C300
#300Ks4WCK
Chesapeake Cycling Club's
A One-Day Nonstop Radmarathon
Down 300 kilometers (185 miles) of the historic C&O Canal gravel towpath, and the Western Maryland Rail Trail, from Cumberland, MD, to "Mile -0-" in Georgetown, Washington, DC;
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A fundraiser to benefit the work of
A Ride for Charity
"This charity's score is 100%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence." Charity Navigator
Welcome to my Fundraiser!
I'm Glad You're Here!
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I'm Todd Ross, and I'm captain of TEAM C300, and a member of Chesapeake Cycling Club/C3 on Maryland's Eastern Shore. On Sunday, September 13, 2026, TEAM C300 will be riding 300 kilometers (185 miles) to raise donations for, and awareness about, World Central Kitchen (WCK). I'm calling the ride "C300" in honor of my club.
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Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen is a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to crises, while working to build resilient food systems with locally led solutions. Applying their model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real time, WCK has served more than 250 million nourishing meals around the world. Read more about World Central Kitchen's story HERE.
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C300 is a one-day nonstop radmarathon down the entire length of the historic C&O Canal on its gravel towpath, and along the Western Maryland Rail Trail, from Cumberland, MD, to "Mile -0-" in Georgetown, Washington, DC. It's going to be a long day in the saddle but, with your help we can do it, and we won't let WCK down!
There are several awesome ways to help. The first is to join the ride and get the word out. The second is to donate! If you're feeling especially generous, may I humbly suggest a donation of $1 per mile ($185) or even $1 per kilometer ($300.)
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Any donation amount is a big help in reaching and, hopefully, surpassing my fundraising goal!
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​To make a donation,
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We'll be able to see your donation and thank you personally. And, more importantly, we will all be pitching in to help World Central Kitchen to serve people in need in a big way!
The Historic Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
Beginning in Cumberland, Maryland, follow the C&O Canal Tow Path along its 185 mile course south to its terminus at Georgetown, Washington, DC, Mile -0-. Along the way, take in historic landmarks, quaint towns and villages, and the scenic countryside. It's sure to be an unforgettable experience.
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Ride starts at 628 feet elevation and ends at 1 foot elevation, with a gentle and consistent downhill grade for the entire distance. See video of Canal Tow Path HERE (4:48)
C300 Meme for Instagram and Social Media
Please note: September 12 and 13, 2026 is the Heritage Days Festival in Cumberland, Maryland. Please consider that the town will be busy and hotel rooms may be difficult to acquire as the date of the date of the C300 Ride and the Festival near. More information about the Heritage Days Festival is at the link below.
C300 Website QR Code
WCK Donation Page and Team C300 Information QR Code
EMERGENCY INFO​ / AREA HOSPITALS
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War Memorial Hospital
1 Healthy Way, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
(304) 258-1234
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WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center
2500 Hospital Dr, Martinsburg, WV 25401
(304) 264-1000
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Frederick Health Hospital
400 W 7th St, Frederick, MD 21701
(240) 566-3300
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Sibley Memorial Hospital
5255 Loughboro Rd NW NW, Washington, DC 20016
(202) 537-4000
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EMERGENCIES DIAL 911
Weather: In the event of severe weather, ride will be postponed to rain date (Sunday, September 20, 2026)
TEAM C300
Rider Resources
EVENT DESCRIPTION: The C300 ride is a one-day nonstop ultra-endurance bicycling challange down 300 kilometers (185 miles) of the historic C&O Canal gravel towpath, and the Western Maryland Rail Trail, from Cumberland, MD, to "Mile -0-" in Georgetown, Washington, DC. It is a fundraiser to benefit the work of World Central Kitchen. The ride will start at 4:30AM on Sunday, September 13th at Cumberland's Canal Place Historical Park.
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To participate in the ride under the C300 banner, participants MUST complete the following.
