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C&O Canal

Fletchers to great Falls

The Beautiful C&O Canal!

This ride starts on the C&O Canal at Fletcher's Boat House and continues on the C&O up to Great Falls (about 12 miles).  There's beautiful scenery as we approach Great Falls, and we always see some kind of wildlife along the canal.  We'll stop at Great Falls Park for a bathroom break, snack, and water, then head back the way we came along the towpath about six miles to Lock 8 where we'll walk our bikes on a dirt path to residential streets that will take us to Fish Taco - Cabin John on MacArthur Blvd.  After lunch, we'll bike back the remaining six miles to Fletcher's.  For the C&O you will need a hybrid, gravel, mountain bike or road bike with tires 28mm or larger (depending on your tolerance for roots, rocks, etc.).  32mm tires or larger are recommended.  

Bringing a spare tire tube is highly recommended for the C&O.  A patch kit is a really good idea as well.

* * * *

DISTANCE: 24 Miles (about)

MEETING LOCATION: Fletchers Cove Parking Lot

4940 Canal Rd NW, Washington, DC 20016. 

RIDE START TIME
10:00AM - please arrive at least 15 minutes early. 

DISTANCE: 
24 Miles (about)

SPEED: approximately 10-12 mph

TERRAIN:  
The C&O is basically flat but there is a .7 mile detour at milepost 11 onto MacArthur Blvd.  May be some hill there.

WHAT TO BRING

Water, Snack, Sunscreen, Cash, Phone, Spare Inner Tube and CO2  Cartridge, Bike Lock 

*Helmets are Required on all rides

Please ensure that your bike is in good working condition and your tires are properly inflated!