The GAP and C&O- PLACES to STAY, and MANY sights to see!!!

[@ulrichhuhnerwerfer109]

What a blessing it is to have a nice dad like yours and experience great tours together. You are so lucky! I wish both of you all the best.

[@aspenswanderings]

I’m definitely pretty lucky! Thank you!

[@Mainedwella33]

Surly fan here! Enjoyed the video, looked like fun! Peace, MD

[@aspenswanderings]

Love Surly! Thanks for watching!

[@hdtravel1]

That bike path is one of the best rides in America - on my bucket list

[@aspenswanderings]

I totally agree!!

[@bobbylam9192]

Just completed the C&O (Cumberland to DC). Planning to do the GAP next year and all your info is very helpful. Thanks.

[@aspenswanderings]

I’m glad you found it helpful! Both trails are fantastic! Congrats on your C&O ride!

[@keithschreppel479]

Hello, this is Keith, along with my wife Cathy. You were so kind to post the picture of the four of us! Yep. LOL. We made it to Pittsburgh and then back to Cumberland via Amtrak. I have your video on pause while I'm typing. The video is great and has me thinking of doing the entire trail next year. I sent the video link to about 7 of my friends and family! Take care...Keith

[@aspenswanderings]

Haha!!! I was waiting for your comment!! You guys really made my day! You should totally do the whole trail. A lot of people worry about the C&O being rough, but they have resurfaced a LOT of it and some of it is even smoother than the GAP. Hopefully they will have it all resurfaced in the next couple of years. Thanks again for watching and I loved meeting you and Cathy! I’m giving you a follow!!

[@loydwest4225]

I enjoyed your video! I rode the route "up hill" in June. I like the fact that you took it slowly and got to see so many things, and that you put much effort into this video.

[@aspenswanderings]

Thank you!

[@rgill6893]

Can’t believe the geese were that nice to y’all! We got “attacked” at Big Slackwater in April😮. Nice video!

[@aspenswanderings]

Hahaha oh dear!!! I’m honestly surprised we didn’t get attacked, too!

[@DanaSpencerFLA]

Awesome ride. I envy you your youth and ability and desire to just GO. I can’t understand why you have only 27 followers. Maybe you need to take some more adventures. Best wishes to you in your future endeavors. I pray you share them with us. 😊

[@aspenswanderings]

Haha I’ve got 3,000 subscribers, so it’s climbing. Not a lot, but I’ll take it! Be sure to check out my other videos if you haven’t already! Thanks so much for your kind comment and for watching!! :)

[@towtowstrailtalk6853]

My wife and I love your videos love seeing you and your daddy go places and do things that is so cool. We too are Kentuckians. We’ve been trying to figure out what part of the Kentucky you live in. Then we see the CFSB logo. 😮 we live in Livingston county. We know that logo. Thanks for the awesome videos. Keep enjoying blessed life.

[@aspenswanderings]

No way!! We live in Marshall! Thank you so much for watching- super cool that you recognized the CFSB logo and you’re near us! ❤️

[@brianferguson6278]

So Nice to see you and your Father out for another Cycling Adventure! I do not know how your Dad was able to ride without a Helmet, I feel naked without mine,. With over five decades and tens of thousands of miles of cycling touring under my butt, I can say the three times I have fallen I was traveling about three miles per hour and loose sand and wet clay allowed my front wheel to slip out. Each time I saw stars after my head hit the hard ground and was glad I had the Helmet on.

[@aspenswanderings]

Yeah- he is pretty stubborn about it. I’m glad you are ok after your three falls. I always try to wear mine, but sometimes on rail trails I might take it off for a bit, even though I need to wear it 100% of the time. Thank you for watching!!!

[@SandyLabradoru812]

I would be more concerned with being struck by a driver on a damn cell phone, while daily riding. I’m old school, ridden C&O and AP. many times. A helmet is okay, if so inclined. However, it’s really just more indoctrination from the nanny state that we have become.

[@rug212]

What a great video of a great trip! Glad to have found your channel. Looking forward to seeing more of your adventures!

[@aspenswanderings]

Thank you!!

[@KenFernbach]

Oh you two get along so well together and really did this trip together in such a nice way. The activities of biking are what makes my world go around- thanks for wonderful inspiration! Stay blessed you two! 🚴🏼‍♂️🌱🌿🧘🏼🙏

[@aspenswanderings]

Yes- I love biking! Thank you so much for watching!

[@bicyclerider8218]

Thank you for sharing this magnificent video of your ride with your dad. I enjoyed living vicariously through your great videos.

