I rode from Pittsburgh to Cumberland and back to Pittsburgh in four days, and had a great time. The only reason I didn't go to DC was a lack of time before I had to leave for a festival gig in New Jersey. I took most of these photos on the way to Cumberland, and ended up riding a century on my last day because Roundbottom Campground was rather overgrown and buggy.
The bike was my Salsa El Mariachi, with 40mm Schwalbe Marathon Supremes, a well broken in Brooks B17, and Jones H-Bars.
Connelsville's free campground!
I'd like to avoid being on the trail when any boulders like this are falling
The Pinkerton Tunnel
The Eastern Continental Divide!
Big Savage Tunnel!
The views on the other side of the Big Savage Tunnel are pretty fantastic
A statue in Cumberland, near the beginning of the C&O Canal Towpath
I think this is the only picture from the trip back. This is my bike at the Mason Dixon Line, just before my return through the Big Savage Tunnel.
People seem to make a big deal of the climb back out of Cumberland, but it's not difficult. It might be difficult if you're carrying too much gear and don't know how to work your shifters.
I spent night one in Connelsville, night two at the Ramada in Cumberland, because plans changed and I had the money budgeted, night three at the Husky's Haven campground in Rockwood, which was pretty fantastic, and night four at home.
The fourth day, which turned into about 106 miles according to the mileage charts, was a bit grueling after a while, but the drive home from Pittsburgh after the biking was by far the worst part.
This was my second time riding the GAP, and I'd go do it again in a heartbeat. I think it's a good trip as an out and back sort of deal, but the trip straight through to DC, which I did last summer, is a bit better, and definitely worth it if you have the time.
