2026 GAP and C & O Rail Trails

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $150 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW:  Two Scenic Trails, One Amazing Journey! The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) and the Chesapeake and Ohio Rail Trail (C & O) are the longest rail trail east of the Mississippi. The two trails, 150 mile GAP trail from Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MD connects to the 185 mile C & O trail in Cumberland, MD and continues to Georgetown/Washington DC for a total of 335 miles. The C & O forms the backbone of the Chesapeake and Ohio National Historical Park and parallels the Potomac River. The canal and towpath were constructed in the 1830’s and 1840’s to move raw materials from the American interior to coastal Markets. Although railroads made the canal obsolete and abandoned in 1924, the towpath has been preserved and offers access to historic canal locks, resorted lockhouses, stone aqueducts and small towns.  We will ride from the foot of the Allegheny Mountains, through forests, and past historic battlefields, as we make our way to DC.  The GAP will offer beautiful views while utilizing sixteen bridges and four tunnels to make our way through various small towns from Pittsburg to Cumberland. This 10 day tour is rated a 1C! with 6 required riding days. The ride leaders led this tour in 2021 and have made some adjustments in accommodations. The trail system is fantastic and a must do for people who like to ride rail trails and like to avoid traffic and staring at their RWGPS or Garmin!. 

This tour will start and end in Cumberland, MD where the two trails meet. Participants will need to arrive in Cumberland by Sunday, September 27, 2026 in time for a 5:00pm happy hour at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, Cumberland, followed by a group dinner. On Monday, September 28th, riders will begin pedaling the C&O TowPath heading southeast toward Georgetown/Washington DC. Luggage will be transported for participants. Three days later, on Wednesday, September 30th, participants will arrive in Georgetown/Washington, DC, after lodging in Hancock and Harpers Ferry along the way. There will be a two night stay in Georgetown/DC with plenty of time for relaxing, and sightseeing around Georgetown as well as the sights of DC and the National Mall.  There are several bike paths in the area that can also be ridden on the off day(s).  

On Friday, October 2nd participants and bicycles will be shuttled from Georgetown/DC to Pittsburgh. After sleeping in and a nice breakfast, riders will start pedaling the GAP trail.  Three days later, on October 5th, participants will arrive back at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Cumberland, where the fun began. Along the GAP we will overnight in Connellsville, and Myersdale.  Lodging has been secured in Cumberland for Monday night, October 5th, with the tour officially ending on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

This ride will be an ADVENTURE!  It will be a CHALLENGE! It will take you BACK IN TIME!  It will be FUN! Participants must understand that although the riding surface of the GAP is mostly crushed granite and the C&O is hard-pack dirt, it can be uneven and there are exposed tree roots and rutted tracks. Riding this trail is different than riding on the road. This trail is multi-use; you will be going slower than you normally do and there might be walkers, hikers, horses and tourists to navigate around. If the trail is wet or if it is raining, you must use proper caution traversing through puddles and mud. There could be short sections where you might want to walk instead of ride. Lights are necessary to navigate through tunnels.

For more information about the history of this trail system click the following links:  https://gaptrail.org/about-us/trail-history https://wilderness-voyageurs.com/history-co-canal-towpath/

HEALTH AND SAFETY: Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. Should someone's health become compromised and the group’s health and safety placed in jeopardy, a plan will be developed by the ride leader(s) and communicated to all individuals. The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness as a means to ensure the tour can continue as planned.

RIDE RATING: The ride rating is a 1C! The groups will spend 3 consecutive days riding the C & O (60, 64, 61 miles) followed by 2 days in DC which includes shuttling to Pittsburg, and then 3 consecutive riding days to Cumberland (58, 61, and 31 miles).  Riding this type of mileage on gravel and dirt is more challenging than riding the same mileage on a paved road. These are long riding days! Also, there is always the potential effect of bad weather on the trail. The riding surface of the GAP is well maintained crushed limestone and the C&O Canal Trail is an even, hard-packed dirt trail. The trail can be very muddy following a heavy rain. The weather will play an important role regarding the trail’s condition and will impact the difficulty each day. This ride is scheduled during the historically driest time of the year, but weather patterns are unpredictable, so prepare for the worst and hope for the best! Participants should understand that if it rains, both they and their bikes will get dirty and muddy, and that the ride will require greater effort!  Riders must be able to address their own mechanical issues.  Access points, for vehicle support to the trail, can be miles away.  