[@aspenswanderings]

Thank you so much for watching!!

[@Tangocita444]

We love you and especially we love your videos with your dad. ❤ Thank you for sharing.

[@aspenswanderings]

Awww thank you so much!!!

[@justincapek1132]

Great video, once again! So cool that you get to ride and make memories with your father. Priceless. Thanks for sharing!

[@aspenswanderings]

Definitely priceless! Thanks for watching!! :)

[@ethanpolicastro7419]

I love watching your videos, my mom and I did our first tour last year and we started on the GAP, at 2:13 the baseball field we actually took cover in the dugouts after a tornado warning and wind/rain was insane! So we stayed in that town, the hill going up into the town was insane and my poor mother way crying the entire way 😂. Then the next morning we had one of the best Omelettes we’ve ever had (perogi omelette, mashed potato/cheddar cheese inside, with kielbasa on the side).

[@aspenswanderings]

Oh my!!! What an experience that would be! That’s crazy! I’m laughing about your mom crying going up the hill hahahaha. It’s a bad hill. lol! Nothing like a good breakfast while on a bike trip!! Thanks so much for always watching!!

[@joshuawu2235]

Got the trail done starting in Harpers Ferry, down to pittsburgh. great content! makes me miss WV and MD

[@aspenswanderings]

Awesome! It’s such a fun trail. I’d love to ride it in the fall.

[@wanderbybike]

More great memories with your dad! I have so many great memories of the C&O and GAP trails. Two of my favs! We’re taking the van on its maiden voyage next Wednesday back to Pennsylvania, my home state! (I’ll have 2 bikes with me😊) We’ll bounce around for about a month before returning to CO. Thanks for sharing your journey!

[@aspenswanderings]

So exciting about your van!!! I can’t wait to see more pictures of it!!

[@nickl.1930]

Hi! My wife and I really enjoy your videos. I’ve always wondered what the inside of a gate house looks like. That was special. Question: i noticed you and your dad use 2 different types of mirrors. We want to try them out. Would you share what brands they are. I’m guessing yours are quite sturdy….which would be one of my goals too. THANK YOU.

[@JPBVideo]

"We made it to the Super 8 in Hancock" Yes, that too was about the best thing we could say about the Super 8 in Hancock when we stayed there last week.😂 We did love the Bright Morning in West Newton and Market Inn in Ohiopyle. We just finished up our ride Sunday and I can't wait to go again.

[@aspenswanderings]

Hahaha!! Yeeeeah.🤣🤣 lots of good places to stay, a few not-so-good. I will say, I’d stay in that Super 8 10x over staying another night in the Donges Drive In place…….😬😬hahaha!!

[@HikingWithShawn]

That looks super fun! The biggest city I've ever rode in is Paducah, Kentucky LOL Great video - always enjoy your content!

[@aspenswanderings]

Hahaha Paducah totally counts!!!

[@princepage632]

awesome video! love your vids!! that was an awesome ride. please make more videos.

[@aspenswanderings]

Thank you! Planning on more!! Thanks for always watching!!

[@coreyweitzel]

Congratulations!! I did both trails last year after a fail attempt the year before. They are so beautiful and very different. I can’t wait to do them again.

[@aspenswanderings]

They really are great. I’m already wanting to ride them again in the next couple of years!!

[@FollowThomas]

I rode the GAP trail last year and C&O this year again but want to ride GAP again so badly especially after watching your video. Thanks 😊

[@aspenswanderings]

I love the GAP! I started planning my next GAP ride while I was riding it! Haha!

[@FollowThomas]

@@aspenswanderings Sounds like me!! 👍

[@Titus1nine]

I loved doing those trails! I hope you didn't miss the Great Falls in MD. There's a short path off the trail. It was my favorite part. I have some clips of the falls in my C&O video.

[@aspenswanderings]

They’re pretty great! We actually did miss Great Falls. There was a severe thunderstorm headed our way so we had to skedaddle…but we saw it last time we rode it a few years ago! I’ll have to check out your video!! Thanks for watching!

[@mikeclassing5263]

This was so cool thanks for taking us along it brought back memories of basiclly growing up in Brunswick at the campground about every weekend , as a kid I rode many a miles in that hilly town on my bike . I would so love to be able to take a trip like this I have two bikes , a Giant Sedona and a Giant Cypress , the Sedona has 26x2.1 tires so it would be my bike of choice the Cypress has 700c tires . I tow my dog behind the Sedona in his little pet trailer so finding places that alow pets overnight would be my issue and I would be doing it by myself so that wouldnt be as much fun either , anyhow thanks again this was so enjoyable .

