Bikepacking and Time-Tested Advice on the C&O Towpath

[@NobleInventionBikeTouring]

What practical advice would you offer and what are some of the best tips you've received?

[@MrRay645]

My number one tip for bike trip is do not over pack, doing the the GAP and C&O I bet I have seen bikes/bag combos that must be at or close to 85lbs. Second tip is two parts, buy decent bags/racks and regardless of how good or bad they are have a plan to keep them functional if/when they fail (bring zip ties, a decent length of gorilla tape wrapped around your pump, extra straps) Third, If you run tubes and get a flat, feel around/look in the tire really really well BEFORE slapping in the new tube, often the thing that popped you is lodged in the tire and you will just get another in a mile or so.

[@SandyLabradoru812]

This is the most honest and realistic video I have watched regarding the C&O. I have biked the C&O towpath many times. However, I have not been on it for about fifteen years. Sustained some debilitating injuries while a public servant. Doctors now telling me to start biking again to help my injured joints maintain mobility as I age. Go figure right ?! When I was touring panniers were the go to. Are the Blackburn cages still working for you ? Can you attach stuff sack, dry bags etc on them ? I certainly would appreciate any advice. My wife and I are planning a September adventure on the C&O, if we don’t opt for the GAP instead. Thanks again for the video.

[@marlinweekley51]

Your videos are very informative. I watched your CO canal videos several time before running it in 2022 in 63 hours self supported capturing the FKT (fastest known time). Staying on the correct course getting into DC would have been impossible without your video showing the way. 😀👍🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️ an amazing adventure. Hint: know there is no access to water the final 20-25 miles. There is a drinking fountain at the old tavern at falls of the Potomac and that’s it. I was dehydrated when I got to MM0.

[@NobleInventionBikeTouring]

Glad our video to Mile Marker 0 helped. Sounds like an amazing effort!

[@foreststewart1968]

Great! Interesting to get a glimpse at the detour also, such as it is. I'm glad that you included it!

[@FollowThomas]

I'm gonna be riding C&O again in July looking forward. Thanks for the video👍

[@johnsimms9015]

Great advice. I just did my first overnight bikepacking trip with my son. We rode the W&OD to DC and picked up the C&O. Stayed at Horsepen campsite and then rode into Harper's Ferry the next day. That was a learning experience. Mostly about what not to pack. I plan to ride the C&O, GAP and continue on to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland as my first real segment ride across the US. Thanks for your videos!

[@NobleInventionBikeTouring]

Have a fantastic time, those are all great trails to tour!

[@jasonmarple5724]

Thanks for sharing

[@kennyness8881]

Nice video. In addition to some kind of food, I carry a water filter…always.

[@FletchinAdventures]

Very helpful video! Plan on doing the C&O in a month or so.

[@backyardrailroader]

Just started biking after 50 years. I have hiked a few times along the C&O Canal Trail and wished I could have gone further every time I hiked. Just looking to do sectionsof the C&O Canal Trail along with the Western Maryland Trail and the Great Alleghany Passage Trail.

[@mikeandrews1899]

Nice music! 👍🙂🎶

[@craigscott3133]

You're right: Don't count on anything being open as a source of food. water or lodging. I learned my lesson in France years ago, when on a couple Sundays I rolled into a town to find everything closed, streets deserted and nothing available.

[@willarn1]

Awesome!

[@ForkNLeans]

That would be a nice trail ☺️

[@tomrodgers6629]

I have been bike packing for years and one tip I would suggest is to stay with a 3x system if you have one. I have been running a 1x7 it's low and slow. My 3x8 was way better.

[@marlinweekley51]

I noticed you ride past lockhouse 49. I stayed in that house the first night for a few hours to sleep. Riders should know they can rent some of the old tow houses for the night. I think TH25 is also rentable. 49 had electricity but no water. TH25 may not have either.

[@stephenwilliams1354]

1st: Great video. What part of the trail is 11:36?

[@kmccarr]

Debating on the C&O/GAP or the OTET in late summer with Noble Invention. Are you planning on putting out a video detailing the OTET?

[@NobleInventionBikeTouring]

We will be putting out an OTET video in late summer.

[@ellerybice3787]

Tame! 😵‍💫