White’s Ferry crossing

[Justin Antos]

@Bilsko 64801 wrote:

FWIW, the gravel on River road is a very short stretch (<1m) and is hardpack

And that stretch of River Rd is really quiet and scenic. Great riding!

[KayakCyndi]

@Justin Antos 64802 wrote:

And that stretch of River Rd is really quiet and scenic. Great riding!

Boy does that picture make me feel like WSGFABR (and preferably right now)! Stellar.

[consularrider]

@Dickie 64776 wrote:

I’m counting on the weather to clear the WOD of bodies by the time we hit it…. and I’m British so rain is just part of my soul. Come on TwoWheels… aren’t you a bachelor this weekend?

Leaving at 7 am, you just need to get a move on and not lollygag around and you could be home before the potential thunderstorms roll in. Now if only the 50 States was starting a little earlier….

[DismalScientist]

Strava says the gravel is 1.3 miles long: http://www.strava.com/segments/654051

[TwoWheelsDC]

@Dickie 64776 wrote:

I’m counting on the weather to clear the WOD of bodies by the time we hit it…. and I’m British so rain is just part of my soul. Come on TwoWheels… aren’t you a bachelor this weekend?

Okay, maybe the weather doesn’t look so bad…I will have to think about this, but I’ll let you know for sure tonight.

[ShawnoftheDread]

@TwoWheelsDC 64810 wrote:

Okay, maybe the weather doesn’t look so bad…I will have to think about this, but I’ll let you know for sure tonight.

Yeah, I’ve heard this one before. Beware TwoWheels and his fear of weather.

[Justin Antos]

Good grief, people ride this stretch at 27 mph? You’d miss all the scenery!

Edit: and then I realize they are doing a slightly different kind of riding than me.

[ronwalf]

@Justin Antos 64814 wrote:

Edit: and then I realize they are doing a slightly different kind of riding than me.

A peloton on gravel? The domestiques need to be passing out dust masks!

[TwoWheelsDC]

@ShawnoftheDread 64813 wrote:

Yeah, I’ve heard this one before. Beware TwoWheels and his fear of weather.

I see what you’re doing, and it’s working… I’m in.

[DismalScientist]

Perhaps this would have been a useful resource: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Fmaps.google.com%2Fmaps%2Fms%3Fhl%3Den%26ie%3DUTF8%26vps%3D1%26jsv%3D310c%26msa%3D0%26output%3Dnl%26msid%3D212372218178490358197.00049a5a751bfc35c2558&hl=en&sll=39.072734,-77.669563&t=m&z=9

[Dickie]

@DismalScientist 64865 wrote:

Perhaps this would have been a useful resource: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Fmaps.google.com%2Fmaps%2Fms%3Fhl%3Den%26ie%3DUTF8%26vps%3D1%26jsv%3D310c%26msa%3D0%26output%3Dnl%26msid%3D212372218178490358197.00049a5a751bfc35c2558&hl=en&sll=39.072734,-77.669563&t=m&z=9

Yep, that would have been really helpful on Friday night Although I would probably still take the gravel over another couple of miles on HWY 15.

[AFHokie]

Digging up a rather old thread, but I was thinking attempting a similar trip. Probably not a full 100 miles, more like 80-85. Essentially, I’m thinking of taking the W&OD to Leesburg and coming back down the C&O. It’s been awhile since I’ve driven through that area, but from what I remember, riding a bike on Rte 15 isn’t the safest option. Does anyone have any alternatives to get from Leesburg to White’s Ferry?

[DismalScientist]

It’s only a couple of miles. Between the split (Business 15 and 15 proper) and White’s Ferry Road, there are wide paved shoulders. I think 15 gets bad north of White’s Ferry Road, but that is irrelevant for your purposes.

[Rod Smith]

No alternative. If you want to ride on the ferry boat you must ride 15 but I second Dismal’s assessment of the short stretch, it’s not bad riding. Stay on the shoulder. There’s a rumble strip that should wake any driver drifting over. I enjoy the ferry but really love unpaved Furnace Mountain Rd which gets you from Loyalty Rd to the bridge at Point of Rocks, but that’s a longer ride. If you’re on a bike that can handle the towpath you might like Furnace Mountain Rd. It’s a climb and descent. Very steep climb if you’re going the other way but from Taylorstown to Point of Rocks not too tough.

[mstone]

15 was improved with wide shoulders to whites ferry, relatively recently (basically for cyclists, AFAICT). It’s not really pleasant, but it’s not the death trap it used to be. Past whites ferry it’s still a death trap.

[Author]

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