Bike C&O Canal Towpath: Point of Rocks 40+

**Note to organizers: Check C&O Canal news for possible trail segment or bridge construction/debris closures**

**Check back to see if the date or start time has changed. This ride will be postponed (possibly replaced with another ride) if the chance of rain is above 49%, or wind speed or wind gusts are above 15 mph (per Accuweather) **

TRAIN OR BUS STOPS
unknown

PARKING ADDRESS
Point of Rocks C&O Canal Towpath Access boat ramp lot/public bathroom address
3703 Canal Rd
Point of Rocks, MD

PARKING AND MEETUP SPOT
Park at Point of Rocks boat ramp lot. Meet us at the parking lot. After check-in, we’ll do an icebreaker question.

BIKE ROUTE SUMMARY
We'll be biking westward and making stops to enjoy the views, points of interest (such as the canal locks), to regroup, and socialize.

This Canal Trust website has good info and images: Point of Rocks – C&O Canal Trust

See this short Ride & Shine video, "Unusual Things to see in Harpers Ferry": C&O Canal-Unusual Things to see in HARPERS FERRY, West Virginia

DISTANCE OPTIONS
Participants can choose to return at any point. These are just suggestions.

OPTION A: Bike 5.7 miles from MP 48.2 Point of Rocks to MP 55 Brunswick.
Option to stop for a drink/food break before returning.
Top picks near the towpath:
Beans in the Belfry – Cozy café in a converted church
Potomac Street Grill – Reliable, varied menu
Smoketown Brewing Station – Craft beer + food trucks
King’s Pizza & Italian – Fast, casual, group‑friendly
Bridgeway Bikes – 5 W Potomac St. #1, Brunswick, MD
Brief stops at Lock 28 – mile 48.9, at Lock 29 – mile 50.9, and at Lock 30 – mile 55.

OPTION B: Bike ~8.0 miles from Point of Rocks → MP 55 Brunswick (rest stop) → Continue 2.3 miles toward Knoxville, then return.
Total: ~8.0 miles

OPTION C: Bike 12.2 Miles one way from Point of Rocks → Brunswick (rest stop) → continue toward MP 60.6 Harpers Ferry, WV

• Stop at Lock 31 – mile 58
• Option to join the leads for ~ 1 hour "touristy" type of break. Otherwise, feel free to return.
• We plan to lock our bikes up at the base of the Byron Bridge (due to construction, we’re told we can’t take our bikes up the temporary staircase). We’ll walk across the Potomac River via Byron Bridge and then walk around the Historic Harpers Ferry area and possibly get something to eat.
• Food options in Harpers Ferry (ice cream, cafés, pubs)
• Great destination for photos and exploring

OPTION D: Keep biking westward. The event leads will ask if anyone wants to bike further or not so participants can coordinate.

TYPE OF BIKE: Since the C&O Canal towpath is a mix of dirt and crushed gravel, we recommend thicker tires than road bike tires, such as hybrid, cruisers, etc. However, we’ve biked it with our road bikes and didn’t get a flat tire – just felt the bumps more than preferred. Mountain bikes, with less gear options but better suspension, should be fine too. Ensure it is the correct frame size for your height so you can get maximum output. Participants are responsible for ensuring their bike tires, brakes, and chain are in good condition, and they have a spare inner tube on hand. Organizers can try to help but aren't responsible for everyone's bike conditions.

SKILL LEVEL: All levels can enjoy this trail. It is well marked, mostly straight, and mostly flat. Note: You should be able to walk up and down the flight of stairs at the Byron Bridge to cross the Potomac River and get to Historic Harpers Ferry, WV.

PACE: It’s up to you. Paved trails have a speed limit of 15 mph. We make stops at tricky points and POI on the trail and/or to regroup every 2-4 miles. Since paved trails can sometimes be crowded, we don’t have expectations of being able to go very fast.
- If you prefer a faster pace than the lead riders, you can make stops to wait for them to catch up.

- If you’re not sure what your avg. speed is, be prepared to use a nav app to ride solo in case you don’t catch up to us at our stops.

BATHROOMS
Point of Rocks parking area
Brunswick Visitor Center (mile marker 55) at MARC Station
Restrooms at the Harpers Ferry Train Station
Restrooms at the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park Visitor Center (across the footbridge)
Restrooms inside cafés and restaurants in Lower Town

BIKE RENTALS
Bridgeway Bikes, 5 W Potomac St #1, Brunswick, MD

FOOD & DRINK INFO for STARTING POINT
Aroma House
Big Belly’s
Deli on the Rocks
Rock Point Creamery
OPTION TO SOCIALIZE AFTERWARDS
Participants are welcome to make suggestions

RECOMMENDATIONS
Bring: Water bottles, snacks, biking gloves, bike bell, bike lock, helmet visor, sunglasses, bike tube, pump, patch, first aid kit, mobile phone with nav app installed (e.g. Google maps, we use RidewithGPS). If you get leg cramps during or after a ride, take electrolytes before and during your ride (or add salt and magnesium to your water). A change of clothes for your ride home or a car seat cover to absorb sweat.
Clothing: Wear biking gloves and durable clothing so that if you do fall, your skin is protected. Avoid wearing all black, all grey, all dark brown, or all dark blue, which blends in with pavement, especially while riding through a shady segment. Consider wearing something lighter to help others notice you.
REQUIREMENTS
Participants must wear tightly secured helmets when on their bike.
Be proactive to avoid a fall/crash and minimize injury:
· Keep a distance between yourself and other bikers. If the biker ahead of you suddenly stops, you should be able to avoid hitting them.
· Don’t make stops on the trail. Pull over to the side and use hand gestures to let people know you’re slowing down to make a stop.
· Yelling out “Passing on your left” and/or ringing a bike bell as you approach people ahead of you, so they don’t inadvertently move in your line of travel.
· Slowing down to wait, rather than speeding up when trying to pass people at the same time walkers/bikers are approaching you from the opposite direction.
· Avoid potholes and debris and slow down when approaching bumps
· When approaching road crossings and iffy situations, triple-check before crossing and don’t let yourself be distracted by talking, etc.
· Ensure your helmet is tightly secured so that it won’t move if you hit the ground.

MEETUP POLICIES
Participants should understand that biking is an inherently dangerous activity, and an accident could happen at any time. Participation is at your own risk.
An RSVP of “Yes” to an event is your digital signature acknowledging that you have read, understood, and agree with Meetup’s and MD Rail Trail Biking’s policies, esp. section 6 “Release” and section 8.2 ” Limitation of Liability,” found at https://www.meetup.com/terms/