C&O Canal: Anybody wanna ride in September?

[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.

[7rider]

Whew!!!
You guys had me worried there for a minute!
I was thinking...50 miles on a mountainbike?! Yowzaa!
Rileys to WF sounds like a great ride. I was actually thinking of something along that line. The one time I did that ride, I don't think we got as far as the Ferry, so it would be nice to see it.

[HillSlugger]

Whew!!!
You guys had me worried there for a minute!
I was thinking...50 miles on a mountainbike?! Yowzaa!
Rileys to WF sounds like a great ride. I was actually thinking of something along that line. The one time I did that ride, I don't think we got as far as the Ferry, so it would be nice to see it.

Sorry, I should have said roundtrip!

[7rider]

Sorry, I should have said roundtrip!

Oops...No, I know that's what you meant. 25 round trip sounds great.
I was thinking of the 50 round trip if we went all the way up to Point of Rocks...

[Kalidurga]

It sounds like we have the location down. There's a small convenience store and snack bar/grill at White's Ferry, so it's definitely a good spot to chill out for a while before we turn around. Is it too early to decide what time we want to meet?

As happy as I'll be for you when you sell your hybrid, Nicole, it would definitely be cool if you could hang on to it long enough to join us. It's starting to sound like that's what you're planning on

[HillSlugger]

It sounds like we have the location down. There's a small convenience store and snack bar/grill at White's Ferry, so it's definitely a good spot to chill out for a while before we turn around. Is it too early to decide what time we want to meet?

I'd prefer starting out fairly early, somewhere between 9 and 10 am.

As happy as I'll be for you when you sell your hybrid, Nicole, it would definitely be cool if you could hang on to it long enough to join us. It's starting to sound like that's what you're planning on

I know. I'm definitely of two minds about this. I definitely want to ride with you and I definitely want to sell the bike, but I figure if I don't get it sold pretty soon I'll be looking at having to wait until spring. With the amount of interest so far, and the fact that I'll be out of town next weekend it's pretty likely I'll still have it. As a backup, does anyone have an extra trail-worthy bike I can borrow?