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1. Go to the World Central Kitchen website, create a personal account, and join the C300 Fundraising Team by clicking the link HERE. Download a copy of World Central Kitchen's Fundraiser Toolkit at the button below.
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2. Download the C300 Waiver of Liability (which can be found at the button below) sign and return to address specified.
PREPARATIONS: C300 athletes are responsible for themselves throughout the duration of the event. Participation is on an at-will basis. You must arrange your own travel to and from the ride, your overnight-lodging if necessary, and ride support during the ride. Riders should use a gravel/cx/all-road bike in good mechanical condition with 32mm or wider tires being recommended. All riders should have the route loaded onto your GPS device and be prepared to navigate the route on your own if necessary. You are expected to have the items and ability to repair a flat and a smartphone to ensure you are able to reach an emergency support person for pickup should you have to abandon the ride.
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Please consider carefully these mandatory supplies, including Helmet, Navigation system, Cell phone, Hydration system (bottle and/or pack enough to go 50 miles; minimum 2 liters suggested), and Nutrition (bars, gels, sports drink, enough to fuel you from one to another of your planned feed stops.)
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Other supplies and equipment you should seriously consider include two spare inner tubes (yes, even if you have tubeless tires), tire repair plugs, tube patch kit, tire repair boots or Gorilla tape, tire inflation system (CO2 inflators for speed plus a hand pump for reliability), tire levers, bicycle multi-tool (all allen wrenches needed for the various bolts on your bike, chain tool, and spoke wrench), spare chain quick links, red tail light, cash, debit or credit card (to purchase supplies from local businesses if necessary.)
A 'Bonk'-Free Ride: Water & Feed Stations Along the Route
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USWE Outlander Pro 2-Liter Hydration Backpack*
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Camelbak Podium® Dirt Series Chill™ 24oz Bike Bottles, (2-3) (tops covered with plastic bags)​
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​Scratch Labs Raspberry Super High-Carb Sport Drink Mix**
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Scratch Labs Raspberry Limeade Hydration Sport Drink Mix with Caffeine
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GU Gels with Caffeine
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Plus, small sandwiches (PBJ/Ham&Cheese)
Dinner - Night/Morning Before the Ride
Option 1. Homemade Chicken and Rice :)
Option 2. Uncle Jack's Pizzeria & Pub
20 S Mechanic St, Cumberland, MD 21502, Cumberland, MD - Open Late (2:00AM!)
Calories and Carbohydrates to Fuel the Ride
I am going to go on the example that I (167 pounds) riding at an average speed of 15mph, will burn approximately 25 calories per mile. For the total ride, or 4,600 calories total. For a 12-hour day on the bike, this puts me at very near my limit of calorie absorption - 360 calories per hour (about 90 grams of carbohydrates, between simple and complex carbs.) Considering what will already be stored in my muscles, plus what I will consume at breakfast prior to start, per-hour caloric maintenance must be planned carefully.
