AMTRAK and Bicycles
- + If anyone is planning to transport their bicycle to Cumberland via AMTRAK is in for a rude awakening. Yes you can ship your machine via AMTRAK to Pittsburg or Washington, DC, however you can’t in Cu...
Discussion started 03/17/2013 04:05 PM by Swagman - 14 replies (last reply by Naismith at 08/02/2013 08:38 AM)Swagman from LaGrange, GA on 03/17/2013 04:05 PM
If anyone is planning to transport their bicycle to Cumberland via AMTRAK is in for a rude awakening. Yes you can ship your machine via AMTRAK to Pittsburg or Washington, DC, however you can’t in Cumberland. The reason? There is no AMTRAK (Federal Employee) present to open the baggage car door . Does this sound like bureaucratic nonsense or what? One solution is to pepper your Congressman and Senator with letters demanding that at the next budget hearing, they twist those puny nitwit’s arms into providing a simple soul to open the baggage door or better yet just allow riders to stow their bikes in one of those lower coach sections they use for a crew lounge and occasionally handicap seating for a small fee. Wow! A reasonable solution to a purely simple predicament.
Roy from Middletown on 03/19/2013 07:09 PM
Simple and Federal are what the academics call "diametrically opposed" terms. Not even east can get farther from west than those two terms are apart.
Syd Hill from Elizabeth City NC on 03/31/2013 09:17 PM
Have you considered a fold bike. AM Trak policy is you can carry them on the train. Check their website. A tradeoff is u may have to go light. I've done touring on a loaded bike but not a fold bike. I may try this option.
lenny on 04/01/2013 04:25 AM
I don't believe that that is true of carrying on a folding bike. It doesn't fit the luggage model for AMTRAK. I has been said that some conductors will turn a blind eye to rolling on a bike, but that is taking a chance.
Tom from Denver area on 04/24/2013 07:00 PM
Sooo - if a "Rider" (Cyclist)JUST wants to say, GO AS FAR AS CUMBERLAND MD or even Sheperdstown - then ride over to Martinsburg WV and catch the train there, back to DC... THEN, what-do-they-do ?! doesn't DC "Mero-trains" allow ya to "roll-on" bikes? ... BUT, Amtrak does NOT [?] ! thx, to whoever can do a lil' elaboration / further commenting on this.
ed from clarksville on 05/14/2013 12:40 PM
This is a good discussion but on the latest post it's important to note that the train out of Martinsburg that's mentioned is, I believe, a MARC train and MARC only allows fold up bikes and no other types. I wonder: Is there ANYWHERE ON THE CANAL where one can take Amtrak and a bike in the baggage car, getting off to ride back to DC?
lenny on 05/14/2013 07:05 PM
NO. For the last time. Until Amtrak institutes roll on service.
Paul from Quincy, IL on 07/24/2013 09:52 PM
To Swagman: I’m as disappointed as anyone about the lack of imagination on Amtrak’s part when it comes to bicycles. But the last thing Amtrak needs is more micro management by congress. Besides, your congress critter is just as likely to try to kill the Capitol Limited as force Amtrak to change their bicycle policy. Now that I think about it, I don’t know of any state supported trains in Georgia.
To Syd Hill: My wife and I have done the Erie Canal Buffalo to Albany, the GAP Pittsburgh to Cumberland and several other tours on our Dahon folders – all via Amtrak.
To Lenny: You are incorrect. My wife and I literally have been all over the country with our folders. The most recent trip was Galesburg, IL – Denver – Oakland – Portland-Seattle - Chicago and back. Once a conductor said we couldn’t board the Southwest Chief in LA with the folders. I just smiled at him and let him solve the problem he had created for himself. He quickly relented.
Amtrak has been sort of promising that when the new Viewliner II baggage cars WITH BIKE RACKS finally go into service, the Capitol Limited will get roll on roll off bike service.
leeny on 07/25/2013 04:16 AM
Paul I am only referring to Amtrak in regard to the GAP and C&O Towpath, as this is a sight for those trails.
Anonymous on 07/30/2013 09:38 PM
To Leeny: Your post of May 14 2013 7:05PM is, of course, true. But I meant to respond to your post of Apr 1 2013 4:25AM, where it sounded like you were saying that folding bikes are not allowed on Amtrak in general. I forgot to include a include Cumberland to Chicago trip in 2010 on the Cap. Ltd. which did involve the GAP. The link to the policy is http://www.amtrak.com/bring-your-bicycle-onboard.
