C&O to GAP Ride / First Major Bikepacking Adventure

[trail_turkey]

Had an adventure on the C&O/GAP this past week. Took the train from Pittsburgh to Washington on Wednesday. After a late start due to the train being a few hours late to DC, got off heading north around 5pm.

Closures due to the government shutdown didn't effect getting on the trail, though there were rumors of folks being forced off the trail near G-town. Lots of trail users out practicing some civil disobedience. The NPS did remove all of the handles from the pumps along the C&O and put steel strapping around the porta-johns.

Trail was dry and in good condition. Got some nice night riding in and got to Killiansburg Cave camping area to snag some sleep. Got breakfast in Williamsport and lunch in Hancock. Saw lots of like-minded folks out there taking advantage of some fine leaf-peeping conditions.

After 1st dinner in Cumberland, I hit the 20 mile uphill ride to the Eastern Continental Divide. 2nd dinner was in Meyersville which fueled some night riding to Ohiopyle State park for a nap. Finished up the ride to Pittsburgh finishing in a few ticks under 47 hours.

This was my first bike-packing trip. Total distance of 340 miles. Very surprised on how well my rear end held up.

I used DIY packs, which held up really well. I've uploaded pictures herehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/74146447@N05/sets/72157636213785816/

Locals at the bike shop in Hanock said I need to come back in April: the C&O really shines when its wet out ...

[Couloirman]

Congrats on a great trip. I did this trail in a leisurely 5 days with my girlfriend over the summer and had an amazing time. I think I'm heading back in a few weeks to try to do Cumberland to Pittsburgh in a day. GREAT trail

[trail_turkey]

Thanks. 5 days seems to be "normal" and there were lots of folks that I talked to on that itinerary. Nice balance of miles and down time.
I can imagine the summer can be buggy. I was covered in gnats that were swarming beside the bogs (old canals) on the C&O.
The foliage was just starting to turn and the maples were brilliant yellow.

[csm]

This is on my list of rides to do. My dad's done it a few times.... The joys of retirement.


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[Couloirman]

Thanks. 5 days seems to be "normal" and there were lots of folks that I talked to on that itinerary. Nice balance of miles and down time.
I can imagine the summer can be buggy. I was covered in gnats that were swarming beside the bogs (old canals) on the C&O.
The foliage was just starting to turn and the maples were brilliant yellow.

Hahaha. Yeah the bugs were horrendous!

We brought all of our camping gear and planned on camping every night with maybe one hotel to take a shower in Cumberland, but the trail was so wet and muddy, we got rained on so hard every single day, and the bugs were just so terrible that we mailed home our camping gear immediately on the second morning and stayed in B+Bs every night. Was a lot of fun to do the trail with very little gear and have a shower and a bed every night. I'd like to go back and do it in the fall when the nights are colder and it doesn't suck to camp every night

[trail_turkey]

Full trip report posted here:

http://talesofthetrailturkey.blogspot.com/2013/10/c-trail-to-gap-trail-bike-ride.html

[JRA]

Cool trip.
Thanks for sharing it.