C&O Canal Trail on a recumbent trike?
04-06-23, 07:29 AM
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C&O Canal Trail on a recumbent trike?
Looking to ride this trail with my wife. Did the GAP a few years ago. Have any of you ridden the trail in the last few years? My wife has MS and rides a recumbent trike and can ride up to about 35 miles a day. My question is how rough is the trail? Is it smooth like the GAP or does it have a lot of parallel single tracks with a grass/dirt crest? On a trike this makes riding a lot more difficult. Thanks for any advice you can provide.
04-06-23, 07:56 AM
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Conditions change though so hopefully someone with more recent knowledge can provide better knowledge.
04-06-23, 01:14 PM
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I have not been on it in quite a while. I can say that the conditions change a fair amount from one section to another, and are very subject to the weather. As stated above, I can see it be a bit difficult for a rider such as your wife. I do not know the area well enough to give specifics, but do a search for bike shops that would be relatively close to the trail, They may be able to give more recent info. The last time I checked out a section, I did not ride it due to it being very wet.
04-06-23, 01:31 PM
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Off topic, but I read recently that the NPS is no longer treating the water from several wells. Might want to check the official site to plan accordingly. I’m
04-19-23, 07:13 AM
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04-30-23, 05:19 PM
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Looking to ride this trail with my wife. Did the GAP a few years ago. Have any of you ridden the trail in the last few years? My wife has MS and rides a recumbent trike and can ride up to about 35 miles a day. My question is how rough is the trail? Is it smooth like the GAP or does it have a lot of parallel single tracks with a grass/dirt crest? On a trike this makes riding a lot more difficult. Thanks for any advice you can provide.
Hancock to Williamsport and a bit past, is better. Once you get about 6 miles from Shepherdstown, you will enjoy the new stone mixture that is very similar to the GAP.
I've seen many recumbent trike riders on the C&O, even before the trail's stones were changed over. It's doable, just have to watch out for rain on the western portion of the trail.
Hope you have a great ride!