Paul from Quincy, IL on 07/30/2013 11:10 PM
Here is photographic evidence: http://biketrain.x10.mx/MOB/pics/handicap.jpg
The community luggage rack on the City of New Orleans was full; so the sleeping car attendant has us put our folding bikes in the unused handicapped room.
Naismith from Florida on 08/01/2013 12:40 PM
I dunno, I won't get excited about the train until it is scheduled for a more convenient time. Arriving in Pittsburgh seems late, leaving very early...
If I was traveling alone, I would do Greyhound instead, which has more reasonable timings. And if you have multiple people, a SUV car rental might make sense, even with the cross-state drop-off fees.
Paul from Quincy, IL on 08/01/2013 04:24 PM
Yes the 5:20AM eastbound departure out of PGH is less than idea. When come from the Midwest, I hope for a late arrival, but so far, no luck. The westbound arrival in PGH at 11:48 is also less than idea. But since I'm heading back to the Midwest, I'm usually sound asleep when we stop there.
It never occurred to me check out the dirty dog, but you got me thinking. So I did; and PGH to Cumberland changing in Baltimore:
Dep 10:30 AM Arr 10:25PM (seems late)
Dep 05:15 AM (seems early) Arr 02:25PM
The Greyhound site shows no service between Cumberland and PGH. But I checked Cumberland to Baltimore and Baltimore to Pittsburg and got:
Dep 09:20 AM Arr 05:50 PM with a 35 minute layover in Baltimore
Dep 05:20 PM Arr 02:25 AM with an 1:10 minute layover in Baltimore.
If you wanted to spend an extra night in Cumberland, the early departure would work. If not Amtrak's 7:26PM to 11:48PM would be my choice.
Paul from Quincy, IL on 08/01/2013 04:30 PM
Sorry for the typos in the last post. You are probably right about a 1 way car rental for one person. I booked a "compact" one way back to PGH for about $65. But when 2 more joined the trip and I had to change to leaving Cumberland on a Sunday when Hertz is closed, a shuttle from Grouseland tours made sense.
Naismith from Florida on 08/02/2013 08:38 AM
I wasn't going to Cumberland, so wasn't tuned into that specifically, just the general idea--for those going all the way to DC or one of the Maryland stops (we are going to Frederick) then the bus is an option that should be considered.
Of course with multiple person parties, another option if you have time is to send one person on the train back to the car, and then have them pick everyone else up.
pittsburg to cumberland
- + Hello.My wife and i are going to this part of the trail in 3 days.We would like to camp.can anyone give me the best places to camp and any other info i might enjoy.Thank you for your time
Discussion started 07/30/2013 07:01 PM by bob - 3 replies (last reply by Paul A at 08/01/2013 11:21 PM)bob from windsor on 07/30/2013 07:01 PM
Hello.My wife and i are going to this part of the trail in 3 days.We would like to camp.can anyone give me the best places to camp and any other info i might enjoy.Thank you for your time
Anonymous on 07/31/2013 07:30 AM
Check out Rivers Edge Campground 2 miles before Connellsville then Husky Haven in Rockwood.they both are right on the trail and both have showers,laundry,store,. Very nice.That should get you into Cumberland just fine.
bob on 07/31/2013 01:51 PM
thank you very much
Paul A on 08/01/2013 11:21 PM
I don't know if you'll see this in time, but, none of the official camp sites are bad, just some better than others. The shelters at Connellsville are right on the trail and have a supermarket near by if you're carrying food. Ohiopyle is all uphill from the trail, about 1/4 mile. The Outflow campground has a separate area for hikers and bikers that is pretty nice. Husky Haven is very nice and just a short distance from town. It seems there is now a camping option in the town of Meyersdale. Check at Donges Drive-In Restaurant for details. And camping in Frostburg is right near town but down hill from the road so you don't hear most of the noise.
Erie Canalway Trail
- + Let me pick the collective brains of this group of cyclists. I've recently started looking at websites about the Erie Canalway Trail. If any of you who have ridden that trail would post your impress...
Discussion started 07/21/2013 11:58 AM by Paul A - 3 replies (last reply by Paul at 07/30/2013 10:00 PM)Paul A on 07/21/2013 11:58 AM
Let me pick the collective brains of this group of cyclists. I've recently started looking at websites about the Erie Canalway Trail. If any of you who have ridden that trail would post your impressions of it, I'd appreciate it. Maybe use the GAP and C+O to compare it to.
