FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

You can arrange for a bike rental in Pittsburgh by contacting one of the recommended vendors below. Both options will be able to arrange for the bike's return once you reach DC. We suggest renting a gravel bike.

• Golden Triangle Bike Rentals - ranging from $360-465 plus $125 one way fee.

• Wheelz Up Adventures - ranging from $340-450 plus $250 one way fee (split among up to 4 riders)

In both cases, no need to rent the panniers or racks as your gear will be transported in the trailer, unless you'd like to have items with you on your bike.

If you plan on bringing a bike, you can either fly/travel with your bike or ship it ahead via BikeFlights. Riders are responsible for all shipping, packing, and transportation of their bikes.

BikeFlights get the best rates for shipping and offer affordable insurance options. Simply pick up a bike box from your local shop if you wish to box it yourself or speak to your local bike shop about their rate for boxing services. Then print the label and set the pick up location! Read the BikeFlights Shipping Guide

If shipping, plan for at least 5 business days before the ride, but be sure to speak to the receiving bike shop well in advance to make sure they have time to build it!

Rebuild recommendations in Pittsburgh:

• Golden Triangle Bikes – ~$150 for rebuild, ~5 days needed

• REI – Located just 0.25 miles from SpringHill Suites

If you need to ship your bike home after the ride ends in Washington, DC, here are a few options nearby:

1. Conte’s Bike Shop – ~$150 to box your bike (1.5 miles from endpoint)

2. REI – ~$80–100 (4.5 miles away)

3. Trek – ~$83 (3 miles away)

Note: If you wish to box it up yourself, we will have tool kits and bike stands available for you to use to disassemble your bike.

Yes, NEALS will offer reimbursement for up to $500 of your bike shipping or rental costs, helping to ensure that the financial aspect of your bike is as smooth as possible.

Please submit itemized receipts in the NEALS Reimbursement Portal and email bsmits@neals.org with notification of the request.

Please submit itemized receipts in the NEALS Reimbursement Portal and email bsmits@neals.org with notification of the request.

Our cyclists range from beginner road bikers to cross-country veterans! We ask that you ride 200 miles before the trip, with at least two back to back 60 mile rides or more. Including back to back 50 mile rides, at least one day over 60 miles.

This will help you become familiar with your bike, your own physical abilities, and provide insight on what makes for an enjoyable 60 mile ride. Being comfortable in a range of riding conditions will make the trip more enjoyable. Additionally, failure to properly prepare may put you at an increased risk of injury due to fatigue.

We recommend to practice changing the tires before the trip.

This trip will be awesome! But it won’t be easy. Route leaders and staff members have completed trips like this and will be happy to answer any questions you have.

This is the Gear List that Bike the US for MS shares for all trips. Although a shorter route, you often need the same gear for 1 week vs 2 months.

There will be no outdoor camping on this ride - you'll be staying indoors in churches/halls. Please bring a pillow, sleeping bag, and a sleeping pad.

On these van supported rides you will not need the lightest and smallest (aka most expensive) gear, but you will need to fit all of your gear into a 30″x18″x16″ cubby. We suggest an 80L duffle bag.

On the daily ride itself, please consider bringing tubes and pumps.

Please plan to arrive at the hotel SpringHill Suites in Pittsburgh-Southside Works in Pittsburgh, PA by 4:00 PM ET on Thursday, September 18 for a mandatory orientation with Bike the US for MS. Riders are welcome to arrive any time before that and they will have arrangements with the hotel to leave gear and bikes securely.

NEALS will cover a one-night stay at the hotel the night of September 18th.

The final day (September 24) you'll regroup near the "finish line" and ride into the Lincoln Memorial in DC for a group photo. Following the photo there will be a 4 mile ride to the church to collect your belongings.

To give yourselves time to collect your belongings, return your bike or pack/ship your bike, we recommend flying out of DC on September 25th; you can either spend the night at the church (team accommodations) or make your own arrangements to stay the night elsewhere.

The ride follows the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal path, forming a continuous route from Pittsburgh, PA to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. This scenic route offers an incredible experience as you ride through picturesque landscapes and historic landmarks.

The bike trail is well-marked however Bike the US for MS will send out daily GPX files. Route leaders will ride with the group and assist if you have mechanical issues or other problems. There are planned rest stops every 20-30 miles. The support vehicles and route leaders will always be within 20-30 miles if you need assistance.

