C&O and Pt of Rocks loop advice needed

[KLizotte]

A friend of mine lives in Leesburg so I’m thinking of doing a bike loop as follows: White’s Ferry up C&O – cross over at Pt of Rocks – then head back to Leesburg to White’s Ferry to get car.

My question is regarding the VA side. Rte 15 is the most direct and logical route but Google streetview shows that it may not be very scenic or bike friendly. What is your opinion of Rte 15 on a nice weather weekend? Suicidal?

Alternatively, I could take the longer, more scenic(?) route via Furnace Mtn Road – Taylorstown Rd – then either Rte 15 the rest of the way or more back roads like Stumptown – Montresor Rd – Selma. The roads look less busy but have zero shoulder and blind curves.

I’m not at all familiar with the roads out that way. Are the drivers maniacal or courteous? Is the scenery worth it? Are there places to stop for a refresh?

My goal this year is the ride the entire C&O. I’m going to do it in segments, mostly driving out and back the same day though I’ll probably have to do an overnighter or two to keep myself sane since I hate driving. I’ve done about 58 miles thus far (a little at each end).

Thanks for all of the advice!

Topic

[Rod Smith]

Furnace Mountain Road is unpaved and pretty steep. It’s one of my favorite roads in the region but not recommended on tire narrower that 28c, and 32s are better. Point of Rocks is where the Potomac cuts through Catoctin Mountain so unless you take Route 15 you will find yourself on the western side of the ridge and you will have to do some climbing to get to Leesburg. Taylortown Rd. between Taylortown and Stumptown has got a lot of climbing, probably the hardest part of the Reston Century route. To avoid 15, gravel and big hills, you should take Lovettsville Rd to Milltown, to the town of Waterford and Clark’s Gap Rd. which can take you to the W&OD trail. The rail trail crosses Catoctin at Clark’s Gap, (the lowest point, which is why the railroad went through there). You will hardly notice you’re going over a “mountain” riding through Clark’s Gap on the W&OD.

[hozn]

I did a similar route last year with a friend: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/6209774

We were just on road bikes; I didn’t realize Furnace Mtn was unpaved, but I thought 23/25mm road tires worked fine for us. We probably rode with more care than if we had been on wider tires.

Anyway, I was deliberately looking for some elevation on that ride. That was a really nice route, though, and probably how I would do the VA side if doing it again.

[KLizotte]

Thanks for the info. I didn’t even consider unpaved roads (ekkkk!). After being on the C&O I won’t be keen on hitting more gravel so I’ll avoid Furnace. I’ve only got a road bike with 25s.

I’ll do the route outlined by Rod if my friend won’t pick me up in Harper’s Ferry (I don’t think I could tolerate a White’s Ferry – Harpers Ferry RT in one day; too much shakin’).

That’s an ambitious route Hozn. Ouch!!! I may try an abbreviated version some day.

[hozn]

@KLizotte 137957 wrote:

That’s an ambitious route Hozn. Ouch!!! I may try an abbreviated version some day.

It was not so bad once you cross the river. But in general quite scenic. The route I believe we did (or at least was the initial plan) was https://ridewithgps.com/routes/6209823 which included Berryville Rd; one of my favorite segments on the MD side. River road is certainly nice too, esp. if you haven’t ridden it a lot already.

[KLizotte]

@hozn 137959 wrote:

It was not so bad once you cross the river. But in general quite scenic. The route I believe we did (or at least was the initial plan) was https://ridewithgps.com/routes/6209823 which included Berryville Rd; one of my favorite segments on the MD side. River road is certainly nice too, esp. if you haven’t ridden it a lot already.

I’d really like to attempt that loop some day; I haven’t seen much of River Road beyond Potomac. Added to my bucket list. Hopefully I won’t break another bone this summer! Fingers and toes crossed.

[Tania]

@KLizotte 137950 wrote:

What is your opinion of Rte 15 on a nice weather weekend? Suicidal?

YES. I used to live in Point of Rocks (close to the traffic circle) and commuted into Herndon (or Leesburg, if I was biking from Leesburg to Herndon) so I drove on 15 twice a day. Just…don’t. It’s twisty/turny, the speed limit of 45 is completely ignored and there’s frequently no shoulder.

15 from Whites Ferry into Leesburg to pick up the W&OD isn’t bad.

[Tania]

So what about riding clockwise instead?

You could still park at White’s Ferry, and take White’s Ferry road up to 15 and then make a left on 15 (decent shoulder at this point) and head into Leesburg. Then follow this route up to Taylorstown (is that general store there EVER open?), make a right on Taylorstown road and pick up Furnace Mountain going downhill. I can’t help you with the unpaved part, but at least you’re avoiding the climb which I’ve heard is nasty.

[sethpo]

This gravel map might help with planning but really, just pick Rod’s brain. He knows every road in the entire DMV.

http://gravelmap.com/#@39.13245988565783,-77.58377666015622,11,hybrid

[KLizotte]

@Tania 137989 wrote:

So what about riding clockwise instead?

You could still park at White’s Ferry, and take White’s Ferry road up to 15 and then make a left on 15 (decent shoulder at this point) and head into Leesburg. Then follow this route up to Taylorstown (is that general store there EVER open?), make a right on Taylorstown road and pick up Furnace Mountain going downhill. I can’t help you with the unpaved part, but at least you’re avoiding the climb which I’ve heard is nasty.

Oh! I like the idea of downhills!!! Thanks.

[KLizotte]

@sethpo 138008 wrote:

This gravel map might help with planning but really, just pick Rod’s brain. He knows every road in the entire DMV.

http://gravelmap.com/#@39.13245988565783,-77.58377666015622,11,hybrid

Oh cool! I didn’t know this site existed. Thanks!

[ursus]

@Tania 137989 wrote:

So what about riding clockwise instead?

You could still park at White’s Ferry, and take White’s Ferry road up to 15 and then make a left on 15 (decent shoulder at this point) and head into Leesburg. Then follow this route up to Taylorstown (is that general store there EVER open?), make a right on Taylorstown road and pick up Furnace Mountain going downhill. I can’t help you with the unpaved part, but at least you’re avoiding the climb which I’ve heard is nasty.

It went out of business, perhaps 20 years ago. IIRC, it was not open on Sundays when it was still in business.

When I do that, I make a left in Taylorstown on Taylorstown Road. At its end, right on Lovettsville Road (all downhill) to the bridge. That avoids the unpaved Furnace Mountain Rd. The only time I ever did this in the other direction was when I made the mistake of doing this route when the river was very high and the bridge was out, and I had to reverse my course there.

If you are not out to make time, but want to see something, getting off the main road in Waterford is worth a detour. E.g., left on Factory which becomes Second and then at some point back to the main route. The general store there is still open on occasion.

[KLizotte]

I’ve been through Waterford a few times and, yes, it is very beautiful. I highly recommend the Waterford Fair held every October for a nice day out. http://www.waterfordfoundation.org/waterford-fair-2/

[Author]

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