Hey all - thinking of using a conference in Philly in early August as an excuse to ride across Pennsylvania. I'd either fly, drive a one-way rental, or take Amtrak to Pittsburgh from Chicago, then was thinking of riding the GAP for a hundred miles or so and trying to connect with PA Bike Route "S". Has anyone done PGH to Philly using the GAP for part of the ride? And does anyone have tips on getting from either the Pittsburgh airport or train station to the GAP? Part of my hope with riding the trail is that I can at least get through a quarter of the ride without worrying too much about hills. Any advice is appreciated. I'll probably be fully loaded for camping but am not particularly averse to getting motel rooms (especially if it's over 90 degrees out!).

The only reference point I have for this is using the Katy Trail to get most of the way across Missouri on a KCMO->Chicago ride a few years ago. One of the great things about the Katy was that it was easy to jump off and hit some hills when I got bored, then get back on the trail again a few miles down the road.

There is now a connector from the airport to the Montour Trail. It starts pretty much right off of the pedestrian walkway that leads into the parking lot. You would be welcome to stay here. Friday night arrivals are always best. But I can make do any day.

Your options for getting to the GAP would be to take the Montour Trail south (about 63 miles) or go through the city (about 35 miles).

If you take Amtrak then you should arrive early morning and take the Pittsburgh route.

I am not a huge fan of a few parts of Route S in Lancaster and Chester Counties. To much time on SR 23 when much nicer alternatives are available. I understand why they do it, but that doesn't make it right.

If you go slightly off route in the area of Morgantown, PA you can camp at French Creek State Park. Nice place with lots of shade. There is even a swimming pool there. (Admission to the pool is $7 for the day.) From there, you can easily make down town Philly in one day using the Schuykill River Trail into Philadelphia. Route S crosses it on Pawlings Road. When the SRT ends, you can then take an old canal tow path to the Manayunk section of the city. After a short stretch on the road, you can then pick up another rec. path and ride that and/or MLK Drive (which is closed to cars on weekends) to the Art Museum, which basically the start of "center city." And, of course, you can make the obligatory run up the steps a la Rocky and have your photo taken with his statue.

Send me a PM if you want more details.