CGinOhio

Please do report! We start from Pittsburgh (Boston actually) a week from Saturday, headed for DC. Fully loaded tandem with 700x35c tires. I really hope its dry, otherwise I'm afraid with our weight we may sink into the mud and never be heard from again.
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/CGtour2009

Mister C

I recommend the GAP trail over C&O any day. I have done large sections of the GAP on 25s using two different bikes (touring and cross) and had no issues at all.

I have also done a few sections of C&O on 25s that had a little tread on them. They were ok for the 40 or so unloaded miles I rode that day but I wouldn't recommend them for that trail. I would say a 28mm is probably the minimum I would recommend with 32mm being even better.

I don't have recent data but usually the section leading up to Harper's Ferry (from DC) and around the Paw Paw tunnel are pretty rough. And if it rains you are totally screwed on 25s.

Neil_B

Your impressions match mine. The trail is rough from a few miles out of Cumberland to near Hancock. From Hancock to the bypass south of Williamsport struck me as pretty good. Conditions deteriorate then until you get about 20 miles from DC. Once you are in the 'tourist' stretch, the towpath has a generally well-groomed surface.

Riders may wish to utilize some alternates to the towpath. The Western Maryland Rail Trail from Pearee to near Ft. Frederick is paved and level, and at Williamsport you can take roads leading to Harper's Ferry or Shepardstown.

andydreisch

My wife and I left from Georgetown to Harpers Ferry then up to Antietam in early July on a loaded tandem with 35c's. North of Seneca Falls the trail turned noticeably more difficult even though it hadn't rained for several days before we arrived (we lucked out!) though the week prior there was lots and lots of rain. Still, we bailed at White's Ferry and took the W&OD instead because of the 15-20 miles of total muck above Seneca Falls to White's Ferry simply wore me out. It made for some interesting riding. We fishtailed a whole bunch and nearly lost it once or twice. We had to walk through several patches of ooze.

It seems that from Georgetown to Seneca the trail drains better because it's mixed with crushed gravel and is more open to sunshine. Above Seneca the trail became clay-like and unable to drain. Plus, the tree coverage is much more pronounced.

The following day from Harpers Ferry to Antietam was great.

Overall, I'd think you'd have a real struggle with a loaded tandem on the C&O with rainfall a day or two prior or during your trip. I had multiple Plan Bs available just in case and ended up using one (the W&OD trail) even though we picked the very best time for the ride, weather-wise. You'd do well to plot alternative courses just in case.

One final note: the C&O Canal itself was truly awesome. We loved it, these issues notwithstanding. Have fun on your trip.

Andy

martdwyer

I did cumberland to paw paw last week on a 34 cm cyclocross tire on cyclocross bike---I thought it was not enough tire--next time will use a 35 mountain or 38 urban tire-- the ruts and bumps were bad no mud just rocky terrain with losts of tree limbs going 14-15 mph and hitting one of these was no fun 25's would be impossible

CCrew

That's where I am on this one. We ran it about a month ago on a bet from end to end in a day. I was on a carbon forked cross bike on aired down 32's, and by the 1/2 way point felt like I'd had the living snot beat out of me because we were all about covering ground. Could it be done on 25's? You could probably pick your way through, but I can't see making real time on the trail. The hybrid of her's should do fine.

Next time I take my cross bike up there I'll be on 35's or 38's.

scorch

Well, you guys convinced me. I guess im bailing on the c/o cnal and the road bike. I still would like to do a bicycle trip this labor day.. So i might ride the skyline drive.. but thats really difficult

alhanson

yeah but your roadie is more suited for that! besides skyline is an awesome ride

alhanson

Lower section of the trail was dry as could be. some ruts and roots but not all that bad. North of Harpers ferry was nice. I was surprised to be sure. It wasn't bad at all. That being said I didn't go too far up. Around 15 miles according to the map (I don't do cyclo-computers) Again some ruts and dried puddle holes but nice as would be expected. Pleasant experience. I was on 28's around 80 psi. I lowered it for comfort.

Neil_B

A brief tour report by a road bike rider on the Clydesdale/Athena Forum. His report on the trail echoes that of alhanson. The Historian-haters might want to avoid clicking on the link.....

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=582372