Assuming you could get a room in town everything is going to be expensive. Expect to pay $150 and up. I would not be surprised if you pay over $200. The Marcellus shale people occupy most if the rooms in Pittsburgh a lot of the time. You might do better on something like Hotwire but you might not get your choice of hotels.

Your closest hotels in order are:

1. Westin Hotel Convention Center (about a block or so)
2. Courtyard Marriot (about 2 blocks or so)
3. Hampton Inn (maybe 3-4 blocks)

The area from the train station to hotels 1 and 2 are almost as safe as safe can be in a large city. Hotel 3 is at the edge of an area with a number of bars and there has been gun violence in the past but it is not like it happens every night, so still reasonably safe.

Assuming you can arrive on a Friday, Saturday or Thursday before one of my odd Fridays off, you are welcome to stay with me. I could pick you up at the train station. You would need to at least partially assemble you bike since I only have a car with a bike rack. I guess we could stuff it in the trunk if you were really tired.

The only issue is that I live in the opposite direction from the start of the trail. Depending on your route the distance to Mckeesport is either 35 or 63 miles. We can discuss the pros and cons of each route should you stay with me.

Either way, if I have your day of departure of, I would be glad to act as tour guide. It helps with the detours from the city or down the Montour Trail (one of the options from my house).

P.S. Assuming I am in town then I can help. I live about a 20 minute drive from downtown.