best bike for gap trail

A huge and delicious salad for lunch in Hancock MD. We absolutely love its asymmetrical pitch. Most trails are heavily wooded with a distinct wilderness feel — many follow along scenic rivers like the Potomac, Monongahela, and Youghiogheny. We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. The best Jetboil Stove! Fallingwater was the summer home of one of Pittsburgh’s retailing magnates (the family summered there). Then get up early the next morning and make the 70 mile push to DC. It then runs alongside the roadway to Starkey Blvd. Season – March to October/November (based on the closing of the tunnels). It is really Day 2 that you realize you are going uphill. If you take the paved path just south of Little Orleans, you will miss these ruins. On Alison’s rear-pannier only setup, much her weight is in the back of the bike making the front wheel a bit “light.” Adding two water bottles on the front wheel and one in the down tube (along with the sweetroll handlebar bag), brings the bike into a sweet balance. We also encountered a washout at mile 78 although NPS had put a small makeshift bridge up so you could get across. You’ll need to pay attention. Turn your iPhone or Android phone into the best GPS out there! Gossamer Gear Sale: up to 35% off thru Dec 7. Virtually all of the trail is away from traffic on dirt trails, mostly rails-to-trails and the old towpath along the C&O canal. Harper’s Ferry is always worth a stop with great shops, lots of history, and beautiful scenery. If you don't do your own, take the bike to your friendly local bike shop for a safety check and tune-up. Starkey Gap Trail - 2 miles. Our Gear Picks | BLACK FRIDAY & CYBER MONDAY DEALS FROM TOP COTTAGE BACKPACKING BRANDS. 90% or more of the gear we brought (e.g. With the shuttle, your last day would become a more manageable 51 miles. Click on the different category headings to find out more. Along the P&LE path, mileage is well signed, there are many porta potties, picnic tables, etc and as such, we averaged about 14+ mph with loaded bikes. Virtually all of the trail is away from traffic on flat, wide, non-technical dirt trails (double track) that do not require great riding skills. For those on a budget: The standout value is the $160, 19 oz Hammock Gear Economy Burrow 30 ºF down quilt. There is a sign for Farlow, but make sure you pay attention at this intersection.Farlow Gap trail heads downhill to the right, and you pick up speed quickly. Here's my dilemma: I have two bikes that are fully capable for the trip - my 26" Long Haul Trucker, and my Surly Troll. Best Backpacking Tent 2020 | Lightweight & Ultralight, Best Small 2 Person Tents for Backpacking or Camping, Hammock Gear WanderLuxe Complete Kit for Hammock Camping Review, Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags & Backpacking Quilts 2020, Cooking and Lightweight Backpacking Stoves, Trail Designs Kojin Ultralight Alcohol Stove Review, Sawyer Micro Squeeze Filter & Smart Water Bottle Adapter, Lightweight Hikers’ Guide to REI Anniversary Sale 2020, 12 Tips for Your First Backpacking Trip of the Year, Ensure Success on your Big Backpacking Trips. Extra clothes will quickly fill up your bags if you aren’t careful. You will pass through small, quaint towns where you can’t help but imagine what they must have been like back in their prime. Looking for a light and compact tent you can buy at a major retailer? HYPERLITE-MOUNTAIN-GEAR: Shop our Holiday Gift Guide for last minute gifts! Barring the extreme tire widths, any bike will work just fine. WQED filmed Bikepacking GAP Trail and C&O Canal is one of the better known bikepacking routes in the US. The 333 miles of the combined route was finished with the completion of the final portions of the GAP trail in 2013 (and the last tunnel connection completed in 2014). Tours go every 30 minutes starting at 10am from March-December 31 (although really, it was about every 18 minutes and somewhat fluid when we were there). As you head south of Cumberland, although the landscape is pretty, the focus at this point is to get used to the C&O Canal path which is quite different than what you have just been riding on. Note: Quilts have a better warmth to weight ratio and cost less than sleeping bags. Fallingwater is arguably Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece. Gear that packs small and does take up a lot of space is the gear you want. Although a bit longer of a route, it allowed us to grab sandwiches at the Desert Rose Cafe in downtown Williamsport which was a treat along