3 Mistakes I Made While BIKEPACKING THE GAP TRAIL

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A few days into bikepacking the GAP and C&O, I realized I would have done things a little bit differently.
1. Using a compact air mattress like the Nemo Tensor would have slimmed down my rig a little bit.
amzn.to/31Fva7e ( I use the insulated, regular mummy model)
2. Park your vehicle at the Grant Transportation Center downtown. It will make things much easier.
3. Allow yourself time to hang out. It’s worth spending an extra day of vacation time. Don’t cheapen your outdoor experience by rushing.
Have you ridden the trail recently? What do you think?
Hit me up with questions or comments.
Here are the bikepacking bags I used for the trip:
- The Frame Pack I use (and love) amzn.to/3Axtb6H
- The Saddle Bag I use (and love) amzn.to/3bze95H
- If I did it again I may go with this smaller version amzn.to/3y4nzO9
- I used this cockpit bag but the zipper has gone bad amzn.to/3I2JABD

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16 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 51

@12799MaDeuce Год назад

2 tips: 1) there's a new Target grocery store downtown if you need food 2) park a car at the First Avenue parking garage - it has direct access to the trail about a mile before the end, and there's a bike service shop right next door

@Shindig7189 4 года назад

Great advice - I'm planning on the DC to Pittsburgh trip next year to celebrate my 50th revolution around the sun. I've started researching the trip, and videos like yours are tremendously helpful, thank you! I always try to make about the trip and not the destination. Pedal on brother!

@noahpehowic6080 Год назад

I'll be biking the GAP trail from Pittsburgh to Cumberland and then back (a 300-mile total trip). I've planned for about 25-30 miles per day, and I feel like I could do more per day because I feel like that'll be taking it too slow and will make it less of an accomplishment, but this helps me to feel better about taking it slower and covering less ground every day in order to save time for other interesting things that I may come across. Thanks for the advice!

@outthereinit Год назад

Happy to help. The other thing to consider is that its an easy route to modify. If you do want to ride a little extra, just go to the next town or campsite. If you're having a good time somewhere, stay and hang out and you'll easily be able to make up the time if you want to.

@NateFastBikes 4 года назад

Did the GAP in one day in October because it has always been a goal of mine. I definitely want to take it slow now that I knocked that goal out. Great video man! Subbed!

@HiSpeeedLoDrag 3 месяца назад

If you cross and go to the southside of Pittsburgh there are plenty of food options and a bike shop at the Highline. You can connect to three rivers heritage trail through the color park.

@Sean-bq2zy Год назад

As a former DC resident I spent a lot of time cycling in and around DC and on the C&O near DC. One of my dreams was always to ride the C&O and GAP the full length. I can't agree more with the advice to spend time in the cities and little towns along the way. In DC alone, there are a multitude of bike trails to explore, and along the way opportunities for other adventure, including some legendary kayaking in Great Falls (if you're brave or stupid enough), and on the Youghioheny river near Ohiopyle on the GAP. I am finally planning an extended trip just under three weeks next spring (2023) to explore and adventure between my hometown and Pittsburgh on this legendary ride. Thanks for the advice and great content.

@tonyandginastrauss7871 3 года назад

great advice at the end to slow down and enjoy the trip.

@c_steve_j 4 года назад

Thank you Thank you Thank you! Your point #3 is dead on! Finally, someone who gets it! I'm doing the GAP this year and I am going to take whatever time it takes. BYOA!!! Bike Your Own Adventure!!! If you're not going to soak it all in then why go? Thanks .....

@outthereinit 3 года назад

I appreciate the response Steve. Its an endless battle, and I'm fighting it right now. The more "serious" I get with my career, the less I bike. Balance is tough. I actually want to make video on that thought alone.

@Minnesota_Matt Год назад

Well done. Thanks for the excellent advice.

@gmyers107 3 года назад

Thanks for the great tips! Especially the cold beer in a new town. Beer always taste better after a ride. I’d say better than airport beer! 😂 Keep riding n exploring 👊. Geo

@outthereinit 3 года назад

Thanks Geo, You too! The last trip I was on didn't have the option for cold beer during the evenings (because we were fairly remote) and, to be honest, it felt disappointing.

@coreygillum12 4 года назад

Great attitude bro. Can't tell you how many times I say the same thing to myself backpacking or bike packing. Sssssllllllooooowwwww ddddddoooowwwwnnn and enjoy it.

@indybikeman1 2 года назад

Yes. Stop and smell the roses.

@E.D.B Год назад

Dude great video! You deserve more subscribers!

@toddwz 3 года назад

Really appreciate your list the 3 things in video description.

@RavelloBikes 3 года назад

Klymit makes a one pound (450G) inflatable sleeping pad at a third of the Nemo pad price.

@jameslovasziii6917 4 года назад

I’m going to guess from this video you are from the west coast? But it’s definitely crazy to me after watching so many videos on the GAP trail how many people travel from all over just to ride it. I’m old enough to slightly remember when trains use to run up and down what is now the trail. I remember it being nothing for a while and lucky enough to see it transformed into what it is today. I originally grew up in Dickerson Run about 6 miles down river from Connellsville and rode that almost everyday in my teens. Now I’ll be 40 on May 29th and live further down river in West Newton and bike the trail with my wife and 3 kids! So awesome to have something like the GAP trail that only takes me 3 minutes to ride to from my house!!

