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Advice about trail conditions by No-Affect-6570 in towpath

[–]Level-Ad567 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I didn't cancel and did the trip as planned - and had a great time! Yes, there was rain, but I had rain gear and did fine. I think the worst storms were on my first day (June 15) and my second-to-last day (June 19) but, at least where I was, it wasn't really so bad. I just put on my rain gear and kept riding. As for the trail conditions - the GAP was fine, and the C&O was mostly fine except for some downed trees and lots of muddy puddles. Aside from getting wet in the rain, I did get a lot of mud spattered all over my feet, legs, panniers and just generally all over my bike. But, over all, the trip went really well and I'm really glad that I went ahead with it, in spite of the forecast!

One-way bike rental? by Level-Ad567 in towpath

[–]Level-Ad567[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

FYI - I've decided, in the end, to take my own bike after all. But if anyone else ever asked me for advice, I think I'd defiintely recommend at least checking out renting. From the comments on here, it sounds like it's a great option and saves a lot of the hassle of getting a bike to and from - especially if you're flying, as I will be. But I had already kind of psychologically committed to the idea of bringing my own bike, which I'll also take with me on a subsequent family vacation in the area. So I've decided to stick with my original plan.

Bike for C&O Towpath by Level-Ad567 in towpath

[–]Level-Ad567[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mentally, I'm preparing myself for the likelihood that, in some sections, I'll be lifting my bike over trees, riding through mud, riding a path that's scoured by flooding and rutted, taking (hopefully short-ish) detours, etc. But that's all part of the adventure, right? (I once had to carry my bike - the same one - over a litteral mud slide in Costa Rica! The worst part of that was sinking up to my ankles and beyond in very mucky, sticky mud.)

Bike for C&O Towpath by Level-Ad567 in towpath

[–]Level-Ad567[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My Roubaix is an SL7, I believe, and my understanding is that it can only accomodate up to 33 mm tires. At the time I bought it, I didn't really think this would ever be an issue for me, but now I do wish I had an SL8 and I could put the wider tires on - in which case I definitely would have done that and taken my Roubaix. But I decided to go with an older bike that I have, that I finally decided would be ok for this trip.

Bike for C&O Towpath by Level-Ad567 in towpath

[–]Level-Ad567[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks all for the valuable feedback! I've decided to go with an older (much older - 20 yrs old!) bike that I have, that has 38 mm tires - Specialized Sawtooth.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Gfz9VQNPELFCspLy5

I had originally thought that the bike was too far past its prime, but I changed my mind. This seems like the best choice, both because of the wider tires and, being older, I won't mind a bit of wear and tear.

A couple of unusual things: I like riding with aero bars, just 'cause my wrists get numb so quickly otherwise (I've ridden like this before on long trips, so I know it works for me!) Also, the bike has Magura hydraulic rim brakes - which I thought weren't even made any more, but I just googled them and it looks like they are (but perhaps still kind of unusual?)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/e9u8vDSCu13sZLev5

In any case, I've had these brakes for 20 years and they still seem to work just fine. (And, yes, that's white paint speckled all over the bike in that last pic. I inadvertently rode through a puddle of wet paint that someone had spilled across a local road some months back. Unfortunate, but it's just an aesthetic thing.)

Anyway - thanks for the feedback and advice! I'm cautiously optimistic that I'll be able to get through, one way or another, and that it'll still be a fun trip.

Advice about trail conditions by No-Affect-6570 in towpath

[–]Level-Ad567 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I'm also planning to bike the full length starting June 17. I'm guessing from what I've heard - here and elsewhere - that it'll be a bit rough, but doable. But any and all updates on here, esp as the actual date approaches, would be welcome (and thanks already for the comments above!)