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I did the Katy Trail with zero plans. Landed at Lambert Field, put my bike together and started pedaling. I did end up camping right on the trail twice (contrary to signage I noted), but it really added to the excitement and feel of "me versus nature". Having a hotel and bike packing are really contrary concepts to each other in my opinion. Getting wet, starving, lugging 30 lbs of gear, sleeping on the ground, eaten by bugs, bathing in rivers...adds to the "ambiance of outdoor living and interstate travel by pedal bike". Something very spiritual about going Truly Primitive. In any event, thank you for sharing your many outstanding observations and thoughts. Very enjoyable.

Thanks for this informative video. I noticed that on the GAP portion I see a bike with a trailer. Didn’t see it on the C&O. The C&O looks more like a road bed with the grassy median. Would a trailer still fit.

This is not an underrated train. It isn't worth riding. Horrible, I repeat Horrible flex dinning food. As someone said last night it should be called the microwave express. No dinning car, no observation car. Way over priced for zero service. We had a bedroom, they may have recovered the seats.But it ends there. Dirty old carpet, dirty scratched up walls, and cabinets. Just sad 😢😢😢

I did both trails last year. Camped along the way. Some pay, some free. Good time. Went from Pittsburgh to DC. The Continental Divide is the high point of the trail. Based on Ride with GPS profile, it’s less elevation and distance to the Divide going east. Keep in mind this is RR grade. Not a huge deal. The GAP trail is great. The C&O is a different story. Rough and fatiguing. If you’re not a purist, check your map for the Western Maryland Rail Trail. It runs parallel to the C&O. It’s a 25 mile paved trail. Nice break from C&O.

Nice work on this video! I've watched 4 times and have taken notes and putting my travels togeter as per this video. Thank you so much with the detail and the sharing of your travels. Taking Amtrak to Pittsburgh then ride back to DC 9/1/2024 looking forward to this trip!

How appropriate are 35 mm tires on a 1980s steel touring bike on these two trails?

Great tip about the power outlet!

Riding the C&O in a few weeks. Rode the GAP 2 years ago and Pine Creek last year. Plan to camp so I am flexible but trying to gage my end date for the train reservation. I'm old and slow not to mention the loaded bike and dirt trail. Thinking 4 days of 45 miles each. Sound reasonable?

Great video! Thanks!

The other thing about the expense over driving (not to mention the emissions) is that you'd want to stay over at least one night, and buy meals etc. If you factor that in, it seems like this trip is about the same as driving, except you don't have to drive, or deal with traffic (except freight...). Well done.

I know each person prefers certain bikes. My friend and I are planning g on doing the Gap but we are going to build up to it. He purchased a Trail Bike. I honestly never hear of a trail bike until we started talking about doing this ride. Any suggestions for a 60 year old man on mountain or trail would be more comfortable would be a great help

Born in 1970. My parents used to send us cross country alone and Amtrak always took care of us.

I always enjoy riding on the Capital Limited. Thank you for sharing this beautiful video.

Hello! I've biked a few sections of the c&o but plan to do the entire thing this year. In May, in my experience it has always been soaking wet. How is the trail condition in the fall? Thanks for the video!

Thank you for this informative video. It's the best I've seen to prepare for the trail. I will be riding the entire trail 2nd week of May. Camping all the way to DC. Great job and keep up the good work. Thanks again and have a great day, Steve

Hi there great video. I have done the C&O before, but we’re gonna go back and do the gap and the C&o again in one trip. Can you explain more about parking at the Great Falls and I guess if you park there then you’re not really ending @ mile 0? How many miles from the Great Falls parking to miles zero?

Thank you. You’ve convinced me. Your video is really quite helpful. I plan to try to figure out how to stay connected with your media. So informative!

RIP White's Ferry 😢 Once connected 2 bike worlds - Maryland: C&O and the quiet farm roads in the northwest quadrant of Montgomery County, to Virginia: the retail in Leesburg, gravel roads in Loudoun County, and the popular Washington & Old Dominion trail.

When you mention the complexity of a bike and to keep it simple, definitely reminded me of cars and why older vehicles are better…not over complicated.

Start at Great Falls and end in Boston. DC and Pittsburgh are armpits! The paved railtrail around the West Virginia portion òf C+O is a good alternative to the roughest least maintained towpath. Several places you can go between the two routes and use hiker biker campsites. Connellsville is a bit of a place you might meet shady characters. Crackheads and prostitutes. There is a halfway house nearby. Ride the route as described both directions and no shuttle needed. You'll have permanent bragging rights over 2 weeks.