JJB from Fairmont, WV on 07/21/2013 12:55 PM
I cannot add to this but I will be watching this thread. This is one of the trails we are looking at too.
Randy on 07/22/2013 02:09 PM
There is a great website that should help get you started. The canal is 524 miles long! It's open May to Nov. You may need to copy and paste the link to your Browser. Just Bing or Google Erie Canal Trail and you'll find tons of info.
http://www.eriecanalway.org/index.htm
Paul from Quincy, IL on 07/30/2013 10:00 PM
I did it in 2009 and put together a lot of pictures and detail commentary at http://biketrain.x10.mx/index.htm. Click on "Bicycling the Erie Canal"
I hope the Erie Canal Trail websites have improved in the last 4 years.
Spring Gap Recreation Area
- + Can anyone comment on this area? The towns and services link for Oldtown lists this as having camping for $10 and some form of groceries. My google search doesn't pull anything up.
Discussion started 07/19/2013 10:41 AM by 2Bbarefoot - 1 reply (last reply by Paul at 07/30/2013 09:08 PM)2Bbarefoot from Mechanicsburg, PA on 07/19/2013 10:41 AM
Can anyone comment on this area? The towns and services link for Oldtown lists this as having camping for $10 and some form of groceries. My google search doesn't pull anything up.
Paul from Quincy, IL on 07/30/2013 09:08 PM
There is a post entitled "Spring Gap Store Closed" on the Old Town page.
I ate at a restaurant called the Schoolhouse Kitchen in 2008. The latest review (Google) I could find was a year ago.
IMHO Google can be less than useful when you are researching small town establishments.
Stuff on bike--safety issues?
- + We've never done a trip for more than one night, so we wonder about people's advice regarding best practices for the safety of our panniers and contents when we go into a restaurant, museum, or some o...
Discussion started 06/01/2013 12:06 PM by Naismih - 8 replies (last reply by JJB at 07/29/2013 08:46 PM)Naismih from Florida on 06/01/2013 12:06 PM
We've never done a trip for more than one night, so we wonder about people's advice regarding best practices for the safety of our panniers and contents when we go into a restaurant, museum, or some other stop. Of course any money, medications, ID, etc. are in our Camelbak packs which are with us at all times, so if someone wants to steal our dirty laundry and granola bars, it isn't a huge loss.....
But we wondered what other people do and what to expect.
JJB from Fairmont, WV on 06/01/2013 12:29 PM
We had the exact same concerns as you. In all of our bike trips, not only on the C&O/GAP, we have never had a problem with someone trying to take our panniers or anything in them. We also carry money, ID, etc with us when we go into a business. I actually worry about my helmet and gloves as those are just hanging on the handlebars. We do try to park the bikes where we can see them. We always try to make it a little bit difficult for someone to try to steal our things. We only lock our bikes up at night. I guess if you are going to be in a building, (museum?), for a long period of time you may want to lock up your bikes.
I have to say that out on the trails and trail-towns, everyone has been very pleasant and "like-minded" and usually willing to help, (i.e., flat tire, asking for directions, etc.) I'm sure there is always a bad apple out there but we have been lucky and not come across him or her.
lenny on 06/02/2013 06:38 AM
I concur with JJB. But at night I take the bike-bikes into the room.
Ken from Burton, Ohio on 07/20/2013 07:50 PM
We have bicycle toured in Arizona, Idaho and Montana (a GREAT 180 mile loop there), Ohio, Michigan, New York, Ontario, Pennsylvania and others. We have never had anyone touch our bikes or packs. We occasionally lock them in more urban areas or if we are going to be away for them for several hours but we can't really lock the bags and we have never had any problem. Can't say it won't happen, but it never has.
JJB from Fairmont, WV on 07/21/2013 10:37 AM
Ken, what is the name of the trail in Montana? I am interested in checking it out. Thanks!
James on 07/22/2013 02:13 PM
I met a guy on the trail who said he experienced theft while in Harpers Ferry. Folks, the world is populated by Saints and Sinners. Take all possible precautions. A prudent man (or woman) never assumes or takes anything for granted. Enjoy your ride.
