Planning Ahead--Riding the Whole C&O Canal

[divingbiker]

Yesterday on our ride, Kalidurga and I were talking about riding the entire length of the C&O, from Cumberland to Georgetown. I think I'm going to do this next year sometime. I'll go alone if I have to, but it would be fun to have company. Anybody interested?

Here's what I'm thinking right now; this is a very tentative itinerary.

Day 0 Drive to Cumberland, stay at the Inn at Walnut Bottom or 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 Georgetown 60.7 miles, metro home and stay in my own bed
Day 5 Ride Amtrak train to Cumberland, drive car home

To shorten it by a day, we (I'm optimistic that someone will want to do this with me ) could ride 60 miles a day and stay the first night in Hancock and the second night in Harpers Ferry.

This web site has a lot of information about planning a trip. I'm thinking that either spring or fall would be a nice time to do this ride. Nothing's nailed down at all yet, of course.

Sooooo...anybody up for this adventure?

[Zen]

AHEM!

Any body knows I've mentioned wanting to do this before but being the cheapskate that I am, I want to camp. At least one night. Maybe I could do a section or two with you.
I have always wanted to do end-to-end, though.

The C&O Canal Association does a supported ride but I don't know details.

[divingbiker]

AHEM!

Any body knows I've mentioned wanting to do this before but being the cheapskate that I am, I want to camp. At least one night. Maybe I could do a section or two with you.
I have always wanted to do end-to-end, though.

The C&O Canal Association does a supported ride but I don't know details.

Well, I'm an old fart and a weenie and I like to have a shower every day and a comfy bed at night. I don't think it makes sense to haul a tent and sleeping bag and cooking gear gear along for just one night of camping, especially if it rains. Tam doesn't like to cook and clean up, so that's her objection to camping.

Soooo...I guess I'll keep an open mind about camping, but it wouldn't be my first choice. Definitely it would have to be a 60 mile/day 3-day trip if I'm going to be skanky the whole time.

[DebW]

I've been thinking about this trip too, and I'd camp all or most of the way. I've got the right bike, the racks, and front and rear panniers (actually 2 sets of front panniers, since my camping gear is only about 20 lb). There is a campsite about every 5 miles, right? Let me know as plans develop.

[divingbiker]

So, Deb, do you think that one set of rear panniers (Ortlieb Backrollers) and a handlebar bag would be enough to carry all the gear needed for camping? I assume the sleeping bag, pad, and tent could be strapped on the rear rack.

It really wouldn't take a lot of clothes, I guess, just shorts for each day, something to knock around camp and sleep in, and rain gear just in case.

I'm not really interested in getting a front rack and a second set of panniers, since I don't think I'll be doing self-supported tours. But I guess you never know...

It would be great if you could come on this trip, since you have so much experience outdoors!

[DebW]

So, Deb, do you think that one set of rear panniers (Ortlieb Backrollers) and a handlebar bag would be enough to carry all the gear needed for camping? I assume the sleeping bag, pad, and tent could be strapped on the rear rack.

Definitely possible if you have a lightweight tent and sleeping bag and can deal with minimal clothing. General goals would be a tent of 3 lb or less, sleeping bag of 2 lb or less, pad of 1 lb or less, stove/pot/eating utensils 1 lb. Panier bags are about 3 lb/set. That's 10 lb, so if everything else (food, water, clothing, first aid, tools, etc) is 10-15 lb total, you'll be in the right ballpark. I've sewn my own tarps and hammocks and made alcohol stoves, so it's possible to do both cheap and lightweight.

[Kalidurga]

I'd definitely consider the weenie option (what the C&O Association calls the "muffin" option). But I'm not sure how the Georgetown end would work for me, since the closest Amtrak station to me is all the way down in Rockville, so I'd have to figure that out.

Did you look at the Little Orleans Lodge, Janice? Judging from it's location, I'd guess that it's somewhat "primitive".

And I highly recommend the Holiday Inn at Cumberland. That's where I stay for my annual western Md pilgrimage.

[Zen]

Well, I'm an old fart and a weenie

I just noticed that.
I'm just as old of a fart as you are.

And the more I think about it, I think I'd rather just do a TE ride and not be part of the C&O Association ride. But I'm antisocial like that.

See?
That's what happens when you get old - you get cranky

[DebW]

And the more I think about it, I think I'd rather just do a TE ride and not be part of the C&O Association ride. But I'm antisocial like that.

I'd rather do a small group as well - not with hordes of other cyclists on the path.

Ooo....Can I join?? (or is the group getting too big?)

Yup, count me as anti-social too. But what happens when you put too many anti-social people together?

[divingbiker]

Yup, count me as anti-social too. But what happens when you put too many anti-social people together?

Parrrrty!!!!!

Or we retire to our individual tents and read a book by flashlight.

As to the size of the group, the National Park Service web site says that "a camping unit consists of a non-family group of up to eight people." So I'd say we've got to limit the group to 8 if we're going to camp.

[divingbiker]

Well, I'm an old fart and a weenie and I like to have a shower every day and a comfy bed at night.

OK, I know I'm quoting myself but I made a lot of sense. What the hell was I thinking? There's no way I'm going to camp. I'm going to be a muffin, too.

One of my coworkers has done the C&O ride several times, so when he gets back in the office in a week or so I'll ask him about the logistics.

[Zen]

I like to stink. Keeps the bugs away

[7rider]

Janice. You're my hero. Always the voice of reason.

[DebW]

I like to stink. Keeps the bugs away

I've never noticed that. But sometimes I've kept myself awake at night.

[divingbiker]

I like to stink. Keeps the bugs away

I've never noticed that. But sometimes I've kept myself awake at night.

I guess after day 2 the muffins will be riding in front of Zen and Deb.