WH to Harrisburg PA?

[cephas]

I’m planning to ride up just shy of Harrisburg PA on Thursday. I’m wondering if anyone has done this route/has suggestions/wants to ride. It’s a little over 100 miles (111 by way of Mt. Airy/126 by way of Frederick/Gettysburg/117 by way of B’more) according to the all knowing Google Maps. Is there any particular part/way to avoid? Is there anything I’ll wish I knew? I’m inclined to go by Frederick for the longer time on trail – C&O Canal almost to 15. Is that a terrible awful no good idea on my road bike (23mm tires)?

So long, and thanks for all the tips!

Topic

[americancyclo]

C&O on 23mm is going to be bumpy. I’d take McArthur to River to Darnestown if I were headed that way.

[DismalScientist]

I would consider taking the WOD to Leesburg, then White’s Ferry and backroads to the north. How’s Martinsburg Road?

[Terpfan]

@cephas 91211 wrote:

I’m planning to ride up just shy of Harrisburg PA on Thursday. I’m wondering if anyone has done this route/has suggestions/wants to ride. It’s a little over 100 miles (111 by way of Mt. Airy/126 by way of Frederick/Gettysburg/117 by way of B’more) according to the all knowing Google Maps. Is there any particular part/way to avoid? Is there anything I’ll wish I knew? I’m inclined to go by Frederick for the longer time on trail – C&O Canal almost to 15. Is that a terrible awful no good idea on my road bike (23mm tires)?

So long, and thanks for all the tips!

ugh, I honestly would probably avoid both of those routes if it were me, but the alternatives involve a long cue sheet.

Rt 27 is up by Damascus is a 40-50mph 2-lane road (well it’s 30mph in Damascus, but outside it, people fly) with no real shoulder. New Design Rd is similar, but not as heavily traveled. The section you take on 15 isn’t actually that bad. Don’t get me wrong, it’s another 50mph road where everyone will be going 60, but it has wide shoulders for most of that stretch and I’ve seen cyclists on it before (in-laws live up that way). Old Frederick Rd also doesn’t really have much in the way of shoulders, but if it’s like Devil Bliss Rd that i’ve done, then it’s not too bad by way of traffic. I don’t know much about Bus Rt 15 in PA so can’t help you there.

I’ll paste a longer route that takes you up closer to there by some back ways too if you want.

[cephas]

@Terpfan 91258 wrote:

ugh, I honestly would probably avoid both of those routes if it were me, but the alternatives involve a long cue sheet.
…
I’ll paste a longer route that takes you up closer to there by some back ways too if you want.

That’d be great! I’m looking to make decent time. but also to arrive alive .

[Terpfan]

The other way to mid-Carroll County that’s more trails.

-Take RCP up to Needlewood Rd
-Right/east on Needlewood to ICC trail
-Get off at Emory Lane and head north toward Georgia Ave
-Left on Cashell Rd (two lane with little shoulder, but less traveled than other nearby roads) until it deadends at Wickham
-Right on Wickham until it hits 108
-Left on 108 (sketchy part) for maybe 1/8th mile until you hit Zion Rd
-Right on Zion
-Right on Sundown (may be hilly, can’t remember if it’s that part or furtherup)
-Left on Howard Chapel Rd (two lane with little shoulder, again less traveled)
-Left Jennings Chapel
-Right Daisy Rd which will bring you to 40

And then I would continue paralleling the bigger roads using smaller roads. Maybe Woodbine continuing up, but if it were me, I would prefer the smaller back roads up there.

Lot of choices though. Unfortunately no real direct good routes imo.

[cephas]

Ok, here goes: I made it just past Frederick and could do no more. One of the best parts was the C&O, with its shade. Overall, I was pretty happy with the path I took: https://www.endomondo.com/workouts/382635970/7155990

[vvill]

@cephas 91707 wrote:

Ok, here goes: I made it just past Frederick and could do no more. One of the best parts was the C&O, with its shade. Overall, I was pretty happy with the path I took: https://www.endomondo.com/workouts/382635970/7155990

Nice! One of these days I’d like to ride out to Frederick and do some of the climbs around there, rather than driving up.

[creadinger]

There’s no need to spend all that time on the C&O. It’s gonna suck. Here’s a route I’ve done several times to get up to Gettysburg. Once you get past I-70 though, you can turn NE to ride more directly toward Harrisburg. I should add though that there’s a pizza shop in Biglerville, PA that has ridiculous sized strombolis, which is worth stopping for.
http://www.mapmyride.com/us/washington-d-c-dc/200mileweekendday1-route-42279498

Here’s another route option if you want to go through York and ride the NCR/YCHT (gravel). This route follows the ACA Atlantic Coast Route through MD mostly, but when you get to Cockeysville, just jump on the NCR rail trail and ride 40 traffic-free miles to York, PA. Then you’ll have to figure out how to get to Harrisburg from there. Since the last time I’ve done it, the rail trail is a much better surface than the C&O.
http://www.mapmyride.com/us/hunt-valley-md/2011-trip-home-day-8-route-46360494

PS – If you haven’t gotten the chance yet. If you’re nearby, it is highly advisable to ride through Gettysburg battlefield. It’s very peaceful, despite all the tourists in cars.

[Terpfan]

If you went right at the end there on Devilbliss Rd, there is a great climb. It’s one of those climb it for 10-15 minutes wondering if it will ever end type of climbs.

[Author]

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