Biking Tour #1

Tour:  Free guided group bike ride exploring the connection between the western terminus of the Washington City Canal to the Abner Cloud House on the C&O Canal.  (See Canals of D.C. for more information about the historic canals). 

Start Time:  We depart the Start Location at 12:30PM. It is suggested that you arrive at the Start Location by 12:00pm so that you can explore the Lockheeper's House prior to the bike ride.

Start Location:  Lockkeeper's House at the intersection of Constitution Ave NW & 17th St. NW, on the south side of Constitution Ave.  There is limited street parking in this area; participants are encouraged to use public transportation (e.g., Farragut West or Smithsonian Metro subway stations on the blue/orange/silver lines).  Bikes are permitted on all Metro subway cars.

• The closest restrooms are located at the World War II Memorial on 17th St. NW just south of the Lockkeeper's House.

• Click here for information about Capital Bikeshare bike rentals at the start location.

End Location: C&O Canal Lock 3 (after visiting the Abner Cloud House and retracing our route back to C&O Canal Lock 3).

Distance:  From the Start Location to the End Location, the tour is 8 miles.  Add an additional mile to reach our LocktoberfestDC Celebration.  

Tour Leaders:  Christopher Lucas, Stacey Fridley

Route Highlights:  At the Lockkeeper's House the house docent will explain the history of the house and the Washington City Canal it served, as well as the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal Extension which connected the two canals.  Participants will further learn about the massive project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to create West Potomac Park and East Potomac Park, thus creating man-made land which covered the historic canal extension.  Pedal along the footprint of the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal Extension and view the ruins of Tide Lock A at the C&O Canal Mile 0 Marker.  Admire a working lift lock and a replica packet boat at C&O Canal Locks 3 & 4.  See the ruins of the Alexandria Aqueduct Bridge and the site of the historic Incline Plane.  We then reach the Abner Cloud House - the oldest house on the C&O Canal and where a mill once loaded its products on canal boats.  We then return to C&O Canal Lock 3 and then ride one additional mile directly to our LocktoberfestDC Celebration which runs 3:00PM-5:00PM.

Sign Up:  Click here to sign up. Sign up is required for all tours, and is limited to 40 participants.

Bring With You: Bike helmet, water bottle, sunscreen, bike lock, and $$$ (for LocktoberfestDC Celebration).  Some of the route is on a natural surface (e.g., C&O Canal towpath); therefore a bike tire width of 1.25" (32mm) or greater is recommended.