TE-DC Canal Ride

Me, again. Just checked some stats from my BikeJournal and here's mileage on the routes below:

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Originally Posted by zencentury

Harpers Ferry to Shepherdstown?
Williamsport to Shepherdstown?
Williamsport to Fort Frederick (or farther)?

I'm not sure about mileage for those. I'd like to aim for a 25-30 mile round-trip.

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Harper's Ferry > Shepherdstown is roughly 25 miles round trip, with food options at either end. From Harper's Ferry up to Dam 3 is a very beautiful stretch of the towpath/river, I highly recommend this section. Parking's tight on the MD side of the river near Harper's Ferry, though, so you might want to start at Sheperdstown and head downstream.

Williamsport > Shepherdstown is looooong and has the detour in the middle of it. I'm not sure of the exact mileage, but I'd guess that it's over 30 miles one-way. But from Shepherdstown to Big Slackwater (where the detour area begins) is just shy of 30 miles round-trip. And there are two parking lots on the MD side of the river across from Shep'town.

Williamsport > Ft Frederick is approx. 30 miles round-trip, depending on where you turn around. I usually ride to the top of Big Pool (you'll know it when you see it), then head back. Food options are limited in Williamsport, but it's got good parking and a Nat'l Park office/C&O musuem.

Sorry if this has become info overload, but the accumulated knowledge just started spilling out. I've now re-corked the bottle :rolleyes: ;)


I also wanted to let you ladies know that I'm not going to be able to do the October through-ride. I'm just not prepared for it, in so many ways. But I'm planning to do my annual Cumberland vacation around that time, so I'd love to join you on the day you go through the Paw Paw Tunnel. That is a lot of fun, and another really beautiful section of the towpath. And, trust me, it's better without a flashlight!

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...size/004-b.jpg

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Originally Posted by Kalidurga

, so I'd love to join you on the day you go through the Paw Paw Tunnel. That is a lot of fun, and another really beautiful section of the towpath. And, trust me, it's better without a flashlight!

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You're just looking for a way to noodge me into the canal ;)

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Originally Posted by zencentury

You're just looking for a way to noodge me into the canal ;)

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Bah. There's usually less than 6 inches of water in that stretch, and there's a railing along the towpath. And why would I want to noodge you into the canal on the first day when I know the Muffin riders are going to noodge you into the river after you've been camping for a couple of days? ;)

Couple more pics of Paw Paw:

In the tunnel, taken with the flash
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...unnel_view.jpg

Facing the opposite direction from the photo of the tunnel entrance
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...g_size/005.jpg

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Originally Posted by Kalidurga

I also wanted to let you ladies know that I'm not going to be able to do the October through-ride. [/IMG]

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What's the October through-ride?

I'm so bummed I can't join you all--my mom is in town that weekend to go wedding dress shopping with me--UGH...it goes without saying that I would MUCH rather be biking.

Skip the fancy wedding.
Spend that money on bike stuff.
Priorities, woman.
Gotta have priorities.

So, Tam....does the Paw Paw echo? And...can you scream the entire length of it????? ;)

HaHa! It's not a fancy wedding, but I still have to find something to wear.:o

Here's what the tunnel looked like a couple weeks ago. There were actually workmen lolly-gagging around outside the west end, and some vehicles parked inside.

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Originally Posted by 7rider

So, Tam....does the Paw Paw echo? And...can you scream the entire length of it????? ;)

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Sorry, my excess of knowledge ends at that, it's not something I'd ever think of trying.


Deb, any idea what they were working on? Just general maintenance? And, did you use a flashlight? ;)

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Originally Posted by Kalidurga

Deb, any idea what they were working on? Just general maintenance? And, did you use a flashlight? ;)

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No, not obvious what they were working on. I didn't use a flashlight. But it was freaky without one.

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Originally Posted by Kalidurga

Sorry, my excess of knowledge ends at that, it's not something I'd ever think of trying.

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I'll do it!

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Originally Posted by zencentury

I'll do it!

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It's good to see someone else in touch with her inner 8 year old! :D

Hi everyone, Zen alerted me to this ride. Would anyone be willing to let me carpool with them? I live in the Georgetown area.

Sure, I can pick you up at a metro station somewhere along the way. Maybe Grosvenor? I've got a bike rack so that's no issue.

I looks like we've settled on Saturday July 12 as the ride date and it looks like we're planning to carry our lunch and eat somewhere on route. We still need to decide which section of the canal we will ride. I've only ever ridden the section from Rileys Lock to Whites Ferry, so I'd like to start further up towards Zen.

The starting point and destination depends on how far you guys are willing to drive and to parking availability. I'm partial to the Williamsport to Fort Frederick choice simply because of parking availability at Wmspt.

I'll think on it some more.

On my ride last week I discovered some parking I didn't know about before. If we get an early start, we can start at Harper's Ferry and go toward Shepardstown.

Well, it looks like I won't be able to ride the Xtracycle on this ride because my roof-top rack likely won't be here in time. I'll bring panniers to haul my share of the lunch, and whatever others can't carry.

Drat!
I guess that means no Pina Coladas.

You guys have ten days to decide how far you want to drive to a starting point.

Once again, I'm just sayin'...

You know I have rear panniers too, right? I ahve front panniers as well but no rack yet:o

I don't mind where we start just as long as you give me enough time to get there. I've only been a little past Edwards Ferry if that so I'm open to seeing the C&O more up your way, Zen.

