C&O turned GAP Adventure! September 28-30, 2018

The Bicycle Escape planned to host another guided C&O Canal trip September 28-30, 2018. Due to poor conditions this trip will be UPGRADED to the GAP at the SAME $285 price.

Welcome to The Bicycle Escape’s Fall Adventure, September 28, 29 and 30.

We want to ride and we think you do too! So instead of slogging through the wet muddy, miserable conditions of the C&O Canal, we have UPGRADED our upcoming Adventure to The Great Allegheny Passage, (The GAP) at no extra charge!

Here’s what you need to know.

The GAP is beautiful! The riding surface is packed, crushed limestone so it’s fast and easy to pedal. We are riding 114 miles (22 day 1; 49 day 2; 43 day 3) which includes a slight, very doable, incline and concludes with a refreshing 25-mile descent. Since we’re staying at private campgrounds, we’ll enjoy hot showers, flush toilets and other amenities. We are still providing great service, incredible food, transportation, mechanic support, and daily briefings so you won’t miss a thing.

–Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6:30-7:30 pm There will be an informational meeting to answer questions you might have.

–Friday, Sept. 28, 8-8:30 am The Adventure begins! Arrive at the C&O Canal Visitor Center, 13 Canal St. Cumberland, MD (exit 43C) ready to ride. Your bike and gear will be loaded and we’ll have coffee, a briefing, and board the bus for West Newton, PA where you can grab a bite before the ride. (If you are looking for Thursday night lodging in Cumberland, consider staying at “9 Decatur Guest House & Hostel” where rooms are $79 per night. (9decaturguesthouse.com)

Please have a professional bike mechanic ready your ride and make sure you have a spare tube in case of flats. It’s just more fun when everyone is ready to go. Contact The Bicycle Escape if you have questions, 301.663.0007 or email Tom@TheBicycleEscape.com, Roger@TheBicycleEscape.com

Equipment list for riders (this event is a “green” ride so plan to wash and reuse dinnerware):
– Cup, plate, spoon, fork (wash & re-use only)
– Tent, sleeping bag, pad and bug spray
– Flashlight
– Clothes for on and off the bike
– Bathing suit for bucket baths
– Rain gear
– Personal grooming accessories
– Extra tube(s), patch kit and pump for flat tires
– Bike bag attached to bicycle to carry snacks and extra clothing for each day’s ride
– Cash for meals (cash is generally preferred in small towns)
– Photo ID and insurance card

This is a rain or shine event and the full deposit must be received at registration. Sorry, but there are NO REFUNDS unless The Bicycle Escape cancels the ride. There will be an important pre-ride meeting in September to help you prepare for the ride. Only 30 riders can join the group. A ride with this much adventure is sure to sell out, so register soon! Register by phone at 301-663-0007 or stop by the shop to provide payment and secure your spot.

Original Plan Below:

This is a 3-day, two night, hassle free, ride-at-your-own-pace adventure. It will provide you a great opportunity to ride 110 miles of the beautiful, flat C&O Canal without lugging your gear. Let us secure your campground, prepare your food, and haul your equipment. Two homemade, high quality, tasty breakfast meals will be provided, along with a homemade spaghetti dinner. We will also provide snacks and drinks to take with you on the trail. When you arrive at the campsites, your gear will be safe and sound, and ready for set up. Registration is available for $285 per rider. Please note that we are not able to offer refunds on trip tickets. Non-riders are welcome too! If there is a non-cyclist in your life they can come along for the fun. The non-rider package is just $60 with the purchase of a rider ticket. Non-riders are responsible for their own transportation. Please call The Bicycle Escape at (301.663.0007) to make your payment and secure your spot on the trip.

Participants can expect the following itinerary:

Each day begins with a briefing and riders are given a cue sheet with specific points of interest and exact mileage information.

Meet at Shepherd University 9:00am –

We will meet on Friday, September 29th at 9:00 am at Shepherd University (301 N King St, Shepherdstown, WV 25443) in parking lot H (map). We will provide you with a parking pass. This pass must be displayed on your dashboard. The bus departs at 10:00 am sharp and will be approximately 1.5 hours long.

Day 1: 28 miles – Cumberland, MD to Paw Paw, WV
Leave your car in Shepherdstown, WV. Bicycles and riders are transported to Cumberland, MD where we’ll eat lunch ($) and begin the ride. Camping gear is transported by SAG support to Paw Paw, WV, where we will set up camp, have a snack and take time to tour the Paw Paw Tunnel. Grab a meal ($) in Paw Paw then back to camp for a relaxing camp fire.

Day 2: 46.2 miles – Paw Paw, WV to McCoy’s Ferry
Rise and shine, break down camp and enjoy a homemade breakfast of coffee and juice, bacon and made-to-order pancakes. Pack some snacks, fill your water bottles and enjoy the ride. This will be a great riding day with choice of 2 quaint towns for lunch ($), tour a pre-revolutionary war fort, and pass numerous historic structures before ending the day at McCoy’s Ferry. Take a moment to set up your tent, swim in the river, relax by the fire, play games or read a book before our dinner of spaghetti with choice of homemade sauces, bread, salad and dessert.

Day 3: 37.2 miles- McCoy’s Ferry to Shepherdstown, WV
Enjoy another gourmet breakfast of eggs made-to-order, yogurt, fruit, coffee and juice. Pack some snacks, fill your bottles and off you go at your own pace. Enjoy lunch in Williamsport, MD ($) where you’ll find several fine restaurants.. The ride this day is beautiful, with the newly built Big Slackwater bridges and trail right on the river. The Excellent Adventure will end when you arrive back in Shepherdstown for a final snack. At this point you are welcome to head home or take some time to enjoy the wonderful historic atmosphere of Shepherdstown.

 

KEY:
($) Indicates an item paid for by the rider

Here are some pictures from our past adventures.