How to Bike Tour the C&O Canal Towpath | Surprising Beauty & History
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- čas přidán 13. 07. 2022
- We started at Mile Zero on the C&O Canal Trail along the tidal waters of the Potomac River. Cruised through Georgetown, lunch in Whites Ferry, snack and drinks in Brunswick before spending the night in Harpers Ferry. The next day was a ride into Hancock where we had an Air BnB. The last day on the Bike path was to a campground on the outskirts of Cumberland. July Fourth and fireworks. I loved the historic, rustic and scenic nature of the trails. GAP Trail in part 3!
#biketouring #bikepacking #bikecamping
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Love the C&O canal
I live at lock 28 mile marker 48 point of rocks to shepherdstown
Nice video thanks for sharing it
Love the C&O, have done it 5 times plus a dozen overnighters, a true gem of a ride. Your video did it justice, good job.
Thanks!
You RODE up that Paw Paw mountain detour? Man I never even thought about that! I didn't see anyone doing it ! It was 90° and pretty brutal walking my bike up that! 😂
Yeah! Had to try it. Ben crushed it.
I can't believe how gorgeous that route is. I had no idea that part of the country was so scenic.
I knew there were supposed to be some cool views - I had no idea how truly pretty they were!
I like the ‘directors commentary’ style of video you’re doing. It works just right
Thanks! “Vlogging” in the moment is nice but tough.
Thank you SO much for all the valuable commentary, it is very informative and helpful. So many CZcamsrs don't record details about their ride and instead just have music. I don't bother watching those. Thanks, keep it up!!!
Glad you liked it! The music thing is all I used to do (or still do for short rides with friends) but figured for something like this it doesn’t make sense not to give it context. Thanks again!
Very nice, you know
Oh man, the suspense!
Hope I’m okay!
I can't wait to find out!
Really nice narration and thanks for the simplicity. It would be nice maybe to hear a few words from locals or your friends. Thanks for not adding the drone footage with music. There's enough of those channels. Well done.
Thank you! As far as more "interviews" I think those would be great - but the simple fact is this is vacation - so I am trying to balance the idea of a decent video with enjoying myself and not being to disruptive to my friends' good time. Would be a different story if I was a full time CZcamsr instead of a hobbyist filming my rides....
Good video. Thanks for making. My wife and I are riding from PIttsburg to DC in June, then Amtrak back to Pittsburgh.
Have a blast! It’s so fun - hopefully you have awesome weather!
Bicycle touring changed my life when I was in my thirties 20 plus years later I inspired by your videos I've got to get out there and see the East Coast 😃 great video thank you
That’s great to here. Bike touring changed a lot for me too. It’s almost the only way I want to travel.
@@TimFitzwater awesome thanks again from the coast highway 101 in San Diego
I rode from DC to Pittsburgh last year on it! Very enjoyable ! Can't beat the Sheetz breakfast in the morning! ❤😂
I've ridden both C&O and Great Alleghany Passage both ways, different years. I wouldn't return to DC to Great Falls, and Boston to Pittsburgh. A little sketchy are around Connellsville, but passable. The Western Maryland Rail Trail is a good alternative in wet muddy conditions. While camping at McCoy's Ferry a couple decades ago, trains used to screech by 100 feet overhead on that side of the river. That is now the rail trail. The C&O is definitely the harder of the two because of the surfaces.
I guess since I was riding wide tires in nice weather I didn't mind the C&O - I'd actually say I prefer it - I like it gravely and more rustic - not to mention historic. I did see the people on road bike go for the WMR which makes sense.
Cheers!
What a cliffhanger!
Any guesses as to what happens!?
Man, maybe we should all watch the next one together.
Hey. I am enjoying your videos al the way from Cape Town, South Africa. Good videos man.
Thanks so much!!
