I've done the whole C&O towpath. Best done on a fatter tire bike, especially the western parts where the path gets pretty gnarly with tree roots and ruts. Paw Paw tunnel is a highlight in that area and not to be missed.
Slowly but surely. We are doing it in 25 mile segments for the bike tours. We are working our way North on the towpath, so far we have gone from D.C. to Shepherdstown. I am excited to get to the haunted Paw Paw tunnel. Good to know about the western parts. Thanks.
@@RideandShineBicycling - The last time I was in that area, I spoke to a park ranger. He laughed in telling a story about some bikers coming through on racing bikes with thin tires, criticizing the towpath condition. He said what do you expect, it's a towpath.............
Thanks for posting these videos. They bring back great memories of my 2008 C&O bike ride from Georgetown to Hancock, MD with a hotel stay in Harper’s Ferry after Day 1.
My brother, nephew, and I planned to ride all the way to Cumberland with hotels in Harper’s Ferry and Hancock. We had a cold torrential rain come through, so we stayed in a hotel in Georgetown to wait it out. Towpath was flooded in places. Commitments by all of us caused us to lose the last day from Hancock to Cumberland. We biked 65 miles each day for a total of 130. We want to go back and do the whole ride from Pittsburgh to Georgetown. Thanks again.
Beautiful place to live! The Point of Rocks to Shepherdstown section is one of our favorites on the C&O. I also don't like that detour. Also don't like the surface of the trail in Brunswick-very rocky & uneven Thanks for watching!
Thank you too. The C&O Canal Towpath trail is one of my favorites so far. Here is an article just written about my travels.. www.canaltrust.org/2021/02/canal-story-8-kari-cannistraro/?fbclid=IwAR1BLGMRCFAJtmmmjUjczRpNGYUq38NhfU8PIpqJ8IQGFzAGKKduGtduOFA
I remember in 72 when point of rocks was underwater because of hurricane Agnes. Living in Adamstown we'd bike the 7 mile trip to the c/o to fish and swim in the Potomac every Saturday morning. Now in WV biking these hills everyday. Like the lady said, you're never to old to bike. Shout out to Preston Sailor and Carol King if you're still in the area. 🙂
That section of the towpath was recently resurfaced over the last two years. It used to be just dirt, but now crushed limestone, I think. And I stayed at that lock house a few times... it was fun! Some of the others have more amenities.
That crushed limestone made a big difference. I haven't stayed in a lock house yet, but one day... I love that stretch of the C&O Canal. We have completed 2 more C&O Canal bike tours that haven't been published yet. We are planning 3 more presently and then over time complete the 184.5 miles in roughly 25-mile segments. We will see what adventures will unfold. Thanks for your comment.
If you stay in Virginia you can cross on the US340 bridge from Loudoun Heights or Silver Grove...then after HF head west toward Charles Town and Winchester.
As soon as you get into Point of Rocks there are 2 large parking lots on right coming from route 15. One is a for a public park and the other is just for the C&O. Cross over the railroad tracks and the trail is right there. Hope to see you riding!
Everything is run down shabby and ugly other than the paths themselves with natural beauty. The town are ghetto looking but hey it’s a great way to exercise just install partial blinders.