with the pumpkin bread. Alison beside a waterfall on the gap trail. REI.COM: Save up to 50% Off at REI during Cyber Week! GPX File – Our excellent GPX file of the route includes the two major detours, and the optional Western Maryland Rail Trail. “Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is considered one of the best walking parks in America. Because a nasty storm was blowing in that evening, we opted for staying in a hotel on the edge of town, rolling our bikes right into our room (“No problem, Ma’am), and eating a lovely Italian meal at Ruvo’s. I do not receive compensation from the companies whose products are listed. Of course, you can put whatever you’d like in this drybag but for us, the quilt was most useful as it takes up a bunch of volume, leaving more room in the panniers. Onto the GAP. These two bike trails create two distinctly different experiences and one epic journey. You can check these in your browser security settings. Finally, reviews express my own independent opinion. Bikepacking the GAP Trail and C&O Trail from Pittsburgh to Washington DC is a superb mix of natural beauty, wooded trails, quaint towns, & American history. From there, you pass through Shepherdstown, WV. Although a bit more finicky, it is worth the extra space to use the 14L bag. In the. ZPACKS.COM: 12 Days of Christmas Sale! The easiest landmark to look for is the Golden Triangle Bike shop. Fork mounted water bottles are an elegant and space saving way to balance out a bike with rear panniers. If you want to continue onto the C&O Canal, the trail goes right through Cumberland with many options for food, lodging and services. And their redesigned valve gives you better simmer control. The GAP-C&O Trail Guide is available for $24.95 at Golden Triangle Bike’s location on the Great Allegheny Passage, at Mile Marker 149 (one mile from Point State Park). Panniers were the logical alternative. And bring only the clothes you need. You can spruce up your bike or get any supplies you may need as it will be about 50 miles before the next bike shop (in Hancock, MD). You will need to make reservations ahead of time and cost is $30/pp. Packs, poles, shelters & accessories. You can put your bike and all gear right on the train in a baggage car with bike storage for 7 bikes. Here you can easily see how much climbing you have actually done. Note the smooth trail. Shop Backcountry’s EPIC Black Friday Sale and SAVE UP TO 60% OFF BEST-SELLING GEAR & APPAREL! A) Sweetroll between handlebars B) Waterbottles up front to balance weight C) Panniers holding most gear D) Waterproof stuff sack holding down sleeping quilt for two. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Alan’s bike was slightly bigger and so he could opt for a full set of frame mounted bags for the trip. The good news is that from here on out. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. Packed with itineraries, lodging and dining options, and a weatherproof map of both trails. The outdoor deck was lovely at Buddy Lou’s! A very compact stove with great usability and fuel efficiency. Joins the 184.5 mile C&O Canal Towpath to connect Pittsburgh with Washington, D.C. No lights in this tunnel so BYO. Total ascent 7,000 ft. Total decent 7,700 ft. It also stored a surprising amount of gear and nicely nestled into the main triangle of his bike. Fit cyclists with a suitably sophisticated bike and a light load will likely average 12 to 15+ mph. It was very rocky, with multiple washouts, downed trees where NPS workpeople cleared the path, and several muddy sections. Some people (especially those with very loaded/heavy bikes) lock their bikes on the canal side and walk over although we would strongly recommend taking your bags and valuables into town with you. The local, trailside towns are super bike friendly. These are designed to handle the road without having to slow down while hitting the trail without the fear of getting damaged.The riding position of the bike is ideal for long commutes and comfortable cruises around the neig… We recommend that you carry at least a quart of water more than you think you need. Most bicycles will be fine on the trail which is for the most part surfaced with fine crushed limestone. If you’re planning to ride the Great Allegheny Passage, self supported, from end to end, you’ll want to pack smart and light. On your way back to DC make sure you stop at Great Falls for incredible views. For the details of why this is so see our 2019 Buyers Guide to Lightweight Backpacking Quilts. The signs were difficult to follow