The Great Ride Video
 

See it before it is gone

https://www.wqed.org/ride

Really nice video. Makes me realize how fortunate I am to have this great trail right in my back yard.

But I can't believe they glossed over the steam engine in Frostburg. That train is one of the true marvels along the trail. And I would have liked to Lynn and her place at the Youghshore Inn (but that is probably worth a whole video on its own ;;) ).

I want to put that ride on my bucket list.

in all seriousness, as a Canadian who really doesnt know much about this trail, where is it going?
Is it going to be not used as a bike trail soon?

The video is going away at the end of the month. ;)

righto
I thought it was a budget cut thing/somethingorother that your govt is wont to do.

Why do you need to through politics into a really nice video?

And for your information the Great Allegheny Passage part of the trail is almost all funded my donations and maintained by the hard work of lots of volunteers.

Well I'm hooked! That's a beautiful ride. Now I just need to convince my wife to do it with me. Are there campgrounds scattered along the trail? I noticed they mentioned one or two towards the beginning of the video.

I figure you are joking, but as a Canadian who from afar, really didnt understand the whole govt shutdown thing, I didnt know that about the trail.

The GAP and C&O are two separate animals which connect in Cumberland, MD. The latter is, in fact, a government-run facility:

https://www.nps.gov/choh/index.htm

As a US western states MTB person, we lose access to trails we have rode and maintained for decades every year, it seems. Seeing it on KQED, it might be reasonable.

To OP:

Thank you for posting the video.

Both free and paid. Many people do it but I would not recommend camping on the C&O. Too wet and too many bugs. ;)

Don't camp at the State Park in Ohiopyle. It is a steep rocky climb up to the campsite. And once you get the the campsite there is more up to get to the office to pay. Other than that the camping is pretty good if you don't mind trains. ;)

P,M. me if you decide to do and and would like some help at the Pittsburgh end.

I think it makes those that have done it realize how pretty it really is. The drone shots really add to the beauty. We get a look at something we don't get to see from trail level.

there are several free campsites along the trail, also a number of other camping areas close to the trail that are all very reasonably priced. Probably my favorite place to camp near the trail is the Yough Outflow campground, $8 for hikers/bikers.

Gee I wish I had mentioned that. ;)

https://www.bikeforums.net/20849141-post12.html

I like the KOA outside of Connellsville, Super clean (or was when I was there) facilities and very pretty spot right along the river.

Someone mentioned trains. My natural reaction is to post the short video I took while camping at Husky Haven in Rockwood along the GAP. Turn up the volume to get the realistic experience. It's actually a very nice spot. Lots of trees and free firewood. There is a bath house with shower and bike cleaning station across the river in the center of town. IIRC, $10/night.

I grew up a couple of blocks from a line on the Long Island Railroad, so I'm OK with that. But then again, I've lived in Florida for 26 years...

Loved the video. I grew up further north but in similar terrain so watching the video was like a visit to my hometown. Yes, eastern mountains are subdued but beautiful.

That tain you hear is actually Amtrak's Capitol Limited from D.C. to Chicago. It was really loud. The hilly terrain on either side amplifies the sound.

There are at least two grade crossings in town. By federal law, trains have to sound their horns unless what is called a "quiet zone" has been established. Establishing a quiet zone entails a lot of regulatory compliance and often significant expense, which is why you mostly find them in well off municipalities. Train traffic died down at night, (It was a Sunday), although it sounded like there was an industry in town that was doing its own plant switching. Had a long day the next day so I was out of my tent at 5:00. By 5:45 three freights had gone through.

One neat thing was that it was the weekend after Labor Day. I saw almost no through riders the three days I was on the GAP. I had Husky Haven all to myself. And that evening at dusk I heard an owl in the trees. Maybe 15 minutes later I was sitting at my picnic table when a small owl pounced on a chipmunk scurrying around the base of a tree stump that was maybe 12' from me. Nature in action.

i loved my ride of the GAP and every time you post this video it reminds me of first night on my first (only so far) bike tour. i was sleeping in a hammock and the train shook the trees and shook me in the hammock :) i have yet to do the C&O but good to hear that it might be better to plan places to stay in doors on that one.

But LOTS of bugs ;)

I dunno, but the whole mosquitoes and Hogwarts Express sleep depriving stuff just ain't doing the sales job for me folks.