Looks absolutely beautiful. I really enjoy this style of presentation. Looking forward to the next installment. I do, indeed, hope your friend is well and good. Thanks for sharing your adventure. ✌🏼
Thanks! I'm glad you liked it - I much prefer just to put some music over the footage but sometimes it feels like there needs to be some context and info. Have the next one edited - just need to do the voice-over. Should be up for the weekend!
Still recovering, but doing better.
@@Abracadabrad Don't let them know you lived - you'll ruin my view count on the next vid!
I spent many a day riding the C&O canal on my steel Fuji back in the 80's when I lived in Rosslyn. Your video bought in all back to me.
Awesome!
Cool beans
Thanks Tim awesome Video ,I will ride in June It’ll be a challenge for me ,June my birthday 50s
Have a blast out there!
Just "happened" on your video and enjoyed the content. My son and I rode from
DC to Harpers a few years ago at Thanksgiving time. I only had my old Bianchi Volpe available which has 32mm tires and I agree totally with you, that I needed something larger. On the Erie Canal comment, there at least one restored aqueduct on the canal in the Town of Camillus, west of Syracuse. Can't remember how long ago it was completed, but it is still there. It was funny you also mentioned John Brown, which I am currently reading Cloudsplitter a book by Russell Banks which is a fictional account narrated from the perspective of Owen Brown (his youngest son). It is pretty interesting, maybe you have read it. Anyway, thanks for posting, the C&O/GAP on our list to do some day.
Tom / Elizabethtown NY
Cool - glad you found us!
Yeah - that would be a bit of a rough ride on the 32mms - not undoable but just uncomfortable.
We definitely pride ourselves on the John Brown connection here in NE Ohio - though he was mostly considered a terrorist at the time - I feel history has proved him right.
I haven't read the book but will put it on my list.
I really like the GAP Trail too - but the C&O just feels so filled with history.
Epic ride and loved the commentary, scenery and old school Campagnollo type biking hat!! 😂 You guys were moving!! Thanks
Thank YOU!
We had a blast out there! Still took plenty of time to drink, eat and see the sights.
wow look at scenery, It is a picturesque
Damn…wish I would of known you folks were doing this. I know the C&O/Gap very well. Next time! I can offer a ton of useful info I don’t want to let the masses know about 😉
Oh - yeah! Give me the inside scoop!
What an enjoyable watch! You're sure earning my subscription. Hurry up with your next bike build project (grin).
Thanks! Bike builds are much more of a winter thing. Summer is for riding and maintaining!
These are really good Tim. Best work yet imo
Thanks! I feel weird talking in my vids but I felt like these needed more than just a tune.
@@TimFitzwater As a friend and a fanboy, I highly recommend that you explore this voiceover option more
I went on this trail today in Hancock, this is my third time, but we only went about 17 miles out then went 17 miles back to Hancock.
grew up near harpers ferry, virginia is full of history
We loved it.
Looks amazing…
Thanks!
Nice description and vlog of your experience. Our family did an adult three generation trip from Pitt to DC. the opposite direction of your trip. We went self contained camping out all but one night with some restaurant lunches and suppers. and some grocery pickups along the way for charcuterie lunches and suppers. My family does not consider camping out roughing it. We have very enjoyable our evening and "showered" under the pump jacks. The drinking water is treated with iodine and safe to drink. The food turns a little pink but not should to be a problem. We found it an easy ride and about any bike can do the trail. The only tire I would not advise is a narrow racing tire. We met all ages on the trail. Our group age wise was age 75, 50,48 and 22. We met two husband wife tandems having ice cream in their 70's. Doing 25 miles a day. Really a wonderful; ride for all ages, and abilities. The video was true to life.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Great vídeo and narrative. Well done and most inspiring for sure.
Thanks! Turned out to be a great trip!
I clicked on this video when I saw the title. Didn't realize it was you until I heard your voice!!! Nice video!!!
Hey Joe! Thanks!
Hello :) I am soo glad I found your channel Wow! I love this. i'm at a loss for words :) Thank you
So glad you dig it!