So the kids slept with the train direction and the adults sleep diagnal. So going with the train is much better and thats where a roomette has its advantage over bedrooms

We are doing the GAP and C&O this May/June. Great video, lots of goof info! Question, do you get on the Capitol Crescent at Fletchers Cove area? I am not familiar with that area and am using Google Maps. Thanks!

All my adventures started after age 62. Thru-hiked the AT, biked across America on the Southern Tier, walked from the Golden Gate to San Diego and walked the 444 mile Natchez Trace pushing my Runabout Stroller. Planning to leave in April from Pittsburgh to finish in DC. My only concern is whether my Stroller wheels are suitable for this walk. Since gravel is a big part of the trail, I wonder if my more narrow polyurethane (tubeless) will be okay. I'm now 76.

The Schoolhouse Restaurant is the VERY BEST place to stop! The owners are some of the kindest folks in the world 🌎. The GAP is great, the C&O is absolutely GOLDEN!

Very helpful, I also plan on doing this (well, most of it, I don't plan on going all the way to DC, just to Shepherdstown, WV), my issue is getting to Pittsburg as I can't drive. Train is an option but the only train (from Harper's Ferry) to Pittsburg gets to Pittsurg close to midnight

Great suggestion to do the Gap first. We’ve done & recorded the Ohio to Erie in weekend back & forth mini trips. Can’t wait to bike Pitt to Cumberland & then take the train back!

Paw paw has a cool biking campsite with 4 sleeper cabins, it’s across the street from the dollar general behind the gas station. We’ve stayed, I definitely recommend it. Sometimes you can book a cabin the day of if you just want to sleep in a bed for a night. They’re on Airbnb. There’s also big and Tiny’s tavern next to DG. It’s not much to look at but the food is really good and reasonably priced.

thank you - great info. mate I'm hoping to fly from Sydney Australia into Pittsburgh international airport in about later september early October 2024 or 2025 depending in my fitness levels. I think it is possible to start right at airport and get onto the Montour trail for 60 miles, joining the Gap trail at Mckeesport ? Hopefully. my plan is to take my time to reach Washington DC. a one off trip. Question is, is 24 days to long ? like i said i'm not in a rush and at 61 might be my only trip to the USA as i have other trails to archive in other countries. cheers John

Brilliant. We arrive in April and staying in Georgetown - as close as we could get to the start of the C&O. Good to know that there are nice places to eat there and that walking is ok. In the UK we walk everywhere - but I know that distances are greater in the US - so wasn't sure if we would need to be taking transport to see the city. Thanks again for a very good video.

Thank you for the very useful information. My husband and I will actually be going in the other direction from DC as we are going much further west - but take your point about elevation. Was curious about the mention of bears. I know we will have a greater chance of encountering a bear the further west we go - but wasn't aware there would be bears so close to DC. Thanks again for all the tips. 🚴‍♀

good video, thanks for making.

Great video. Looking to do the C&O in July. Planning on taking Amtrack to Cumberland. With only 8 slots for bikes on the train can you make a reservation with Amtrack to take your bike.

Great video, thank you. Many questions answered even some I never thought to ask.

Wonderfully informative! Thanks so much for helping me plan my trip this summer.

Great video thanks for posting.

Excellent. Thank you!

Im confused. Does the gap and c+O run into or blend into each other?

You talk like a reporter 😅

Wish Colorado had more rail trails

Thank you!

Excellent review, well done.

I'm looking to do this next year, I'm retired and have a "Lectric" XP 3.0 and I'm reasonably fit. The electric is a comfort. I would love to do camping but I need to charge. I am looking to get extra battery to bump up to 100+ miles. 👍✌🖖🥃thanks for the work of recording this.

great video and explanation...I traveled solo in a family bedroom and it was huge for me...I actually made sweet friends who were in the next roomettes who sat in my room often sharing some great conversations.

I'm thinking of doing the C & O November 17th 2023. Planning on going to Cumberland and back from DC. Curious of what you thought about that judging by the time of year. Also if you knew if water and tunnels were still available to use. I plan to camp the entire time, not worried about bnbs or restaurants just water. Really enjoyed the video it was very informative, thank you!

I’m planning a trip for next year too. I’ll be bookmarking this!

Thanks for this. Truly well done.

Great information, you changed my mind on direction and gave me excellent insight on how to do this trip! Thank you for taking the time and sharing!

I plan to do the GAP/C&O next Spring (2024). I've watched lots of videos and gathered information. This one has answered more of my questions than any I've seen. Thanks for sharing your experience. You have heightened my expectations.

I can make about 35 miles per charge.

I ride an e-bike is there opportunities to charge your bike a long these trails?