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2010-03-30 9:31 PM

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Subject: Bike Trail across MD

Google has a new map feature where you can show bike routes.  I see one that goes pretty much across pretty much across the entire state.  I was just curious what the name of the trail was?  Is there a link somewhere with info on it?  What is the surface made of?



2010-03-30 11:21 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD
C&O Canal, crushed limestone

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2010-03-31 7:32 PM
in reply to: #2759241

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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD
CO Canal - Cumberland to Georgetown.....~184 miles.
If you start in Cumberland its a ~ -.5% grade. There is a 4.5m detour onto the street for a section of trail that's permanently washed out @ mile 84 (Dam #4).

In Hancock there's a bike shop 50 yards off the trail....just in case.

Might be fun to do a sunrise to sunset ride to do the whole thing one way..

2010-03-31 10:13 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD
Whole thing one way one day .... wow that would be tough. 12 MPH is tough to maintain on C&O. I'm not sure that can be done ... maybe on a cross bike. Anyone know anyone who's tried this? I'll throw down on this one: C&O one day can't be done.

BTW, C&O connects at northwest terminus to the Greater Allegheny P-something trail (the GAP trail, also a rails to trails multi-use path) and you can ride that all the way from Georgetown (DC) to Pittsburgh. It is flat the whole way ... can't really detect a rise or fall in either direction, but as mentioned, it is downhill towards DC slightly, following the scenic Potomac river.

Also at Hancock is the middlle of the fantastic 23 mile paved, flat traffic-free Western Maryland Rail Trail ... great place to try out your new tri-bike or get a spin on. From Big Pool to Hancock, WMRT has some crossings and some recreational riding traffic (training wheels with pink barbie helmets to skateboarders and everything in between) but NW of Hancock the rider traffic really thins out and you can get a spin on. From Frederick, WMRT is about forty minutes on I-70, past Hagerstown to the Big Poool exit. I ride the 46 miles out and back pretty often.
2010-04-01 7:40 AM
in reply to: #2759241

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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD
darnit Scott - why you gotta say somethin can't be done like that... you gotta know what that does to a guy.

FWIW - I actually believe it could be done... but it would have to be well planned and well trained-for.  No messin around on long lunch breaks or anything either... but that begs the question... WHY?

I know the answer to that i?s "why not" or "because it's there" or even "because Scott said I couldn't" but my gut is that ?a??? ????????????????????????F?r?i?d?a?y?-??S?u?n?d?a?y? ????????????biking/camping trip be much more enjoyable?/?m?e?m?o?r?a?b?l?e.
2010-04-01 8:40 AM
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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD
I've heard through my tri club that it has been done, but that it takes like 18 hrs and you have to be prepared to start in the dark. From what I heard, the rider had people meet him at prearranged spots for food and water exchanges, etc.


2010-04-01 9:08 AM
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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD
JoshKaptur - 2010-04-01 8:40 AM  ......but my gut is that a biking/camping trip be much more enjoyable/memorable.


My wife and I did this last year over a three day weekend. Cumberland to White's Ferry on 0 training miles and had a blast. This is even with blowing a tire on the trailer and rolling on a flat for 20 miles before we found a bike shop in Sharpsburg, WV (~1 or 2 miles from the trail)

Just make sure you grab a camping spot around 5 or 6 in the evening as the camp sites get taken pretty early. Either that or there are a bunch of B&B's along the trail if you dont want to go the camping group.

In case anyone is wondering if its possible, the guy in the bike shop rode the entire GAP trail --> C&O --> DC in a two day weekend.

Edited by nhunter344 2010-04-01 9:11 AM
2010-04-01 1:52 PM
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2010-04-01 2:03 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD
trotpntbll - 2010-04-01 2:52 PM And how do I find this feature? I've been trying to figure out which roads by me are technically bike routes and don't want to get lost along the way!


go to maps.google.com

Type directions into the search box.  Something like "ellicott city, md to millersville, md"

You'll get a map with a route that has driving directions.

On the left hand column, you'll see a blue shaded box that says "also available -- public transit, cycling"

click cycling and it will give you a new route.

It will also show popular cycling routes in green.

Understand this thing is still in beta.  It has suggested I ride on some pretty unsafe roads before.
2010-04-01 2:10 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD
JoshKaptur - 2010-04-01 3:03 PM
trotpntbll - 2010-04-01 2:52 PM And how do I find this feature? I've been trying to figure out which roads by me are technically bike routes and don't want to get lost along the way!


go to maps.google.com

Type directions into the search box.  Something like "ellicott city, md to millersville, md"

You'll get a map with a route that has driving directions.