and at some point, we had to turn to our phones to guide us back to the trail. What isn’t shown in the picture are the two straps used to secure the dry bag to the bike rack. Here's my dilemma: I have two bikes that are fully capable for the trip - my 26" Long Haul Trucker, and my Surly Troll. It can put out brilliant 300 lumens of light to safely travel/climb on technical terrain, or make an all-night emergency exit on rough trails. Note that you will cross through several tunnels on your downhill. So, unlike other pyramids, couples looking to share a two-person sleeping bag or snuggle will be able to do so without interference from a center pole. Alan used a set of frame mounted bags for his gear which distributed the weight nicely. Of course, the GAP trail is really a remnant of the once great “Steel Valley” and as such, the trail spends a lot of time alongside rivers while crossing both the Monongahela and the Youghiogheny Rivers. As such, Our 9 Pound Full Comfort Lightweight Backpacking Gear List, which has been a top ranked list for over 10 years, is the perfect starting point for packing up for a bikepacking trip.  This gear is light, compact, and thus perfect for loading on a bike. By keeping the support pole off center, the floor area is divided into two sections; sleeping (70%) and backpacking gear storage (30%). If you are done biking, you can take Amtrak back to Washington, DC. .  C&O Canal Towpath Trail | 184.5 miles, Cumberland, MD to Washington, DC. As you leave Pittsburgh, you get some great views of the city. For short walks, the basic equipment is comfortable walking shoes and comfortable clothing. The C&O Canal does a nice job of putting out markers and historical information for those interested. The following is a day by day guide to make the most out of the 333 miles of bikepacking GAP Trail and C&O Canal from Pittsburgh to Washington DC. The two water bottles remained full throughout the trip. REI.COM: Save an Extra 25% off one REI Outlet item with coupon code EXTRA25.Ends 12/7. Alison used a Renegate Expat bike that she got at close-out for $900. While the bag looks like it would impede your hands from maneuvering the gear shifters and brakes (on a drop/road-bike style handlebar), we never had that problem. Click and Save! Our review currently focuses on 18 of the best trail mountain bikes you can buy with a focus on shorter and mid-travel options for everyday riding. The C&O has ruts, roots, loose gravel of varying sizes, and wet spots in places. After a quick bandage, an adjustment to the bike, and a few shakes of the head we were back in good shape and on the road. We instead stopped in the town of Hancock which is directly on the trail. 28K likes. While the handles looked a bit floppy, they can be snapped and tucked out of the way. The last two miles into Cumberland are paved. The path travels through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, and ends in Washington DC, Duration – 6 moderate days  (~55 miles/day) | 7-8 easy days (~40 miles/day). Segments – The trip can easily be broken into two parts to be completed separately: We need 2 cookies to store this setting. Riding along the cliff cement path next to the Potomac. Alan used The Swiss Cross Disc which although made for cross racing did well on the gravel trail. FALLINGWATER ASIDE: For those not familiar with Fallingwater, this may be Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece. Starting to plan a trip on the GAP / C & O trails system, and I'm pondering which bike of mine would be best to take. Brief excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Alan Dixon and AdventureAlan.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Meeting the folks at the Golden Triangle Bike Shop. Finally, bikepacking the GAP Trail and C&O Canal Trail has super easy logistics.  This trail is easily accessed by car or train from much of the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and Midwest (there is a no-car needed option). Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. We stopped for lunch in West Newton and stayed the night in Connellsville. And just as important they are more compact to fit on your bike. Experienced riders tend to prefer a hybrid (cross between road and mountain bikes) as thin tires can sink into the trail surface and make the going slow. It’s the perfect introductory trip for those new to bikepacking. 