kmehrzad, do you mind talking a bit about your experience on the c&o canal? i'm thinking about doing this but i have no equipment. i'm thinking it might be nearly as cheap to stay in hotels along the way since i don't have the camping equipment but even then i assume i'll need to carry a small pack. i know the surface is crushed gravel so i assume one would want to use a hybrid and not a road bike on it, right?