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July 12-21: C&O Canal, Washington, DC to Pittsburgh -- a 350-mile tour, mostly camping, some hotels or B&B
We will be following a route that was just completed in the last year or two, making it possible to bike from the center of Washington all the way to Pittsburgh on a trail that follows old canal and rail routes. We will drive our cars to start in DC, park at the airport, and begin our ride. The surface of the trail is "highly variable." Sections are very good, but there are reports of parts that are quite rough with standing water and some mud -- no doubt depending on the weather to some extent. However, most people who have ridden it say that a normal road bike with wider-than-normal tires would work.The riding will be between 40 and 70 miles a day -- which should be relatively easy since there are no steep grades to deal with.
Because this trail goes through relatively developed areas, there is a wealth of services available at virtually every point. Camping is available at numerous public and private sites, including "hiker-biker" campgrounds. But, very close to the trail there are also B&Bs and motels as well as restaurants and stores. We will choose our accomodations as we go along, though some of the camping places have been reserved. We will need touring bikes capable of carrying all our clothes and other supplies since it looks like there will not be anyone accompanying us by car.
Our return to DC will be via the Amtrak train from Pittsburgh. The train leaves at 5:45 am! We've arranged a schedule so that we'll have a day to look around Pittsburgh and retire early in preparation for that early start.
More after the trip. If you have questions, feel free to contact Steve Powell or Andrejs Ozolins
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