[@aspenswanderings]

Oh, I bet that would be a fun trip with your dog! I’d love to take mine. Several of the places allow dogs, but you could definitely camp with your dog. That Brunswick campground looked nice! And holy smokes- Brunswick is soooo hilly! Haha!!

[@brianloughnane781]

Very good video. You are talented. My wife and I are going to bike the GAP up by Rockwood this weekend. 👍

[@aspenswanderings]

Thank you!! Enjoy your ride! Fantastic trail system!!

[@gee2874]

Great to see you both back 😊🇬🇧

[@aspenswanderings]

Thank you for watching!! :)

[@olioliver9396]

Thank you very much for this great video and the interesting and wonderful impressions you saw and experienced on your tour. The landscape looks really fantastic. You must have enjoyed every kilometer of your tour. Bikepacking is a great thing, because you get to experience and see so much that you wouldn't otherwise see. RAGBRAI would be a great tour for you and your father. I'm sure there are lots of interesting and entertaining videos. I would also like to do a bike tour in the USA one day. Otherwise, I can recommend our continent of Europe. There are many wonderful cycle tours here. My favorite would be KATTEGATTLEDEN in Sweden Thank you very much and best wishes from Switzerland

[@aspenswanderings]

Thank you so much! RAGBRAI is definitely on my list! If you do a USA tour, I highly recommend the TransAmerica route and the Pacific Coast route- they are fantastic!! Bike touring in Europe seems a little out of my comfort zone, as I’ve only been once, and it was about 17 years ago, but I think it would be amazing!

[@StumpsMcKenzie]

Great video and pointers I'll take into consideration for my planned trip next summer. What is your handlebar bag??

[@aspenswanderings]

Glad to be able to help!! It’s by Ortlieb. I can’t remember the exact size, but it’s one of their smaller ones.

[@PauloMendes-y2s]

Great! Nice video & images & humor! Thanks.

[@aspenswanderings]

Thank you!!

[@frankrounding9905]

Very nice video of that trail, and nice voice and accent.

[@aspenswanderings]

Thank you!! :)

[@nemurenaitokyo]

Great video, thanks for taking the time to film, edit to share it :)

[@aspenswanderings]

Thank you for watching!! :)

[@chrislang7146]

There’s a walking/bike path that goes up to the hotel in Brunswick.

[@aspenswanderings]

Haha oh, I’m sure there was. I’m so done with Google Maps! LOL

[@JeffRevell]

Congrats on finding the zero mile marker for the C&O. It can be pretty tricky to locate and it would be nice if there was signage from the traditional path along the canal to the marker. I live in Northern VA so this spot usually signifies the end of the ride for me. I have never done the credit card tour along this route as I just really prefer to camp whenever possible. I also haven't been back to the trail since they re-opened the Pawpaw tunnel. I had to hike-a-bike over the mountain detour on my last trip, which was zero fun with a fully loaded bike. The ride down the backside was pretty fun though. I look forward to watching you next adventure.

[@aspenswanderings]

Yes- that Paw Paw detour was what kept me from riding it again over them past few years. This was actually my first credit card tour! Honestly, I’ve always kind of turned up my nose to it, but it was actually really fun and I didn’t feel like it was any less of an “adventure”. Definitely more expensive, though. Dad had heart surgery in October, so we decided to take it easy on this trip. Thanks for watching!!!!

[@RandyMiller-oo5tq]

Thank you for another great video!!

[@aspenswanderings]

Thank you!! :)

[@ExtremeRollingOz]

Thanks for your amazing Videos. I am a newbie in this space having just started a channel and am embarking on several big rides starting in Western Australia. I ride handcycle, I am 57 and I am wondering if you heve any advice on recording while on the road and building a following. Thanks for sharing your journey. Cheers!

[@aspenswanderings]

Thank you so much for watching!! First off, the fact you ride handcycle is so cool and a good reason by itself to start recording! Honestly, I’m such a stickler for the weight of my gear, I only use my iPhone to film. I couldn’t justify bringing a big camera, plus extra batteries to charge, etc. I don’t use any extra microphones or anything….just my phone. Sometimes I will go in and edit the colors to make it look a little better. My advice- get varying types of shots (normal, slow motion, time-lapse) and get more shots than you think you will need. I do like to carry a little phone tripod with me to set up and get shots from the side of the road or something other than selfies. As far as building a following and building up your channel- I’m obviously still working on mine, but make sure your videos are long enough to get your watch hours (I believe you need 4000 watch hours to get monetized, but double check me)…but you don’t want them so long that people get bored and stop watching. Also- when you post a video- be sure to include a catchy title and it will give you the option to add tags- add as many as you can that might help the algorithm. Lastly- make sure the cover photo for your video is interesting and something people would want to click on. It really matters. You can see where I’ve tried out several different templates…still haven’t figured out which works best. Oh- and make sure you post consistently. I’m doing a poor job of that lately because I haven’t done anything exciting for a while!! Haha!!

