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| | | GAP Trail MP 0.0-15.5, MD | | | |
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GAP Trail MP 0.0-15.5, MD
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| Road Biking | 32.31 Miles |
1,328 AEG |
| | Road Biking | 32.31 Miles | 3 Hrs 12 Mns | | 10.10 mph |
| 1,328 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | From Cumberland to Frostburg is 15.5 miles, one way, gaining 1,200 ft. (A steady, but negligible, 1.5% grade.) Since the return trip is obviously downhill, I decided to do a 32-mile out & back ride. Barring some GoPro battery issues, I rode non-stop uphill, filming with my GoPro. On the return, I stopped for photos.
The trail is obvious. The only time I got confused was in Cumberland, at Lee St. I split right, across the lot. Then turned around, and went left instead. Either way works, as they connect back up north of the Valley St. bridge.
I didn't even notice Bone Cave on the way up, but hit on the way down. It contains 41 genera of mammals; 16% of which are extinct, including saber-toothed tiger and short-faced bear. There’s gaps in the chain link fence, but no sense in cheating as the cave is filled with rockfall. 
Approaching Helmstetter’s Curve, I saw what I first thought were Old West-type railroad handcars, of the type you used to see in black & white cowboy movies. Actually, they are foot-powered “rail bikes”, that folks rent from Tracks and Yaks in Frostburg. I counted a dozen over the next couple of miles.
Brush Tunnel is lighted, but it’s darker than it appears: [ photo ] . I added front & rear white & red blinkers to my WheelzUp rental bike just in case. The rental had 24 gears: I rode to Frostburg in 11th or 12th gear, and back down to Cumberland in 14th or 15th gear. Easy spinning wheels and grippy brakes. 
Good riding shade is a positive, especially on days that are sunnier than expected. (A week ago, 50% rain was predicted.)
A mile before Frostburg, the WMSR ( [ photo ] ) tracks split left. In the next mile, the railroad tracks twice curl over the trail. I still hadn’t seen the train, heading either way. I had one more opportunity, at the turntable in Frostburg.
Like the C&O Canal, nature & history signs dot the GAP Trail. Memorial benches as well. Plus odds & ends like abandoned rail cars. The trailheads at Helmstetter’s Curve and Woodcock Hollow both have portapotties. Human traffic was not heavy, but steady with walkers, joggers, day riders and bike tourers.
The Frostburg Trailhead is downhill from the town itself. There’s a cabana, picnic table, and portapotty. You can ride up steep New Hope Rd., but I chose the switchbacked trail. I didn’t get far before before I had to hike-a-bike. Might have made it, but for the squishy sand. The advantage of taking the switchbacks is displays of public art and a coal miners’ memorial.
Though I did not need a shuttle driver, my wife met me for lunch. After lunch, I headed back to Cumberland, finishing just after 2 p.m. It was such a relaxing ride, I’ve already begun planning how to bike the rest of the Great Allegheny Passage!
Rumble Video: https://rumble.com/v6xphgk-gap-trail-bi ... yland.html
Vimeo Video: https://vimeo.com/1110712179 |
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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