To ensure smooth and safe communication on the road, all riders will be added to three dedicated WhatsApp groups, each serving a specific purpose:

• Daily Information (One-Way)

  • Used by route leaders to share critical information throughout the day.

  • Includes rest stop locations, safety updates, construction alerts, and other key logistics.

  • This is a one-way channel to ensure no important updates get lost.

• Rider & Route Leader Chat (Private)

  • Each rider will have a direct chat thread with the route leaders.

  • This is the place to report any issues such as mechanical problems, injuries, or wrong turns.

  • Route leaders will coordinate a response based on the situation.

• Team Chat (Group)

  • A casual space for riders to connect and communicate with one another during the day.

  • No critical updates will be posted here, so nothing important gets missed.

These groups will be set up shortly before the ride begins, and you'll receive instructions on how to join. Riders should plan to have WhatsApp downloaded on their phones and bring a charging solution (e.g., battery pack) to stay connected throughout each day.

The route is almost entirely off-road and consists of flat, paved, or dirt surfaces, making it manageable and enjoyable for riders of all skill levels.

In case of inclement weather, there are a number of rules in place such as leaving early on particularly long or hot days, sheltering through storms that role through and in some severe cases, collecting of riders in our vans if needed.

Protocols will be reviewed during the mandatory orientation at the starting hotel (exact hotel TBC) on September 18, at 4:00 PM ET.

A bike mechanic will travel with the group to assist with basic repairs and maintenance, but full rebuilds should be handled in advance.

Please plan to bring a tubes and a pump on your daily ride.

Daily distances range from 33 to 71 miles, depending on the route and terrain. It’s designed to be challenging but achievable for most participants.

Vans leave at 8:00 AM ET each morning (unless specified otherwise) and depending on the pace of the riders will usually finish riding any time from 2:00-6:00 PM ET. Essentially riders have all daylight hours to cover the miles so they can take their time to enjoy the journey.

Please visit the Route Information page to view the daily itinerary and milages.

Two vans and three route leaders will accompany you. One van will carry your gear, and the other will stop at regular intervals for water and snacks. Route leaders will also ride alongside participants to ensure everything runs smoothly.

To ensure smooth and safe communication on the road, all riders will be added to three dedicated WhatsApp groups, each serving a specific purpose:

• Daily Information (One-Way)

  • Used by route leaders to share critical information throughout the day.

  • Includes rest stop locations, safety updates, construction alerts, and other key logistics.

  • This is a one-way channel to ensure no important updates get lost.

• Rider & Route Leader Chat (Private)

  • Each rider will have a direct chat thread with the route leaders.

  • This is the place to report any issues such as mechanical problems, injuries, or wrong turns.

  • Route leaders will coordinate a response based on the situation.

• Team Chat (Group)

  • A casual space for riders to connect and communicate with one another during the day.

  • No critical updates will be posted here, so nothing important gets missed.

These groups will be set up shortly before the ride begins, and you'll receive instructions on how to join. Riders should plan to have WhatsApp downloaded on their phones and bring a charging solution (e.g., battery pack) to stay connected throughout each day.

To ensure smooth and safe communication on the road, all riders will be added to three dedicated WhatsApp groups, each serving a specific purpose:

• Daily Information (One-Way)

  • Used by route leaders to share critical information throughout the day.

  • Includes rest stop locations, safety updates, construction alerts, and other key logistics.

  • This is a one-way channel to ensure no important updates get lost.

• Rider & Route Leader Chat (Private)

  • Each rider will have a direct chat thread with the route leaders.

  • This is the place to report any issues such as mechanical problems, injuries, or wrong turns.

  • Route leaders will coordinate a response based on the situation.

• Team Chat (Group)

  • A casual space for riders to connect and communicate with one another during the day.

  • No critical updates will be posted here, so nothing important gets missed.

These groups will be set up shortly before the ride begins, and you'll receive instructions on how to join. Riders should plan to have WhatsApp downloaded on their phones and bring a charging solution (e.g., battery pack) to stay connected throughout each day.

Each cyclist has a cubby to store their belongings that is approximately 30″x16″x18″. There is additional space for each cyclist to store food, as well as a “day cubby” in the rest stop van to put items you may want to retrieve throughout the day at planned rest stops.

There will be no outdoor camping on this ride - you'll be staying indoors in churches/halls. Please bring a pillow, sleeping bag, and a sleeping pad.