[@ExtremeRollingOz]

@@aspenswanderings Thank you so much for all these tips especially about getting multiple types of shots. I am sure I will take too much stuff when I first start out but hope to hone it down over time. It's a balancing act. Thank you again.

[@mattschorr1666]

I booked a trip for the GAP this October and we staying in all the same places yous stayed on the GAP!! You confirmed I made good choices. Thanks for the video. Well done. Do you film using you iPhone?

[@aspenswanderings]

Yay! That is awesome! We were very happy with everywhere we stayed. I do film using my iPhone! I do have a DSLR camera that I also film with, but I don’t like to carry it on bike trips. Enjoy your ride!! Hoping I can ride it again in the fall one day!

[@mattschorr1666]

@@aspenswanderings We did it. Finished last Friday. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@belarusian8380]

Superb video! Did the same(but DC to PIT) in May 2017….the week before Memorial Day weekend is an excellent time to ride it.

[@aspenswanderings]

Yes!! I think it might be the perfect time. Last time we rode in July and it was miserably hot. I bet mid to late October would be great too!

[@Peter-rp3zs]

Nice! Do you know if D.C. to Pittsburg on the trail is very slightly uphill? Or do the elevation changes east to west versus west to east even out, to make riding either way about equal? Just curious. I rode Wisconsin's Elroy-Sparta trail a few years ago, both ways, over one weekend, and was surprised to note how the gradual elevation increase one of the ways almost did me in after already riding for 25 or 30 miles before I hit the trail.....

[@thomasstackhouse8778]

Well done. My wife and I rode from Pittsburgh to Cumberland last May. Did the fire siren still wail at night in West Newton?

[@aspenswanderings]

Haha, it actually didn’t, but there was a sign in the room warning us that it might and to not be alarmed. Haha!!

[@MrHoustonismydog]

Excellent adventure. I’m new to your channel and to bike touring. I have a logistics question. Did you Amtrak to home or back to Pittsburgh to your car, always curious about that part.

[@aspenswanderings]

I took the Amtrak back to my car. I was parked at Grant Street Transportation Center (parking garage)…it’s only a few minutes walk from the Amtrak station!

[@MrHoustonismydog]

@ thank you

[@BikeAdventureswithSandy-yk5xw]

LOVE your videos!

[@aspenswanderings]

❤️❤️❤️

[@dealingwithmygrief344]

Quick question... what bikes are you guys riding? Thanks for the videos!

[@aspenswanderings]

We are both on Surly Long Haul Truckers!

[@drummergirl9481]

Where are you from originally? Love your accent! We’re from NC and have a pretty Southern accent too. Our trails here are much shorter. 😢 NC really needs to get up to speed for bike lanes and trails. We do have mountain bike trails but long trails and greenways are almost non existent. Most are about three miles long.

[@aspenswanderings]

Thank you!! I am from KY. :) KY is the same, as far as bike infrastructure. It’s basically nonexistent. We have some local mountain bike trails, but I get tired of riding the same ones all the time. We surprisingly have a few bike paths within an hour or so of where I live- two are relatively short and one is 50 miles, so it’s definitely better than some places, but I get tired of riding the same things all the time.

[@EatTravelSteve]

Is there parking near the Eastern Continental Divide, Great Allegheny Passage, ?

[@aspenswanderings]

The only info I could find was that the closest trailhead parking lot was the Deal Trailhead, located in Meyersdale, PA. I believe it’s about 8 miles “uphill” (almost imperceptible) until you reach the actual Eastern Continental Divide. Hope this helps!

[@robertgaudsmith]

Is there any company that helps organize the trip? I do not want a fully guided tour, but it would be great if there was help in finding nightly B&Bs push transport back from Washington to Pittsburgh, We would be driving in from out of state. We are not from that part of the country.