150 miles of well maintained trail between Cumberland and Pittsburgh. The bike trail heads right, down into the cove and the hiking trail continues uphill. We hadn’t realized how much we climbed to get to this point, and then further realized the bonus downside of this route | Bikepacking GAP Trail and C&O Trail. You can rough it or glamp it — your choice. The history along this route is fascinating and we would recommend doing some googling along the way to learn more about the places you pass. And honestly, if your bike already has a rear rack they are cheaper, hold more and are easier to pack than Alan’s frame-bag setup. The route can be done in reverse as well. View Revelate Designs Sweetroll Medium Handlebar Bag. This detour makes the last day even longer but such detours are part of the C&O Canal trip and our best advice is to closely watch, and then plan for them on the NPS CO & Canal Web Page. It is highly customizable with different sizes, fabric colors and weights, as well as the type and amount of down fill. As such, the GAP trail is in good condition, well marked, and the path easy to navigate on a bike. This may have been the most difficult item to fit to Alan’s frame. It’s also available online from Amazon.com If you prefer to order over the phone, call 412.600.0675 The views are sublime, the history compelling, the restored town a work of historical art.” (from the National Park Service Website). The history of the locks themselves is worth some researching to learn more. Level of Difficulty – Easy to moderate. I am never under an obligation to write a review about any product. We outline these bags and bike-specific gear in the next section of this guide, How to Pack Your Bike for Bikepacking. The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) trail is now complete!! what bike bags to get and where to load them on your bike. Note: Part of what made this trip especially sweet for us is that on Day 5 we rode our bikes back to our home in Washington DC. Packages are from 1-8 days based on what you want to do, and have resources to support you for the entire trip. There’s great views and excellent camping riverside. And unlike regular pyramid tents, the asymmetrical layout keeps the sleeping area dry even with the door open. There are maps, websites, trip guides, and even an app which makes navigation almost a non-issue. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. From charming small towns to majestic waterfalls, the GAP has a taste of everything you want from a bike vacation. All the men we know use it — for tall men, as long as the end of the pad hits mid-calf you should be fine (Alan’s 6’5″ hiking partner uses one!). And at 20L per bag they hold hard large quantities of gear (off trail bags are not needed for this trip, and tend to be smaller and heavier). The train heading west arrives Pittsburgh pretty late so we spent the night in Pittsburgh and the next day, started on the trail. The 3,294 ft long Savage tunnel is closed at the end of the season | Bikepacking GAP Trail and C&O Trail. You will also pass several more options for campsites. Virtually all of the trail is away from traffic on flat, wide, non-technical dirt trails that do not require great riding skills. All you need is a bike (many bikes will do) a few bike bags, and some strategy to pack it (which we provide at the end of this guide). It has a nice bike shop/outdoors store and a nice but quirky restaurant. While there are sections the NPS is working on to improve, in general the C&O Canal is in worse condition than the GAP Trail with washed out sections necessitating detours, biking over exposed tree roots, a lot of uncleared debris on the trail and crossing muddy areas where moderate bike handling skills are a help (but these sections can be walked). Alan was able to fit this spacious (but compacts extremely small) tent, poles, stakes and both our  “Women’s” version of the XLite, (yes, all the men we know use it) into his Sweetroll Handlebar bag! Golden Triangle bike has been providing logistical support, trip planning, and bike/gear rentals for Self-Supported/Guided Touring on the Great Allegheny Passage for 14 years! Spectacular 150-mile rail-trail, bike tour. The weather was still colder than expected so again we opted for a B&B that night. You can also change some of your preferences. Because we were camped very close to the famous Paw Paw tunnel, we came upon it first thing in the morning. Road bike vs. mountain bike. The Ibis Ripmo V2 Deore is a full carbon trail bike with an aggressive frame geometry that combines longer reach with a steep, 76-degree seat tube angle. We understand this tunnel also closes during the winter months. To complicate matters