Planning Ahead--Riding the Whole C&O Canal

[susan.wells]

I did this route last year (self-supported) as part of the Great Allegheny Passage. We began in Boston, PA. My girlfirend & I did it over a 5 day period averaging about 60-65 miles per day. For the C&O canal portion, we stayed in Cumberland (Holiday Inn), Hancock (Super 8?), and Harper's Ferry (Historic Hilltop House Hotel). It was a great ride. Enjoy!

[7rider]

I'd vote against Columbus Day weekend, as that's usually the Seagull Century weekend. I'd also vote for the WED-SUN option, as that seems to mess up only one work week (for some of us, at any rate) and allows us some recovery time on Sunday (perhaps) before diving back into reality.

I think I can recruit Tom to serve as shuttle driver. My Escape, with the roof rack on, can also carry four bikes and four riders (plus Tom or other shuttle driver).

Of course, Janice...if you and I are doing this the civilized way, you realize we'll have to be riding at the front of this train, less we get bowled over by the sheer...um....potent naturalness?...of those behind us!!!

[divingbiker]

Of course, Janice...if you and I are doing this the civilized way, you realize we'll have to be riding at the front of this train, less we get bowled over by the sheer...um....potent naturalness?...of those behind us!!!

I think DebW pointed out that we need to check the wind direction before deciding whether to ride ahead of or behind the campers.

Did you get out and ride today? What a gorgeous day...I just did a quick trip to the bank, but it was beautiful!

[HillSlugger]

Regina,

If I got the calendar correct, this year the Seagull Century is the weekend before Columbus Day weekend. I'm not sure what they were thinking.

[Zen]

I like the Columbus Day/Leesburg option. sixty some miles is a long ride for me.

I might could enlist some help from the Frederick Pedalers with shuttling to Cumberland or with equipment.

[Velobambina]

Hmmmm. This sounds like fun.

Are those hotels pet friendly? If so, I probably could convince my husband to come along or we could take the girls to an excellent dog "resort" in Ortanna, PA (reasonable distance from Cumberland and one of the only places I'd trust w/my girls). My husband might be able to help with shuttle duties.

I'm up for the shorter (Leesburg) ride, as well. Why not both?

[Zen]

And while you're in Ortanna you can eat (all you can eat) at Hickory Bridge.
Gggglllllllaaaaahhhhhggggg.....

[divingbiker]

OK, so it looks like this is where we are right now:

Day 0 Drive to Cumberland, stay at the Holiday Inn
Day 1 Cumberland to Little Orleans 43.7 miles, stay at the Little Orleans Lodge
Day 2 Little Orleans to Williamsport 41.4 miles, stay at the Red Roof Inn
Day 3 Williamsport to Harpers Ferry 38.7 miles, stay at the Comfort Inn
Day 4 Harpers Ferry to Leesburg, 25.2 miles, stay at the Best Western
Day 5 Leesburg to Georgetown 35.5 miles, metro home and stay our own beds

Since we're talking 6 days now, should we start on a Sunday and end on a Friday, or start on a Monday and end on a Saturday, so we have the weekend to get back to our normal routines? Or start on Tuesday, October 7 (just a couple of days after the Seagull) and end on Sunday, October 12, with Columbus Day as our recovery day?

Velobambina, I don't know about the dog-friendliness of the hotels, but you can check it out. They're all on the list at the bottom of this page.

[7rider]

Okay...
I'm getting major security willies here.
Can we make the final decisions about where and when off line - via PM or (better, due to that persistent "reply all" problem) email?
Let's agree - Fall 5 day C&O Ride - some to camp, some to hotel it.
Perhaps, we can all meet (con call in our out of state friends and those who can't make it) and discuss logistics.
I know...I"m being paranoid.
Thoughts?

[divingbiker]

Okay...
I'm getting major security willies here.
Can we make the final decisions about where and when off line - via PM or (better, due to that persistent "reply all" problem) email?
Let's agree - Fall 5 day C&O Ride - some to camp, some to hotel it.
Perhaps, we can all meet (con call in our out of state friends and those who can't make it) and discuss logistics.
I know...I"m being paranoid.
Thoughts?

I'm not sure how that will work, but maybe you can take the lead in making it happen.

[Zen]

I have started a group for planning and discussion purposes.
PM me your email addy and I will evite you to join.

[Velobambina]

Is there shoo fly pie at the Hickory Bridge? That alone will convince my husband to help out.

[Kalidurga]

I'm going to have to pass on this trip, ladies. I've been invited to stay with a friend near Seattle at the end of July and I unfortunately don't have enough vacation time for both.

But, depending on where you are on what day of the week, maybe I could drive out and join you for part of the ride

Oh, and a suggestion for the Harper's Ferry to Leesburg stretch: Ride to White's Ferry and take the ferry across the river. Do not cross the river at Point of Rocks to follow Route 15 all the way down to Leesburg. Route 15's known for lots of accidents. The short stretch from the ferry into Leesburg will be sketchy enough.

[divingbiker]

I'm going to have to pass on this trip, ladies. I've been invited to stay with a friend near Seattle at the end of July and I unfortunately don't have enough vacation time for both.

But, depending on where you are on what day of the week, maybe I could drive out and join you for part of the ride

It won't be the same without you, Tam! But I know how it is making the vacation time stretch as far as possible.

Definitely you'll have to join us on one of the days.

[Zen]

I'm going to have to pass on this trip, ladies.

WEENIE!