[@aspenswanderings]

There are probably definitely some companies that organize a trip like this, but I did not personally use a company. I am also not from that area, so I understand not knowing where to start. BUT- it is very, very doable- -Park at Grant Street Transportation Center in Pittsburgh. It’s a mile from the trailhead, and you can take bike lanes to get to the trailhead (just follow a GPS). -Book all of the places ahead of time- we loved where we stayed at other than Donge’s Drive In. Instead of that place, stay at Yoder’s Guest House. (Not sure why that is crossed out) -Book a train from DC to Pittsburgh ahead of time and book tickets for your bike too. If it doesn’t show an option to add bikes, that means it’s already full and you will have to pick a different day. All you do is show up and check in, and wait for the train. The Amtrak workers will tell you what to do. The train station in Pittsburgh is a 2 minute walk from Grant Street Transportation Center. Don’t let all the logistics scare you- just use the towns/lodging in my video as an itinerary. The key to not stressing about it is booking it all ahead of time, and just doing it!

[@Muggs828]

Hello, love your videos. I am building my first touring bike using a Surly Disc Trucker frame. Could you please tell me what handlebars your father is using? They are exactly what I am looking for.

[@aspenswanderings]

Sure! They are the Surly Moloko handlebars, and Surly makes a little handlebar bag that fits them!

[@Muggs828]

@@aspenswanderings Thanks so much. I will def look into them!

[@timothysmith6389]

Those ramps detour the WMRT around a tunnel that is closed to the public.

[@bffaris]

You rode West to East. After your ride, which direction to you think is best to ride. I am planning this ride this fall and wasn’t sure I would want to end in DC. Thanks for the video.

[@aspenswanderings]

I definitely prefer west to east. I really enjoyed the 20 miles or so of downhill into Cumberland compared to riding it in the opposite direction. I honestly found ending in D.C. easier than finding my way around Pittsburgh. The trail isn’t signed very well when you get closer to Pittsburgh when heading east to west. And the C&O rolls really well riding west to east, as you’re losing elevation. It’s very slight, but makes a big difference.

[@bffaris]

Thank you for that information, it makes sense. I think I will follow your recommendation.

[@wvmontani]

Those ramps on the Western Maryland Rail Trail are to bypass a tunnel that is closed to the public.

[@aspenswanderings]

Yeah- I saw that tunnel! I wonder why they didn’t use the tunnel- maybe too much $ to fix?

[@wvmontani]

@@aspenswanderings It's called the Indigo Tunnel. Supposedly several colonies of endangered bats live in the tunnel so it's closed to protect them. I took a ride on the Western Maryland Rail Trail back in April. Here's the video. I have a section where I talk about the tunnel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXW6ep2Hfa2Gb68

[@JONO5K1]

Really nice video 😊

[@aspenswanderings]

Thank you for watching!!!

[@JohnGoing]

What bike is your father using and is he happy with it?;

[@aspenswanderings]

He is riding a Surly Long Haul Trucker. It’s the same as mine, but with the Surly Moloko flat handlebars. He loves it!

[@martharetallick204]

You don't have to box a bike to ride Amtrak?

[@aspenswanderings]

Well, it depends. When you buy your ticket, look for an option to add a ticket for your bike. If it gives you that option, you don’t need a box and they just hang it on a secure rack in the luggage car. If there isn’t an option to add a bike ticket when you’re purchasing tickets, that means all of those spots are full- they do reserve some walk-up spots (first-come-first-serve). If the spots are all full, you would need a bike box. Usually if the spots are all full, I just look for a different day/time so I don’t have to mess with a box. Not all Amtrak trains have bike storage racks, though, so it just depends on the train.

[@birdunyabisiklet]

👍

[@IsmailK.S-x6h]

👍👍🇮🇳🇮🇳❤❤ Kerala South India

[@aspenswanderings]

❤️

[@charlesphelps2730]

They could not get permission to use the Indigo tunnel, so they had to break up the WMRT.

[@aspenswanderings]

Interesting! Thanks for that info!!

[@bolleolympus]

👍👍❤❤👌👌🌹🌹

[@aspenswanderings]

Thanks!!!

[@bolleolympus]

@@aspenswanderings 🌹🌹❤❤🌹🌹

[@princepage632]

hey, ya'll be staying in comfort!! we call that credit card touring. When i do it, i'll be camping every night. hard coring it!!

[@aspenswanderings]

Haha yes! This was my first time crediting card touring! My dad had a quadruple bypass in October, so this was our first trip since then and decided to take it easy. I was worried it would feel like less of an “adventure” but it was really fun and I stayed clean! Haha!!

[@dealingwithmygrief344]

@@aspenswanderings Gives me inspiration... I had double bypass 2 yearsa ago and bought a bike as part of my rehab... looking to do some long rides soon.