ATB Touring: Anyone else into it?

[jhl99]

I'm curious to know if anyone else is into ATB touring in PA, NY (Adirondaks), WV, VA and what areas/routes they might recommend. Also, I'd like to hear any comments (pros/cons) about using a trailer instead a traditional pannier arrangement.

I might add that my style of touring might be considered 'hybrid touring'... pavement + forest roads + single track. I do a lot of weekend single nighters and then a least one extended (6 day or so) trip a year. I go solo on all these trips. I use a pannier setup, front lowriders + rear rack, always take a tent, sleeping bag and single burner stove. On extended trips, I always try to do a food resuppply in a small town each day. I have no major complaints with this setup.


I'll start the ball rolling as far as some tours that I can suggest:

Ride the 'Wilderness 101 2001 Race Course' (Coburn, PA {Central PA}) 100 mile race course as a 2 day weekend tour (directions available at: http://www.mtntouring.com/htm/home.htm ). There were a couple of stretches that were pretty techincal for touring, but overally was a great ride.

Tour through WV... Seneca rocks down to Lewsiburg (pavement), up the Greenbrier Rail trail, side trip up moutain @ Cass, North to Durbin/Bemis railtrail, and back to starting point. (5-7 days)

100 mile snowmobile loop in the Allegheny National Forest (NW PA). A 2 day mixture of forest roads and double track.

I'm starting to research doing a 3-4 day tour in and around the Cranberry Backcountry in WV (SW of Snowshoe area). Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks,
Jeff

[thanita]

The C & O canal, which stretches 186 miles from Cumberland MD and ends up in Georgetown (Wash. DC) is a nice trip to do. Although it's not an out and back, you can get a shuttle from DC back to Cumberland. There are places to camp along the trail, little towns to restock and water/facilities (well, if portopotties are facilities). This ride isn't going to challenge your technical abilities, but the history behind the canal is neat, there are some beautiful spots, and you have lots of time to muse about whatever you feel like musing about as you tool along . . . you can end the trip by checking out the monuments, too.
As for panniers vs. a trailer, if you can get away with panniers, you'll probably travel lighter - I find that the more room I have to pack stuff in, the more things I suddenly "need."
Your other routes sound cool. WV will be a challenge, certainly.

[angelo_caduto86]

I have done some small overnight tours in the Adirondacks. I have a Bob Trailer and I like it, but it is a bit difficult to get over blowdown. Another problem is (related to getting over blowdown) is trying to attach or un-attach a loaded trailer.

A plus is you can release the trailer and go on a side adventure quite easily.

some wonderful ponds to ride back to and camp over night on in the Adk.