Bicycle Fun Club: Bike Packing on the C&O June 2-3

[ejwillis62]

Fireball
Liz

[KWL]

If anyone is looking for an ultralight compact sleeping pad for this trip, I recommend the EMS Sea-to-Summit pad. It packs down really small and weighs nothing. EMS also has a really slick dry bag that doubles as an inflator for the pad. If’n I make the ride I’ll have mine along.

[bobco85]

This trip sounds like it’s going to be pretty awesome! The only advice I can give is to not camp at the Bald Eagle Island campsite (Mile 50.3). It is very close to the active train tracks, and IIRC there were about 13-14 trains that passed through the night I stayed there. They were so loud it was like the trains were passing right through my tent! Also, I did not bring ear plugs on my trip (I really wish I had).

Given the proximity of some of the campsites to the train tracks in your planned 40-50 mile range, I’d recommend looking at the Indian Flats (Mile 42.5) campsite as opposed to Calico Rocks (Mile 47.6). The Indian Flats campsite is 2,024 feet from the train tracks versus only 160 feet for Calico Rocks (Bald Eagle Island campsite is only 95 feet).

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[KWL]

I’m thankful Bobco has recommended the 42.5 MM campsite. I was hoping for a distance on the short end of the 40-50 mile plans. I’ve got 8 miles to ride to the starting point and getting close to back-to-back metrics mostly on the Towpath with only two months of training would be a bit much. That said, Mrs KWL whose birthday is that Sunday, has given me permission to do the ride. I fear there is something I’m going to be on the hook for later.

So…I’m in.

[Judd]

@bobco85 176934 wrote:

This trip sounds like it’s going to be pretty awesome! The only advice I can give is to not camp at the Bald Eagle Island campsite (Mile 50.3). It is very close to the active train tracks, and IIRC there were about 13-14 trains that passed through the night I stayed there. They were so loud it was like the trains were passing right through my tent! Also, I did not bring ear plugs on my trip (I really wish I had).

Given the proximity of some of the campsites to the train tracks in your planned 40-50 mile range, I’d recommend looking at the Indian Flats (Mile 42.5) campsite as opposed to Calico Rocks (Mile 47.6). The Indian Flats campsite is 2,024 feet from the train tracks versus only 160 feet for Calico Rocks (Bald Eagle Island campsite is only 95 feet).

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This is super helpful. I think it was Rimas that brought up train noise yesterday but was unsure of what sites it was bad at.

[drevil]

@Judd 176938 wrote:

This is super helpful. I think it was Rimas that brought up train noise yesterday but was unsure of what sites it was bad at.

When we talked a couple of days ago, the site I was talking about was Calico Rocks. Even with ear plugs, you’ll still feel the rumbling of the trains and the hear the horns. Don’t bother spending the night there unless you don’t like sleeping.

Have you already seen this page of where to camp?
http://bikewashington.org/canal/plan-camping.php

[Rimas]

http://www.bikecando.com/huckleberry-hill-camp.aspx
This site is supposed to be one of the better ones. Nice bonus is the relaxing sound of the water rushing by.

[bobco85]

@Rimas 176953 wrote:

http://www.bikecando.com/huckleberry-hill-camp.aspx
This site is supposed to be one of the better ones. Nice bonus is the relaxing sound of the water rushing by.

On my bike trip along the C&O Towpath, I stayed at the Huckleberry Hill campsite on my 2nd night (3-day trip to the halfway mark and back). It was nice and quiet (no train noises, I slept like a log) save for some expected other sounds that were heard early in the night (it was Independence Day, after all :cool:).

Huckleberry Hill (62.9 miles) is farther than the expected distance for this trip, but as an FYI for folks doing other longer trips along the C&O, it is a great campsite, and I highly recommend it.

[Judd]

Good news everyone! Adventure Cycling contacted me today to say that they are sending our group a free Bike Travel Weekend banner to hang in our campsite. They asked that in exchange we get a picture of the group with the banner and throw them a hashtag or two on social media.

[ejwillis62]

that train noise is not joke I just stayed at Calico camp site and it was LOUD.

[drevil]

@ejwillis62 177821 wrote:

that train noise is not joke I just stayed at Calico camp site and it was LOUD.

Haha, I told you!

It’s such a nice big camp spot too, but really, it’s pointless staying there because the trains passing by there in the middle of the night are ridiculously loud.

[smb9600]

I’m interested! When do you need to a definite by?

[Judd]

@smb9600 177869 wrote:

I’m interested! When do you need to a definite by?

Just give a heads up the day before the trip so we know if we need to wait for you. Hope you can make it.

[Judd]

@smb9600 177869 wrote:

I’m interested! When do you need to a definite by?

Just give a heads up the day before the trip so we know if we need to wait for you. Hope you can make it.

[reji]

The audience and press all agree – “This is the closest to ABBA you’ll ever get.” ABBA The Concert brings one of the greatest pop phenomena back to life…

If you’re interested in coming, buy your lawn tickets which are general seating and RSVP on this thread. This show will probably sell out so don’t wait too long to buy your tickets!

The show starts at 8:00 and the doors open at 6:30. With a planned sell out, the lawn will be crowded so we’ll try to arrive close to 6:30. Let’s plan to meet up at the Vienna Whole Foods for picnic supplies early enough to leave around 6:00.

One other thing to note: Wolf Trap shows are rarely canceled due to weather and the lawn seats are fully exposed. So be prepared if it rains. And really, what’s the chance of evening thunderstorms in August? 😎

https://www.wolftrap.org/
http://www.abbatheconcert.com/

[Author]

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