My nephew and I are not going to have time to do the C&O this summer. I thought of doing a portion of it and instead decided we should see someplace new and go back next year.
We are only looking for about 40miles per day because we like to stop and look around and fish if we see a good spot. I am willing to drive to the ride start.
Currently I am looking at two options but I'm open to other suggestions.

#1 NCR, 40 north to York camp and return.

#2 Go out to Grouselander's and do the tunnel ride etc. (not so much a tour though)

Any suggestions

The GAP trail (I think it stands for Great Allegheny Pass trail). Start in or near Frostburg, MD and ride to Ohiopyle State Park in PA. Great water sports area, including fishing. I think tha'ts about 40 miles out and back. They have a website but i"m not sure what it is...

The GAP trail (I think it stands for Great Allegheny Pass trail). Start in or near Frostburg, MD and ride to Ohiopyle State Park in PA. Great water sports area, including fishing. I think tha'ts about 40 miles out and back. They have a website but i"m not sure what it is...

That is a great looking trail. I've actually heard of it because it connects to the C&O and I was thinking of it as an alternate year acitivity until I can convince Matt that we need to do the whole 316 miles.
Anyone familiar with the Allegheny trail? Which section is good? It look like the Cumberland to Ohiopyle is 108 miles which is a bit much for us.

That is a great looking trail. I've actually heard of it because it connects to the C&O and I was thinking of it as an alternate year acitivity until I can convince Matt that we need to do the whole 316 miles.
Anyone familiar with the Allegheny trail? Which section is good? It look like the Cumberland to Ohiopyle is 108 miles which is a bit much for us.

There was a post here a couple of weeks ago....... http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=98440

We have done the whole thing but not in one trip. It was fine but I found long stretches of the thing to be pretty boring.

I'd suggest that you do a Gettysburg-Sharpsburg-Gettysburg trip. There will be a bit of climbing so gears are a must. The great thing about it is to see those Civil War Battlefields early in the morning; that will really give you a feel for how it was. Perhaps 110-120 mile round trip. No problem at all in 2 days.

What I am thinking about is the middle day of this report;
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/showthread.php?t=39559

Another great ride would be from DC to Harpers Ferry on the W&OD then the next day return on the C&O. That is a classic summer ride. I bet you would love the W&OD. Again 100-120 miles but very little climbing.