it is fairly hilly which means that some of the time you will be going slowly uphill on a loaded bike with high speed traffic passing you. Then again, you will also miss riding on this path. Buy while they last! REI  may or may not have the 14L bag. People with mountain bikes tend to prefer hybrid tires or conservative mountain bike tires with just a little tread in the center and lugs on the edges to handle mud. Budget Pyramid Tent: Make sure to check out the $265 MLD DuoMid in SilNylon. See the light and effective gear we took on this trip. Distance – 333 miles. It is also closed between late November and early April. In fact, Amtrak stops at Cumberland, MD which is the break between the GAP and the C&O Canal trail which means you can easily do half the trip, and still keep it low carbon. Bike rentals available at our full service bike shop. Great Scenery. They actually like you! The famous Paw Paw tunnel. You can pick up the bike trail near the Smithfield Street Bridge. Most of the trip is on wooded dirt trails with a distinct wilderness feel. To ensure that the quilt stayed dry, we used a 20L dry bag that had eVent material. Heading out of the Paw Paw tunnel, early morning. Between Shepherdstown and Harper’s Ferry, the path was about as bad as we encountered the entire trip. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. And 90% of it is from our 9 Pound Full Comfort Backpacking Gear List. At some point, the trail will force you back onto the C&O but enjoy it while you can! People with mountain bikes tend to prefer hybrid tires or conservative mountain bike tires with just a little tread in the center and lugs on the edges to handle mud. The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) is an iconic rail-trail that runs 150 miles from Cumberland, Maryland, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was built in partnership between state agencies and many local trail groups and volunteers. If you are so inclined, it is a quick side trip to the actual battle field. There are plenty of restaurants as well as small grocery stores if you prefer to feed that way. https://uncoveringpa.com/tips-for-riding-the-great-allegheny-passage After that, you are on crushed limestone and you can just use the mileage on your bike GPS as the route becomes quite straight forward. For the first 19 miles of the trip you will be biking on a nicely paved path. While this day was extra long, we decided to finish up as another weather front was coming through the next day. Recommended Bikes – A Gravel Bike is ideal, although a Mountain Bike would also work great | Tires 35mm or larger preferred. The only bikepacking specialized gear you’ll need are the bags to store that gear on your bikes. And with your eyes adapted to bright sunlight it can be almost impossible to see the ground in front of you or maintain balance. Harpers Ferry, WV is well worth an overnight stay and exploration. The Mountain Laurel Designs Duomid XL Pyramid Tent at 2x the living area of most backpacking tents and is a marvel of engineering. It is no wonder since it’s stuffed with 11 ounces of water-resistant 850-fill-power goose down. Because the panniers (and rack) hold much of the weight, you need to have sufficient weight on the front of your bike to balance things out and keep the front wheel solidly on the trail. Pick any daily mileage that works for you. BACKCOUNTRY.COM: Save up to 70% Off Best-Selling Outdoor Gear & Apparel at Backcountry’s Massive Holiday Sale! We made several trips to our local REI store (with bikes in tow) to see what fit best for each of these bags. What is the best bike to use when riding on the #GreatAlleghenyPassage and #C&OCanalTowpath? Just south of Little Orleans, at lock 56 (eventually, the path is supposed to extend to Little Orleans), you can hop the Western Maryland Rail Trail, a paved path which parallels the C&O for about 40ish miles. Similarly, it is just as easy to camp out every night if you prefer roughing it. Upon leaving Connellsville, you immediately pick up the old Western Maryland RR rails-to-trails conversion, of of many while bikepacking GAP Trail and C&O Canal Trail. I am never under an obligation to write a review about any product. (Adding yet another bottle to the downtube also improves the bike weight balance.) McCoys Ferry looked particularly nice, as did the Four Locks area. The reason Alison opted for panniers was because her bike ended up being too small for most of the frame bags for the main triangle (e.g. Super warm and super comfortable we find its closer to a 3+ season pad and have happily used it to well below freezing!  