On these van supported rides you will not need the lightest and smallest (aka most expensive) gear, but you will need to fit all of your gear into a 30″x18″x16″ cubby. We suggest an 80L duffle bag.

This is the Gear List that Bike the US for MS shares for all trips. Although a shorter route, you often need the same gear for 1 week vs 2 months.

If you have questions about gear feel free to give Bike the US for MS a call/text at 201-503-6367.

The support vehicles will be there throughout the day if anyone is unable to complete the day.

As much as we encourage riders to take a break, eat some food and then try to continue, naturally some may need to call it a day early in order to continue the rest of the trip.

To ensure smooth and safe communication on the road, all riders will be added to three dedicated WhatsApp groups, each serving a specific purpose:

• Daily Information (One-Way)

  • Used by route leaders to share critical information throughout the day.

  • Includes rest stop locations, safety updates, construction alerts, and other key logistics.

  • This is a one-way channel to ensure no important updates get lost.

• Rider & Route Leader Chat (Private)

  • Each rider will have a direct chat thread with the route leaders.

  • This is the place to report any issues such as mechanical problems, injuries, or wrong turns.

  • Route leaders will coordinate a response based on the situation.

• Team Chat (Group)

  • A casual space for riders to connect and communicate with one another during the day.

  • No critical updates will be posted here, so nothing important gets missed.

These groups will be set up shortly before the ride begins, and you'll receive instructions on how to join. Riders should plan to have WhatsApp downloaded on their phones and bring a charging solution (e.g., battery pack) to stay connected throughout each day.

Meals are the responsibility of the riders. You’ll need to bring your own food or stop at local shops along the way.

A few things to note:

• Water will be provided at rest stops.

• Only drinks are allowed to be stored in the team cool boxes.

• Riders are encouraged to pick up fresh items each evening in town if they wish to prepare their own meals.

• Riders are encouraged to store items that don't need keeping cool in day cubbies or food cubbies in the trailer.

• Riders will have access to their day cubbies at rest stops where folks can have any snacks or lunch they may want in there.

• Occasionally there will be team snacks too that may be donated by alumni or generous overnight hosts.

There will be a Health & Wellness email that goes out from Bike the US for MS with food suggestions and hydration advice.

Bike the US for MS will arrange for team accomodations along the ride. We may stay in city parks, state parks, national parks, churches, fire stations, college dorms, and community centers. There will be occasional hotel stays, but we try to keep overnight expenses to a minimum so that more of the raised funds can be given directly to NEALS.

Team accommodations for the event are included. If you'd like to stay elsewhere, any alternate accommodations will be at your own expense.

Please find a list of the overnight towns below:

• Pittsburgh, PA (1-night at the starting hotel to be covered by NEALS)

• Connelsville, PA

• Rockwood, MD

• Cumberland MD

• Hancock, MD

• Brunswick, MD

• Arlington, VA

Team accommodations for the event will by coordinated by Bike the US for MS. Riders may choose to stay in alternate accommodations, but these arrangements must be made independently and at the rider’s own expense. Riders are responsible for coordinating and covering the cost of any alternate lodging they choose.

Riders opting for alternate accommodations are expected to be self-sufficient in getting to and from their lodging. It’s recommended that they bring a small rucksack with any items needed for the evening and the following morning.

Most of the overnight towns are relatively small, so off-site options will generally be close by. A WhatsApp group will be used throughout the trip to help riders stay connected with the group and route leaders for daily logistics and reconnection points.

Overnight towns include:

• Pittsburgh, PA (1-night at the starting hotel to be covered by NEALS)

• Connelsville, PA

• Rockwood, MD

• Cumberland MD

• Hancock, MD

• Brunswick, MD

• Arlington, VA

NEALS will cover the night of September 18th for all riders in Pittsburgh, PA (hotel to be confirmed shortly).

Along the trip, riders will stay in city parks, state parks, national parks, churches, fire stations, college dorms, community centers, hostels and the occasional hotel. There may be occasional hotel stays, but we try to keep overnight expenses to a minimum so that more of the raised funds can be given directly to NEALS.

Team accommodations along the trip for the event are included. If you'd like to stay elsewhere, you will be responsible for coordinating and covering the cost of any alternate lodging.

Please contact NEALS Associate Program Director, Beverly Smits.