Riding the GAP and C&O Canal Trails - 2021 Part 2
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- In early October of 2021 I set out from Pittsburgh, PA on a journey that, months before I had never even dreamed of, to ride the length of the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath trails. The longest single distance I had previously ever pedaled was 20 miles. That seems like a warmup ride now.
I made this video series to not only provide a chronicle of my ride for myself, friends, and family but also as a guide or reference to anyone who might be planning on taking this ride in the future. I got so much information from the RUclips community when I was planning this ride and so I thought it only appropriate to give back.
Part 2 covers my 3rd and 4th days on the trail and shows off some of the amazing things that you can find during this ride, from tunnels to viaducts to the Eastern Continental divide. The day begins in Confluence and ends at the Town Creek campsite, where I planned for one of the hardest portions of the trail to come. I hope you enjoy the ride.
Music interludes provided by the very talented Jason Shaw - freemusicarchi...
Hi, I ride this trail, quite often, because I live in the region of the Great Allegheny Passage, and the river that you cross several times and ride along side of, when you are riding from Confluence to Rockwood, is called the Casselman River, not the Youghiogheny, which runs from Mckeesport to Confluence, which the town is named for, because it's the Confluence of three different bodies of water: The Youghiogheny, the Casselman rivers and Laurel Creek. You will be beside the Casselman River, until you reach Meyersdale. From Meyersdale to the Big Savage Tunnel, you will be riding, and crossing over Flaugherty Creek. I just want to point out that fact, from someone who rides the GAP Trail, quite often. I have ridden the entire trail, several times and it's truly a scenic ride, especially when you get past West Newton, and into the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania .
Well informed comments from a seasoned cyclist/GAP rider.
In my post retirement days, I may relocate to one of the GAP Trail towns. In doing so, I’ll at least have one thing in common with Bill Metzger (author of The GAP Companion) who I believe happens to reside in Confluence. Currently, my “backyard” trail is The Virginia Capital Trail, a paved route (I’m able to access from my home) traversing between Richmond and Jamestown, VA, that parallels Route 5 nearly all the way (52 miles). For now, I look forward to the Big Savage Tunnel reopening next Spring in order to plan another GAP Ride.
Admittedly, I was a bit amused by the RUclips post person that was surprised in being passed by passenger excursion Train. (It’s pretty obvious he was not familiar with The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. Too bad The 1309 wasn’t operating that day! I can’t imagine a Steam Locomotive not being able to get your heart rate UP!
Great video Jeff. I have watched the first two episodes and now I am interested to find out at the end of your ride. What became of your bicycle rim. Just as a question did you not have any sealant and tire plugs to try to seal up the leak?
BTW, it is easy to make that mistake with inner tubes. I have bought the wrong ones and have ordered the right ones but the retail store sent me the wrong ones before. That is probably more common than many people realize. Great ride Sir.
Pinkerton bypass is scenic 1.5 miles
I rode on the C & O for about 50 miles Saturday. Thanks for your videos. Hopefully I can do the whole trek in the near future. One thing I noticed on the C & O around Harpers Ferry was extremely dusty with real fine grey dust covering everything. Was this your experience? Did you have to degrease the chain and cassette?
My bike was a dusty mess. It's not just from the area around Harpers Ferry. The entire trail is pretty much a crushed stone surface so dust is inevitable. I did wash all the dust and grime off in Hancock at the C&O Bike Shop. I stayed in their bunkhouse and they have a hose for washing off the grime. I would say that if you were going to be riding in the dry season then use a dry chain lube. If it has been raining then you would want a wet chain lube. This trail has dry and wet sometimes so it's really hard to figure it out.
What kind of GPS do you have?
Wow I have never had tubeless bike tires. They really run that low? My tubed tires call for 45-50 lbs. but I run 60 in them! They are actually pretty fat hybrid tires.
For mountain bike tires you can generally run between 22-26 psi. Of course you need tubeless ready rims, tubeless ready tires, and tubeless sealant. It can be a bit pricey to get into it if your components aren’t tubeless ready but it does make for a much cushier ride. I do carry inner tubes though just in case there’s a puncture that the sealant can’t plug.
@@JeffRevell Good info. I'm going westbound on my trip but I am worried about that climb from Cumberland to the divide . Not sure I can do it!
dude, you talk way to much!! just let us watch the video. we don't wont to listen to you run your mouth the whole time. i aint being rude either. you talk non stop.
Well, there’s always the volume button I guess.