TE-DC Canal Ride

[Kalidurga]

Me, again. Just checked some stats from my BikeJournal and here's mileage on the routes below:

Harpers Ferry to Shepherdstown?
Williamsport to Shepherdstown?
Williamsport to Fort Frederick (or farther)?

I'm not sure about mileage for those. I'd like to aim for a 25-30 mile round-trip.

Harper's Ferry > Shepherdstown is roughly 25 miles round trip, with food options at either end. From Harper's Ferry up to Dam 3 is a very beautiful stretch of the towpath/river, I highly recommend this section. Parking's tight on the MD side of the river near Harper's Ferry, though, so you might want to start at Sheperdstown and head downstream.

Williamsport > Shepherdstown is looooong and has the detour in the middle of it. I'm not sure of the exact mileage, but I'd guess that it's over 30 miles one-way. But from Shepherdstown to Big Slackwater (where the detour area begins) is just shy of 30 miles round-trip. And there are two parking lots on the MD side of the river across from Shep'town.

Williamsport > Ft Frederick is approx. 30 miles round-trip, depending on where you turn around. I usually ride to the top of Big Pool (you'll know it when you see it), then head back. Food options are limited in Williamsport, but it's got good parking and a Nat'l Park office/C&O musuem.

Sorry if this has become info overload, but the accumulated knowledge just started spilling out. I've now re-corked the bottle


I also wanted to let you ladies know that I'm not going to be able to do the October through-ride. I'm just not prepared for it, in so many ways. But I'm planning to do my annual Cumberland vacation around that time, so I'd love to join you on the day you go through the Paw Paw Tunnel. That is a lot of fun, and another really beautiful section of the towpath. And, trust me, it's better without a flashlight!

[Zen]

, so I'd love to join you on the day you go through the Paw Paw Tunnel. That is a lot of fun, and another really beautiful section of the towpath. And, trust me, it's better without a flashlight!

You're just looking for a way to noodge me into the canal

[Kalidurga]

You're just looking for a way to noodge me into the canal

Bah. There's usually less than 6 inches of water in that stretch, and there's a railing along the towpath. And why would I want to noodge you into the canal on the first day when I know the Muffin riders are going to noodge you into the river after you've been camping for a couple of days?

Couple more pics of Paw Paw:

In the tunnel, taken with the flash


Facing the opposite direction from the photo of the tunnel entrance

[juliemcd]

I also wanted to let you ladies know that I'm not going to be able to do the October through-ride. [/IMG]

What's the October through-ride?

I'm so bummed I can't join you all--my mom is in town that weekend to go wedding dress shopping with me--UGH...it goes without saying that I would MUCH rather be biking.

[Zen]

Skip the fancy wedding.
Spend that money on bike stuff.
Priorities, woman.
Gotta have priorities.

[7rider]

So, Tam....does the Paw Paw echo? And...can you scream the entire length of it?????

[DebW]

Here's what the tunnel looked like a couple weeks ago. There were actually workmen lolly-gagging around outside the west end, and some vehicles parked inside.

[Kalidurga]

So, Tam....does the Paw Paw echo? And...can you scream the entire length of it?????

Sorry, my excess of knowledge ends at that, it's not something I'd ever think of trying.


Deb, any idea what they were working on? Just general maintenance? And, did you use a flashlight?

[DebW]

Deb, any idea what they were working on? Just general maintenance? And, did you use a flashlight?

No, not obvious what they were working on. I didn't use a flashlight. But it was freaky without one.

[Zen]

Sorry, my excess of knowledge ends at that, it's not something I'd ever think of trying.

I'll do it!

[7rider]

I'll do it!

It's good to see someone else in touch with her inner 8 year old!

[juliemcd]

HaHa! It's not a fancy wedding, but I still have to find something to wear.