Great Allegheny Passage and C & O Tow path record

[trail_turkey]

I agree that camping is sparse. There are some public camping options on the GAP on the western side of Ohiopyle: Dravo cemetery, roundbottom, Connellsville shelters are all free and on the trail.
I did a stealth camp and got a 6 hour nap west of Ohiopyle within the state park without an issue. It was the middle of the night on a weekday.
I agree, if I had the time, I'd love to do a winter ride on the route.

[Snowbd2u]

Planning on riding sometime in April for a td shakedown.... All are welcome.

[Couloirman]

Planning on riding sometime in April for a td shakedown.... All are welcome.

Same here-- want to make it a race?

EDIT: I'll actually be doing this last week in April, or very early May. I will probably do the yo-yo from Pittsburgh to DC to Pittsburgh.

[Snowbd2u]

Sweet it's on! Haha although I'm a ss rider. You might have the advantage! I know I have something going on the first weekend in May, either a 12 hour bike race or a weekend of kayaking, beer, and friends. Not sure which yet! But keep me updated.

[Snowbd2u]

And my plan would prob be taking a train to Pittsburg riding to dc then taking a train home as I would be afraid of being run over leaving nova on a bike! I'm about an hour and a half south west of dc.

[Couloirman]

Does any one know if there is a record for the completion of the C & O Tow Path and the Great Allegheny Passageway from Pittsburgh to D.C.? I have been hearing rumors of one, but have been unable to find the organization that recognizes it.

It's hard to find this stuff, but according to the bike washington website (http://bikewashington.org/canal/plan-days.php) "Paul Gruenberger also claims the unsupported record time of 12 hours and 36 minutes set in September 1991 for the entire C&O. The Supported record is 11 hours 41 minutes."

A couple recently broke/set the record for the Pittsburgh to DC direction. Just under 24 hours. http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/09/06/pittsburgh-to-dc-on-a-bicycle-built-for-two/

Actually they finished in just over 24 hours and had a full support crew meeting up with them every 30 miles or so. As far as I have been able to find on the internet the sub 24 hour time has yet to happen, but it is entirely possible that someone (or maybe even several people) has already done it and just didn't brag about it. It is clearly possible, and I bet someone like Jefe could pump it out in 18 hours without even trying.
http://bicycletimesmag.com/335-miles/#more-14924861

There are speed limits of 15 on all of the paths, so you have to take that into account when bragging about your time.  Your time on the bike better add up to at least 25 hours or you were speeding.

Unless something changed that I am not aware of, the official distance on the GAP website is still listed as 335 miles, and 335/24= 13.95 mph average speed to finish under 24 hours. If you went exactly 15mph the whole way your time would be 22.33 hours and you're still not breaking any speed limits.


I am heading out for the ride from Pgh to DC on October 6th or 7th for my 2nd time on the trail.

Anyone been on the trail recently? Is the C&O dry for the most part right now?

[esskay1000]

C&O should be pretty dry now, we haven't had much rain in the last month. I did Pitt-DC back in June and the C&O was a mudbath, it rained the whole time. As someone before mentioned, it will hand your ass to you in those conditions.  But it was still an amazing trip, especially for the history and the wildlife

[al_maxey]

I'm going again, October 18th or so.  This time from PGH to DC, so I'm looking forward to that big downhill ride from the divide to cumberland.  Hopefully it won't be wet, last time was very humid and miserable on the C&O. 

[esskay1000]

I'm going again, October 18th or so.  This time from PGH to DC, so I'm looking forward to that big downhill ride from the divide to cumberland.  Hopefully it won't be wet, last time was very humid and miserable on the C&O. 

That stretch is sweet, it's not very steep but you are going down and you can really motor because the GAP is so well maintained.  I had a full bikepack setup w/camping gear and all and was still able to cruise around 20mph for most of it.

[al_maxey]

Going up that was the best part of my trip last year.  I think it was because I finally got some altitude and left the humidity of the canal.  Then on the other side was all waterfalls and more humidity, but damn, that climb was great.  The sun set after about 30 minutes of going up, so I didn't get to enjoy the view but going through the tunnel at night with the bats was a blast.

[esskay1000]

Yea I definitely have to do it from DC to Pitt now since I enjoyed the trip so much.  But hope to pick a time when the canal is dry, it was 180 miles of a mudbath!

[Couloirman]

Last time I did it it rained every day and was the worst mudbath I have ever taken. This time I am switching it up and going Pgh to DC since I think I will be able to do it faster this direction. I am so stoked for the 20+ mile downhill from the divide into Cumberland and beyond.

[Couloirman]

Does anyone have a GPS track (.gpx) of the GAP?

EDIT: nevermind, found it