CYCLE THE C&O TOWPATH & GAP TRAIL - DAY 6 - MUDDY BUT BEAUTIFUL TRAIL - GREAT CAMPSITES

[@mikehammer4546]

Steve, I just love your cinematography and your encouragement to ride for us older folks

[@1025B.C.]

Yes! Even for us younger (well, in our 40s) folks💪🏼

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thanks Mike! I enjoy making these videos. It’s good to be active at any age. Have a great day, Steve

[@dant.6364]

Just sitting here after dinner enjoying your video instead of cutting the grass😅

[@steveretiredandcycling]

You made me laugh out loud! Glad I could help! Have a great day. The grass can always wait. Thanks, Steve

[@johngrossbohlin7582]

Hi Steve, The aqueducts along the trail are interesting for sure! In 2022 I bypassed that segment as northbound riders reported riding through foot deep water and they were covered with mud... right up to their helmets! The Paw Paw tunnel was also closed for repair and the detour was reportedly terrible. I ended up taking AMTRAK from Cumberland to Harpers Ferry as after two days of heavy ran and more forecast I had no illusions that the trail would be in better shape! I plan to try it again with hopefully better outcomes! BTW, we've opened more trail segments here in Ulster County, NY since you were hear last year. Efforts are underway to complete the O&W Rail Trail from Kingston to Port Jervis with three segments officially opened this May and June. Come on back and try out the many trails we've got!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi John and thank you for sharing the information. I will definitely get back to Ulster county and look forward to your nice trails. Thanks again and all the best, Steve

[@vanomadcyclist3474]

Loving this trail series, Steve. Thanks again for taking the time to film, edit and post. - Barb from RI 😊

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi again Barb. Thank you for the nice comment. Have a nice day, Steve

[@elizzievb]

Intrepid Steve! Wow, muddy! Glad you enjoyed the ride! 🚲❤

[@irish223]

Steve, The trail was muddy but the photography was outstanding. Keep up your great adventures ... you’re never too old. That’s from someone in their mid-70’s.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Irish and thanks for the nice comment! Take care, Steve

[@1025B.C.]

Mr. Steve, we truly enjoy your peaceful content! Your friend from Texas, David💪🏼

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thank you David! Have a great day, Steve

[@doriskeil-shamieh8852]

Steve, you were in my neck of the woods. The C&O canal is my favorite bike trail and it's only a few miles from home. I'm so glad you made it through the mud. Spring is the rainy season in Maryland. I hope you can come back again when it's drier. This is a nice video. Thank you for sharing.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi again Doris and thanks for your comment! Yes, I was expecting a bit of mud this time of year. I always go with the flow and try to enjoy every day. Maybe I will come back when it’s drier. Thanks again and have a sparkling day, Steve

[@mauricetranslator]

Some days I don't feel so well, but after my ride I feel much better. It seems like riding a bike restores my well-being. You know I see you saying hello to everybody you pass by and I try to do the same, so I am trying to set this trend in Brazil. Have a nice ride tomorrow.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi again Maurice! I agree, biking always makes my outlook of life and the day better. Saying hi as you pass others adds to the joy. Thanks again, Steve

[@amylipkin2116]

You, sir, are amazing!! So positive!!! Now, I just finished the GAP and that was such a blast!! I don't think I would attempt the C&O in that condition. I remember a few years ago, I rode the Northern Trail in NH (excellent trail, BTW), I got caught in a thunderstorm and I got drenched on a gravel trail...my bike and my body looked very similar to your mess!! Keep pedaling, my friend, this is fun to watch...

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi again Amy! Glad you enjoyed GAP. It was a very nice trail. The C&O would be nicer when dry. Sounds like you experienced a very wet ride in NH. When out in the elements we have to be flexible or stay home. It’s all good! Take care, Steve

[@markwatson8051]

You are a remarkable guy. Inspiring. I'm enjoying this. Thank you.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thank you Mark! It was great fun. Take care, Steve

[@ChuckHarris-go5nz]

Thank you so much Steve

[@steveretiredandcycling]

You are very welcome. Thanks for watching, Steve

[@barrygraber9776]

Even with trail conditions being less than ideal it still looked like a great ride. Thanks Steve

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Barry, it was a very nice ride. Very peaceful. Thanks and all the best, Steve

[@thegreatexaggerator9077]

Did you say riding through that muddy quagmire was fun? Crikey! I went through there a couple of days after heavy rain and it wasn’t nearly as bad, but I almost went down a couple of times. You have a very good and positive attitude, I could learn a few things from you is my guess. We must have missed each other by only a couple of days?

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi there and thanks for your comment! When presented with a situation like that muddy trail, I try to make the best of the moment. Even if it’s not comfortable, it was my decision to be there. So I try to enjoy our ever changing circumstances. Thanks again, Steve

[@davenewkirk1642]

Another great video, the mud didn't look like it was very enjoyable.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Dave, the mud was not much fun. But part of the experience. Good day anyway. Thanks for your comment. Take care, Steve

[@FollowThomas]

Wow, you got a lot of water on the trail. When I was riding it a few days later it was all dried out. I camped at Evitts Creek Campsite

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Thomas, I was hoping it would dry out for your ride. Take care, Steve

[@morg52]

I did that trail back in 2016. It had rained for a week before I rode it but it was nowhere near as water covered as it is for you. In Cumberland, I switched out my 700 by 32's for 700 by 40 and took off my fenders. There was a section just past the Pawpaw tunnel that was pretty wet and covered me with mud. I took a shower by cooking pot and pump water to clean up. Lots of great memories with your passage of it.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi there, switching your tires was a good move. Thanks for your comment and have a great day, Steve

[@Mike-vd2qt]