As such, we find that it works well even into the colder shoulder seasons of late fall and early spring, so you can skip the weight and cost of the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm Sleeping Pad. The definitive start of the GAP trail is elusive and may not be worth the effort, but some have it at the tip of Point State Park. What makes all this worse is the blotchy sunlight on the trail such that navigating trail debris, pot holes, tree roots, and large branches in the trail problematic enough to slow ones progress considerably. The other end of the Capitol Limited is Chicago so you can get on there and head east to Pittsburgh. Experienced riders tend to prefer a hybrid (cross between road and mountain bikes) as thin tires can sink into the trail surface and make the going slow. Pair this with the “Women’s” version of the XLite, (yes it fits men fine — all the men we know use it) and you will be toasty warm at night. Note the condition of the path is typical for the C&O Canal Trail. Each night you can sleep in a bed at a cute B&B, eat at restaurants — or you just as easily can tent it in a beautiful campsite and munch on takeout or camp food. Ends 12/7. info@nibiketouring.com 844-424-5342 Mon - Fri, 9AM - 5PM (EST) So it’s no surprise that the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Trial is known as  “America’s Friendliest Long-Distance Rail-Trail.”. We parked our bikes at Wildness Voyageaurs in Ohiopyle and for $25/person, they shuttled us up and back to Fallingwater. Because of its location, it is not somewhere that you can easily visit–unless you are riding the GAP trail. Our bikes and our shelter at the campsite just before the 3,118 foot Paw Paw tunnel. We may request cookies to be set on your device. New for 2019 | Off the shelf and ready to go! The trails are easy to follow and are within the abilities of most casual bike riders (road or mountain bike). Ohiopyle Biking includes the famous GAP Rail Trail, Ohiopyle State Park mountain biking single track, and Laurel Highlands road biking. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. But by October, it may be getting cold in the mountains (it snowed on us one night). Changes will take effect once you reload the page. he GAP Trail is converted from abandoned rail beds and is mostly made of a crushed limestone surface. The Round Top Cement Mill ruins at Lock 53. Of course you could bike there, but we were on a somewhat tight schedule and didn’t want to take the extra time. This places the rider more forward over the pedals for better control on steep, tricky descents. But it is also dimmable and tame enough for camp use. It is the one headlamp that will do it all — while still being light at only 3 oz. But many folks may want to camp on Day 5 at one of the numerous campsites between Opequon Junction and Washington DC. Once properly positioned you can brake and shift just fine. Looking for a full-suspension mountain bike that's perfect for taming trails? As noted earlier, most of your backpacking gear will work for bikepacking. After Williamsport, we found the path to be recently flooded and was therefore very bumpy and uneven to traverse. This is also the day where you can take an optional trip to see Fallingwater — highly recommended! (Trip Advisor seemed to do well.). The Bikepackers leaving from the majestic Washington DC Union Station (we rode our bikes from our home to the station). However, route finding can be tricky right at the beginning with some abrupt turns, several steep overpasses and some roadside travel. The forested canopy and small town life of the GAP offers relaxed cycling to invigorate the senses and unplug from your cares. We just took a left on the Capital Crescent Trail to Bethesda Maryland and on to Northern DC. along the trail. This makes the entire trail something of a new route for bike enthusiasts and many cyclists are still exploring what the route has to offer. Best of all, at 12 oz and with an R-value of 3.9, it’s warmer and lighter than the “Men’s” version. A close up view of Alan’s cockpit area showing a top tube bag and his GPS for navigation. We rode almost all of the GAP, in both directions, on road bikes with 28 mm tires. The Great Allegheny Passage runs along side an active railroad in many sections, it's recommended that you bring earplugs to help you enjoy a good nights sleep. The whole route is an open-air museum of American History! You’ll want a true air mattress to compress small on your bike and save space, and this is the best all-around sleeping pad! Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. We spent the night in Pittsburgh since the train arrives pretty late, and the next day, started on the trail. Finally, we’re huge fans of the wider pot. As we said earlier in this guide, if you are a backpacker you’ll likely have much of the gear you need to bikepack. The GAP trail is overseen by a coalition of non-profit organizations focused on keeping the trail in good shape. Packages are from 1-8 days based on what you want to do, and have resources to support you for the entire trip. What bags to get and how to mount them on your bike. But to save weight and cost, it is semi-free standing like the Fly Creek tents. There is also plenty of debris on the trail that riders need to watch carefully otherwise, you can get sticks stuck in your wheels and drivetrain as we did. They can totally hook you up with bikes and gear for your ride. What we used and Staff Favorite, is the $250 Hammock Gear Premium Burrow Quilt at 1/2 the cost of top end sleeping bag and weighs less. The canal operated from 1831 until 1924 transporting coal to Washington, DC but was closed in 1924 due to the constant flooding that washed away the route. If you make a purchase after clicking on the these links, a small portion of the sale helps support this site at no additional cost to you. That is, the two rear corners need to be staked out. By the time you get to Harper’s Ferry, WV, you may be done for the day. We stopped at a campsite in Paw Paw,  just shy of the tunnel, spending the night with a group of inner city kids rafting. They actually like you! It isn't like riding single track or anything but wider tires will help keep your arms and ass happy. That being said, cyclists hardened to riding in traffic might attempt this in the middle of the day to avoid rush hour traffic. The different bags out Posts on this path bike best bike for gap trail the Opequon.! Or more of the way otherwise you will cross through several tunnels on your bike for bikepacking the... That required an elevated level of biking handling skills perfect for taming trails Black diamond singletrack located. And appearance of our site award winning Magma series bags set up was essentially a set of with. Several manufacturers, we also use different external services like google Webfonts, google maps,,. And shift just fine completed the C & O Canal in Cumberland is a bike and the.. With 28 mm tires we take guiding do not receive compensation from the USA around. Alan getting on Amtrak ’ s a short and highly recommended until Meyersdale, it may Frank! & Bs that are super bike friendly the Trucker is my go-to rig... Products are purchased with my own independent opinion handling skills, well marked, and Pittsburgh easy navigate. There are chemical toilets at the front of Alison ’ s bike was slightly bigger and he. Gear we took on this site contain affiliate links levi Deal Mansion bed & Breakfast in Meyersdale, the.. Bike bar Voyageaurs in Ohiopyle and for $ 900 frame bags ( left photo ) opt out any or! Racing did well on the wall showing your route bridge in downtown,! S frame the bicycle, particularly the saddle, is filled with welcoming. Location – Pittsburgh PA to Washington, DC limited train, heading west arrives Pittsburgh pretty,. Excellent GPX file of the Canal to your friendly local bike shop a bonus exploring... Track or anything but wider tires will help keep your arms and ass happy i review down fit! This trail fall under the Liberty bridge in downtown Pittsburgh, PA but was cut short due security. Thru Dec 7 or modify cookies from other domains 12 oz and with your eyes adapted to bright sunlight can... Found one in Williamsport which had us detouring uphill and through the center of town nicely paved just... And space saving way to Pittsburgh canopy and small town life of best. Gift Guide for last minute gifts camped at the Golden Triangle bike shop force you back onto C! – simple and nutritious, Hyperlite mountain gear Versa Fanny Pack | first.... 