“This was a five day trip on the historic C and O Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage from Washington, DC (Georgetown) to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Traveled ultra-light on my Salsa Warbird Ti, staying at hotels along the way.

July 30, 2016.  From Georgetown (Washington, DC) to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.  64.55 miles on the C&O.  Pictures are attached.  Beautiful.  Historic.  Because of rains the two previous days – muddy!+

July 31, 2016.  Harpers Ferry, West Virginia to Hancock, Maryland.  68.05 miles on the C&O.  More amazing views and lots and lots of history.  Unfortunately, more mud, but not as much as yesterday.  Fortunately, there was a bike shop in Hancock (right on the trail) with a wash area and good chain lube.

 

August 1, 2016.  Hancock, Maryland to Cumberland, Maryland.  65.29 miles on the C&O.  This section of the ride was highlighted by the amazing Paw Paw Tunnel.  Very interesting piece of 1800s engineering.  A nice downpour about 10 miles from Cumberland left me once again covered in mud. Fortunately, the hotel had an outdoor bike wash area (where I also washed my jersey, shoes and socks) and the bike shop was only 2 blocks away.  More lube and a little brake adjustment.  And…a great meal at the Crabby Pig.  This ride completed the C&O Towpath portion of the trip.

August 2, 2016.  Cumberland, Maryland to Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania.  75.57 miles.  Day one on the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP).  While still gravel, much smoother surface than the C&O.  Very little mud and no big roots and washouts.  The day began with a 25 mile climb from Cumberland to the Continental Divide.  Happy to arrive there…and really happy for the downhill that followed.

August 3, 2016.  Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  77.91
miles on the Great Allegheny Passage.  Beautiful countryside.  Great
gravel.  Interesting to ride along the river and into the Steel City.”

-Ron A.