C&O Gear

[jon_baler]

In one month, I'm doing the C&O and GAP unsupported from Pittsburgh to DC. A couple of questions:

I'm leaning towards taking my single speed mountain bike. What gear ratio would you recommend? Currently running 42x16 on 26" tires for commuting, and seems good. Took it on a short casual trip last weekend, but this trip will be tougher/longer.

My buddy is taking his 29er, and my 2nd choice would be my Surly pacer. We are looking at 700 cross tires. What tire width would you recommend? My pacer can take up to 32, which seems narrow. I'm a bigger guy, and will be carrying my gear.

thanks in advance

[wrench177]

I've done this trip several times and I'd say it all depends on the weather. First time I did it, the weather was perfect and the trails were dry. Under these conditions a road bike with 32's would be fine. I have also done it where it rained for 3 of the 4 days and the path was choked with mud. Under these conditions, the MTB with narrow tires is the way to go. SS should not be an issue as the trail is basically flat. You do have all long gradual climb into Cumberland, but it's not that bad and spread out over a long distance. After Cumberland, it's all downhill.

We stayed in hotels at night. Did not camp. If I were doing it again and had the bikes you have, I would go with the 26" SS, 42x17 with these tires:

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=SCCXP&tn=0

Bring a couple extra cogs so you can change your ratio if needed. There are several shops along the way with the necessary tools.

Have fun, it's a great trip with the right people.

T

[riderx]

I've run it fixed gear a few times on my Crosscheck, 700c wheels and 44x17 gear with 32 or 35 tires.

One word of advise: pair down your gear. Lighter the better, people tend to over pack.

Also, a few crucial but small and light emergency repair items can save your trip: Duct tape. Zip ties. Needle and dental floss (sew the side wall of a tire, tent or pannier). Take a few spare bolts for your racks, more than a few people have had them rattle out despite being tight at the onset. And a couple of spare spokes don't weigh much but can save you, your bike will be carrying a bigger load and take a beating on the rougher parts of the trail.

[bolder13]

Last year I did the canal with some friends and 3 of us did it fixed. We carried our gear and did it over 2 days. I ran a 36x16 on my Gunner crosshairs with a 700x35 up front and 32 in the back. I think that I had about 45-50lbs of gear. The gearing was good for me. I think we averaged about 13.5 mph over the whole trip. One of the guys had a taller gear and sometimes he felt that we were moving to slow so he had to go a bit faster cadence and ride away from us every now and then. He sadi he would gear down if we ever did it again.

I would also pack lighter if I did it again.

Jonathan

[wrench177]

RiderX has some great points. Take as little as you possibly can. The first time I did it, I took way too much stuff. You said you have to carry your gear, I assume you are camping along the way? The first time I did the C&O I camped. It's hard to go ultra light when you have to carry food and shelter, but, try to take only essential gear.

His spare parts list is spot on as well. While there are shops along the trail, it could be 40 miles or more until you see one.

[drevil]

RiderX has some great points. Take as little as you possibly can. The first time I did it, I took way too much stuff. You said you have to carry your gear, I assume you are camping along the way? The first time I did the C&O I camped. It's hard to go ultra light when you have to carry food and shelter, but, try to take only essential gear.

His spare parts list is spot on as well. While there are shops along the trail, it could be 40 miles or more until you see one.
As everyone mentioned already, pack light. I'm not sure if he minds that I post it, but here are some pics that RiderX took from a couple of our C&O jaunts. It might give you an idea of how our bikes were set up:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/singlespeedoutlaw/sets/72157594528829912/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/singlespeedoutlaw/sets/72157594528831406/

Oh yeah, he doesn't post here much, but Erin waaaaay overpacked as you can see in this pic. This was his first attempt at the C&O trip, and if I'm not mistaken he brought cans (instead of freeze dried food) and a whole bag of spices :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/singlespeedoutlaw/386136948/in/set-72157594528831406/

[jon_baler]

Yes, we'll be camping along the way in hennesy hammock tents.

Thanks for the advice.

[eloach]

You probably already know this, but I don't think you can camp ON the GAP trail (not allowed?). You have to actually ride off it a bit to assorted camp grounds, some of which recommend reservations. It seemed like a pain when I was looking into it. Also, on the C&O, the little trail side camp grounds are/were "first come first serve" and the fill up fast this time of year.

Your gear ratio seems steep if you are carrying a lot of gear, at least for going TO Pitt from DC. Maybe throw in a 20 tooth and a tool in your pack just in case you need it for the GAP trail.

We set out to do 100 miles to HF and back earlier this year at 2:1. It was WAY too bouncy and slow (13-14 MPH avg, spinning our butts off). However, if we had been at different ratios I can't see how we could have ridden together.

I was thinking of taking a 1 day shot at the entire C&O. For that I would use a 32 tire and my cross bike. For anything else, be comfortable.

[digdigrules]

if you do the entire C&O in one day, you'll be my hero. :eek:

[jon_baler]

You probably already know this, but I don't think you can camp ON the GAP trail (not allowed?). You have to actually ride off it a bit to assorted camp grounds, some of which recommend reservations. It seemed like a pain when I was looking into it. Also, on the C&O, the little trail side camp grounds are/were "first come first serve" and the fill up fast this time of year.


Yeah, the GAP isn't as camper friendly as the C&O. Hopefully we can find something without too much trouble. There is only two of us right now, each with hammock tents, so we don't need much from a campground.

[drevil]

if you do the entire C&O in one day, you'll be my hero. :eek:
JoeP is your (fixie) hero (http://bikecentric.blogspot.com/2005/07/fix-co-in-day_19.html) then. Mine too :p

[riderx]

Load your bike up and go on a test run. If the gear feels good, roll with it. The last thing you want to add to your load is cogs and extra tools you don't need.

I've never seen the campsites get filled up at the time of year you are going, but just in case realize there is usually another one about 5 miles down the trail. The hammocks may be an issue though regardless of other campers, it might be tough to find the right tree set up at some of the sites.

To further pair down weight, if it's not cold out I use a fleece sleeping bag liner instead of a bag itself. It also save a bunch of space. I pack food for breakfast and dinner and get lunch along the route to save time and space/weight also. Since it will only be two of you bring a single stove and fuel and a single pot to boil water and slit these items up. Backpacker food that needs only water means easy prep and no pots and pans to clean.