Below are two of many possible options for this tour. The first, Option 1, represents a tour from Pittsburgh to Washington. The second, Option 2, is shorter and begins in Connellsville PA and ends in Harper's Ferry WV.
Day 1 -- Statesboro to Washington
Drive from Statesboro to Washington, which, according to Google Maps (see below) is 622 mi (about 9 hours 38 mins). Once in Washington, rent a car for the drive to Pittsburgh area (target town is McKeesport, PA), park our car (maybe park and fly type place near airport, see also long term parking here: http://shaw-weil.com/linkup/logistics.htm), and begin drive to Pittsburgh. Stay overnight in motel somewhere between Washington and Pittsburgh.
Other options:
(a) Use a shuttle service (found link here: http://shaw-weil.com/linkup/outfitters.htm ); not sure of pricing. From the Shaw-Weil page I located two companies that advertise shuttle service (there may be others):
http://youghrivertransport.com/ (advertises emergency shuttle service if needed)
http://www.freedomtrailriders.com/about_us.html (offers shuttle, but not emergency service)
Also, list of bike shops here in case of emergency: http://shaw-weil.com/linkup/bikeshops.htm
(b) Greyhound Bus is also possible, and less expensive than a shuttle or car rental, but requires bikes to be boxed.
(c) Amtrak from Washington to Pittsburgh, but again bikes must be boxed.
(d) Drive to Pittsburgh from Statesboro, leave bicycles with friend in area, then drive to Washington, park car, then take train or bus to Pittsburgh.
Day 2 -- Arrive in McKeesport (outside of Pittsburgh)
Finish drive to Pittsburgh area. According to Google Maps (see below) drive from Washington to Pittsburgh is about 232 miles (4 hours 11 mins).
Once we arrive in Pittsburgh area, deposit rental car, secure hotel, and finish day with a tour of Pittsburgh by bike (maybe see colleagues for dinner).
Days 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and possibly 8 -- Tour on Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal
At this point refer to Mary Shaw and Roy Weil on-line reference for touring the two trails:
http://shaw-weil.com/linkup/index.htm
They offer several different itineraries, and one of those, or some combination, should work:
http://shaw-weil.com/linkup/itinerary.htm
Get Out & Go Tours has this 6-day tour planned:
http://www.getoutandgo.biz/gap_canal_we.html
The Western Maryland Rail Trail offers a 21 mile break from crushed limestone and starts near Lock 56 on the C&O canal:
http://www.westernmarylandrailtrail.org/WMRT/WMRTHancockPearre.pdf
Camping locations:
http://shaw-weil.com/linkup/campsites.htm
http://www.atatrail.org/visit/camping.cfm
Day 9 -- Return Home
The drive home may begin on day 9 or possibly day 8 depending upon trail conditions.
Western Maryland Trail -- cannot forget to take this relief route (smooth, paved trailed)
Day 1 -- Statesboro to Harper's Ferry
Drive from Statesboro to Charles Town WV to collect rental car, then continue on to Harper's Ferry, which is about 632 miles (10h 32m), to park our car, then begin drive to Connellsville, PA.
Day 2 -- Harper's Ferry to Connellsville
Drive to Connellsville PA from Harper's Ferry is about 170 miles (3 hours 16 mins). Arrive in Connellsville, return rental car and begin tour.
Day 3, 4, and 5 (maybe 6 depending on conditions)
Tour from Connellsville to Harper's Ferry. See itinerary links above for possible stopping locations.
Day 6 or 7 -- Return Home