On the left hand column, you'll see a blue shaded box that says "also available -- public transit, cycling"

click cycling and it will give you a new route.

It will also show popular cycling routes in green.

Understand this thing is still in beta.  It has suggested I ride on some pretty unsafe roads before.


Maybe that's just Google's way of telling you to go play in traffic?  Laughing
2010-04-01 2:23 PM
in reply to: #2763411

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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD
trotpntbll - 2010-04-01 2:52 PM And how do I find this feature? I've been trying to figure out which roads by me are technically bike routes and don't want to get lost along the way!

Another way:

On the top of the map there is a box labeled "More..."; hover on it and it will open to reveal several check boxes for things to show on all maps; check-mark the one for 'Bicycling'


2010-04-01 2:32 PM
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2010-04-01 5:27 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD

Thanks for the info.  I was hoping it was a tri bike friendly trail.

Anyone have any good, safe routes around Frederick?  I have family that lives there and want to visit but am getting ready to trainf or IMKY.  I would hate to get there and have no where safe to ride.

2010-04-01 10:17 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD
kproudfoot - 2010-04-01 6:27 PM

Thanks for the info.  I was hoping it was a tri bike friendly trail.

Anyone have any good, safe routes around Frederick?  I have family that lives there and want to visit but am getting ready to trainf or IMKY.  I would hate to get there and have no where safe to ride.



I'm in New Market, in Frederick County.  I ride alot on MD-75 and MD-26 (Liberty road).  It's 2 lanes and the shoulders are very wide, so I never worry too much.  In and around the Libertytown area is good - not too much traffic.  One warning: it's freaking hilly (and often windy).  Cheers,
Josh
2010-04-01 11:47 PM
in reply to: #2759241

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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD
<<<< Frederick Guy. I know some good stuff.... My regular roadie is up Gambrill park road all the way past Mink Farm Road, down Catoctin Hollow into THurmont, then through covered bridges and Bethel Road back into Frederick, Up Hamburg Road and back home. 40-60 miles of very scenic riding and very few cars. Another great riding area is south of Middletown MD, between Burkittsville and Braddock Heights. Same story ... rolling hills, chip seal, streams and cows. Or Poolesville. Poolesville Sugarloaf is great. And this August is the first annual Tour de Frederick ... 3 days of supported rides and events, put on by Spokes Magazine (*and proud corporate sponsor Fairchild Aerospace!). Also, there was a BT ride two weekends ago that covered 60 miles of rollers in between New Market, Damascus and Ellicot City from Glen Elg High School, but I could not find my way through that without a map.

The Bicycle Escape website has some good "Where to Ride" info, or stop in at WheelBase downtown or see Brian at Bike Doctor Frederick.

This weekend I'm running on Saturday but riding on Sunday 4/4 ... most weekends I am good for a ride ...  so post up in here and let me know if you want to go sometime.



Edited by jsselle 2010-04-01 11:56 PM
2010-04-02 5:35 AM
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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD

Thanks for the info.  I will definately post something if I make the trip.



2010-04-02 2:17 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD

About the C&O, most normal (non-tri) people do it in 3+ days.  If you do it in 3, you have hotels to stay at for all 3 nights - Cumberland, Hancock, Harper's Ferry.  It's a wonderful feeling, being clean and full, to start your next day.  I have always talked about doing it in two, and may be doing it the weekend of June 24th.  The logistics are what make this a pain.  Anyway, for those interested, there's a lot of information on planning out all 184.5 miles at BikeWashington.org.  I have done this twice thus far, it's a fun trip. 

I've been the main planner for both of my group trips, and can answer most questions about it.

I can't imagine doing it in one day.  It's a slow riding trail.



Edited by kalalau 2010-04-02 2:30 PM
2010-04-03 10:16 AM
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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD
It can not be done in one.