I'm thinking of doing part of this trip from the 8:00 mark to DC on a 3-day family 100-mile bike tour. As usual, your videos deliver the adventure, information, and what to expect. I did not know about Great Falls which is about a 1/2 mile out and back, so thank you for that.
While my family will figure it out when we are on the trip, they will probably say "It's one of Papa's Civil War trips disguised as a family trip, again" or something like that.
😎
Much appreciated 👍
Beautiful! I want to ride that trail one day.
It is a beautiful ride - definitely recommended!!
I really enjoyed this video tour and the canal features that we don't get to see on the Ohio-Erie Canal! Thank you!
You’re welcome! Thanks for checking it out - definitely an awesome ride!
I'll have to check that place out
It’s really awesome.
WOW!
Absolutely beautiful natural and historic scenery!
It really is a great ride!
Great video buds. 🫶
Nice video. Thanks
Hi Tim, thanks for sharing such a good vlog and tips, we are planning to bike the C & O canal from Cumberland to DC and It was very good to watch your video. The scenery is so beautiful.
Thanks - have a great time out there!
Great videos
Thanks!
That looks so enjoyable! Thanks for sharing
I loved that trail - really fun!
Excellent video with a cliffhanger ending. Looking forward to hearing how Brad is.
Thanks!
What a fantastic video and tour. Nicely done! I enjoyed it. Thank you.
Thanks for your kind words! We had a great time out there!
Nice series of videos.
Thanks! 😎
Nice video! Great tips.
Thanks / glad they were helpful!
Great video. Thanks for taking the time to put this together.
Thanks for checking it out! 😎
Amazing video man!! aiming to do it in april in one day!
Thanks! Its a lot of fun. One day! Wow.
Amazing video! Looks like a wonderful trail to enjoy
Thanks! Yes - it is a really, really great ride.
Excellent review, good personal input.
Thanks!
Glad you all enjoyed DC and the C&O. It's a beautiful ride!
It was - I really had no idea it would be that pretty!
Funny Brad... the OG Gucci Beotch. Glad you enjoyed Harper's Ferry. Great background on some of canal infrastructure.
Lol! Yeah - we could have spent a few more hours in Harper's Ferry easy.
Love this! I grew up right outside great falls in the late 60’s through the 80’s and used to spend many hours there and although I now live in Laguna Beach California which is also quite awesome I really really miss that area. My heart will always be there! Thanks for a great video Tim!!
Thanks you! I was so impressed with the area - I really had no idea it was that beautiful there!
@@TimFitzwater used to hang out on the rocks at the falls and smoke mass quantities of weed back in the 70’s 🤣 such a great area to grow up in. I miss it dearly! Thanks again Tim!
😎😎🥴
I'm really enjoying these videos, paired with your calm voice. Very informative and fun to watch! I'm headed out on my first bikepacking trip this weekend, 80 miles to camp, 2 nights, and then back. 😎
Awesome! I hope you have a great time out there! I truly believe it’s the best way to travel.
Awesome trip. Would love to do it. CZcamsr Dennis Looking Out rode the path on a touring bike.
Thanks - it is a great ride. I know the bike Denise used because I got to see it in person when she rolled through Akron doing Ohio to Erie! (rode with her for a bit).
What an amazing biking video ! A hobbyist Photographer myself , just got into biking ,and am really inspired by this trip .
Thanks! This is a good trip for newer cyclists too as it will take less planning then other trips.
Great video. I did this one in the spring from Pittsburg to DC.
Thanks! How was your ride? I've heard it can get tough on the C&O in the spring if you get rain.
I did this trip a week after you. Try the Paw Paw going east with a fully loaded bike. You could at least go up a construction road. It was the most brutal thing I've done.
I have a friend that lives in North Potomac, and typically (no so much anymore living in Belgium) we'd do Pitt to DC. The first year I did it on a Cervelo w/ 23c tires..