Nice video, thanks again for the memories of the GAP and C&O trails. I had a mud covered bike too when I rode it. Spent a few hours on the porch of a lock house out of the rain one afternoon. Then camped right at the border of PA and WVA along there. ☮

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thanks Mike! It was a fun muddy ride. Take care, Steve

[@rafriedman]

Ah! Fond memories! Great video. You are lucky the tunnel is finally open. The work-around was very tough. I had mounts on my bike shake loose too. Loctite next time. Happy trails!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Yes, I heard about the troublesome detour around the tunnel. I’ve tried Loctite blue twice, however the kickstand still comes loose. I put Loctite on all critical parts of the bike. Maybe I will try Loctite red on the kickstand. Thank you for your comment, I appreciate it, Steve

[@tompaulathesenioritinerant367]

Another great video. You are headed close to house on the C & O mile marker 100..Happy trails. Tom

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thanks Tom, it was a fun ride. Take care, Steve

[@RIKPANKIEWICZ]

Enjoining your ride…

[@uniquenamegoeshere2263]

Great video! It’s too late now, but fenders with good clearance make a world of difference.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thanks, there are some issues with installing fenders on this bike. I do have it configured so that I don’t get totally muddy. Can’t say that for the bike though. Thanks again, Steve

[@uniquenamegoeshere2263]

@@steveretiredandcycling I hear you. I got creative with my hardtail mountain bike. I used zip ties to get fenders on the suspension fork and it worked really well! This is was several years ago, and the trick was finding the right kind of fenders that would allow a modification. Anyway, I love ALL OF YOUR VIDEOS! I am a few years younger, and you supply me with much needed encouragement!

[@elizabethburgess3969]

Fantastic video, Steve. You handled that wet trail really well. Hmmmm - maybe I need to pick up a bike with a carbon belt drive before I ride the C&O . . . 🤔

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Elizabeth, thanks for your comment. I’ve heard from others that rode the trail a few days after me. They said the trail dried up substantially since my ride. I do love my carbon belt drive though. Have a great day, Steve

[@dsa5394]

We've done that section in the rain, but it looked even muddier in your video.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

It was very muddy but fun. Thanks, Steve

[@PumpkinVillage]

Another good day. Lots of different riding surfaces to keep life interesting. Ever think about fenders for your bike? Thanks for the video and take care, Al

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Al, fenders for this bike are a challenge. I installed a piece of lexan on top of the rear rack, that helps a bit. There are some options for the front fork, but none of them are so great. I don’t run into this problem often. Take care, Steve

[@michaelfinn1317]

Well done, I just loved this video. Take’s a lot of effort to make these so I the appreciate your effort. Where I ride it’s often muddy so I run full mudguards front and back. Maybe an idea.

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Michael and thank you for the nice comment! It does take effort but it’s a pleasant hobby and I enjoy all of it. Thanks again and all the best, Steve

[@ianccrook8899]

From Oz …thank you, Steve for another lovely, inspiring video. I had learnt of this ride when searching the internet for rides in the region. This trip, plus the Federal State trail would make a worthwhile holiday, do you think? Ian

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi again Ian and thanks for your comment! It was a fun but muddy ride. Have a great day, Steve

[@theoldguyofwhinlatter157]

Hi Steve I'm going on a canal ride in the next few days l hope it's not as wet 😊

[@steveretiredandcycling]

I think it’s dried out. Hopefully it will stay that way though summer

[@kindleadventures83]

I’m about to do both trails at the end of July (Shooting for my channel as well). Starting in DC. Your videos have the best raw insight of what I might be encountering than all others I have seen. I was going to ride without fenders until I saw this video.😅 Is that Ryan Van Duzers Priority 600x? Nice low maintenance bike. Thanks for sharing keep’em coming. New subscriber!🎉

[@steveretiredandcycling]

It should be a lot drier by then. Thank you for the comment! Yes, the bike is a 600X. It performs very well in muddy conditions. I’m sure you will enjoy the ride. Take care, Steve

[@garyseckel295]

Beautiful scenery on that also beautiful trail. Curious as to why no fenders over your 2-1/2-inch wide(?) knobby tires. Seemingly must be good reason fenders not always installed. Would it be good if extendable, even possibly fabric fenders could be rapidly put on in-route? Just curious as to no fenders being better than well designed fenders. May be wrong, but rapidly installed/removed fenders could be rinsed off in creek, pond or puddle? Referring to not yet existing, new invention, quickly on/off fenders! Love your videos!

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi Gary, there are a few solutions for fenders on the 600X. None are that good. I’ve mounted a piece of Lexan under my rear rack and the frame bag protects me from front wheel mud. Yes, the bike gets dirty but I don’t get sprayed with mud. The panniers and bags I carry are of the highest quality and totally waterproof. The bike, bags and drivetrain are cleaned by spraying water on them. No chain or gearing to get ruined with mud. I will never need fenders on my Priority 600X. Thanks, Steve

[@garyseckel295]

@@steveretiredandcycling Thanks for replying. So, love your videos!

[@FORKorBIKE]

So beautiful 😊, i have to wonder though if you have overcome physical limitations prior or as of biking. Personal question i know and don't have to answer unless comfortable 😊

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi there and thanks for the question. I guess I’ve been blessed with good genes. So far I haven’t had any physical issues to deal with. Hopefully this will continue for years to come. Thanks again and have a great day, Steve

[@FORKorBIKE]

@@steveretiredandcycling awesome 😁👍

[@williamearl546]

What tires are you using sir

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Hi William, I'm running Goodyear Peak 2.25" mountain bike tires. Very durable. Next year I will be riding the Natchez Trace which is on road. I may switch to a road tire.

[@SPMech1]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪

[@steveretiredandcycling]

Thank you!