Bike Pittsburgh

Seeking advice on a DC trip with my papa

Hi.

I am looking to plan a trip along the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O towpath with my father, for perhaps a week's worth of time.

I've thought of a few questions that I hope everyone's experience might satisfy:
-My dad likes recumbents. He's probably flying in, so is there anywhere around here he could rent one? Barring that, where would be a good place to rent an upright?
-About how much ground do you think it is realistic for a healthy 60 year old to cover in a day?
-What kind of accommodations are there along the trail?
-If we were to take Amtrak back, how do they handle bikes?

Thanks.

RE: Seeking advice on a DC trip with my papa

For general trail info, check the Great Allegheny Passage Yahoo group archives; lots o' info there.

As far as lodging and other amenities, check the ATA website.

As far as recumbents go, what kind of 'bent does your dad like? I know the 1st Avenue bike rental place has a couple of homebrew models; if those don't suit, feel free to contact me danDOTblumenfeldATgmail, and I'll see what I can do. Heck, for that matter, the cost of renting one for a week may make it worthwhile to buy a used one locally via craigslist, Kraynick's, or this board.

[EDITED TO ADD:] Speak of the devil, three 'bents just showed up on craigslist

RE: Seeking advice on a DC trip with my papa

When I did this, I also took the amtrak back. We called ahead to make sure that they have bike boxes at the DC station - they did, we got to the station and boxed them up with their boxes. 25 bucks total, and the boxes were bigger than shop boxes so you only had to take the pedals off and turn the bars.

Recumbants in bike boxes? dunno.

I woudl call local shops and ask for "the linking up guide" by mary shaw, it is basically all the maps and amenities listed on all the sites dan listed but in a little zine format for like 5 bucks. Totally invaluable.

RE: Seeking advice on a DC trip with my papa

I've been told recumbents, tandems, and similar goofy bikes are pretty much verboten on Amtrak, unless they break down into a regular bike box.

+1 on the Linking Up guide. I think it also lists outfitters who provide shuttle service betwixt da 'Burgh, DC, and all points between, as a potential Amtrak alternative.

RE: Seeking advice on a DC trip with my papa

just saw this on freecycle

Offer-recumbent bike-Moon Twp
Posted by: "sedger99" sedger99 AT yahoo DOT com sedger99
Tue Jul 22, 2008 10:42 am (PDT)
Weslo Pursuit recumbent bicycle model 525-cs with adjustable seat and
tension. Extremely heavy and will need probably a truck and 2 men to
carry and load.

RE: Seeking advice on a DC trip with my papa

Hmmm...if it requires a truck and two men to move, it may not be the optimal choice for riding the Yough...

:-)

RE: Seeking advice on a DC trip with my papa

We may have a couple of copies of Linking Up at the office. I have to check.