunnel is Paw Paw and you would want to check with the park service website. Link is below www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/paw-paw-tunnel.htm
I take that back, looks like they changed procedure and they now leave the hike and bike well arms on, but don't treat them with iodine anymore. Bring a water filter and you are good, other than the cold.
Great video. Looking to do the C&O in July. Planning on taking Amtrack to Cumberland. With only 8 slots for bikes on the train can you make a reservation with Amtrack to take your bike.
This is great information!! Thank you.. do you have any bike brands you can recommend for the trails? Also, what tire width would you recommend on the C&O?
No specific brands. I have a very old rockhopper as my primary and I use 29x2.2 inch tires so basically hybrid. The important thing is to have a bike that stays reliable even when filled with mud and grime, and that you are comfortable making quick repairs on.
I know each person prefers certain bikes. My friend and I are planning g on doing the Gap but we are going to build up to it. He purchased a Trail Bike. I honestly never hear of a trail bike until we started talking about doing this ride. Any suggestions for a 60 year old man on mountain or trail would be more comfortable would be a great help
It's more about the how comfortable you are on your seat than the bike as long as you aren't trying to do it on a road bike. It's fairly flat, so for the most part gears aren't going to matter much. I don't think you need a trail bike with a suspension, just a butt callous and not being too stubborn about taking breaks when you need them.
Hi there great video. I have done the C&O before, but we’re gonna go back and do the gap and the C&o again in one trip. Can you explain more about parking at the Great Falls and I guess if you park there then you’re not really ending @ mile 0? How many miles from the Great Falls parking to miles zero?
Great Falls is at Mile 14, so it's 14 miles to the marker then another 4 to 5 to Union Station. You have to pay for a National Park admission (If you don't already have one) and you let the rangers know you are doing overnight parking and give them your tag number. I would call ahead to make sure the policy hasn't changed, but I've never had any issues. Just remember it's the Maryland side, not the Virginia side. www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/greatfallstavernvisitorcenter.htm
thank you - great info. mate I'm hoping to fly from Sydney Australia into Pittsburgh international airport in about later september early October 2024 or 2025 depending in my fitness levels. I think it is possible to start right at airport and get onto the Montour trail for 60 miles, joining the Gap trail at Mckeesport ? Hopefully. my plan is to take my time to reach Washington DC. a one off trip. Question is, is 24 days to long ? like i said i'm not in a rush and at 61 might be my only trip to the USA as i have other trails to archive in other countries. cheers John
Not sure I follow the question 24 Days in the US or on this trail? 24 Days is longer than I would recommend on the trail, but 24 days in the States absolutely if you can afford it and depending on what you like to do. If you want to see cities Pittsburgh is worth a day, D.C. is absolutely worth seeing at the other end for at least a few days and from there and it's only a few hour train or Bus up to Philadelphia, New York or even Boston on Amtrak from D.C. or an overnight up to Chicago. If you are trail focused you could do the GAP and C&O in a week, fly our and do the Katy for a week in the midwest, then Fly out to Spokane and do the Hiawatha and the Couer De Lane and take a West Coast Flight home all easily in a 24 day window...if you have the budget for the flights/trains in between all those places. Hell the trains out west are a vacation in and of themselves. We are a strange country, but we are also a damn beautiful one.
Hello! I've biked a few sections of the c&o but plan to do the entire thing this year. In May, in my experience it has always been soaking wet. How is the trail condition in the fall? Thanks for the video!
I've never had a C&O through that wasn't muddy at some point. In the summer you have thunderstorms at night, in the fall even when it doesn't rain for a few days the leaves keep the moisture in the ground. It's part of the trip.
@@BikesTrainandAuto i live near the area, its not always storming or raining but maybe just because it never gets direct sun in most portions it just stays that way, i was curious if the cold ground made any changes. Guess not.
Start at Great Falls and end in Boston. DC and Pittsburgh are armpits! The paved railtrail around the West Virginia portion òf C+O is a good alternative to the roughest least maintained towpath. Several places you can go between the two routes and use hiker biker campsites. Connellsville is a bit of a place you might meet shady characters. Crackheads and prostitutes. There is a halfway house nearby. Ride the route as described both directions and no shuttle needed. You'll have permanent bragging rights over 2 weeks.
Riding the C&O in a few weeks. Rode the GAP 2 years ago and Pine Creek last year. Plan to camp so I am flexible but trying to gage my end date for the train reservation. I'm old and slow not to mention the loaded bike and dirt trail. Thinking 4 days of 45 miles each. Sound reasonable?
