Ride Description and List of Accommodations along the C and O

The following post was something sent to me by Joe Stusnick, Potomac Pedalers Touring Club (PPTC) Ride Schedule Editor, which he posted to the newsgroup dc.biking. I have made some additions and welcome names updates of places not mentioned here, as well as places here that may no longer be in operation.

Go to Listing of Accommodations

(Though the ride description is from a past year, it would be similar to something the PPTC would still be doing.)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 30 Jul 1995 00:58:10 -0400 (EDT)
From: Stusnick 
To: MZ0480A@american.edu
Cc: Recipients of conference 
Subject: Re: C&O canal ride accommodations??

Attached is a collection of info on the C&O Canal...

1....
The Sunday April 10, 1994 Washington Post had a fairly extensive feature
article on bicycling the C&O.  The 'Ways and Means' box on page E10
summarizes the basics.  I've annotated the mileage summary below with some
of the information from the article.

2....
Attached is a message I've sent to a number of individuals...

This info is not based upon my personal experience but from info I got
from Mike High and a recent ride description from the Potomac Pedalers' Ride
Schedule.

The following C&O ride schedule developed by Mike High...he's leading the 
same ride again in September 1995.

Excerpt of the 'AD' for the ride as published in the
September 1993 Pedal Patter... (basically unchanged in 1995)

A peaceful and scenic four-day excursion to the end of the
towpath, with absolutely no hills and no traffic.

We will pick up food in the small towns along the way, and
the hardier sort will stay at the Park's exquisitely maintained
campsites (featuring potable water and portable toilets -- but
don't get them confused).  Or, riders can opt for the "chateau"
version of the trip and stay at inns (costs about $120 for three
nights).  The only group expense will be the shared cost of a
"Fastran"-type passenger van to return to DC (should run
$25 to $35 per person).

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Ride descriptions as published in the September 1993 Pedal Patter...
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Day 1

C * 50 * DC/MD * 9:30 AM * C&O Canal Georgetown Visitor's Center
Tour de Towpath.  No hills or cars.  Four day trip to Cumberland,
MD, overnighting at campsites or inns, depending on individual
preference.  The first day takes us through Great Falls, White's
Ferry, and Monocacy Aqueduct.

Day 2

C * 45 * MD * 9:30 AM * Point of Rocks
Tour de Towpath.  It's not too late to join the ride!  Day two of a
four day trip to Cumberland, MD, overnighting at campsites or inns,
depending on individual preference.  We'll pass Harper's Ferry and
Antietam, probably stop in Shepardston for lunch, and we might even
see some llamas on the trail.

Day 3

C * 45 * MD * 9:30 AM * Near Williamsport
Tour de Towpath.  Day three of a four day trip to Cumberland, MD,
overnighting at campsites or inns, depending on individual
preference.  Today we'll be far from civilization, on the northern
section of the canal.  If Bill's Orleans Grocery is open, we'll
have a malted at day's end.

Day 4

C * 45 * MD * 9:30 AM * Near Little Orleans
Tour de Towpath.  Day four of a four day trip to Cumberland, MD,
overnighting at campsites or inns, depending on individual
preference.  Today we'll traverse the Paw Paw Tunnel, and make our
triumphant entry into Cumberland.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Some comments Mike shared with me one day over the phone in 1993 -- most
of this info, with the exception of prices, is probably good for 1995. 
Anyway, it's a start.

Accommodations

Mile

  0     Georgetown.

 14     Great Falls.

 35     Whites Ferry.  Motels and B&Bs across river by ferry in Leesburg.
               
               Days Inn, 721 E. Market St., Leesburg, VA
               222075, 703-777-6622; $53 double a night.

 60     Harpers Ferry.  B&Bs

               Hilltop House and Restaurant, Ridge St.,
                    Harpers Ferry, WV  25425, 304-535-2132;
                    rates start at $65 double a night.

               The View, Ridge St., Harpers Ferry, WV
                    25425, 304-535-2688; rates start at $60  
                    double a night.

 72     Shepherdstown.  Bavarian Inn. 304-876-2551
                        Belle Vue B&B. 304-876-0889
                        The Little Inn. 304-876-2208

Inns in Shepherdstown

Jacob Rohrbach Inn - Sharpsburg

100     Williamsport.  

                       Wolfs End B'n'B,  14940 Falling Waters Rd, 301-223-6888


125     Hancock.
                  Comfort Inn, 118 Limestone Rd., Hancock, MD
                  21750, 301-678-6101; $42 double per night

                  Hancock Budget Motel - 210 E. Main St.
                  301-678-7351
 
                  Hancock Motel - 2 Blue Hill
                  301-678-6108
              

Buck Valley Ranch in Warfordsburg, PA about 5 miles from the Canal. They offer a shuttle to cyclists.

                  5102 Western Pike
                  301-678-7573
                  $40-75/per night
                  large 250+ year-old house on 11 private acres.  
                  includes full breakfast
                  recommended by bikers
                  cohill@nfis.com                  

140 Little Orleans. Little Orleans Campground. 301-478-2325.

156 Paw Paw.

Paw Paw Patch Bed and Breakfast.

                  P.O. Box 291,
                  402 Winchester St., Paw Paw, WV  25434,
                  304-947-7496

162     Town Creek.  Rembrandt on the Ridge.  301-797-0557

184     Cumberland.  Motels.
                  
                  Cumberlamd Motel. 301-724-7790
                  Holiday Inn. 301-724-8800
                  Maryland Motel. 301-722-2836
                  Turkey Flight Manor Motor Lodge. 301-777-3553
                  Woodside Motor Lodge. 301-777-3293/1924

                  B&B