Yes, you remember rightly, George. This was why I had to get a 50 cm Platy (still waiting for parts to be built) - so that I could put it on Amtrak; the 55 is just too long. And even then the 50 will be a tight fit, and you can only have so many bikes on the train, and there’s some other dumb rules that may or may not be enforced when we get there. It’s not a bulletproof plan. Marc does it with a Brompton. On Jan 26, 2024, at 11:54 AM, George Schick <bhim...@gmail.com> wrote:
I hate to throw a wet blanket on this idea, but wasn't there some discussion on this forum a while back about taking bikes on Amtrak, which trains allow them and which ones don't, where and how they store the bikes, etc? Not sure if that was ever resolved for this route. Has anyone done this before on this Amtrak Wolverine route? On Friday, January 26, 2024 at 10:42:00 AM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
Marc! You want to do this with me, I’m sure! The Lone Wolf and The Platypus Rider Ride Across Two States. I can see it now. Sent from my iPhone Leah,
The ride from Millenium Park sounds like the route I've taken several times to and from Chicago, using Indiana Dunes as one of the overnights. It would be a good ride, you could take Amtrak to Chicago and return on Amtrak from New Buffalo.
Marc
On Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 9:23:10 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
Leif, I could do this!!!! It’s Father’s day weekend, so that is the only possible snag. I’m going to try and make this ride! Thank you!!! Sent from my iPhone Hey Leah, and midwestern riders,
There’s a well-planned and well-executed ride from Chicago’s Millenium Park to New Buffalo, MI, spread out over 2 days, totalling about 100 miles all told. June 14-15 (Friday and Saturday). Hundreds of friendly riders—most camp the first night at Indiana Dunes state park, but hotels are another option. Easy pace. Easy route. Food and sag support. There are a number of Ragbrai riders who attend this ride from chicago. Perhaps they could give you a taste of ragbrai without all the logistical headaches. I had a lot of fun last year on this ride and made plenty of new friends. Registration opens Sunday, February 11. There are busses and moving trucks to take you, your luggage, and your bike back to chicago should you like.
Best, Leif in Chicago
On Sunday, January 21, 2024 at 3:52:06 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
Welp, I was so much more excited about this in theory. After reading about the various experiences of damaged luggage, sweltering temps and difficult logistics, I think I’ll find a different ride to do.
Thanks to everyone who offered their experiences! It was a great thread to read in the dead of a Michigan winter. Leah If I were to do it again, I would pay for one of the services where they haul your stuff and set up your tent. Getting a hotel will likely be nearly impossible, given the number of people attending.
I did RAGBRAI a few years ago and tried bringing my own tent and setting it up at night. The kids they use to haul luggage from site to site quickly destroyed my bag. Basically, they pile them in the truck and if I had to guess, they saw my handles and yanked on it to pull it free, but tore the brand new heavy canvas bag instead. I tried holding it together with a cable lock and tape, but had to give up on that after a few days. A lot of items I didn't need were tossed, then the rest went into my panniers and I had to haul it myself. Overall, I was a bit disappointed with the luggage service side of the trip.
However, the ride itself was great, especially eating dinner with strangers every evening.
One thing I was happy that I brought was my ultralight cot. It got me off of the ground, which kept me dry on rainy evenings and cooler on hot days.
The next trick is to find a way to charge your phone. I'd make sure you have a power bank available.
Good luck, Matt
On Monday, January 15, 2024 at 5:33:07 PM UTC-6 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
Who knows about Bike Film Festival?
I paid for the pass to watch this year’s videos and it was money well-spent. I got to the RAGBRAI documentary last night. Wow. I had heard of it but really knew nothing about it and now I would just love to figure out how to ride it this year. It just looks like such an experience. And I’ve had very few experiences, because I’m late to the bike adventure scene AND I’ve been raising kids! But now they are teenagers and might not even know that I’m gone so maybe I should ride this epic ride!
There are a ton of logistics I don’t understand. I think you need a “charter” to haul your stuff, yes? And to bring you back across the state after you finish? And if you use these “charters” do they trash your bike in their racks or will they have something that can handle a a mixte with fenders? Is there are charter that is more friendly to Riv bikes than the others?
Also, no camping. I’m really hoping to end up in a hotel or some sort of dwelling. I don’t have any tents, don’t know how to pitch tents and so on. This may be the thing I can’t plan my way out of, because there are so many riders moving through tiny host towns.
I’ll look up more info tonight after I get my chores done! But it really is so exciting to imagine riding my bike across a whole state… Also, it’s Real Winter here in Michigan, so maybe that’s why this hits different.
Leah
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