Yeah, I just did the GAP on 32mm tires. I enjoyed it - but I like dancing with my bike. My front tire would slip out and my rear tire would spin on the shale. On the climb up to the ECDivide, I was constantly worried about getting a flat on the shale. So, if you just want to cruise and enjoy, go wider than 35mm.
The Schoolhouse Restaurant is the VERY BEST place to stop! The owners are some of the kindest folks in the world 🌎. The GAP is great, the C&O is absolutely GOLDEN!
I plan to do the GAP/C&O next Spring (2024). I've watched lots of videos and gathered information. This one has answered more of my questions than any I've seen. Thanks for sharing your experience. You have heightened my expectations.
Make sure you come back and tell me how it went. Also an update, the wells on the C&O are no longer being certified, so make sure you bring either a life straw or some tablets.
I am planning to do the C &O this spring and am looking for partner/s . Shoot me if you would like company
Thanks for this video. I watched it many, many times before embarking on my own GAP trail adventure. I did a 3-day - Pittsburgh to Connellsville to Meyersdale to Cumberland. I actually enjoyed that split. The 60 miles to Connellsville allowed me to ease into the ride - several towns, lots of people/bikers, lots of places to stop and eat. The second day, Connellsville to Meyersdale, was more of a grind. You're in the woods, not many on trail towns/people (besides Ohiopyle) - and for me it was head down, deal with the shale, clock the miles, and climb up to Meyersdale. Then on the third day, for me, it felt like a straight high-speed run to the Continental Divide, and then the downhill to Cumberland. I wish that I knew that Frostburg was up, up, and up the hill. I rode up the switchback to the Carriage Museum, but I did not ride up further to the town of Frostburg. My loss. All in all, it was a great trip, which I would do again.
I did both trails last year. Camped along the way. Some pay, some free. Good time. Went from Pittsburgh to DC. The Continental Divide is the high point of the trail. Based on Ride with GPS profile, it’s less elevation and distance to the Divide going east. Keep in mind this is RR grade. Not a huge deal. The GAP trail is great. The C&O is a different story. Rough and fatiguing. If you’re not a purist, check your map for the Western Maryland Rail Trail. It runs parallel to the C&O. It’s a 25 mile paved trail. Nice break from C&O.
I did the Katy Trail with zero plans. Landed at Lambert Field, put my bike together and started pedaling. I did end up camping right on the trail twice (contrary to signage I noted), but it really added to the excitement and feel of "me versus nature". Having a hotel and bike packing are really contrary concepts to each other in my opinion. Getting wet, starving, lugging 30 lbs of gear, sleeping on the ground, eaten by bugs, bathing in rivers...adds to the "ambiance of outdoor living and interstate travel by pedal bike". Something very spiritual about going Truly Primitive. In any event, thank you for sharing your many outstanding observations and thoughts. Very enjoyable.
I keep looking at the Katy and never pulling the trigger. You are pushing me toward it when I can find time.
Thanks
@@BikesTrainandAuto The Bike Stop Cafe in St Charles (10 miles from Lambert on Katy) will watch your bike bag for free and has great food. Be sure to carry plenty of water, at least a gallon. Long stretches of the Katy are food store deserts, no place for snacks or to refill water bottles.
Great video, comprehensive, planning for October 2025 .Many thanks to you
You are welcome, hope you enjoy the trip!
Well put together post- thanks for the info, this is a win! 🚴🏼♂️🌿👍🙏
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks very much. Great information.
Paw paw has a cool biking campsite with 4 sleeper cabins, it’s across the street from the dollar general behind the gas station. We’ve stayed, I definitely recommend it. Sometimes you can book a cabin the day of if you just want to sleep in a bed for a night. They’re on Airbnb. There’s also big and Tiny’s tavern next to DG. It’s not much to look at but the food is really good and reasonably priced.
Thanks for the info
Great description. Super detailed
Glad you found it helpful!
Nice work on this video! I've watched 4 times and have taken notes and putting my travels togeter as per this video. Thank you so much with the detail and the sharing of your travels. Taking Amtrak to Pittsburgh then ride back to DC 9/1/2024 looking forward to this trip!
Good luck and please post any changes since I made it, for example now the C&O pumps are on, but you need a filter because they don't iodine anymore due to flooding issues.
Fort Frederick is awesome if you can catch a re-enactment.
When you mention the complexity of a bike and to keep it simple, definitely reminded me of cars and why older vehicles are better…not over complicated.
I don't know if I would say better or worse, but in terms of field repair, simple is better. If this were road biking up and down hills I would love all the bells and whistles.
But grit and grime finds a way.
Thanks for watching.
