Gravel Ride of the Week: W&OD + C&O Canal - Trails Extravaganza
Once in a while you go on a bike ride that truly falls in the bucket list category - a ride that you’ve dreamed about, planned out in your head and for which you’ve even had to first purchase the correct (gravel) bike. This week’s Gravel Ride of the Week is exactly that kind of ride. This is a ride that I’ve wanted to complete for such a long time, and I was finally able to make it all come together on what turned out to be a perfect Autumn day. I hardly had to travel along any public roads. Instead, the route consisted of a trails extravaganza that took me along two major pathways: the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) and Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal Towpath. This ride has everything from gravel single trails to urban bike paths, an airplane landing, monument sightings, a breathtaking river trail - the list goes on! Follow along as I break down this unforgettable ride that features so many attractions along the way.
Ride of the Week
The ride kicked off in Herndon, VA where you’ll find tons of safe trail parking, restaurants and even my go-to bike shop, the Green Lizard. This really was the perfect spot to start a ride that would include so many different places along the W&OD trail as it winds its way through to Arlington, just outside of Washington DC. As I set off on my grand adventure, I could immediately tell that this ride would be truly epic, since the weather on the day could not have played along any more perfectly. Be sure to also watch the highlights video that goes along with the write-up to truly get a sense of just how nice it was out there on the day.
In order to make this a true Gravel Ride of the Week, I decided to not just restrict myself to the main (paved) W&OD trail, but instead I would include as many of the gravel side-trails as possible. This added an exciting element to the ride, since the side-trails are moderately technical single trails in most sections. The constantly changing terrain of hopping on and off of the main trail also meant that the distance and time simply flew by as I made my way towards the trail-side town of Vienna.
Once on the other side of Vienna, the options for gravel side trails become greatly reduced as I headed towards the concrete jungle that is Washington DC. The W&OD Trail keeps winding its way through the suburbs of Dunn Loring and Falls Church to eventually reach the trailhead in Arlington. The W&OD trail is often referred to as the “skinniest park in Virginia” since it’s really just one long section of park that offers an incredible array of sights and sounds with lots of bridge crossings, tunnels and of course lots of natural surroundings in an area that is otherwise very urban. Another fun fact about the W&OD trail is that it used to be an actual railway that ran through Northern Virginia and the decommissioned train stops still feature a few historic railway cabooses, offering a perfect spot for a quick photo.
Once I reached the W&OD trailhead in Arlington, it was time to head towards the next network of trails in the form of Four Mile Run, taking me all the way to the Reagan National Airport where I could hook up with the Mount Vernon Trail. For anyone looking to visit the area or a local who just wants to feel like a tourist for the day, this trail is certainly a must-see. Sitting right on the edge of the Potomac River, the path offers great views of the Washington DC monuments off in the distance on the other side of the water. Another interesting spot along this trail can be found at Gravelly Point (sorry, no gravel here though), which sits right next to the Reagan National Airport. This is the perfect place to hang out for a picnic and watch the planes come in for a landing.
Following the Mount Vernon Trail further towards the capital city will eventually take you past Theodore Roosevelt Island and onwards to a fork in the path. Be sure to take note of the signs, as heading straight will lead you onto the Custis Trail into Rosslyn. Interestingly enough, Rosslyn is the only place where you'll find some skyscrapers near DC - this being due to building height restrictions in the District. Heading right at the fork to stay on the Mount Vernon Trail, the next section features a scenic trip across the Potomac River as I pedaled along Key Bridge, taking me straight into Georgetown. If you’re ever in the mood to really get a sense of the frantic pace of the DC area, then all you need to do is hang out in Georgetown for a sense of the fast-paced lifestyle that’s followed here. However, if you are like me and need a more peaceful surrounding, then fortunately the C&O Canal towpath is the ultimate escape route to get you out of the metro area quickly. Conveniently located right beneath Key Bridge, you’ll find the next major trail on my list.
The C&O Canal has featured in a few of my other Gravel Rides of the Week videos and this trail is certainly a gem for anyone looking to put together a multi-day bikepacking trip. As a perfect example, you can have a look at the Grand Depart of the TransVirginia Bikepacking trip that I recorded recently. My route for the day would not cover anywhere close to the full C&O Canal, which runs for 184 mi / 296km in total. My plan was to follow this beautiful trail all the way up to just outside of Leesburg, where I would cross back over the Potomac River via the Historic White’s Ferry. Along the way, I would make a quick pitstop at the visitor centre of the Great Falls Park (MD) to refill my water bottles. Instead of trying to explain in words just how scenic this route is, I’ll just let the photos and video speak for itself.
After a fairly extended stretch along the C&O Canal (mostly into a headwind), I finally reached the ferry crossing. By this time, I was really beginning to fade quickly and was definitely looking forward to the lunch stop that awaited in Leesburg. The cruise into town was probably one of the most challenging sections of the ride, since this was also one of the few places along the route where I needed to be on public roads. The open and wind-exposed roads also made for slightly more challenging conditions. Needless to say, the sight of the downtown area was kind of like an oasis in the middle of a desert. I picked out the SideBar restaurant for lunch, not only because of the appetizing menu, but also due to the outdoor seating area that allowed me to keep my bike within view. I had the crab cake burger with fries, a root beer and even topped off the meal with a tasty latte. That was exactly what I needed to put the fuel back in my body to wrap up the ride.
The last stretch of the ride would once again follow the W&OD Trail as I headed back towards Herndon. Staying true to my gravel theme for this ride, I once again opted to stick to the gravel side trails that run alongside the W&OD. The section from Leesburg to Herndon can almost entirely be completed on the gravel side trails, which mostly offer smooth and fast flowing surfaces. During my particular ride I had an added element of entertainment while covering this last section of the route. A fellow gravel rider passed on this stretch and my competitive instinct immediately kicked in. Even having already covered 115km (71miles) by that point, I still jumped at the opportunity to chase him down and was determined that I would not get dropped. I succeeded! I stuck behind him for a while before he split off to follow a different route, while I soldiered on to eventually complete my ride in Herndon.
All in all, the ride measured in at 135km (83miles), but what made this ride a bit easier was the fairly modest amount of elevation gain, measuring in at 670m (2200ft). If you ever want to try out this truly amazing route for yourself, then be sure to check out the detailed route map in my Strava file below.
Wrap-Up
This truly was a bucket list ride, and I am so happy to finally tick this one off of my list. It really reminded me that when you plan ahead and think creatively, you can string together sections of trail or road that together make for one unforgettable ride. This ride can also serve as an example that not all epic gravel rides have to be undertaken in super remote areas - maybe the perfect gravel adventure awaits just around the corner, when you find some exciting new ways to explore an urban area. Who knows what you might find if you just get out there and explore the world around you!
Leave a comment to let us know which city you've explored in a creative or exciting new way!
- Wiehan