BICYCLES: Because this ride is on multi-use trails, thin road tires are NOT recommended. For your safety, your bicycle (road, gravel, mtb, or e-bike) should be outfitted with a tire that has a minimum width of 1.25 inches or 28 millimeters as stated on the sidewall; preferred tire width would be 1.5 inches or 36 millimeters as stated on the sidewall.  While "knobby" tires are not necessary, be sure your tires have some tread patterns on them and they are not road slicks. Tandems and E-bikes made for off-road terrain are welcome. If your bike can be outfitted with fenders you'll get significantly less dirty on those days when the trail may be messy. Sound devices (bell or horn) are required per C&O Canal rules. Lights are also necessary for tunnels.  The speed limit on the trail is 15 mph. At an additional cost riders may make arrangements to rent bicycles from WheelzUP Adventures, 14 Howard St, Cumberland, MD 21502 located walking distance, 0.1 mile, from the start/end hotel.  https://www.wheelzupadventures.com/   (301) 777-8724.

RWGPS: A RWGPS Event will be created and shared with participant outlining the daily routes.  

WEATHER: The average temperatures in Pittsburgh and DC in late September and early October range from 45-69 degrees with lighter chances of rain.  Cool weather gear: Arm warmers, knee warmers, shoe covers and inclement weather gear (rain jacket) are necessary.  

LODGING and MEALS: Lodging for  nine nights has been secured as close to the trail as possible with a combination of budget hotels to three star hotels and one night in a bed and breakfast. Four group dinners, nine breakfasts, and eight happy hours are planned.   

LOGISTICS: This tour will begin in Cumberland, MD where the two trails meet.  Off site paid parking and free parking is available a couple of blocks from the hotel.  Participants who choose to fly, may utilize Pittsburgh International Airport (97 miles) or Washington Dulles (86 miles). There is also a regional airport in Cumberland.  Public transportation options: Amtrak and shuttle services, are available from the airports to Cumberland and can be secured online. Bikes boxes will be stored in participants vehicles who drive to the start.

COST & ADMINISTRATION: The cost for this tour is $ $2200 plus the $85 non refundable BAC ride registration fee. The first deposit will be $1200 plus the $85 fee, with one additional payment of $1000 due on July 1, 2026.  Included in the price: 9 nights of lodging, 4 group dinners, 9 breakfasts, and 8 happy hours, the shuttle from DC to Pittsburg, bicycle transfer from DC to Pittsburg, daily luggage transport, leader, co-leader, and driver expenses, RWGPS Event, and daily trail mix snack baggies. 

SINGLES and SOLOS: It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single rider without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until July 1st to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fee or pay the $925 Solo Supplement and stay on the ride. Space for Solos is limited. If a single person pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride. The solo supplement payment of $925, is due by July 1, 2026 and can be paid by Zelle or check. To pay using Zelle: 

● In your bank's website, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient, with email address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org 

● Initiate a payment

● In the Message block, enter the name of your ride. If you have questions, contact Nancy Bohnett nbohnett@bicycleadventureclub.org. 

Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check and mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193. notation of the tour name included on the check.  They should be mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

CANCELLATION POLICY:  The BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the canceling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance. 

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY:  Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from the Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions. 

INSURANCE: BAC maintains two insurance policies: a) United States, and b) Foreign (all other countries). Both the U.S. and Foreign policies are considered secondary policies to your personal medical insurance policy. They are subject to a $1000 deductible and may not cover all expenses related to an accident. Copies of the current policies are located under the “Docs” tab on the BAC website.

Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. While touring in the U.S, the BAC insurance includes coverage for injuries due to accidents during the bike trip. Members’ personal insurance will need to cover medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected illness (i.e. treatment for unexpected illnesses, including Covid, are not covered). 

While touring internationally, i.e., outside of the U.S., BAC maintains Foreign accident insurance to assist with expenses related to accidents, medical emergencies (including sudden and unexpected sickness), and repatriation. Insurance will apply door-to-door for treatment and travel for a maximum of 90 days overall. Coverage extends to a limited period spanning the published BAC trip dates, allowing for side trips occurring before and after the BAC ride; the limitation period is 7 days before or after the published BAC trip dates. The policy covers the cost of treatment for Covid and other unexpected illnesses, but not quarantine.

SIGN-UP: To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the Tour Deposit and the non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee by credit card. There is an $85.00 domestic ride fee. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.