@@BikesTrainandAuto Yeah, really liked watching this video and finding out more about this trail. I’m gonna make it out there and do both of them.
Video can be found on youtube of a guy that paid $5200 for a 2018 Ford F150 taillight module. New vehicles use I.T. bus to switch the light and the module failed sporadically tripping ECU and transmission faults. $5200 of swap-tronics at two shops and the problem was correctly identified and fixed. Lots of what were once fine products are now junk because of "over engineering". The days when an old F150 would run for three decades are over.
Thank you for this informative video. It's the best I've seen to prepare for the trail. I will be riding the entire trail 2nd week of May. Camping all the way to DC. Great job and keep up the good work. Thanks again and have a great day, Steve
Thank you so much for this incredible wealth of information.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you. You’ve convinced me. Your video is really quite helpful. I plan to try to figure out how to stay connected with your media. So informative!
Great suggestion to do the Gap first. We’ve done & recorded the Ohio to Erie in weekend back & forth mini trips. Can’t wait to bike Pitt to Cumberland & then take the train back!
Thanks and glad you liked the video.
I'm looking to do this next year, I'm retired and have a "Lectric" XP 3.0 and I'm reasonably fit. The electric is a comfort. I would love to do camping but I need to charge. I am looking to get extra battery to bump up to 100+ miles. 👍✌🖖🥃thanks for the work of recording this.
Wonderfully informative! Thanks so much for helping me plan my trip this summer.
Glad it was helpful!
Great information, you changed my mind on direction and gave me excellent insight on how to do this trip! Thank you for taking the time and sharing!
I’m planning a trip for next year too. I’ll be bookmarking this!
RIP White's Ferry 😢 Once connected 2 bike worlds - Maryland: C&O and the quiet farm roads in the northwest quadrant of Montgomery County, to Virginia: the retail in Leesburg, gravel roads in Loudoun County, and the popular Washington & Old Dominion trail.
One time I did a loop from Great Falls down to D.C. across to VA up to Leesburg one the W&OD and took Whites Ferry back to the C&O to get back to my car.
It will be missed and I hope they find a way to eventually work things out, but the VA side owners seem to have overplayed the hand into killing the whole thing.
@@BikesTrainandAuto Full loop there was a epic ride for long summer days, yeah... Washington Metro silver line has finally opened into Loudoun county, which could have put Whites Ferry on more modest routes. Nowadays going upstream beyond Chain Bridge, there is no crossing until US15/Point of Rocks, and that bridge can be terrifying on bicycle.
Great video, very helpful. Setting out this upcoming week
Feel free to add in comments anything that I missed or that has changed.
@@BikesTrainandAuto Got back last night. Man that was tiring - I definitely underestimated it, especially the C&O. To anyone heading out soon, the hardest parts for us were a very steep detour over the Paw Paw Tunnel, and a long climb over the Eastern Continental Divide. We covered about 70 miles a day on average, but we are pretty much beginners and it kicked our butts. I'd recommend bringing a LifeStraw or other filtering device if you don't plan on going into town every time you need water - the C&O has a lot of non-potable water pumps, but I was surprised that the GAP did not have as many fountains as I thought it would while doing my research. I bought about five bottles of water every time I went into town, and I still spent a night thirsty, which isn't fun. Be careful out there, there isn't always an easy way to get what you need, especially when it gets dark.
Very helpful, I also plan on doing this (well, most of it, I don't plan on going all the way to DC, just to Shepherdstown, WV), my issue is getting to Pittsburg as I can't drive. Train is an option but the only train (from Harper's Ferry) to Pittsburg gets to Pittsurg close to midnight
That is the same train in the video and it does get there close to midnight but there are hotels across the street from the station and some hotels in the area will do shuttle service from the Amtrak as they are used to those arrival times there.
@@BikesTrainandAuto good to know; but i plan on doing shorter trips to warm up to that anyway as I haven't done ANY bike-camping trip yet and i need to work up to such a trek :D
Thanks for this. Truly well done.
Excellent. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Wish Colorado had more rail trails
Thank you for the very useful information. My husband and I will actually be going in the other direction from DC as we are going much further west - but take your point about elevation. Was curious about the mention of bears. I know we will have a greater chance of encountering a bear the further west we go - but wasn't aware there would be bears so close to DC.
Thanks again for all the tips. 🚴♀
The bears on the East Coast are black bears and other than stealing food from campsites you should be fine. They are very passive, more a nuisance that a risk, unlike bears out west.
You may get lucky and see one swimming before it runs away from you, but most years I've never encountered one. I wouldn't worry.
