Touring C&O Canal from Pittsburgh to D.C--advice needed

[squirrell]

My DH and I were just sitting here watching the Steelers/Gaints game and noticed this great looking incline railway in Pittsburgh. That lead to Googling it, which lead to thinking of going to see it, which lead to thinking, "well, how about cycling from Pittsburgh to D.C. on the C&O Canal?"

I know that the Canal runs all the way into Pittsburgh now, right?

Has anyone ridden the whole length of it from? I see that it's just over 300 miles. We are thinking of maybe going in mid-May and taking 10 days or so, with time to sight-see in Pittsburgh and along the way. And, staying in B&Bs, hotels, etc. on the trip.

We used to live in the northern Shenandoah Valley and have cycled the Canal in the Paw Paw, WV area several times but the rest would be all new to us.

Here's the plan as it stands after just an hour of talking and researching:

--drive to D.C. Leave car in the lot of the Seminary I graduated from. They won't mind and it's safe.

--Ride to Metro, catch Amtrak at Union Station all the way into Pittsburgh.

--Spend 3 days or so around Pittsburgh, seeing the town, then heading out

--riding 40-60 miles a day from there

We would use our Hybrids.

This would be our first touring type ride. My DH has panniers on his bike already but I'll have to get some for mine.

Any tips, suggestions, ideas?

Thanks!

[divingbiker]

Several of us just did the Cumberland to DC part week before last, and two of us stayed in motels/B&B's. I'd be happy to pm you the places we stayed and phone numbers, etc. We had three days that were 40-45 miles, one that was about 35, and one that was about 25. (It's either that or camp or have a 60 mile day from Leesburg, VA to DC.)

DebW's done the Pittsburgh to Cumberland part, but she's a camper.

You'll have a great time!

You've probably seen the threads, but if not, they're here and here.

[Zen]

The C&O doesn't run the entire length.
You'd start on the GAP and pick up the C&O in Cumberland.

If the weather's good, I'm riding Meyersdale to Cumberland next Saturday

[7rider]

Any tips, suggestions, ideas?

Thanks!

Wow. Way cool.
Only...check out the links DB and Zen provided.
And...have an awesome time and take LOTS of pictures!

[Zen]

Any tips, suggestions, ideas?

Pack light.
Very, very light.
Every ounce adds up.
Think three times whether or not you need an item.
You'll go through a few towns where you can buy stuff if you need to.

[Possegal]

Just have to add in, as a native of the 'burgh, it is a wonderful town and you'd really enjoy spending a little time there. Though with all the hills, biking can be a challenge. I mourn the young me who used to be able to bike around there with no trouble.

I believe here was just a bike ride from DC to Pgh that I believe ended in Pgh to celebrate the 250 yr anniversary of the city.

http://www.atatrail.org/ <---- info on the GAP

[DebW]

I did the GAP in May in 2.5 days from McKeesport to Cumberland, then another 1.5 days on the C&O to Hancock. The GAP is a wonderful trail, crushed stone surface and very well graded and maintained. It's uphill all the way from Pittsburgh to the Eastern Continental Divide, but it's so gradual that you hardly notice. Then you ride through the tunnels near the divide and blast downhill for 20 miles to Cumberland. The GAP goes right through some towns, so I never carried more than 2 days worth of food. It goes through Ohiopyle State Park too.

[mtkitchn]

Riding the trail from Pittsburgh to D.C. is one of my goals for next year. I recommend this book that I picked up over the summer:
http://www.gearfetch.com/shop/produc...roducts_id=868

I grew up in Pittsburgh, so I'd probably fly there, ride to D.C. and then take Amtrak back to Pitt. When are you planning to do the ride?

[ready2cycle]

I'm from Kansas and I rode from Cumberland to DC in June 2006. I flew to Alexandria, rented a car for 1 day one way to Cumberland, DC (Hertz), and rented a mountain bike in Alexandria for a week. I left my large suitcase that had my panniers in it at the Holiday Inn in Alexandria where I would stay for a few days when I returned from the bike tour. The hotel also had free shuttles to the airport/Metro station. I drove to Cumberland and stayed in a motel in Frostburg (5 miles away and much cheaper). The next morning I left the car at the gas station/Hertz place and started on the C&O that was only 2 blocks away.
I stayed in motels and B&Bs in Little Orleans, Hancock, Shepherdstown, Leesburg, Alexandria. The longest day was about 44 miles. The trail can get muddy after a rain. You can get some great info on bikewashington.org.
When I returned to DC, I rode from Alexandria to Mt. Vernon on the Mt. Vernon trail--seemed like it was downhill both ways, riding paved after 5 days on the C&O.

[bikerbarb]

I rode Pgh-DC last summer with my 3 kids age 13 -23. Started in McKeesport/Boston PA as the road to Pgh wasn't finished and although I did a scouting trip one Saturday, it wasn't pleasant and safe to take the kids on a fast road from the City of Pgh to McKeesport. We had a blast. You do need a bike with fatter tires and my 13 yr. old had shocks and had the most fun aiming for things I avoided. Fenders are important, too as it gets muddy when it rains.

We did about 60 miles/day over 6 days and stayed in guest houses and a rustic b&b, spending about $40/person per night for lodging. The best guide book to use with all the amenities available throughout the trail (growing no. of bike shops, places to stay, restaurants, etc.) is called TrailBook 2008-2009. It was $10 bucks locally but youcan order it from Fieldstone Press, 522 Handwerk Rd., Markleton, PA 15551 or through the Allegheny Trail Alliance website: 222.atatrail.org.