C&O: Gravel bike, XC Mountain Bike, or Cyclocross bike?

[Jason]

Hey guys, thanks for all the great advice. I took a trip as recommended that included a short section of the C&O. This is how it went?

So google maps, screw you. I went up military road from courthouse, to where Randolph is at the top of it, should be bike friendly at the top to chain bridge. NOPE, Its straight down a 20% to a chain link fence. Apparently that section is “closed” so you have to to down this include around the chain link fence. Maybe on a downhill mountain bike this woudnt be a problem but on my road bike and my skills, nah ah. Had to dismount cross style and shimmy down in my road shoes. Then I tried to cross the chain bridge on the path side, except a drugged out criminal (trust me I can tell) was trying to tell some fish story to two would-be cyclists. They were blocking up the bridge. I interrupted the druggie/criminal by asking very politely if they could move to the side so I could pass. I got the lazer look of death from the criminal, as I had interrupted his snake-charm story by which he was trying to scam the cyclists. No movement. I waited longer, and asked again, finally they moved over. I went down the spiral stair case of death and onto the C&O trail. I have a fair bit of experience commuting, so I know crappy trails/roads well. I knew within a few feet that its doable on my 25mm tires, but I would honestly not recommend the ride for fun on anything less than 33mm, strong preference on 37-40 tubeless. Ok, so that information done, I went to the next connection point to the CCT. I have never been on the CCT but figured it would be fun to check it out. The connection to the C&O via staircase (for any future riders reading this) is a no go on road shoes, DO NOT DO THAT. Too steep except on cross/MTB shoes, and even then a pain. Lesson learned! So I went on the CCT for a few miles, heard some strange noise above me. As is my habit, when something seems wrong, I get ready to adjust (on a bike that means out of the saddle by an inch or two and fingers on the brakes, no peddling). JUST as I did that, a tree branch about 7 feet long and 4 inches thick fell 3 feet in front of me. I had visions of Adam Yeates in the Tour De France. I seriously thought I was going over the handlebars. Somehow I plowed right over the only part of the branch that didnt have lots of little branches sticking out and made it through ok. I then kept going to Bethesda. Hey guys, in Europe they have special bridges and underpasses for bikes. Not here, not even in one of the the richest sections of the East Coast of the richest country in the world. Nope, you have a crazy multi intersection mess in a major thoroughfare in order to continue onto what? A dirt trail (Georgetown Branch) on what is again, one of the richest parts of the country. I’ll never understand how we do things here.

Anyway, conclusions. The previous poster was right, a wide-tire fitting bike with the necessary disc brakes to fit those tires, either cross or endurance is the way to go around here, maybe for all trail riding. I think with the conditions of the trails around here (crappy), potholes, gravel sections and wet weather, a disc equipped wide tire road bike is it. Unfortunately my bike is only 25mm and rim brake, so great for smooth roads but not for the poorly maintained (compared to Europe) and poorly designed “trail” system. Now if only I could figure out a good cross bike that has a relatively low center of gravity (low bottom bracket for a cross bike) I would be good to go.

[huskerdont]

@Jason 146068 wrote:

Hey guys, thanks for all the great advice. I took a trip as recommended that included a short section of the C&O. This is how it went?

