Preparing for the trip: the supplies

GAP/C&O planning.
The supplies

There are a lot of websites out there and the top ones I used were the official GAP site, BikeC&O, and Trip Advisor for B&B reviews, for the actual timing of the trip. A few different sites/blogs advised things to pack and here is my own take on it:

Bike: cyclocross, mountain bike or hybrid.

I brought a mountain bike and it was very sturdy but not efficient. I also put hybrid type tires on it. I was averaging probably 5-6 miles an hour and pedaling pretty much the whole time, very little cruising. Also highly advised to get a saddle that fits. Sometimes you don't know until you ride > 50 miles and on multiple days. I had done a saddle fitting but thought the saddle was too expensive, and ended up buying a saddle on the trail anyways. If I had a better saddle could I have done better? I think so. After the 2nd day I was doing the saddle shuffle, trying to shift my weight to different areas.

Pedals: regular vs clip-ins - I had regular pedals and I liked it as sometimes there is unexpected terrain and you get better control. Clip-ins would have been more efficient, but other changes would have done better for me I think.

The PIC (partner in crime) used a cyclocross with clip in pedals. The ride was not as difficult for him but he fell several times trying to go over branches and in snow/sandy/gravelly places while I did not fall at all.


If I did it again I would use a hybrid bike. There are a few times you will have to carry your bike up and down stairs so take that into consideration too.

Essential items:

• Clothes.
• 2 of each: biking tights/shorts, jersey, base layer
• More than 2 of each: underwear, socks
•  windbreaker, water resistant jacket/rain jacket
• "normal" clothes - jeans, a shirt
• Sandals/slippers
• Bike shoes/sneakers
• gloves 
• head covering
• neck covering/scarf/balaclava

We went in 30-40 degrees weather with one day in the 50s. For the most part I wore two socks, a long john/base layer pants with biking tights with a chamois, a base layer long sleeve, arm warmers, and a jersey along with thin windbreaker. As it got colder I added my water resistant jacket, and sometimes a thermal long sleeve shirt too. I used Buffs for a head covering under my helmet, and another Buff for my neck/face. I wished I had a more "winter" buff though. I used regular Northface gloves, but biking specific gloves would have helped. A few places had washer/dryer. We hand-washed some and used a blow dryer to dry it in the morning - not the best option.

• Toiletries/Supplies:  if not camping, B&Bs will have the usual soap, shampoo, towels
• toothpaste, vaseline/chapstick, some sort of lotion (face and skin)
• wet wipes (ESSENTIAL)
• phone chargers, battery chargers
• first aid kit with bandages, antibiotic ointment
• pain medication: ibuprofen, tylenol or aspirin
• phone and camera
• Bike supplies:
• bike pump
• extra tubes (not used but have had busted tubes on rides before)
• head/front light (ESSENTIAL) - I have a NiteRider 250, lasts 2-3 hours on the low setting
• rear light - Planet Bike superflash
• extra light options
• batteries for lights
• multibike tool (ESSENTIAL)
• rack and pannier, backpack (plus minus, I didn't but PIC did)
• I got the Ortlieb back roller classics, PIC had a Topeak trunk with expandable side panniers. They both had their advantages/disadvantages. The Backrollers have one large compartment but are waterproof and easy to get on and off - we kept clothes in here. The Topeak has separate compartments and the trunk portion is more handy to remove tools from. We kept everything but clothes in there but it is a pain to remove the pannier.
• bike lube
• rag to wipe things
• zip ties - the terrain knocked off the cyclocomputer sensor a few times, eventually we stopped trying to fix it but zip ties were useful
• Map holder - I used Bar Map OTG after experimenting with different cell phone holders, a couple of which broke. This is simple, holds cue sheet but also a large map. Also we found out it holds the cell phone well in the front pocket
• Official maps - at a few of the major stops they have official maps which are nice because of the mile markers and major stops. Helped give us a goal to reach. We printed out some before the trip but they are not as detailed
• Food:
• water bottle and or camel bak - used about 1.5 average bottles a day in the fall, more presumably in the summer
• about 2-3 protein/energy bars per day per person, at least - luna bars are the best tasting in my opinion
• beef jerky (keeps well, protein)
• Clif Shot Blocks - best tasting for some quick energy (not sure if it works but I felt like it kept me going)
• one extra meal (lunch) just in case you don't find a place to eat on the trail or even for dinner, pizza lasts well

Not essential but glad I brought it: bug spray, contacts with solution, tape, tube repair kit, toe warmers, water purifying tabs (all the water sources were cut off), extra hand towel

Wish we had: matches/lighter, nail clippers, more pain medication, more food, massage tool, bengay/icy hot, better saddle, butt cream, extra grip for my mountain bike


Different guides:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1&page_id=297145&v=28
http://tourdetech.posterous.com/
http://www.thegreatalleghenypassage.com/GAP_TRAIL_PLAN_YOUR_RIDE.html
http://www.atatrail.org/ne/tripreport.cfm

Clif Shot Blocks:
http://www.clifbar.com/food/products_shot_bloks/

Ortlieb Backroller:
http://www.rei.com/product/604989/ortlieb-backroller-classic-panniers-pair

Topeak trunk pannier:
http://www.rei.com/product/710404/topeak-mtx-trunkbag-dxp-with-expandable-side-panniers

Buff headwear:
http://www.buffwear.com/

Bar Map:
http://www.rei.com/product/637969/bar-map-otg

Saddle Sores Home Remedies:
http://www.active.com/cycling/Articles/Home-Remedies-for-Saddle-Sores-and-Chamois-Rash
I ended up using neosporin because that was all I had