On the way back to Florida during a recent motorcycle trip, I got to stop along the C&O pathway and it renewed my strong interest in riding the GAP. I love the history of the area and the adventure. I'll look at camping most of the way to save money, but will consider some of the hostel type places to stay so as to meet some people along the way. I prefer not to have a room to myself when I travel.

I'd like to determine when the earliest this year the GAP would be rideable. Not that I plan on going extremely early in the year, but so that I could better plan my "escape" and have a good window to work with.

Question #1 (and I know this depends on my gear and how much cold or rain I can handle - I do have fenders!). When is the earliest that one can expect to be able to ride the GAP? I don't mind some cold or rain, I just don't like freezing (literally freezing, not just the phrase used often for really cold, but not solid water) cold. I might like the solitude too - if it were on the edge of the normal riding season.

Question #2 . Without poking around for days online (Amtrak website = ugg), can you tell me if I can take the train from DC to Pittsburgh with my bike? I have a full touring bike now (no folder for this trip) so it would be best not to have to take it apart. I plan on taking the train from Tampa Florida (and back from DC).

Note that if it worked better from a logistics point of view, I could travel to Pittsburgh and ride to DC.

Thanks for your help.