Cycling The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) and Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath (C&O)
4th to 9th September 2024
Following on from the success of the Zwift Regular Irregulars IRL ride last year (the Katy Trail) another IRL meetup was decided. Patrick even designed a jersey for us all to wear. Most of the group decided to ride the three days of the C&O Towpath from the Saturday whilst others decided to ride the 3 days of the GAP trail first. All meeting up in Cumberland. The six day ride is 538Km (334.5 Miles) + a bit going to and from accommodation each night.
I travelled out a couple of days early in order to meet up with a friend who lived just outside DC, and he was kind enough to act as a storage facility for my bike bag whilst I was riding. After the problems of using my phone lat year, this year I had bought a sim card with unlimited texts and data for a month for £35. It was well worth it and was semless in operation.
Leaving my friend’s house in Bethesda I took the Capital Crescent Trail in to DC and then wove my way through the streets to get to Union Station in order to catch the Amtrak train to Pittsburgh. I hadn't paid that much attention to where the route would take me so was pleasantly surprised to pass by the Washington Monument. The ride through the city centre wasn't as bad as I feared, due to the good network of cycle routes available although it did take me a bit to adjust to riding on the wrong side of the road!
Getting the train was stress free, with the guards being helpful. I loaded my bike into the baggage car, then went to find my seat. The journey took 8 hours, but it had plenty of leg room and palces to charge my phone. The scenery was great to watch as it passsed (until it got dark). It was odd that there were scheduled stops for the smokers on board at a couple of the stations. I arrived in Pittesburg at 11:30pm the guard was ready with my bike at the lugage car, and it was a short ride to the Hotel.
I had arranged to Meet Patrick at Point State Park at 9am. I left for the short ride in plenty of time, Just as well as I went 180 degrees in the wrong direction. After a close encounter with a car( went to put my left foot down at a stop sign), which resulted in my crashing down hard with my right knee hitting the kerb. I made it to the meeting point. After the photo opps at the fountain we set off, my knee was aching, but not too bad especially if I took most of the pressure on my left leg. Next Stop Connellsville. The trail was in good condition (packed gravel) and the weather was sunny and not too hot. The ride would be uphill all day albeit at a 1-2% gradient with a headwind most of the day luckily the wind was very light, and we were mostly shaded by the trees. Plenty of wildlife was seen, no bears, although evidence of bears was to be seen, and no snakes. Accommodation that night was at the Comfort Inn, Connellsville.
100km, 236m ascent, 4hrs 39mins, 21.6km/h
another day of uphill the gradient was mostly about 2% nothing much, but on gravel it does eventually get to the legs. Again blessed with the weather althought the forcast shows rain on Saturday :-( Not many places on the route to get food or snacks, so I was extremely grateful to Kim (Patrick's wife) who was acting as a trail angel, and meeting us at several points with snacks and drinks. We arrived in Meyersdale just before 2pm and had a hour or so to kill before we could check in. We had a look round the little museum at the trail head and enjoyed a tasty icecream from the shop. The B&B The Inn on Main was no more than 100m from the trail head. This was a lovely B&B with a very hospitable host. there was secure storage for your bike and a bike wash stand. in your room they had usb changing cables With every imaginable adapter already attached for you to use. they also did a mean Spaghetti dinner that evening.
A leisurly start to the day as we only had 50km to go. The day starts with a little bit more climbing to get to the Eastern Continental Divide (about 90m ascent over 14km). Once throught the tunnel at the top its all down hill to Cumberland. Going through the Big Savage Tunnel a 1003m (3291') long tunnel, and crossing the Mason Dixon line enroute. Some stunning views looking down in to the valley. We arrived at our hotel the Fairfield by Marriott before noon, and they allowed us to check in early. The end of the GAP trail. Lunch was a short walk away then back to the hotel for a swim and then meeting all the other Herd Regular Irregulars who would be riding with us the next few days.
Well the forcast rain didn't materialise. A Grand depart as we all set off on the C&O Towpath towards Hancock. All except the self styled 'Old Gits' who instead of taking their rest day in cumberland on a dry day had decided to continue to Hancock and take the rest day on the rainy day. riding at a slower pace to chat to people was proving too painful with my knee so I gave my appologies and pressed on at a pace I found comfortable, soon catching Tracy up, and we rode together for the rest of the day. The path through the Paw Paw Tunnel was very uneven and narrow. You can see why they ask cyclists to dismount and walk throught he nealy 1km long tunnel. with about 5km to go to get into Hancock my front rack decided to fold down on to my wheel. Unwilling to just use brute strength to tighten the clamps (for fear of breaking stuff) I dug out the backpack, and put the front bag in and mde my way to Hancock. On arrival we met the 'Old Gits' on hearing I was going to be staying at the super 8 the y insisted I cance and find somewhere else, They'd stayed there the night before, and didn't recommend it. Luckilly Dave, judy and Mandy had booked an Air B&B and had a spare room as Meryl hadn't been able to make the ride. Patrick and Kim had booked into the Hancock Motel, and then checked out again as soon as they found an alternative. Dinner that evening was at Buddylou's. Several of the group had booked the Trail Inn B&B and the owner was so hospitable he invited the whole group (17 of us) for breakfast the next morning free of charge! Definately staying here if I do the ride again.
As everyone was together, we closed off a bridge for a photo opportunity of us all in out tour shirts. Due to the mechanical problems I had experienced, the Trail angles took my bags for me today. Wow did the bike seem light. a slower opace in the morning chatting to the other Brits Margaret and her husband David, but after a couple of hours I again had to find a more comfortable pace. At time the Towpath was closed for maintenance, but there wer clearly directed diversions. We were glad however that it hadn't rained as there diversions might have been a bit more of a challenge. and in some placed we had to get off and carry our bikes up steps or steep loos slopes. However it was a fun day until Harper's Ferry. All the accommodation is on the other side of the river and entails you carrying your bike up and over the bridge (there is no option to ride), then luckilly I found the route with least climbing to get to the Quality Inn. Not wanting to walk into town for a meal I found a gas station and bougth some deep fried chicken wings. Spent rthe evening reassissing my luggage carrying, and decided that next time I don't need the front rack and bag, just my normal bar bag would do (unless I need to carry a tent).
The last stretch. another sunny day with plenty to see Lots of Turtles in the canal today, and a Heron who just wasn't phased by thenumber of people passing within a couple of feet of him. I took it relativi=ely easy until I remembered that I was supposed to show Patrick how to get back to Bethesda. Kim quite understandably didn't want to deive into the center of DC, and as she had my bag, and they were going to meet their neice in rockville it made sense to meet in Bethesda. I cought Patrick up when he took a break at Great Falls Looking at the falls now I cant believe that I kayaked then in 1995! Patrick and I rode the last few miles into DC to find the Mile Zero marker (not that easy to find). Then back track and branch off on the Capital Crescent Trail and up to Bethseda.
Thanks to everyopne who made it such a good trip: Alan, David, David, Dawn, Gerg, Greg , John, Judy, Mandy, Margaret, Mark, Patrick, Tracy. Not forgetting the wonderful trail angels David, Kim, Sheryl.