[Mantadiver]

The Columbia Pike stop was good, especially for being a first year stop. They had cheery pie and doughnuts which was nice.

[Mantadiver]

I commuted through this morning with a federal employee ID without any problems.

[Mantadiver]

Some of the charter services have space in a van or bus for non-riders. Maybe your husband would be more amenable to that. It’s still pretty early to plan because they have not even chosen the route yet. It may end in a northern city or southern city which could influence you mode of getting to RAGBRAI. I haven’t decided whether I am going this year, but probably will and I am sure there are others from this area who will go and maybe you can ride with them. Maybe post on this board and the RAGBRAI forum in the springtime to see if you can get a ride.

[Mantadiver]

There are usually several campgrounds. One main one for riders who use the RAGBRAI truck for hauling your gear (which can be very interesting finding your gear at the end of the day) and several other campgrounds for charters and clubs. The charter that I used negotiates ahead of time and tries to get a campground a bit separate from the mayhem of the main camping ground and as close to showers as possible. Don’t worry about being separated from the anything. These are generally small towns and if distances are an issue shuttles are set up to ferry riders around town. With 20,000 bikes hitting a town of 10,000 for instance, there is no one place that can accept all campers in one spot generally.

[Mantadiver]

I have done it twice. It is lots of fun. Last year the weather was great. The year before it was very hot. Over 100 for 4 days. It’s best to use a charter to haul your gear and have a separate camp. I use Brancel Charters. As far as logistics, I drive to Iowa with my bike and park at the ending town and Brancel has a bus that brings you to the starting town. BTW everyone basically gets selected for the ride. I have met people who have done the ride 30 times and they have never not been selected. If you have any questions let me know.

[Mantadiver]

I went though twice showing my Federal ID. No problems. But then again November 1 is this week and they could be waiting until then to start the new policy.

[Mantadiver]

That sucks! I wish the bike path that is supposed to be built following rt 50 was done so I had another alternative. But for me the best and safest route is going through Ft Myer.

[Mantadiver]

I am interested. Thanks!

[Mantadiver]

You might be interested in doing what I did for getting myself and my bike to Pittsburgh. Hertz has an office at the Allegheny County Airport at West Mifflin, PA. I rented a SUV from Hertz at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Crystal City (Arlington). It was a bit cheaper renting at the Crystal Gateway Marriott than at National Airport which is less than a mile away. You can drop the SUV at the Allegheny County Airport which is about four miles from Homestead. The airport is also very close to the GAP trail. I don’t know the cost of the SUV now, but it was very reasonable the two times I rented it one way and paid no drop fee. BTW, Fort Myer is in Arlington. Have fun!

[Mantadiver]

I use a Garmin Edge 500 and I use Bikejournal.com. I like Bikejournal.com because I also track non GPS rides on it, as well as multiple bikes and I can input when I changed ties or a cassette. I also use Strava.

[Mantadiver]

Did I say I did it in front of a cop? I didn’t notice him so where is the disrespect. I mentioned the bus problem because something needs to be done about it. Anyone who rides Haines PT during the week knows the bus problem. Posts like yours are one of the reasons I post so infrequently on message boards.

[Mantadiver]

I received a warning for not stopping fully at a stop sign this morning at Haines Point. I didn’t really blow through it. The cop said it is bicycle safety month and they were told to go after cyclists. He was nice about it. I said they should be going after the buses. I had two today that crowded my lane when passing me. During the week the buses are out of control. Parking where it states no bus parking and idling their engines.

[Mantadiver]

I rode the passage last May (along with the C&O). Water was not an issue for me. I stocked up when I had the chance. I don’t think I would ride the passage this time of year. Too hot. May was great weather and I am sure the fall would be nice also. If you would like to read a trip report I wrote here is a link: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?646042-Trip-Report-%E2%80%93-Great-Allegheny-Passage-C-amp-O-Trail&p=10824373&highlight=#post10824373

Have fun.

[Mantadiver]

I think it is closer to 18 miles. My cyclocomputer says about 18 and so does Arlington’s bicycling map: http://www.bikearlington.com/tasks/sites/bike/assets/File/Bikemap_back.pdf

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