Originally Posted by
riceowls
3) Alternatively, Amtrak one way and riding the other. However, looking over the delays over the last week makes me reluctant. Also the schedule (leaving Pit at 5:20am will make a very tiresome day...).
Well, you could consider riding west to east and catch Amtrak back to Pittsburgh, arrive late and book a hotel to crash. Sleep in late and then make your way home. It looks like the Capitol Limited is scheduled to depart Cumberland, MD, at about 7:24 PM. With folding bikes, you wouldn't need to worry about reserving RORO space for your rides. Of course, delays could impact that departure time.
Originally Posted by
Rob_E
IThe other time I did it, we left a car in Cumberland, took a shuttle to Pittsburgh, and returned to the car over the course of a few days.
I've done this and it worked out pretty well. Having the last 22 miles being all downhill left me fresh enough to drive back to Pittsburgh after eating dinner at the Crabby Pig.
Originally Posted by
indyfabz
Have you made Amtrak reservations? I'll bet it's a busy week for that train. At least you won't need bike space with the Fridays.
I rode PGH to Cumberland...Liked that direction, in part because I thought the trail got more interesting as I went along. And then there is the nice descent.
As suggested above, reservations for beds could be a deal breaker.
Agreed. The trail seems like it gets busier every year. Makes me think of the Yogi Berra quote: "it's so crowded nobody goes there anymore."
There are more accommodations popping up every year so maybe you'll get lucky.