@outthereinit 3 года назад

Hi James, I know I'm terribly late on this reply, but I appreciate your comment. The transformation and growth of our cycling world is nothing short of astounding. I can't imagine what it would feel like to remember trains on that route. But I am so grateful that these paths are growing in length, accessibility and quality- Even near my little home town of Dalton, Ohio. (The Towpath Trail) Thats where I was raised and lived until my mid 20's. Since that time I have been out West, initially chasing singletrack and living in Moab and spending most of my time in the Southwest. Recently I've moved to Idaho and have a whole new world to explore. Now that I've been away from home for awhile, its a great feeling to go back to the midwest and eastern regions to explore areas that were so close to my when I was young, but had no idea how special they were.

@Maryam-ue3vw 2 года назад

Very helpful, Many thanks!

@jimfox4707 4 года назад

Your Advise is Good Stuff. Excess Gear traveling like is a Pain. And Added Time is a sure positive. Having traveled by vehicle widely. You need time to visit places along your path more throughly. And aways find local “Mom & Pop” Restaurants to eat in. They add great memories to any trip. And eat the local specialty’s. They are treats for the spirit and soul.

@MishaDaBear 2 года назад

Why not just park at the Trail Inn and Campground at Frostburg. I'd park the car there as well as staying there 2 or 3 nights (arrival, mid, and maybe departure) that way you can divide the trip into 2 parts with a resupply/dumping option in the middle. As for your foam sleeping pad that is not a thermarest which is a self inflatable pad, but instead a RidgeRest. I use and carry 2 of the RidgeRests (one full, and one ¾ length) their size is not an issue on a loaded touring setup which is not bikepacking. I know that pure bikepacking is minimalistic but mass matters more than volume. My tent, sleeping bag and RidgeRests are nessled behind me on the top of my rack over the panniers

@SheDreamtSheWas 3 года назад

If you park in the strip district or the north shore of Pittsburgh its cheaper. Just make sure overnight parking is ok. Biking is hard when your trying to get out of the city. Especially the south hills. Also you can take a bus they have bike racks.

@EarlyDawnTravels 4 года назад

Helpful video! I was aiming for 4 days! And you said 11!!! 😂... true words about what I call slow travel.

@ruthmiller254 4 года назад

Thanks for the advice! I kind of wish you would have turned around to let us see that awesome looking sunset (or sunrise) reflected in your sunglasses! Can’t wait to ride this trail myself.

@spaceghost8995 3 года назад

I have had to cut back and maybe cease my backpacking because of a bad ankle. However, it doesn't botherme too much when biking so I may try this adventure or one similar this summer!

@williamwade7059 3 года назад

You're absolutely correct, I avoid all trips that have no wiggle room. When someone says I plan to ride x miles per day that's a deal breaker for me.

@davehollick3646 2 года назад

You could park at south hills village mall and take the “T” (light rail) downtown.

@shaunc5102 3 года назад

Hey man, just meet you in Rofo in Baltimore MD! Keep it going brother

@lancecrawley9542 3 года назад

Thanks!!!

@christianhasser7441 4 года назад

Plan on making this trip as soon as life opens back up. Just curious you said you favorite thing was going into towns and cities after a day of biking. What were your favorite towns/cities.

@outthereinit 3 года назад

As I hinted, I was impressed with both Pitt and D.C., but thats too easy of an answer. From a historical perspective, Harpers Ferry was really cool. A big section of the town is basically like a museum. In addition, Ohio Pyle would have been a great place to add some extra adventure, ideally rafting. Hope that helps.

@swampymaan 5 лет назад

keep rollin'

@Bikepacking 5 лет назад

good info

@RosserRuns 3 года назад

I just found and subbed. I look forward to your new content. Any new videos coming soon?

@bluemountaindrivepae 3 года назад

Lock the bikes up and leave them downtown Pittsburgh. Take a bus to the Waterworks Walmart. Easy, safe but not quick.

@chrisfyb 4 года назад

Park downtown next time. Near the jail or even in the Northside somewhere you could street park for a few days. Last thing you wanna do after a ride, is ride more haha.

@armaankureshi4993 3 года назад

I plan on doing this trip in the summer. What type of bike(s) would you recommend? Thank you for the tips:)

@bluemountaindrivepae 3 года назад

Hybrid with a basket.

@bradleybeall4670 3 года назад

How about pedals - flats or clipless? My clipless are MTB so no issue walking.

@outthereinit 3 года назад

This is a great question and there's no right or wrong. I started clipless when I first got hooked on biking and then migrated to flats. In my guiding days, it made sense to be on flats because of how much of my day was spent with other tasks- driving, hiking, cooking at camp, crawling on top of the trucks and vans, etc. And that casual feeling of being in flats has just stuck with me. The final say is how comfortable you are.