Absolutely this section of the C&O was the most chunky, but man you can fly regardless! The whole route is incredibly smooth compared to other gravel routes!
I wouldn’t ride 23c on pavement these days! Ouch!
I know it’s doable but I’m all about comfort.
I guess near DC and Harpers Ferry it can get really tough if it rains…
Great video. I'm a Brunswick local usually riding the canal often
Thanks!
Always stoked to see a drop from you Tim. Jsut bought a new bike today and probably going to be filming some new bandit trails with Robin
Awesome! Can't wait to see it!
Poor Brad. I rode the OTET earlier this year with my wife and at the end of day 1 I felt feverish and tested positive for covid 🙃 I know that feeling of being sick and stranded.
Oh man! That sucks. I was paranoid for everyone else before we left, especially on the train. I had just had Covid so felt like I was reasonably safe.
12mph on the types of surfaces you were on and coupled with all your gear is not bad at all.
Pretty reasonable I thinks.
I went Pittsburgh to DC several years ago and was my first multi day trip. First trip was somehow under prepared and over packed. I agree with your tire rec. Still had 25mm tires on an old steel road bike. I had so many flats and even several broken spokes on the C&O, haha.
“Under prepared and over packed” I think is how we all start. Oh man - I can’t imagine riding the C&O on 25mms! I don’t even run tires that skinny on pavement anymore.
That looks awesome I would love to do that ride
It was great - you should!
Nice! Enjoyed your vlog of the C&O. I am planning on a spring bikepack which is my first. I have backpacked a section of this trail and did the camping out along the river thing. Nothing roughing it about waking up to a river sunrise and bald eagles. 😉 It a beautiful trip and anyway, it's all good
Thanks!
Yeah - it’s really great. I hope you have great weather and a great time!
Wow! Beautiful!. I have ridden all my life to some degree or another, but I haven't done a trip since my teens.
Watching this type of video has me wanting to plan and do an epic trip. I turned 60 in January, but I ride the same way I did as a teen. I am not as fit as I would like to be but it only means I need to schedule to compensate.
With cameras, gopros and a drone, I hope to capture the views as you have. - Cheers
Thanks! Yeah - just plan the daily mileage for what you are comfortable with and it will be a blast! I'm also getting to the point where I will probably start to cut back on the miles for trips like this. I hope to keep going for years to come though. Good luck out there!
Get out and go for it. I'm 80 and still shelf contained touring. You will love it.
My $0.02 on Tires: I rode the GAP-Towpath last year on a CX bike with 36 mm Challenge Gravel Grinder tires, set up tubeless and had no issues. This year I did Cumberland to Connellsville and back on a gravel bike with Zipp G40 40 mm tires, also tubeless, and had no issues. Each time I carried around 35 lbs of gear and water. 2 inch tires are overkill, in my opinion, and will just make the bike slow and sluggish.
I don’t think people need two inch tires - my friends were fine on less - but they definitely don’t make the bike slow or sluggish. I’ve ridden this bike on 40 mile straight road rides and I’m fine. People over estimate wide tires being slower / the science does not bare that out.
I don't care about speed when I'm touring but... 2 inch tires are considerably faster than 36mm on a path like the C&O. There is nothing fast about getting bounced around.
older and wiser,not killing yourselves
I did the Paw Paw detour with an e-bike. However, mine had a walk assist so the motor did all the work. Well I still had to carry myself up the hill too. 😞
Huh - so you could use a throttle while you walked!? Didn’t know that existed! But given the terrain it still had to be a challenge.
@@TimFitzwater Not a throttle. Its a specific feature on the open source firmware for the TSDZ2 that is called walk assist mode. You hold the - button down and the bike starts moving forward slowly. The the current assist level effects the speed.
Wow, this looks so incredible, everybody needs to take some time like this and enjoy the scenery, you mentioned being on a mountain bike ? What are you ridin' ?
