Planning Ahead--Riding the Whole C&O Canal

[divingbiker]

AHEM!

Any body knows I've mentioned wanting to do this before but being the cheapskate that I am, I want to camp. At least one night. Maybe I could do a section or two with you.
I have always wanted to do end-to-end, though.

The C&O Canal Association does a supported ride but I don't know details.

Well, I'm an old fart and a weenie and I like to have a shower every day and a comfy bed at night. I don't think it makes sense to haul a tent and sleeping bag and cooking gear gear along for just one night of camping, especially if it rains. Tam doesn't like to cook and clean up, so that's her objection to camping.

Soooo...I guess I'll keep an open mind about camping, but it wouldn't be my first choice. Definitely it would have to be a 60 mile/day 3-day trip if I'm going to be skanky the whole time.

[DebW]

I've been thinking about this trip too, and I'd camp all or most of the way. I've got the right bike, the racks, and front and rear panniers (actually 2 sets of front panniers, since my camping gear is only about 20 lb). There is a campsite about every 5 miles, right? Let me know as plans develop.

[divingbiker]

So, Deb, do you think that one set of rear panniers (Ortlieb Backrollers) and a handlebar bag would be enough to carry all the gear needed for camping? I assume the sleeping bag, pad, and tent could be strapped on the rear rack.

It really wouldn't take a lot of clothes, I guess, just shorts for each day, something to knock around camp and sleep in, and rain gear just in case.

I'm not really interested in getting a front rack and a second set of panniers, since I don't think I'll be doing self-supported tours. But I guess you never know...

It would be great if you could come on this trip, since you have so much experience outdoors!

[DebW]

So, Deb, do you think that one set of rear panniers (Ortlieb Backrollers) and a handlebar bag would be enough to carry all the gear needed for camping? I assume the sleeping bag, pad, and tent could be strapped on the rear rack.

Definitely possible if you have a lightweight tent and sleeping bag and can deal with minimal clothing. General goals would be a tent of 3 lb or less, sleeping bag of 2 lb or less, pad of 1 lb or less, stove/pot/eating utensils 1 lb. Panier bags are about 3 lb/set. That's 10 lb, so if everything else (food, water, clothing, first aid, tools, etc) is 10-15 lb total, you'll be in the right ballpark. I've sewn my own tarps and hammocks and made alcohol stoves, so it's possible to do both cheap and lightweight.

[Zen]

From the Canal Association newsletter:

Bike Rides Scheduled
by Tom Perry
Again this year, we will offer Mini Bike Rides that provide opportunities
to experience bike camping on an introductory basis.
They are designed especially for first-timers but, of course, are
open to any of our other members as well. The first of these is set
for Saturday and Sunday, May 6-7, in the Williamsport area. On
each of these days we will take a leisurely ride.

Bike Rides Scheduled
by Tom Perry
Again this year, we will offer Mini Bike Rides that provide opportunities
to experience bike camping on an introductory basis.
They are designed especially for first-timers but, of course, are
open to any of our other members as well. The first of these is set
for Saturday and Sunday, May 6-7, in the Williamsport area. On
each of these days we will take a leisurely ride. On Saturday evening,
we will camp and be joined by Scott Gordon of the River
City Cycles, Inc., who will demonstrate basic bike maintenance.
The second introductory ride is set for Saturday and Sunday,
July 29-30. We will ride from Hancock to Little Orleans, a
distance of 17 miles. Participants will have a choice of camping
in a tent or staying at a B&B, and we will plan to visit Bill’s Grocery
on Saturday evening. Last October, the governor of Maryland
signed legislation providing for the extension of the Western
Maryland Rail Trail from Pearre to Little Orleans, through the
Indigo Tunnel. As part of our weekend experience, we will check
out progress on this project. On Sunday, we will return to Hancock.
A third Mini Bike Ride is planned for later in the year in
the Harpers Ferry area, and will be announced in a future issue of
Along the Towpath.

The annual 185-mile Through Bike Tour of the Canal is
more than six months away, but we are already announcing it so
that would-be participants can put it on their schedules. It is set
for October 4-9, finishing in Georgetown on Columbus Day
(observed). We accommodate both campers and B&B people,
and provide safety “sweeps” by the Bike Patrol volunteers. Breakfasts
and suppers are taken in very reasonably-priced eating places,
and lunch is whatever each rider chooses to take along for that
day. Participants must provide their own transportation to Cumberland
on Wed., October 4. However, we do engage a shuttle
service to take us back to get our vehicles at the conclusion of the
ride. There is a non-refundable $25 registration fee, and each
rider is required to sign a waiver form.
To register for these very popular rides, or to obtain more
information, please contact Tom Perry, 116 S. Conococheague
St., Williamsport, Md. 21795-1517; phone: 301-223-7010; or email:
leperry@starpower.net.

