Planning Ahead--Riding the Whole C&O Canal

[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...

[withm]

I would be interested in this kind of ride - but does it require fat tires? I guess I'll have to buy a new bike!

Martha

[divingbiker]

I would be interested in this kind of ride - but does it require fat tires? I guess I'll have to buy a new bike!

Martha

Well, Martha, you couldn't do it on your road bike, but a hybrid or mountain bike would be fine. Great excuse to buy a new bike!

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.

And I think it would be fun to take enough days to do it to soak up a little bit of Civil War history on a few side trips.

[withm]

Well I've been planning to buy a hybrid for a long time, but just haven't gotten around to it yet. I enjoy my road bike too much! Since I can only test ride bikes on weekends - it's a tough decision cause I'd rather just ride my own bike. Then when I'm done, well the thought of test riding then is out the window. This might be the incentive to finally do it.

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

[7rider]

Ooo....Can I join?? (or is the group getting too big?)
The hotel/B&B option sounds good to me! I'm such a muffin! I'm not much of a camper, but with the support and coaching of a more experienced group, I'd be game.
But, I do own a tent and a sleeping bag - although none quite meet those weight limits, but my tent is big enough to share, if y'all don't snore, so what I carry, you don't have to, and vice versa!
My mtb can't carry a regular rack, but I'm sure I could put one of those seat-post mounted jobbies on it.

[withm]

I'm looking at hybrids now. I'm liking the Trek 7300, which can be fitted out with racks and stuff. It comes with 35mm tires - will they be suitable for the canal ride?

I'm also wanting to try a Trek Portland, and a Trek FX 7.6. These are 3 very different price points, and actually I'll probably end up buying 2 bikes. One hybrid to use to do the errands, and maybe some groceries. Short trips but carrying stuff. I'll keep using my Pilot for long rides and commuting to work (only once a week or so, but it 's a start). Then I'm thinking of either the Portland or the FX to leave at the summer house so I don't have to haul bikes on 700 mile road trips. I do some long rides, and have to deal with dirt roads on occasion up there so wondering of the 28mm tires on the Portland will work out. But since I would often do 30-40 mile rides, wanted the drop bars.

This must be what its like to be addicted to drugs. Gotta have a new bike!

[Cyclesome]

Please keep me in the loop of your plans. Since I teach, Summer would be a better time for me, but Fall is not totally out of the question. I perfer B&B as well and have been considering the trip for some time. Good luck with your panning.