Thanks! It is a 1996 Team Marin frame. I talk a bit about it here:
czcams.com/video/FFljfCgRlts/video.html
I did a drop bar conversion and put a 9 speed Shimano road group set on it.
Looks amazing… since it was point to point rather than out and back, where and how did you start and finish points and what was your travel arrangements to and home from? Train? Bus?
We drove to Pitt and then Amtrak to DC - here is that part of the trip: Vacay Mode | Taking Amtrak - Cycling Pitt & DC
czcams.com/video/ek5_MgYSOfc/video.html
I’m hoping to do this in 2024. Question, I have a recumbent trike that is an all terrain type. Some of the trail was single tracks with a grass median. I’m wondering how difficult it would be to ride a trike on that? Are there maps or apps that point those areas out? I’m retired and time is my own. And thanks for the great…not annoying…video! Really enjoyed it!
We saw recumbents out there - and some were not all-terrain type so I want to say I think you would be fine....but as someone who doesn't ride them I can't give a great opinion. Being(probably) the most popular bike-touring route in the country I am guessing some Googling will get you the info you need. If you are on Facebook there is a great responsive community group for the GAP/C&O.
One thing to note - I've heard if it is rainy the C&O gets to be really tough going - I'm guessing if its tough for bikes it would be even tougher for trikes. Weather is unpredictable but I would avoid planning for the Spring.
I didn’t realise that there were canals in America.
Here in the UK there are quite a few canals some with paths like the one you rode, others much better or worse. The canals here though are still used by leisure craft so are full of water and the locks fully working.
Very interesting video though.
Yeah - the city I live in was a canal town. Most of our canals in the US were destroyed by floods- after the early 20th century they stopped trying to repair them as the railroads were already having them on the brink of financial ruin. There is still a fully functioning canal in New York State called the Erie Canal - some freight traffic but mostly leisure - great bike path too. I’m guessing Europe’s canals survived more because of government support - you k ow - us Americans just love hyper-capitalism and privatizing everything 😕
@@TimFitzwater The canals in UK are ‘operated’ currently by a Charity called the Canal and River Trust. They do get money from the government but other funding from various bodies and of course the licence fees from boaters.
@@davegb99 Oh - that is cool & practical. My city sits on a hill and during a huge flood in 1913 they had to dynamite the locks to drain downtown - that was the end of that. The one we are riding along in the video wasn't repaired after a flood in 1926 but is still used by kayakers who portage around the locks as it is still watered.
The canals were dug just a few years before the steam trains became commercial. In one year the longest rail line went from a few miles to several hundred miles. That brought an quick end to canal building. We never had the long boats for pleasurer like England has.
what camera do you shoot with? thx!
Since this video is a year ago in July it would have been the GoPro Hero 10 - now I'm using the 11. (I use my Canon R5 for still shots but I can't remember if I had any in this video).
I’m targeting this ride along with the gap trail. Have any recommendations for training and knowing how comfortable you need to be going long distance in order to do these long multi day trips?
I guess I don’t have great advice. Everyone in my group just rides their bikes a lot so taking our time to do 70 mile days isn’t a huge deal. None of us “train” so to speak.
I definitely recommend testing your set up though with an overnighter beforehand. Bikes feel very different loaded and you want to make sure you have everything dialed in.
That looks awesome. I am curious, are those campgrounds paid for or public access? Hope I'll be bikepacking in the US one day. Cheers.
On the C&O the roll up ones with the wells are free. We stayed at reserved sites that we paid for though. So it’s a mix. Would definitely use the free ones next time!
On the C&O trail can you ride past Harper Ferry and stay on the trail. Or do you have to go over the bridge. My bike weighs over 75 lbs & I have a trailer with camping gear that weight 60 pounds
You can just keep going. It is a very cool place to visit - but no - I wouldn't want to try and get that over the bridge.
Did you bike the entire length of the C&O tow path or did you switch over to the Western Maryland Rail Trail? Just building my routes and am curious how you went.