If you do it in two, you can crash in our basement, though.
2010-04-03 10:56 AM
in reply to: #2759241

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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD
Shouldn't a mountain or hybrid bike be used on this?  When I run it, some sections are fairly smooth for a rock and dirt surface, and some are pretty rough. Can't imagine taking my road bike very long on it.
2010-04-03 5:36 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD
I live at Point of Rocks, MD which is literally walking distance from my doorstep to the C&O Canal mile 45 mile mark of the trail and though the farthes I've ever rode was 10 miles out to the 55 mile mark in Brunswick, MD and back on my mountain bike, while resting Brunswick, MD last year, I met a cyslist who told me he was going to try it in two days, but he doubted he would be able to make it since he started at Cumberland and was already on day 2 and still had well many more miles to go...it was about close to noon when he was at Brunswick mile 55 mark....he told me that the last time he did it, it took him 4 days and that includes camping on the side of the trail and starting out real early and finishing the day real late and also timing it to when we have most daylight etc....I don';t know how fast that cyclist rode his bike; however, one day would be very difficult I would think but then again, I'm no touring cyclist...I just ride my mountain bike at the C&O mainly for fun.  It would be very interesting to know if anyone has done it in one day...that is an amazing feat since just like jselle mentioned, it is hard to go real fast on the C&O Canal specially the closer you get to DC because of casual recreational cyclist, children riding, trail runners and hikers....
2010-04-03 5:40 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD
I think it can be done in one. Suspension is nice but not necessary IMO. I think a cross bike is perfect and a hybrid shod with streetish tires .... something with a little more than a slick would do it. A hybrid works too. I'm thinking 16mph is reasonable on a hybrid. Of course if its raining all bets are off.

6A-8P with 2 hours for food, flatulence and a dip in the river.



2010-04-03 5:42 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD
jsselle - 2010-04-02 12:47 AM <<<< Frederick Guy. I know some good stuff.... My regular roadie is up Gambrill park road all the way past Mink Farm Road, down Catoctin Hollow into THurmont, then through covered bridges and Bethel Road back into Frederick, Up Hamburg Road and back home. 40-60 miles of very scenic riding and very few cars. Another great riding area is south of Middletown MD, between Burkittsville and Braddock Heights. Same story ... rolling hills, chip seal, streams and cows. Or Poolesville. Poolesville Sugarloaf is great. And this August is the first annual Tour de Frederick ... 3 days of supported rides and events, put on by Spokes Magazine (*and proud corporate sponsor Fairchild Aerospace!). Also, there was a BT ride two weekends ago that covered 60 miles of rollers in between New Market, Damascus and Ellicot City from Glen Elg High School, but I could not find my way through that without a map.

The Bicycle Escape website has some good "Where to Ride" info, or stop in at WheelBase downtown or see Brian at Bike Doctor Frederick.

This weekend I'm running on Saturday but riding on Sunday 4/4 ... most weekends I am good for a ride ...  so post up in here and let me know if you want to go sometime.



Jeselle, Brian at the Bike Doctor in Frederick is prety cool man!  I deal with him a lot and bug him with newbie questions and he is always real nice!  Hope I bump into you when you go there...I got my mountain bike from them and sold my old Fausto Coppi that I got in Spain in 1997 to the other guy that works there...forgot his name....
2010-04-03 11:14 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD

jsselle - 2010-04-03 11:16 AM It can not be done in one.

If you do it in two, you can crash in our basement, though.

Is this a serious offer? :-)  Where along the trail are you?

2010-04-03 11:17 PM
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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD

Terps421 - 2010-04-03 11:56 AM Shouldn't a mountain or hybrid bike be used on this?  When I run it, some sections are fairly smooth for a rock and dirt surface, and some are pretty rough. Can't imagine taking my road bike very long on it.

On one of our trips, one guy started out with a road bike, and at one of our stops, an outfitter company guy was laughing so hard at his attempt that he felt pretty self conscious about it.  That guy lasted one day.  The trail gets pretty muddy in spots further out west, it can get pretty slippery in spots even with a hybrid or mountain bike.

I want to see someone try it in a day. :-)  I suppose it is possible, because there's a story of someone running the whole thing. 

Ok, it says here that the record for one day is 11:41 for a supported ride, and 12:36 for an unsupported ride.  BikeWashington.org



Edited by kalalau 2010-04-03 11:19 PM
2010-04-04 5:26 AM
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Subject: RE: Bike Trail across MD
kalalau - 2010-04-04 12:17 AM

Ok, it says here that the record for one day is 11:41 for a supported ride, and 12:36 for an unsupported ride.  BikeWashington.org



It's amazing how some one did it in one day and only in 11:41 hrs and the other individual in only 12:36 hrs!  How fast were these SOBs going???  Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter...they just did it!  Thanks for the research Kalalau!
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