Shuttles

Since most of my river trips are self-supported, I need a way to get me and my boat to the put-in and have my car waiting at the takeout.  There are several methods to deal with boat shuttles.  Most common for me is Uber or Bike:

1.  Uber - In areas of Eastern MA and Southern NH where Uber is easy to find, this is a nice option.  

• Drive to the put-in, use a cable-lock to secure the kayak to a tree, preferably out of eye-sight from the road.
• Drive to the take-out, park car, and order your uber to bring you back to the put-in.
• When river trip is done, just load your boat in the the car and head home.   

2.  Bike - For more remote trips, this is a great option as long as roads back to the put-in are not too hilly or rocky.

• Drive to the put-in, use a cable-lock to secure the kayak to a tree, preferably out of eye-sight from the road.
• Drive to the take-out, park car, grab the rest of your gear, hop on your bike to ride to the put-in.
• Remove your kayak from the cable lock and attach your bike. 
• When your river trip is done, drive back to the put-in to retrieve your bike, THEN head home. 

3.  Walk/Jog - Good for shorter trips, if the walk/jog is under 2 miles.

• Drive to the put-in, use a cable-lock to secure the kayak to a tree, preferably out of eye-sight from the road.
• Drive to the take-out, park, and walk/jog your way back to the put-in.
• When river trip is done, just load your boat in the the car and head home. 

4.  Nice family/friend - If someone can drop you at the put-in and then pick you up at the takeout, this is a great option, though very rare.

5.  Commercial Outfitter - for popular river routes, often a commercial outfitter can take you and your boat upriver for a fee. 

6.  No Shuttle - on slower moving rivers, you can put-in and takeout from the same location.  Highly recommend going upriver first, so the second half of your trip when you are likely more tired, is with the current.