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This topic has 42 replies, 21 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 2 months ago by Phatboing.

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January 31, 2014 at 2:51 pm #992552

Dickie
Participant

Let me be the first to welcome you to our forum and eventually to our area, glad you found us. I am probably not the best source for the information you need, but I know for a fact that many of the members here have ridden the same route, and a number of us have used our bikes to get to and from the airport. Hopefully some of the more knowledgeable folks will chime in soon. Best of luck and maybe we will cross paths in the Spring.

January 31, 2014 at 2:54 pm #992554

americancyclo
Participant

I’ve always assumed the best way to do this would be to get a one-way car rental from DCA, toss your bike in the back, and then drop it off in Cumberland. Let us know what you decide! I know there’s also a yahoo group for the C&O and the GAP trails that have good info as well.

January 31, 2014 at 2:55 pm #992555

rcannon100
Participant

http://bikewashington.org/canal/

January 31, 2014 at 3:03 pm #992558

DismalScientist
Participant

Take the train to Cumberland.

Or… take the train to Pittsburgh and ride twice as far on the GAP/C&O trails.

January 31, 2014 at 3:39 pm #992581

mstone
Participant

@DismalScientist 76159 wrote:

Take the train to Cumberland.

Or… take the train to Pittsburgh and ride twice as far on the GAP/C&O trails.

If you’re going that route, investigate flying into PGH and flying out of national.

January 31, 2014 at 4:04 pm #992591

JimF22003
Participant

Hate to direct you to another site, but there’s actually tons of discussion of the C&O and GAP for both the experience and the logistics at http://www.bikeforums.net. You can search the whole site, but see specifically the Clydesdale and Touring forums.

Have fun!

January 31, 2014 at 5:01 pm #992603

Terpfan
Participant

I haven’t ridden out quite that far, but it’s a towpath ride the whole way. National Airport sits atop the Mount Vernon Trail (commonly referenced as MVT here) and that trail ends around the Key Bridge crossing over to Georgetown in Washington, D.C. This is coincidentally also where the C&O canal begins. I forget where, but the National Park Service also rents out some of the canal lock houses. If you google it, I’m sure it will come out. I think the suggestion of starting in Pittsburgh is probably a good one too, depending on the time you have time.

January 31, 2014 at 5:09 pm #992605

CaseyKane50
Participant

Another good source of information is http://linkup.shaw-weil.com. The authors provide useful information about riding the GAP and C&O Canal.

There is also a trail guide available called the Trail Book. You can get if from Amazon or from the Great Allegheny Passage Trail Store

January 31, 2014 at 5:25 pm #992606

KayakCyndi
Participant

I’ve been meaning to post this for awhile.

Dave and I stayed at the Inn on Decatur in Cumberland recently before taking the train up to Frostberg. Super cute B&B which caters to cyclists. Huge rooms and breakfast, great locked storage for bikes. The owner runs a bike touring company and can help with logistics along they way. In the spring she is opening a slightly cheaper hostel a few blocks away. Either place would make a great place to start from or to grab a shower and good nights sleep if riding the entire GAP/C&O.

Oh, and alas, you still can’t take your bike on the train to Cumberland. There is no baggage service so until Amtrak offers roll-on/roll-off service it won’t work.

You can find people who will shuttle you up to Cumberland though. Here is one: http://www.freedomtrailriders.com/index.html

January 31, 2014 at 7:55 pm #992634

dkel
Participant

A friend of mine did the ride from Cumberland to Pittsburgh last spring, and said his only complaint was that he was riding into the wind the whole way. He recommends coming the other way.

February 5, 2014 at 3:36 am #992930

Anonymous
Guest

Thank you to everyone who has responded here. Unlike some forums, this one welcomes the Newb right from the start.

If I have more questions, I’ll ask. If not, I’ll give a ride report upon completion.

Thanks again.

Gart

February 5, 2014 at 11:22 am #992937

Dirt
Participant

@Gart 76554 wrote:

Thank you to everyone who has responded here. Unlike some forums, this one welcomes the Newb right from the start.

Thank you for saying so, Gart! Keep us in the loop on your trip plans. You may find some folks to ride with.

Not a day goes by that I’m not extremely grateful for this amazing bunch of people. This forum is truly a unique place on the interwebs.

Thanks y’all!

Pete

February 5, 2014 at 1:46 pm #992946

culimerc
Participant

Those of you (us?) that have stayed in inns along the route from Pitt to DC; Any suggestions or recommendations on hotels or inns?

I’m planning my own Pitt to DC ride for the fall.

February 5, 2014 at 2:05 pm #992948

KayakCyndi
Participant

@culimerc 76571 wrote:

Those of you (us?) that have stayed in inns along the route from Pitt to DC; Any suggestions or recommendations on hotels or inns?

I’m planning my own Pitt to DC ride for the fall.

See above for my recommendation in Cumberland — the Inn on Decatur.

I’ve heard good things about River’s Edge B&B in Confluence although I haven’t stayed there personally.

In Harper’s Ferry we stayed at The Town’s Inn and enjoyed that.

February 5, 2014 at 2:31 pm #992957

Mikey
Participant

My family and I have stayed countless times at both Lockhouse 6 and 10. Both have indoor plumbing and a modicum of technology (heat, working kitchen). Both run about $150 a night and fill up for the weekends about 6 months out, (they fill up for the weekdays about 3 months out) and Tuesday they don’t rent them out so that the quarter-master (volunteer) can come an clean and fix them up. You have to bring your own sheets/pillows/blankets, and you have to carry in/carry out your trash. Go to http://www.canaltrust.org for more information.
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