Anyone else need a ride?

And if I read the posts right, we bring our own lunch, correct?

This is funny. I keep reading the threads about C&O rides (here and at the Yahoo group) and wondering "What took these ladies so long to discover the towpath and realize how great it is?" ;)

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Originally Posted by Kalidurga

This is funny. I keep reading the threads about C&O rides (here and at the Yahoo group) and wondering "What took these ladies so long to discover the towpath and realize how great it is?" ;)

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So are you going with us or are you just going to stay home and take a smug bath?

I used to hike the C&O back in the __'s.
Then a few things got in the way.
Around 1992 I got a bike but no carrier (what was I thinking?)
Three years ago I got a road bike. And a carrier for it :D. Makes a BIG difference.
Thought I was gonna be a roadie. Thought the canal was for people that couldn't hang on the road.
Rode the old Haro a few times with you last year.

Now I have Pink and we're having a torrid love affair. That bike has made all the difference.

I always knew how great it is, I just wasn't thinking :confused::o

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Originally Posted by F8th637

And if I read the posts right, we bring our own lunch, correct?

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No. You bring foot long subs for everyone.

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Originally Posted by zencentury

No. You bring foot long subs for everyone.

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I suppose i was asking for that one, wasn't I? :p

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Originally Posted by zencentury

So are you going with us or are you just going to stay home and take a smug bath?

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Actually, I've already said that I might have to work that day, which would leave me wishing that I could be out there with you. I might end up being too busy laying area tags to be smug about anything. Hey, you work in inventory now, wouldn't you rather come downtown and help me than ride the towpath? :p;):rolleyes:

I'll have to let you know next week whether I can ride on the 12th. Just out of curiosity, which parking area are you thinking of to start at Harper's Ferry? One of the ones at the base of Maryland Heights? Brunswick is another option to start: It's only a few miles downstream from Harper's Ferry, there's good parking at both the train station and the boat launch, and there's a terrific coffee shop.

And you thought the canal was for folks who couldn't hang on the road, huh? Guess yer learnin' otherwise, huh? ;)

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Originally Posted by F8th637

I suppose i was asking for that one, wasn't I? :p

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Just in case someone forgets the subs at home, (do we have Jimmy John's out here?) what is the plan for food?

and then we did decide on the 12th?

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Originally Posted by Kalidurga

Actually, I've already said that I might have to work that day,

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I know. I thought you might know for sure by now

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Originally Posted by Kalidurga

Hey, you work in inventory now, wouldn't you rather come downtown and help me than ride the towpath?

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I'll do just about anything for the right amount of money.

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Originally Posted by Kalidurga

which parking area are you thinking of to start at Harper's Ferry? One of the ones at the base of Maryland Heights?

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If you drive a little farther down there are two more parking areas

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Originally Posted by Kalidurga

And you thought the canal was for folks who couldn't hang on the road, huh? Guess yer learnin' otherwise, huh? ;)

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Now i think you're channeling my mother :p

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Originally Posted by madscot13

Just in case someone forgets the subs at home, (do we have Jimmy John's out here?) what is the plan for food?

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I was thinking maybe potluck style?

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Originally Posted by madscot13

and then we did decide on the 12th?

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Yup.

that is sounding good. what shall I bring. hmmm

I think I'm bringing cheese, apple slices, crackers, salad greens and dressing.
And paper plates/forks
That is until I change my mind.

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Originally Posted by zencentury

I'll do just about anything for the right amount of money.

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And here I thought you might do it out of the goodness of your heart.

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Originally Posted by zencentury

If you drive a little farther down there are two more parking areas

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Those can be some tricky spots to get in and out of. I almost got rear-ended once trying to back out of one of them. Why not begin the ride somewhere with easier parking? (Do I still sound like your mother?)

Regarding food: There's a Sheetz just off of Route 340 on the way out towards Harper's Ferry-- Good spot to pick up a sub or some other munchies.

If we start at Brunswick and go to Antietam Creek aqueduct I estimate that to be about a thirty mile round trip.

OK,Mother.

Or if 30 miles is too much, Dam 3 is a good spot to stop and hang out for a while before turning around (that'd be approximately 25 miles round-trip). I've always wanted to take off my shoes and do some wading in the river there. If I join y'all, I may have to squeeze a small towel into my Camelbak ;)

Let's see...

Brunswick is mile 54

Harpers Ferry is mile 60

Dam 3 Is mile 62.27

How do you figure 25 miles?

So I flunked math. That's why I spit out info, but don't actually lead rides.

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Originally Posted by Kalidurga

So I flunked math. That's why I spit out info, but don't actually lead rides.

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And you're in charge of inventory???
Oy, brother!!! :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by 7rider

And you're in charge of inventory???
Oy, brother!!! :rolleyes:

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Man, I think I'm going to go back to not posting for a while.

oh don't go away!

Yes, don't you want to be there when Mad comes out of her box?
And if she sees her shadow, it's six more weeks of summer :D

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Originally Posted by Kalidurga

Man, I think I'm going to go back to not posting for a while.

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Oh, we kid because we love! :p

I never thought of that. hmm keeping up the enigma.

So that I can pick out the most interesting section possible I need to know-

Are all you guys coming down in one car?

I have DB, 7, Mad, F8th(?),...anyone else?


I also need to know how far you are willing to drive (which also means how early you want to get up;)