I wish I'd seen this post before I made all our arrangements. The price of parking and a hotel for the night is annoyingly high. At least our ride will help offset the cost. We plan to camp almost every night. Working out logistics for our C&O GAP ride has been too darn stressful.
Our plan:
Drive to Pittsburgh, park in a garage somewhere near the trail start.
I know it will cost too much to leave the car week. I'd park elsewhere, but I'm not confident about getting around Pittsburgh by bike once we're parked.
Spend the night at "Distrikt Hotel Pittsburgh" for too much money (yes, that's how they spell it.)
We can ride to the hotel from parking, or at leat walk with our bikes if the streets seem too crazy. It's really close
Ride or walk walk to the take 5 am Amtrak to DC
We're set with tickets and bike tickets already