Great video, thank you. Many questions answered even some I never thought to ask.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video and provides a lot of great information for those who plan this trip. I appreciate all the work you put into it. Images and video are much appreciated. I'll be spending a week along the GAP and C&O in the fall. I plan on running 700x35 mm. Everything I have heard is that this should be adequate with a rare exception of muddy spots along the C&O. Thoughts on that? Also, as far as water along the S&O, should i bring a filter for getting water out of the pumps and hiker/biker campsites, use the pumped water as is, or plan on carrying extra between "civilized" stops? Thanks again.
C&O, not S&O, lol.
That tire width should be fine, rule of thumb I would use is if you can ride it on grass for at least a little while on those tires you'll be fine because you may have to detour onto grass briefly on the C&O if the puddles get deep. But the puddles aren't generally pot holes or something that would full stop you as the base over the dirt has been packed down since the 1800's.
National Park Service tests all the pumps regularly and will pull the handle on any that don't pass so I wouldn't worry about using them. I've never run out of water on the C&O, but I generally always top off when I come to a hike or bike on the off chance the next one has a pulled handle or just is a pain to pump. I don't remember if I mentioned it, but they also add iodine to the wells as the purifying which some people don't like the flavor of. I generally carry energy drink powder and throw it in when I fill up so I never really notice.
@@BikesTrainandAuto Thanks for the reply. Looking forward to the trip! Have you ever done the Ohio to Erie trip or the Erie Canal Trip? Planning for those next year.
@@timsmith5986 I did a lot of investigation of the Erie Canal but never pulled the trigger. Seemed like to many road bike sections for my taste but if I'm wrong or those sections have been closed I'd be open. Hadn't looked into the Ohio to Erie, but I will now as it looks better than the Katy, which was my next goal.
Thanks.
We are doing the GAP and C&O this May/June. Great video, lots of goof info! Question, do you get on the Capitol Crescent at Fletchers Cove area? I am not familiar with that area and am using Google Maps. Thanks!
That would be my suggestion. They have done some restoration in Georgetown, but I still think the best way to get to Mile 0 is the Crescent as it follows the river more directly and avoids some sections that can get confusing.
Thanks for this informative video. I noticed that on the GAP portion I see a bike with a trailer. Didn’t see it on the C&O. The C&O looks more like a road bed with the grassy median. Would a trailer still fit.
It is a road bed with a grassy median in most places, but I've both seen people with trailers and been a person with trailers in some places with my kids. That being said, trees falling across the path are frequent on the C&O so don't bring what you can lift over a fallen tree.
All my adventures started after age 62. Thru-hiked the AT, biked across America on the Southern Tier, walked from the Golden Gate to San Diego and walked the 444 mile Natchez Trace pushing my Runabout Stroller. Planning to leave in April from Pittsburgh to finish in DC. My only concern is whether my Stroller wheels are suitable for this walk. Since gravel is a big part of the trail, I wonder if my more narrow polyurethane (tubeless) will be okay. I'm now 76.
I'm not familiar with Runabouts specifically, I've hauled my kids on the GAP without issues but the C&O is very muddy and prone to things like trees falling across the path. I've done it...but I can't say I would recommend.
Good luck!
Any questions about specific areas or things I didn't mention (or corrections of things I got wrong), just post below and I'll answer when I have time.
I'm thinking of doing the C & O November 17th 2023. Planning on going to Cumberland and back from DC. Curious of what you thought about that judging by the time of year. Also if you knew if water and tunnels were still available to use. I plan to camp the entire time, not worried about bnbs or restaurants just water. Really enjoyed the video it was very informative, thank you!
Water will be off at the pumps because of freeze concerns, the only Tunnel is Paw Paw and you would want to check with the park service website.
Link is below
www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/paw-paw-tunnel.htm
I take that back, looks like they changed procedure and they now leave the hike and bike well arms on, but don't treat them with iodine anymore. Bring a water filter and you are good, other than the cold.
good video, thanks for making.
Thanks for watching!
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Great video! Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Great video. Looking to do the C&O in July. Planning on taking Amtrack to Cumberland. With only 8 slots for bikes on the train can you make a reservation with Amtrack to take your bike.
You actually have to. It's one of the options when you book your train. If you don't add it.
This is great information!! Thank you.. do you have any bike brands you can recommend for the trails? Also, what tire width would you recommend on the C&O?
No specific brands. I have a very old rockhopper as my primary and I use 29x2.2 inch tires so basically hybrid.
The important thing is to have a bike that stays reliable even when filled with mud and grime, and that you are comfortable making quick repairs on.