Angie on 07/29/2013 02:58 PM
James,
I am wondering if you mean the rider and his bike were in Harpers Ferry, or if he locked his bike on the other side of the bridge, and the theft happened while he was over in Harpers Ferry without his bike. If you know, could you specify? ...We are trying to determine the best way to deal with our plans to do a day over there.
Rick Hancock from Grafton, Va on 07/29/2013 06:04 PM
Getting you to the Harper's Ferry side of the Potomac isn't too difficult. But...maneuvering your pack laden bike up that skinny spiral staircase is a HASSLE! I've fought and cussed those stairs several times but I wouldn't leave my gear that far out of sight for an extended period of time. Most people are honest but there's always chicken thieves in the hen house. If I were you I'd bring my bike across maybe park it at the AT Conference Center.
JJB from Fairmont, WV on 07/29/2013 08:46 PM
Angie, I agree with Rick. I have posted this in other topics here but I'll say it again. I have been to Harper's Ferry as both a biker and a tourist/hiker. My experience is that it is always "busy" around the path at Harper's Ferry. There are bikers, short trip hikers, AT hikers and tourists there, (in the area of the bridge and stairs). I would make several trips to get my bikes and gear to be near me so I could keep a better eye on them. It would not be hard to get someones bike up from the trail to the road and tossed in a truck and down the road it goes....But that is just me.
Pittsburgh to DC with kids
- + Planning a trip next summer with my boys ages 10,12. Any thoughts or concerns on riding with kids? We are all in excellent riding shape and have proper gear and mechanical know how. I am concerned a...
Discussion started 10/17/2012 01:38 PM by JDEcho - 14 replies (last reply by lenny at 07/24/2013 07:17 PM)JDEcho from Minneapolis on 10/17/2012 01:38 PM
Planning a trip next summer with my boys ages 10,12. Any thoughts or concerns on riding with kids? We are all in excellent riding shape and have proper gear and mechanical know how. I am concerned a bit with safety and trail conditions, especially on the C&O. My boys can easily ride 60 plus miles in a day, but that's on paved trails. I'd like to average 50 miles a day but feel that may be too much on non -paved trails. How rough or smooth is the C&O? Is it safe to travel with kids? Thanks, Joe
lenny on 10/17/2012 06:32 PM
It's plenty safe, but 50/day for four days adds up. I have seen teenagers struggle at a little more milage than that. Are you camping? I think its a bit ambitious for the boys, but you know them best. You didn't say if you are doing the GAP as well. That makes it a little tougher. Good Luck
YellowBird from NJ on 10/17/2012 07:27 PM
Just finished the C&O on 9/29. It varies quite a bit on the roughness scale. Some places hard-pack, relatively smooth ride for non-asphalt. Some places I was only doing 7-8 mph because of the roughness (stones, roots, ruts) and puddles/mud. Assume they'll be carrying packs too.. that is a factor in how fast you can/want to go. I think it's perfectly safe for your kids though.
Anonymous on 10/17/2012 08:16 PM
The plan is to ride both the C and O and the Gap. They wouldn't be carrying anything other than water. I will be hauling everything on my XtraCycle. I am planning on bringing my ultra light tent just in case, but plan on staying at hotels etc every night. The ride is ambitious enough so we won't be camping on this trip. The roughness of the C and O is bothersome....
lenny on 10/18/2012 04:13 AM
The C&O isn't that rough that you can't do 10 mph consistantly. My wife and I averaged 10.7 and did considerably more milage , we are in our late 50'S.
JDEcho from Minneapolis on 10/18/2012 11:06 AM
10 mph pace is what I'd hope for. We're under no pressure to finish the whole trail but that's the plan the boys and I have. We'll be in 3 bikes with 3 different size tires, 700X32, 26X1.5, 26X1.75. Any issues with riding those street oriented tires on the C and O??
Thanks for all of the replies, Joe
lenny on 10/18/2012 04:09 PM
700x32 is the thinnest I would run personally I run 35. The 26x tires are fine.
mcparsons from Iowa on 10/24/2012 08:57 PM
Joe, I'm planning the same trip with my boys (11 & 15) next summer. It's our third year doing extended bike trips both on road and trail (first time on the GAP and C&O though). We haul our tent and all the gear - a trailer for me and panniers for the boys and the camping is a big part of the fun. My boys can do 60 or 70 miles loaded on the road. 50 miles on packed lime surface trail is about equivalent to that - pedaling on the softer trail surface is much more tiring. I usually plan around 40 miles a day but vary it based on the boy's attitude. We like to set up camp by 4 so they have time to goof off and wind down. This trip looks to have lots of great side trip opportunities like Antietam so we'll take our time.