So google maps, screw you. I went up military road from courthouse, to where Randolph is at the top of it, should be bike friendly at the top to chain bridge. NOPE, Its straight down a 20% to a chain link fence. Apparently that section is “closed” so you have to to down this include around the chain link fence. Maybe on a downhill mountain bike this woudnt be a problem but on my road bike and my skills, nah ah. Had to dismount cross style and shimmy down in my road shoes. Then I tried to cross the chain bridge on the path side, except a drugged out criminal (trust me I can tell) was trying to tell some fish story to two would-be cyclists. They were blocking up the bridge. I interrupted the druggie/criminal by asking very politely if they could move to the side so I could pass. I got the lazer look of death from the criminal, as I had interrupted his snake-charm story by which he was trying to scam the cyclists. No movement. I waited longer, and asked again, finally they moved over. I went down the spiral stair case of death and onto the C&O trail. I have a fair bit of experience commuting, so I know crappy trails/roads well. I knew within a few feet that its doable on my 25mm tires, but I would honestly not recommend the ride for fun on anything less than 33mm, strong preference on 37-40 tubeless. Ok, so that information done, I went to the next connection point to the CCT. I have never been on the CCT but figured it would be fun to check it out. The connection to the C&O via staircase (for any future riders reading this) is a no go on road shoes, DO NOT DO THAT. Too steep except on cross/MTB shoes, and even then a pain. Lesson learned! So I went on the CCT for a few miles, heard some strange noise above me. As is my habit, when something seems wrong, I get ready to adjust (on a bike that means out of the saddle by an inch or two and fingers on the brakes, no peddling). JUST as I did that, a tree branch about 7 feet long and 4 inches thick fell 3 feet in front of me. I had visions of Adam Yeates in the Tour De France. I seriously thought I was going over the handlebars. Somehow I plowed right over the only part of the branch that didnt have lots of little branches sticking out and made it through ok. I then kept going to Bethesda. Hey guys, in Europe they have special bridges and underpasses for bikes. Not here, not even in one of the the richest sections of the East Coast of the richest country in the world. Nope, you have a crazy multi intersection mess in a major thoroughfare in order to continue onto what? A dirt trail (Georgetown Branch) on what is again, one of the richest parts of the country. I’ll never understand how we do things here.

Anyway, conclusions. The previous poster was right, a wide-tire fitting bike with the necessary disc brakes to fit those tires, either cross or endurance is the way to go around here, maybe for all trail riding. I think with the conditions of the trails around here (crappy), potholes, gravel sections and wet weather, a disc equipped wide tire road bike is it. Unfortunately my bike is only 25mm and rim brake, so great for smooth roads but not for the poorly maintained (compared to Europe) and poorly designed “trail” system. Now if only I could figure out a good cross bike that has a relatively low center of gravity (low bottom bracket for a cross bike) I would be good to go.

If you continue on the tow path another half mile, you can access the CCT directly at-grade (with care). They run much closer together starting at about the boathouse.

I’ve never had any trouble on the 41st St descent (or ascent) on my 23s, but I suppose I’ve been doing it for 20+ years so I’ve forgotten what it’s like the first time, especially if there are leaves down. They always have that “closed” sign up anymore; the trail itself is open, just that you can’t go straight down but have to do the S turn.

Anyway, you met several of the DC-area trail hazards and survived. Now watch out for the double-strollers of death, the extended dog-leash of death, hissing angry spring geese (of death), black snakes dropping from trees along the canal, crazy Ivans, and the group-of-4-walking-obliviously-abreast-while-deaf, and you’re just about good to go.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@Jason 146068 wrote:

Now if only I could figure out a good cross bike that has a relatively low center of gravity (low bottom bracket for a cross bike) I would be good to go.

The Cannondale CAADX has a pretty low bb for a cx bike. It’s more of a gravel set up — lower bb, cables on the downtube, etc.

[vvill]

Raleigh Tamland (steel)/Roker (carbon) are gravel bikes are both have 72.5-77.5mm BB drop.

(For reference, my Kona and Raleigh CX bikes are both 65mm. Jamis Renegade is between 70.5 and 73.5, Kona Rove 70-72, Salsa Warbird 70.)

[Tania]

[Holy Raleigh BB drop!]

Test ride a bunch and see what feels right.

I had a CAADX and absolutely hated it on gravel (HATED. IT.) so I rode a Tamland, multiple Viajes and the Warbird. Knew the Warbird was the one right away (it makes me want to do stupid things). There are lots of forum members with Renegades now so I’m sure someone has your size you can try.

[Jason]

“Now watch out for the double-strollers of death, the extended dog-leash of death, hissing angry spring geese (of death), black snakes dropping from trees along the canal, crazy Ivans, and the group-of-4-walking-obliviously-abreast-while-deaf, and you’re just about good to go. “

— Those I already have under my belt, even the black snake, but it was crossing the path (near Arlington Mills) not hanging from a tree. Also got Children of Soccer of Death as the game must have let out along the W&O and their parents all felt it was a good idea to take the entire trail in both directions at a shuffle pace.

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