I know each person prefers certain bikes. My friend and I are planning g on doing the Gap but we are going to build up to it. He purchased a Trail Bike. I honestly never hear of a trail bike until we started talking about doing this ride. Any suggestions for a 60 year old man on mountain or trail would be more comfortable would be a great help
It's more about the how comfortable you are on your seat than the bike as long as you aren't trying to do it on a road bike.
It's fairly flat, so for the most part gears aren't going to matter much. I don't think you need a trail bike with a suspension, just a butt callous and not being too stubborn about taking breaks when you need them.
Hi there great video. I have done the C&O before, but we’re gonna go back and do the gap and the C&o again in one trip. Can you explain more about parking at the Great Falls and I guess if you park there then you’re not really ending @ mile 0? How many miles from the Great Falls parking to miles zero?
Great Falls is at Mile 14, so it's 14 miles to the marker then another 4 to 5 to Union Station.
You have to pay for a National Park admission (If you don't already have one) and you let the rangers know you are doing overnight parking and give them your tag number.
I would call ahead to make sure the policy hasn't changed, but I've never had any issues. Just remember it's the Maryland side, not the Virginia side.
www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/greatfallstavernvisitorcenter.htm
thank you - great info. mate I'm hoping to fly from Sydney Australia into Pittsburgh international airport in about later september early October 2024 or 2025 depending in my fitness levels. I think it is possible to start right at airport and get onto the Montour trail for 60 miles, joining the Gap trail at Mckeesport ? Hopefully. my plan is to take my time to reach Washington DC. a one off trip. Question is, is 24 days to long ? like i said i'm not in a rush and at 61 might be my only trip to the USA as i have other trails to archive in other countries. cheers John
Not sure I follow the question 24 Days in the US or on this trail? 24 Days is longer than I would recommend on the trail, but 24 days in the States absolutely if you can afford it and depending on what you like to do.
If you want to see cities Pittsburgh is worth a day, D.C. is absolutely worth seeing at the other end for at least a few days and from there and it's only a few hour train or Bus up to Philadelphia, New York or even Boston on Amtrak from D.C. or an overnight up to Chicago.
If you are trail focused you could do the GAP and C&O in a week, fly our and do the Katy for a week in the midwest, then Fly out to Spokane and do the Hiawatha and the Couer De Lane and take a West Coast Flight home all easily in a 24 day window...if you have the budget for the flights/trains in between all those places.
Hell the trains out west are a vacation in and of themselves.
We are a strange country, but we are also a damn beautiful one.
cheers @@BikesTrainandAuto
Hello! I've biked a few sections of the c&o but plan to do the entire thing this year. In May, in my experience it has always been soaking wet. How is the trail condition in the fall? Thanks for the video!
I've never had a C&O through that wasn't muddy at some point. In the summer you have thunderstorms at night, in the fall even when it doesn't rain for a few days the leaves keep the moisture in the ground.
It's part of the trip.
@@BikesTrainandAuto i live near the area, its not always storming or raining but maybe just because it never gets direct sun in most portions it just stays that way, i was curious if the cold ground made any changes. Guess not.
I can make about 35 miles per charge.
Start at Great Falls and end in Boston. DC and Pittsburgh are armpits! The paved railtrail around the West Virginia portion òf C+O is a good alternative to the roughest least maintained towpath. Several places you can go between the two routes and use hiker biker campsites. Connellsville is a bit of a place you might meet shady characters. Crackheads and prostitutes. There is a halfway house nearby. Ride the route as described both directions and no shuttle needed. You'll have permanent bragging rights over 2 weeks.
Riding the C&O in a few weeks. Rode the GAP 2 years ago and Pine Creek last year. Plan to camp so I am flexible but trying to gage my end date for the train reservation. I'm old and slow not to mention the loaded bike and dirt trail. Thinking 4 days of 45 miles each. Sound reasonable?
Very reasonable. Enjoy your trip.
How appropriate are 35 mm tires on a 1980s steel touring bike on these two trails?
I'd go wider on the tires if you can. You can probably get away with it on the GAP, on the C&O, you'd be pushing your luck.
Yeah, I just did the GAP on 32mm tires. I enjoyed it - but I like dancing with my bike. My front tire would slip out and my rear tire would spin on the shale. On the climb up to the ECDivide, I was constantly worried about getting a flat on the shale. So, if you just want to cruise and enjoy, go wider than 35mm.
@@DerrickGarrett
Thank you very much
Im confused. Does the gap and c+O run into or blend into each other?
They connect in Cumberland but they are very distinct from each other. There is a park area where the two connect.
I ride an e-bike is there opportunities to charge your bike a long these trails?
On the GAP, maybe, on the C&O almost certainly no.
You talk like a reporter 😅