Good luck. Maybe we'll see you there!
Marshall
mcparsons from Iowa on 10/24/2012 08:59 PM
Oh, one more thing. My youngest has very narrow road tires on his little road bike. Handles the packed lime fine but make sure you have at least on spare since you can rip the lightweight tires up. 26's should be fine.
Joe from Minneapolis on 11/13/2012 09:02 PM
Marshall, ideally I'd like for all three of us to be riding the same size tires and that could change I suppose. I am worried about the C and O being rough. My boys currently have both mountain bikes and street bikes. The mountain bikes are lighter than their street bikes but the street bikes have racks and fenders which I think would be good for this trip. I go back and forth on what bikes they should ride, my soon to be 12 year old is riding a 25 lb Schwinn Homegrown hard tail, my youngest is currently on a 24 inch Marin that I converted to a single speed. Their street bikes are rigid and are closer to 30 lbs. 5-10 lbs is a big deal over that distance. I just want our first endeavour in big mileage touring to be a good one, I'm probably I er thinking it. What part of the summer are you planning on riding the trail?
Joe
mcparsons from Iowa on 11/24/2012 02:36 PM
Joe,
Agree it is best to have a single tire size to spare but hard to do with smaller kids bikes. Those tires can be hard to come by on the road too so you definitely want to have one of each. You won't need them, but if you do ...
Knobbly mountain bike tires take a lot more effort and won't provide any real advantage on packed lime trails. The kind they offer stock on hybrid bikes are a pretty good compromise. When we rode the KATY 2 years ago my 9 year old had a beat up mountain bike with smooth tires and he did fine. Whatever they ride should be what they are most comfortable on. I put racks on all so they can have a small pack with snacks and water and their own stuff. Water can be critical - I've been caught low before and it can get ugly fast.
Here is our journal from this summer's tour with some ideas on our load and on riding with kids.
We are waiting to figure out schedules, I'm hoping to make it in early/mid June but it could be anytime.
Marshall
mcparsons from Iowa on 11/25/2012 11:46 PM
Oops. Looks like I can't post links. Our last year's journal is at crazyguyonabike com. Just look for mcparsons. Good luck.
Parkas from Alum Bridge we on 12/12/2012 10:13 AM
We have done the Pitt/DC trip with my grandchildren 70 miles per day is difficult for 10 year old, 14 year old handles it fine. The light bike makes a lot of difference. Good luck! Will be out there again on fathers day weekend. Maybe we will see ya!
Joe from Minneapolis on 07/24/2013 04:59 PM
I just want to thank everyone for their input on riding with my kids. As of 7-18 my boys and I completed our ride. We started in Connellsville to shorten the ride a bit but made the entire trip in 5 and half days on the trail. I rode a converted mtb with an Xtracycle attachment and 26X1.75 inch hybrid tires, my 12 yr old had a hybrid with 700X32's and my 10 yr old road a touring bike(drop bars etc) with 700X28's! We were warned on the trail that the C and O was wet so we purchased some 32's in Hancock for the touring bike but never installed them, didn't need them. Our average day was about 46 miles with a 67 mile push on the last day to make it to Georgetown a day earlier than planned. We did a mix of campgrounds, trailside sites and one night at a motel in Frostburg. Never had any issues, complaints, or break downs, period. Extremely happy and proud of the boys for taking on this endeavor, couldn't have gone any better.
lenny on 07/24/2013 07:17 PM
Way to go Joe and boys. Brava
C&O conditions
- + We will be riding the the C&O canal at the end of July and we were wondering if anyone has ridden it lately who can report on the conditions. It's been unusually rainy, so we're a little concerned.Discussion started 07/20/2013 06:38 PM by BJS - 1 reply (last reply by Joe at 07/24/2013 05:07 PM)BJS on 07/20/2013 06:38 PM
We will be riding the the C&O canal at the end of July and we were wondering if anyone has ridden it lately who can report on the conditions. It's been unusually rainy, so we're a little concerned.
Thanks,
Bruce
Joe from Minneapolis on 07/24/2013 05:07 PM
Just got off the trail with two young boys (10,12) on the 18th. It was in good shape, some mud but could ride around or through it no problem.