The 2017 C&O Canal Excellent Adventure will take place June 9-11 2017. This is a 3-day, two night, hassle free, ride-at-your-own-pace group camping adventure which will provide you a great opportunity to ride 110 miles of the beautiful, flat C&O Canal without lugging your gear. You won’t have to find a campground, make your meals, or decide what’s happening next, because we’ve planned everything. Two homemade, high quality, tasty breakfasts will be provided, along with a homemade spaghetti dinner. Take-along snacks with bottled water goes with you on the trail. When you arrive at the campsites, your gear is safe and sound ready for set up. You ride when you want, rest where you want, and see what you want on this C&O Canal Excellent Adventure.
Participants can expect the following itinerary:
Day 1, 30 miles- Cumberland, MD to Paw Paw, WV: Leave your car in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Bicycles and riders are bused to Cumberland, Maryland where we’ll eat lunch ($) and begin the ride. Camping gear is transported by SAG support to mile 155, Paw Paw, West Virginia, where we will set up camp and take time to tour the tunnel. Join the group for a meal ($) at an Italian restaurant in Paw Paw then back to camp for a relaxing camp fire.
Day 2, 45 miles- Paw Paw, WV (please note that the tunnel itself is closed for renovations) to McCoy’s Ferry: Rise and shine at 9am, break down camp and enjoy a homemade breakfast of coffee and juice, pancakes and bacon. Pack some snacks, fill your water bottles and enjoy the ride. Lunch suggestion: Little Orleans (mile 142), where you’ll find a cool bar and restaurant ($). Check out Fort Frederick (mile 113) and finally meet the group at McCoy’s Ferry Campground (mile 110) where we have reservations. Take a moment to set up your tent, swim in the river, relax by the fire, or read a book before our dinner of spaghetti with homemade tomato sauce, meatballs and sausage (if desired), salad and dessert.
Day 3, 35 miles- McCoy’s Ferry to Shepherdstown WV: Breakfast at 9am, break down camp and enjoy a breakfast of coffee, juice, oatmeal and fruit. Pack some snacks, fill your bottles and off you go at your own pace. Lunch suggestion: Williamsport, MD (mile 99) where you’ll find several restaurants and bars ($). The ride this day is beautiful, with the newly built Big Slackwater bridges and trail right on the river. The Excellent Adventure will end around 4pm with a fun party at a really unusual restaurant in Shepherdstown called the Blue Moon Café ($). You can join the group there if you’d like or head home.
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)
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 May to help you prepare for the ride. Only 25 riders can join the group and it’s a first come, first served Excellent Adventure. A ride with this much adventure is sure to sell out, so register soon! Register below, and give us a call at 301-663-0007 or stop by the shop to provide payment and secure your spot.
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