C&O Canal ride near Frederick, Sun 7/1

[Kalidurga]

My preference is for the longest mileage since it's all flat.

One of the cool things about the towpath is that you can get on it, ride as far as you feel like, then turn around and head back. Mileage becomes a matter of endurance and whim. We can always ride past Harper's Ferry, then stop and cross over the bridge when we get to it on the way back.

At this point, I guess the question is how far we want to drive to start the ride. From Frederick to Point of Rocks is probably the quickest drive and there's plenty of parking either next to the boat launch or at the train station. Brunswick's a little farther and also has ample parking, as well as a Sheetz and a great coffee shop (you can tell what's important to me on a ride, can't you? ). Shepherdstown makes a great starting point, but it's definitely the farthest drive from Frederick.

[Zen]

What starting point will give us the most additional riders (if any)?
Point of Rocks? I need to look at a map.

[Kalidurga]

Point of Rocks is very easy to get to from Md or Va, though it is a far drive for some people. It's right along Rte 15 on the Md side of the Potomac. So in Md, just drive to Frederick and get on Rte 15 south and take the last left turn before the bridge over the river (approx 15-20 minutes from Frederick). Coming from Va, go to Leesburg and get on Rte 15 north and take the first right turn after crossing the bridge (more than 20 minutes from Leesburg, I think). Once that turn's been made, you'll immediately see a sign for a right turn to the C&O Canal. Parking can also be had at the train station farther down the road past that sign.

[Whip]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the info on the ride. I think I have to pass because it's a pretty long drive for me and I have to work a little tomorrow. I'm going to post another ride opp though!

Susan O.

[Kalidurga]

Sorry you can't make it, Whip. There will certainly be other rides, though, so hopefully we can meet you on another one.

Zen, we're still on for 11:00am at the Bike Dr, right?

[F8th637]

I did the C&O this weekend as well but from the other end and ended at Harpers Ferry before turning around. I definitely started bonking about 4 miles to the end of our 24-mile loop and we had to stop so I could eat something. That trail can definitely take it out of you as it's not the smoothest. Hope you ladies had a great ride!

[Zen]

you're telling me! It ain't no road ride! See my post here http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=16883
and here http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=16904

Why didn't you join us, though? Too late for a start time?

[Kalidurga]

I did the C&O this weekend as well but from the other end and ended at Harpers Ferry before turning around.

Where'd you start, F8th? If you started near Shepherdstown, you definitely went through a rough patch on the way to Harper's Ferry. It's much smoother on the stretch that Zen and I rode.

Glad you got to enjoy such a beautiful day along the river, too!

[F8th637]

My husband and I started at Pennyfield Lock near the mansions in Great Falls since that's where we ended last time. We were suppose to have two other friends with us at 9:30 am but they bailed on us and we just decided to hit the trail later and we got there around 1 PM. I had a hard time actually being fully awake most of the morning.

Forgive me, I meant Edwards Ferry not Harpers Ferry.

I would have joined you had my husband not wanted to ride. You guys started a bit of a ways from me. That's my lame excuse for not joining you. The cold treats looked yummy though!

[Kalidurga]

Yeah, Point of Rocks is definitely a haul from northern VA. Makes for a nice day-trip, though, if you're ever in the mood for one.

Pennyfield to Edward's is a nice stretch, too. Pretty much anywhere on the C&O is a guaranteed great ride. You went right through the Riley's Lock/Seneca area, which is where we've started a few TE-DC road rides.

[F8th637]

The hills in that area looked like SOME workout. I was on my hybrid and he was on the mountain bike. I enviously drove by those on road bikes on the way there and back. One day that will be me!

[Zen]

Hills? Where?
You mean on the road, right?
Hills on the canal?
I'm confused.

[Kalidurga]

Hills? Where?
You mean on the road, right?

On the road. The hills on the roads through that area are the ones that almost did me in a few weeks ago. Regina rides 'em like they're just little bumps, though And they're nothin' like the Catoctins.

[F8th637]

I definitely meant on the roads.

Speaking of roads (kinda), I finally took my 'new' old Lotus Challenger tourie/roadie on the W&OD. I'd only ridden it to the Metro and back before. I think I'm in love with riding a tourie/roadie! The speed and rolling resistance are addicting! I never thought I'd want to race before but whoa the thrill! Needless to say, I'll be taking her out more often.

[Kalidurga]

The W&OD is another place I love to ride. Have you been out between Leesburg and Purcellville yet? Just beautiful. And just enough long uphill grade to be challenging without causing cardiac arrest