http://www.atatrail.org/trailbook.cfm

I used this book to plan our trip. Very helpful on places to stay, things to see and do, and could be just the ticket to give you insight into what section of the GAP might best appeal to you. I thought it was well-worth the money.

This looks like a logistical nightmare unless Amtrak offers roll-on service on the Capitol Limited (they did a 1 day test but I haven't heard of any long term decisions).

A better choice in my opinion would be the Delaware & Raritan Canal. Being closer to you means more time for touring.

Do you camp along the GAP or motel it in the towns?

Are you asking a specific person? Or is is it a general question? If general then there are excellent options for both motel and camping.

Not at all. Certainly RORO will make it tons easier but it isn't any harder than most one way tours.

If you mean for the OP then yes I agree. In fact it is almost a waste of time given the short time the OP can invest in the trip.

+1. There is train service from NYC to Trenton. Don't know about the main canal path, but the feeder canal path offers lodging in L'Ville, Stockton and Frenchtown. If you continue on road a few miles to Milford, NJ there is a B&B there and a very nice place right across the river in Upper Black Eddy. None of them are cheap, however.

Another option would be LIRR to Penn, #1 subway (or ride) to 242nd street, head into Van Cortland Park, catch the Old Put trail, all the way to Elmsford, then north on the NCT to the end in Brewster ?, Carmel ?, Local roads to Pawling then B&B it. Then maybe the Harlem Valley Rail Trail up and back Copake Falls, then Metro North back from Wassaic to NYC and the LIRR.

Steve:

As always, you are right there with good info. And everything you've all mentioned about the D&R is much appreciated, too. However, I have a history of backing out of plans altogether when bombarded with too much "alternate" information, which is why I'm trying to limit this thread to info about the GAP (which I incorrectly identified as the "Eastern Continental Divide.")

Based on the limited transportation options available to the suggested start and end points on the GAP, it looks like it may not be practical for me at this time. But as future reference - and for others who might be considering this ride - we should probably try to stay on topic.

To those who haven't experienced "crushed limestone", this can sound like a scary description (I like the term "stone dust"), when dry it can be pretty soild stuff, we rode the GAP with 32mm tires on a tandem. I always thought the limestone was just dumped and spread on the trail, but this summer we saw a paving crew at Rockwood on the GAP and they were using a paving machine to lay down what looked to be about 3-4 inches of the "stuff". The limestone was wet and I suspect has some sort of binder in it, we were told to ride about 100' along the edge on the grass, then up and onto the surface, other than the crumbly edge the surface was pretty solid. After about a mile or so the surface was dry and hard.

If you are aiming this question at me - two of us did the ride and we stayed at B&Bs. The first was in Connellsville, about 54 miles from our start in Homestead. The Connellsville B&B was very nice and quite new looking inside - the host and hostess were attentive, the breakfast was good, and the rooms are decorated to celebrate the ethnic heritage of the people who worked and lived in Connellsville. I had the Slovak room which was quiet, air conditioned, and had a private bath. My ride partner had the Italian room, IIRC, also with A/C and private bath. Onsite laundry facilities made packing for the trip even lighter.

Our second night was at the Trailhouse in Rockwood. located immediately off the GAP with it's own bike shop on premises. Breakfast was good, rooms had private baths and A/C. Depending on the season, I'd stay there again, or I might try the Gingerbread House just up the road. I don't think the Gingerbread Houe rooms have A/C. Since we rode in July, A/C was high on my list of creature comforts. The Trailhouse also had onsite laundry facilities, but we didn't have the need.

There are more and more B&Bs opening along the GAP. Towns that had no places available in 2011 now have one or two choices. It's a good sign and I'm glad that local people are finding opportunities to take advantage of the GAP and provide places to stay for riders. It's all good.

I'm 60, and I'm planning to ride the entire GAP-C&O Canal trail from Pittsburgh to Washington DC in June with some friends. We are going to stay at inns and hotels along the way rather than camp out. Our plan is to drive first to DC, park our cars, and take the Amtrak to DC with our bikes. When we get to Pittsburgh, we'll stay at a hotel near the train station and head out the next morning, riding about 60 miles a day until we get back to DC.

You can find everything you need to know about the GAP and C&O trails at this website: http://www.bikecando.com/

BTW, there are various businesses that offer shuttle services along both trails. So you can park your car, ride as far as you want on your bike, and take a shuttle back to the finish -- assuming you have pre-arranged the details. Amtrak is really only an option if you are riding the entire trail from DC to Pittsburgh or vice versa.

True - we met up in Cumberland, left our cars, and shuttled with our bikes to the Pittsburgh end of the trail. We then rode West to East, back to Cumberland and our cars. The shuttle worked out really well - we used CTC out of Cumberland.

Tarwheel,

My invitation for help (SAG, place to stay, tour guide whatever) at the Pittsburgh end, is extended to you as well as any other BF member.

Do be sure to put some time in your plans for seeing a bit of Pittsburgh. It is well worth seeing. Not too many cities have a bicycle museum!

Since you will be starting in PHG, I assume youy meant "take Amtrak from DC." In September I stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites on Smallman St. after renting a car one way and driving to PGH from Philly. Nice place only a few biocks from the Amtrak station. It wasn't cheap, but the room was big and the breakfast was halfway decent for non-restaurant hotel breakfast. It's also close to the iconic breakfast spot DeLuca's, which my local friend says is good.

http://www.railstotrails.org/getInvo...urn/index.html
looks like there is a supported ride coming up in June.