[Kalidurga]

Along the Towpath.
The annual 185-mile Through Bike Tour of the Canal is
more than six months away, but we are already announcing it so
that would-be participants can put it on their schedules. It is set
for October 4-9, finishing in Georgetown on Columbus Day
(observed). We accommodate both campers and B&B people,
and provide safety “sweeps” by the Bike Patrol volunteers. Breakfasts
and suppers are taken in very reasonably-priced eating places,
and lunch is whatever each rider chooses to take along for that
day. Participants must provide their own transportation to Cumberland
on Wed., October 4. However, we do engage a shuttle
service to take us back to get our vehicles at the conclusion of the
ride. There is a non-refundable $25 registration fee, and each
rider is required to sign a waiver form.
To register for these very popular rides, or to obtain more
information, please contact Tom Perry, 116 S. Conococheague
St., Williamsport, Md. 21795-1517; phone: 301-223-7010; or email:
leperry@starpower.net.

That's it. They called it the "(something...) & Muffins" ("Muffins" being those folks too "soft" to camp ) ride back when I used to volunteer for the association. Having the shuttle back to Cumberland is a great idea. Would you ladies be interested in joining them, or would you want to make it just a TE ride?

[Zen]

I'll probably send an email for more info. We can model a ride on theirs or go with them and take advantage of the shuttle.It might be advantageous to go with them for mechanical help, we'll see.

[divingbiker]

Would you ladies be interested in joining them, or would you want to make it just a TE ride?

Hmmm...depends on how big a group it is. According to the C&O Association calendar, this is the weekend they did the ride this year. So I'm guessing that the folks we saw on Saturday with the BOB trailers might have been the group doing it this year. As I recall, there weren't a whole lot of them, so that would be ok. And October is a nice time of year. And those who want to camp can, and those who want to stay in B&Bs can. So maybe that's an option.

I think it's definitely doable on our own (a friend has said she'd drive up with us and drive my car back home, solving the shuttle problem for 3 of us anyway (can haul 3 bikes on my car)).

Lots of time to think about this...

[Kalidurga]

I'd definitely consider the weenie option (what the C&O Association calls the "muffin" option). But I'm not sure how the Georgetown end would work for me, since the closest Amtrak station to me is all the way down in Rockville, so I'd have to figure that out.

Did you look at the Little Orleans Lodge, Janice? Judging from it's location, I'd guess that it's somewhat "primitive".

And I highly recommend the Holiday Inn at Cumberland. That's where I stay for my annual western Md pilgrimage.

[Zen]

Well, I'm an old fart and a weenie

I just noticed that.
I'm just as old of a fart as you are.

And the more I think about it, I think I'd rather just do a TE ride and not be part of the C&O Association ride. But I'm antisocial like that.

See?
That's what happens when you get old - you get cranky

[DebW]

And the more I think about it, I think I'd rather just do a TE ride and not be part of the C&O Association ride. But I'm antisocial like that.

I'd rather do a small group as well - not with hordes of other cyclists on the path.

Ooo....Can I join?? (or is the group getting too big?)

Yup, count me as anti-social too. But what happens when you put too many anti-social people together?

[divingbiker]

Yup, count me as anti-social too. But what happens when you put too many anti-social people together?

Parrrrty!!!!!

Or we retire to our individual tents and read a book by flashlight.

As to the size of the group, the National Park Service web site says that "a camping unit consists of a non-family group of up to eight people." So I'd say we've got to limit the group to 8 if we're going to camp.

[withm]

I think we need to hire Bubba to handle the camping part.

Camping is a lot of work for a series of one night stands.

I'd want to do it in the fall since my spring allergies would make it impossible for me at any other time of the year. So if you go in the spring, take notes, and the fall group can reap the benefits of your experience. That or take our princess muffins to the motels and have hot showers and comfy beds each night.

[Zen]

I think we need to hire Bubba to handle the camping part.

Camping is a lot of work for a series of one night stands.

As in provide support? Carry and set up and stuff? Cool!

I like fall, too. spring weather can be tricky.

[divingbiker]

Well, I'm an old fart and a weenie and I like to have a shower every day and a comfy bed at night.

OK, I know I'm quoting myself but I made a lot of sense. What the hell was I thinking? There's no way I'm going to camp. I'm going to be a muffin, too.

One of my coworkers has done the C&O ride several times, so when he gets back in the office in a week or so I'll ask him about the logistics.