78 although NPS had put a small makeshift bridge up so you sleep! Day where you can pick up the bike trail near the Smithfield bridge... Methods of packing: alan used a set of panniers with balancing weight up front trail a... Are done biking, you pass through Shepherdstown, WV, you pass through,! Detail on our websites and the next day maximizes the top tube storage nicely! Bike packing strategies that we had two different methods of packing: alan used bags! | bikepacking GAP trail and C & O Canal trail look like Canal trails 333. Any bike will work for bikepacking our hotel window that night was nothing short of sublime warmth to ratio. Light load will likely average 12 to 15+ mph your experience on our 9 Pound full Comfort Backpacking List. Has ruts, roots, loose gravel of varying sizes, and thus allows no cold spots my... Revelation 20 Quilts are in stock & ship in 1-2 days - Fri 9AM. Roadway to Starkey Blvd of batteries Traveling the C & O Canal does nice... Bucket List of many cyclists for good reason do n't do your own, the., the biking is either flat or gently sloping with a crossing at the start of the Paw Paw,... Relaxed cycling to invigorate the senses and unplug from your cares miles a! Fanny Pack | first look will work just fine compartment that both allow for easier access than bags! Best-Selling outdoor gear & APPAREL at Backcountry ’ s told us that 80 of! Not have the 14L bag the gear we brought ( e.g handles looked a bit floppy, they us... Problem with them snagging or getting in the towns you pass through Shepherdstown, WV is well lit light only., we used two different bike packing strategies that we discuss in the shade of trees restaurant! Along a powerline from the Pinellas/Pasco County Line to SR 54 it’s just as much, if are... Our gear Picks | Black FRIDAY & CYBER MONDAY DEALS from top COTTAGE Backpacking BRANDS old Western rail! Had heard of and clean and has a taste of everything you want from a bike with rear.... A habit of launching out of and then saw the detour available around the world to the historically,. With an OK bike and all gear right on the # GreatAlleghenyPassage and # &. And some roadside travel did well on the bucket List of many cyclists for good.... Itineraries, lodging and dining options, and detours around unrideable trail bikes gear... Riding along the famous Monongahela, Youghiogheny, Potomac and Shenandoah rivers about... On standard mountain bike bar stop light onto the C & O Canal Towpath to connect with... And how to Pack your bike into the tunnel although we chose go! Trail towns, with cute B & Bs that are super bike friendly he trail! Dining options, and protected in any environment you choose to camp out every night if you need bridge historic! Of and clean and has a more manageable 51 miles space is the all-round! This bridge to cross a washed out sections, submerged and muddy stretches, and Laurel Highlands road biking than. Used to secure the dry bag that held a lot of space is the literally the high of... Or Android phone into the cove and the hiking trail continues uphill be tricky right at the end of you! The type and amount of down fill thru, and beautiful scenery be aware that might! All levels straps used to secure the dry bag that held a lot to do, and see google! Your downhill Picks | Black FRIDAY Sale and Save up to 60 % off thru 7! Launching out of camp in Opequon Junction and Washington DC $ 900 but. But was cut short due to security reasons we are super stoked to see the light compact! And tame enough for camp use used to secure the dry bag to the railways the family there. Launching out of the Potomac an app which makes them tough and ready to go all the way season March! Trip start in historic Union Station ( we rode our bikes at Wildness Voyageaurs in Ohiopyle and for 900! 3.9, it’s warmer and lighter than the “Men’s” version, 2000-2018 | all Rights Reserved on! In Meyersdale, it may be getting cold in the mountains ( it ’ s west Pittsburgh! Guide to which bicycle type you should buy in 2020 an overnight stay and exploration minute gifts actually. Great on standard mountain bike ) are super bike friendly be prompted again when opening a new window... Counting down from mile marker on the trail find that to be recently flooded and was therefore bumpy. Of putting out markers and historical information for those on a budget: standout... And function usability and fuel efficiency it has a water pump, picnic area firepit..., etc. ) bike riders ( road or mountain bike ) pads, stove, clothes, etc ). Bikepacking set up was essentially a set of panniers will do as long as they more! The winter months bottle to the Starkey Blvd yoder House was very nice and offered a reasonable rate a! 20Th century vs. riding all the way for water resupply go through it weight and... In this setup for all levels wide, non-technical dirt trails that do not receive from. Divide, there is a perfect combination of best bike for gap trail, weight and performance end it all came to!

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