We stuck to the C&O - we had never done it so wanted to see the whole thing. The surface didn’t bother us as we all had gravel bikes. Seems the only reason to jump over would be if you were on a road bike.
Doing this next year.Where did you park your car in Pittsburg?
There is a public parking deck with long term parking right across the street from the train station. We used it with no trouble.
@@TimFitzwater Thank you!
Do you aim for a particular cadence, use a monitor or just let it happen?
We just ride our bikes - its vacation! I have a computer for the navigation and I like to see the numbers but they don't dictate how I ride.
Nevertheless, I’m impressed with your pace in these vids.
Is Paw Paw tunnel still closed?
Yup - gotta keep checking the park site - they keep saying it will be done then keep delaying it.
Is it possible for incumbent trikes ?
I would think so - but I would plan for summer months. I’ve heard it can get pretty mucky and slow going in spring.
The Paw Paw detour was still in place in 2023. Hopefully the tunnel will be open for 2024…
Its open - they opened it half way through last season.
Great video-beautiful scenery and weather! Can’t believe you guys didn’t use the free campsites. We did this in the opposite direction last summer ((August)from Steubenville OH to DC. Had a hurricane blow some super big rain storms our way. The GAP was fine but the C&O was so muddy. We had mud head to toe. Spent 3 days straight riding in the rain, lightening, trees falling across the trail-I can’t even count how many trees we had to haul our bikes over. You guys got some really beautiful weather!!
On the free campsite thing - Harpers Ferry is the perfect example for the other side of things / we met the owner - hung out and had a blast, no pressure on the time because we had a campsite booked…. Either way - yeah - we were so lucky on the weather. Sounds like you had to tough a bit out.
On the Paw Paw tunnel bypass my Catrike Dumont bent a drive sprocket. The C&O is not for road bikes.
Yeah - I would not want to be on really skinny tires. That bypass is basically mountain biking if you try to ride it!
@@TimFitzwater - Really wanted to make it. Being on a trike, I fashioned a bridal to pull her up hill. I’m so glad not 10 minutes later a park Ranger was driving by.
What time of the year?
July
Where is the concrete path 7:38
I think it’s near Williamsport - I tried to find it on the satellite map but couldn’t tell. Have only done the trail once and it’s been over a year - so sorry I’m not more helpful.
If you use Facebook there is a great group for the trail and someone there would know for sure.
Didn't even know they had canals in america, figured wouldn't have been worth the effort to build a canal system given trains came along not long after America was established
George Washington constantly pushed for a canal system(including this one) - but yeah - we started to build them and they did become obsolete fairly quickly. I actually live in a former canal town. The most famous canal in the US - The Erie Canal(NYC to the Great Lakes) is still operational. The Ohio to Erie Canal(where I live) is long defunct.
The "O" in C&O stand for Ohio - but the canal never made it there because by the time they finished the Paw Paw tunnel railroads were already running.
C and o?
yes
would be much better ıf you add some music behind
It’s a hobby - I make videos how I want to.
@@TimFitzwater I see
i will have to take your word about the scenery, how about next time less of the riders and more scenery . thanx for the post
There are tons of video out htere where people just put a GoPro on their handle bars and film it all. Not my style. My adventures are about the riders and our experience.
i like the vid. but you talk to much!! just let folks watch the vid. another thing is , ya'll had motels. thats good in all if you can afford it. but i can't. i will have to rough it and camp every night. plus i will only be able to do sections. i dont have the money for shuttles and there's a lot of trails i want to do. the plan is to do a few sections of the gap,and then do a few sections of the c&o, then head to gettsburg pa and do the park there, and then there's a rail trail up there i will do. and there will be a out back on the greenbrair river trail in west virginia. thats 150 miles out and back. pplus the new river trail in virginia. not enough money to do all the trails all the way, but i will bike them all in a few sections. just asking what section on the c&o do you like the most? thanks
I like that you commented- but you type way too much.
LOL@@TimFitzwater