Planned Feed Stations
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START - Cumberland, Maryland - Canal Place Historical Park, Mile Post 184.5 (13 Canal St, Cumberland, MD)
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MILE 43.8 - Bill's Place, Little Orleans, Maryland (12719 High Germany Rd, Little Orleans, MD)
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MILE 60.1 - Hancock, Maryland (vic. Buddylou's Eats, 11 E Main St, Hancock, MD)
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MILE 90.8 - Club Road (Club Road, Williamsport, MD)
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MILE 126.8 - Lock 31 (vic. 19690 Keep Tryst Road, Knoxville, MD. C&O Canal trail connects to parking area by path)
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MILE 149.2 - White's Ferry (vic. White's Ferry Store & Grill, 24801 Whites Ferry Rd, Dickerson, MD)
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MILE 168.3 - C&O Canal Lock 21 (Swains Lock) (10700 Swains Lock Rd, Potomac, MD)
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FINISH AT MILE -0- Thompson's Boathouse, Georgetown, DC (vic. 2806 Rock Creek and Potomac Pkwy NW, Washington, DC) (Note: park vehicle at Colonial Parking - The Washington Harbour, 1010 Whitehurst Fwy NW, Washington, DC)​
Filling & Refilling the Bottles
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​2 x 3 Liter Jugs, Scratch Labs Raspberry Limeade Hydration Sport Drink Mix with Caffeine (8 scoops per jug, for 640 calories and 152 grams carbohydrate per jug)
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2 x 3 Liter Jugs, Scratch Labs Super High-Carb Sport Drink Mix (20 scoops per jug, for 1,143 calories and 286 grams of carbohydrate per jug)
2026 TEAM C300 Jersey
My Personal Checklist of Supplies & Equipment
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Frame: Cannondale CAAD13 Disk 105
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Groupset: Shimano 105 Manual
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Tires: Vittoria Terreno Dry CX Endurance 700x33c
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Vittoria Air-Liners
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Wheelset: Zipp 303 Firecrest
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Pedals: Look Keo Classic 3 Plus
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Look Keo Grip Road Cleat (Red, 9 degrees float)
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Saddle: Prologo Nago R4 PAS
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Stem: Zipp Service Course SL Stem 90mm 31.8mm
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Bars: Zipp SL-70 Ergo 40cm
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Bar Tape: Prologo Onetouch 3D 3.5mm
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Bottle Cages: PRO UD Carbon
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Spur Cycle Bicycle Bell
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Muc-Off Rear Mud Guard
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Helmet: Kask Protone Icon
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Oakley Lateralis Sunglasses
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Kit: Owayo
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Socks: Nimbl Aero
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Shoes: Nimbl ULTIMATE EXCEED Pro Edition
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Tire Kit (for 2bliss)
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RideNow Race Formula TPU tubes (2)
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CO2 cartridges (3)
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iPhone 15 (with charger)
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Wahoo Element Roam Bike Computer
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Knog Blinder 1300 Headlight (for early morning and Paw Paw Tunnel)
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​Black Diamond Headlamp (back up for Paw Paw Tunnel)
Date,
Sunup, Sunset,
Temps, and Winds
When Is this Happening?
Day & Date: Sunday, 13 September 2026
(Rain date: Sunday, 20 September 2026)
Overnight in Cumberland
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Cumberland**
21 Wineow St, Cumberland, MD 21502
Approximately $127 per night, plus taxes
Weather Averages for Mid-September
Civil Twilight Start - 6:27AM
Sunup - 6:54AM
Sunset - 7:26PM
Civil Twilight End - 7:53PM
Length of Day - 12 hours, 32 Minutes, (+ 54 minutes)
Average High Temp - 79.8 degrees
Average Low Temp - 56.7 degrees
Mean Temperature - 68.3 degrees
Average Wind Direction and Speed - Westerly, 4.7 MPH
Time and Distance - An average speed of 15MPH will cover the 185 miles in 12 hours and 20 minutes (sans feed stops)
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Getting Pumped
Tire Pressure Recommendation and Emergency Air
AXS SRAM Tire Pressure Guide recommends 43.8PSI Front and 46.6PSI Rear. SILCA Professional Tire Pressure Calculator recommends 59 PSI Front and 62 PSI Rear.
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Wheelzup at Canal Place, Cumberland, MD
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Mile Marker 99 Bikes, Williamsport, MD
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C&O Bicycle Repair Shop, Hancock, MD
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Shepherdstown Pedal & Paddle, Shepherdstown, MD
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Harpers Ferry Bikes, Harpers Ferry, WV
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Harpers Ferry Hike and Bike Supplies, Harpers Ferry, WV
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Bridgeway Bikes, Brunswick, MD
Connect & Follow
If you're interested in joining or supporting this ride, drop me a line! Follow my progress on Strava and Instagram. See the route at RideWithGPS.
Thank you!
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Todd Ross
