C&O Canal: Anybody wanna ride in September?

[divingbiker]

I'll be away for the next week, but when I get back I'll expect you all to have this ride all planned. I'll ride any part of it, but the area with lots of pedestrians around Great Falls would be toward the bottom of my list. Looking forward to it!

[HillSlugger]

If I've still got my hybrid by then I'll likely ride, too. If it's been sold, I probably try to at least meet everyone before your ride and then head out for a road ride.

[Kalidurga]

Riley's Lock is probably the most convenient-to-get-to spot upstream from Great Falls. It might be crowded within a mile or two from the lock, but beyond that it becomes fairly quiet and peaceful. My preference is usually to go much farther out. I rode the stretch from Point of Rocks to Harper's Ferry the other week and it was beautiful, and the trail was in very good shape. Plus, there's a very cool little coffee shop in Brunswick in between. It all depends on how far folks want to drive to get to the towpath. Here's more info: The C&O Canal Bicycling Guide

Nicole, are you going to start a thread for a non-pedaling get-together?

[7rider]

So...
We're talking an "out and back" along the canal from Riley's Lock to...??
Point of Rocks?
Harpers Ferry?
How far is it to each?
It seems like about 25 miles one way to Point of Rocks? Or am I not reading that map correctly?
So, that's a 50-miler? I've never done that on my mountain bike!
Also, any word on a Mid-Atlantic discussion group? I think that would be GREAT!

[HillSlugger]

So...
We're talking an "out and back" along the canal from Riley's Lock to...??
Point of Rocks?
Harpers Ferry?
How far is it to each?
It seems like about 25 miles one way to Point of Rocks? Or am I not reading that map correctly?
So, that's a 50-miler? I've never done that on my mountain bike!

If I ride this on my hybrid, I think 50 miles is out of the question for me. 20-30 miles or so would be much more reasonable.

Also, any word on a Mid-Atlantic discussion group? I think that would be GREAT!

I emailed Susan Otcenas and also the guy who posted about the forum updates. I've heard back absolutely nothing. Maybe it needs more of us to ask, or perhaps I didn't ask the right person. I'm open to ideas!

[Kalidurga]

Depending on the trail conditions and how I feel, I'll do anywhere from 15 to 30 miles total round-trip on the towpath. I usually get on the bike with a vague goal in mind, go as far as I feel like going, then turn around and head back. Sometimes it's a point-to-point thing, other times I just turn around in the middle of the trail when I hit a certain mile marker. To me, that's one of the beauties of the C&O.

I think that, as far as enjoying the ride, it really doesn't matter too much where we start and end. I haven't kept track of where everyone lives, but aren't some of you going to be driving up from Va? For that reason, I haven't suggested spots farther upstream. If folks are willing to drive farther, though, there are plenty of places besides Riley's where we could start.

Riley's Lock (mile 22.8) to Edward's Ferry (mile 30.9) could be a short but sweet jaunt. The view of the river at Edward's Ferry is so pretty.

White's Ferry (mile 35.5) is a great spot, too, with the working ferry crossing the river and all. I haven't ridden there this summer, though, so I don't know what shape the trail's in. Heading upstream from there would take us by the Monocacy Aqueduct at mile 42, though we could certainly continue beyond.

Point of Rocks (mile 48.2) to Harper's Ferry (mile 60.7) is a bit longer, but a beautiful ride. And, if we choose to, there's the bonus of crossing the railroad bridge into Harper's Ferry to soak up some history.

I could go on, but you'd all probably begin to think I'm obsessed I really think the deciding factor is what kind of driving everyone wants to do to get to the ride.

[HillSlugger]

Riley's Lock (mile 22.8) to Edward's Ferry (mile 30.9) could be a short but sweet jaunt. The view of the river at Edward's Ferry is so pretty.

White's Ferry (mile 35.5) is a great spot, too, with the working ferry crossing the river and all. I haven't ridden there this summer, though, so I don't know what shape the trail's in. Heading upstream from there would take us by the Monocacy Aqueduct at mile 42, though we could certainly continue beyond.

How about Riley's lock to White's Ferry with a stop at Edward's Ferry? That makes it a 25 mile ride.