Originally Posted by
pdlamb
Logistics may be simpler if you just bite the bullet and start riding across the country.
OTOH, I've been trying to figure out how to cycle the New River Trail in Virginia. Problem is, it's a day's drive from home. So either I pack lightly and park at one end, cycle to the other, find a motel or B&B, and ride back the next day; enlist a spouse or sibling to pick me up at the other end and shuttle me back; or try to ride 100 miles on gravel in a day. The problem with a shuttle driver is they get nervous if you're late, an ambulance goes by, a thunderstorm comes up, etc.
FWIW, the C&O/GAP may be so popular because the train makes the return trip so easy.
I road an up and back on about 20 miles of the New River Trail from Pulaski last Fall. I took my mountain bike with cushy tires. It is 57 miles of State Park. There are three places to camp. I was thinking about camping at one and do an out an back in both directions. May be two nights and try and doo the entire tail in one day. Or just spread out to two days. No need for a shuttle. I'm just a little confused about if overnight parking and if it is allowed at the ends. There is also a park fee. Other option is parking at an outfitter at the south end and do an up and back with camping. THere also may be public overnight parking in Pulaski at the North end.
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-p...ew-river-trail
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-p...cabins_camping