Pam, I don’t even want a bike hook. I just want that bar outside the restroom forever and always! Tell me how to make THAT happen! Lol… On Jun 17, 2024, at 2:16 PM, Pam Bikes <pamlikestob...@gmail.com> wrote:
I've taken my train on Amtrak. The various regions operate differently. Always call when in doubt. Their system is easier to tell what type of bike service is available. I've been on the Empire Line, Northeast Regional, Crescent, Carolinian, Palmetto. All in all, I've enjoyed it. Let me know if I can ever help answer any questions. Last time I learned that if you have a bike reservation on the NE regional, look for the bike friendly sticker and those denote which cars have the bike hook. Not all cars have them. On Monday, June 17, 2024 at 7:17:32 AM UTC-4 Tim Bantham wrote:
Thanks for the report Leah! I am taking my bike on Amtrak from Albany to Buffalo later this summer. This will be my first time taking a bike on the train. A friend and I will ride back on the Erie Canal trail. I had planned to ride my Sam Hillborne but you have me thinking why not take the Platy? Gives me something to thing about.
Tim
On Monday, June 17, 2024 at 5:51:12 AM UTC-4 ascpgh wrote:
Leah, your ride report and experiences are charging me up now for my ride today. My last few days have been out the door riding to work at 6am, home between 8:30-9pm. I am guilty of NOT having everything prepped, loaded and laid out this morning but I have a list I scrawled in moments I snatched my attention away from the work at hand.
I caught a vacant night at an Air b&B I really like in Ohiopyle, PA that coincides with a night that the restaurant nearby is open so I booked it. I'll ride to the GAP from home and 80 miles along the Youghiogheny River to the town in the state park for a relaxing evening. I've arrived in the town on "off nights" to this wonderful hiking, biking, fishing, climbing, whitewater rafting, canoeing and kayaking adventure town.
The biggest difference between my ride and Leah's will be the dearth of people on the way. It's Monday (riding back Tuesday) and the western heat dome is settling on us with mid to upper 90°s expected by noon. Except for oddly scheduled through-riders I don't think I'll see many others out on the trail. I have to pack with appreciationt of weather, safe water sources and several 20 mile stretches that are simply out in the woods, off road, along a nice river, where I will be solely responsible for food and drink, sustained function of my bicycle and all contingencies.
Coffee's gone, I have to pack and Ike the wonder dog wants to look around the neighborhood before I set out. Trying to get going super early to avoid the heat won't be much of an aid, it's going to get hot but that also stymies my classic lunch plan by rolling through that town too early. Cheers to plenty of safe water and Nuun tabs!
Andy Cheatham Pittsburgh
On Monday, June 17, 2024 at 12:31:38 AM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
Ok, here’s the video. I’ll switch my IG to public for a few days because that link is the only way I can get a long video to post here.
![448492579_1159776728393867_8612724418179187346_n.jpg]() | ![]() | Leah Peterson on Instagram: "I did my first real bike tour this weekend. I have dreamed of and longed to do exactly this. There are so many faers I had to quell along the way. Never having taken Amtrak. Knowing my bike was technically too long for their dimensions, unsure if they would send me away. Showing up to a ride that spanned 3 states and not having anyone to ride with. Leaving my post, as I call it, trusting that my family would be fine.
Leif, a kind man from the Rive List offered to let me join his group of 6 welcoming and experienced cyclists. The leader, Jerry, completed his 10th Le Tour de Shore this year. He had several fun side quests planned. As in, “You can have PB&J at the SAG stop, OR you can come to the brewery with us.”
Yeah, I’m going to the brewery.
Or, “There’s this one little place we should stop for ice cream…” Or, “This is the scenic route out of Chicago…”
There were 2 married couples in the group. We were nearly all the same age. They knew one another thr |
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Glad you had a great experience with this ride and that the Amtrak logistics worked out.
RE: "...Most people seemed into their own groups and I’m not sure I could have just gotten in one on the fly...", yes, on these organized rides you will find this will largely be the case. Most of these people probably come from some local club in the area so they stick together accordingly. Over the 50+ years of serious riding I've done I finally got to the point where I just ignored them and rode at my own pace. Last organized ride I did, though, was probably '07 and I'm not sure I could to another one unless it was a single day event and limited to 100K. But I've long since lost my enthusiasm for them and it's unlikely I'll ever ride another.
Oh, and now that you've gotten the "bug" don't forget about that website containing a list of all the rides around Michigan during the Summer months!
On Sunday, June 16, 2024 at 11:44:44 AM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
Valerie, You are the best. Am I a bad person if the color of that Roadeo rules it out for me?
Scott, how in the world did I cross paths with your wife? She was one of the only people I spoke to at the start of the ride. Yes, we are planning another lake shore ride later on. I met up with Sean, who lives in Chicago and he was begging to make another ride and ride further on the Lakeshore path. We just have to nail down a date! Maybe The Lone Wolf and I will take Amtrak this time!
Tom, yes, you had better bring a bike! Don’t show your face unless you plan to ride with us! 😁 I did meet nice people, but if it wasn’t for them, I am not sure what I would have done. Most people seemed into their own groups and I’m not sure I could have just gotten in one on the fly.
I hope if I do it next year there will be some Chicago List members who would like to transition from Internet Friends to Real Life Friends. Of course I’d love Leif and his wife to join us because everyone would love them. I should probably message Mack’s Bike and Goods in Evanston next time, now that I think about it.
Anyway, I’ve got the bug now and it’s going to be hard to get back to Real Life around here. Leah
On Sunday, June 16, 2024 at 12:07:15 PM UTC-4 Valerie Yates wrote:
Leah - Fantastic ride report. Your energy is so positive. Love all the details.
While you were away, we found an exquisite drop-bar bike for you: Rich's Roadeo
On Sunday, June 16, 2024 at 9:47:06 AM UTC-6 Scott Marriott wrote:
Scott here. My wife was kind of roped into the ride by a friend and she had a lot of fun. I actually mentioned to her that you bike was the idealized version of the bike I'd like for her to ride, but she's resistant to buying a Riv for herself. This one in the picture is a Trek 1984 420L mixte which is a kind of a an odd-ball early trek. (Sadly not Reynolds or Ishiwata, which would have made for a lighter bike.) The one actual direct from Riv item on the bike is the thumb shifter mounted on top of the handlebar close to the stem. Otherwise most of the bike is definitely Riv-spired. That said when I was picking up yesterday in New Buffalo I was shocked to see so many boring (to me) bikes. It felt like at least 70% of the bikes where some type of Trek Domaine variant, there were a few Surly's and two Gunnar's, but I didn't see any vintage steel which was surprising.
Glad you had a nice ride. Any thoughts on another Chicago group ride?
Scott Marriott, Chicago (Hyde Park) On Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 8:21:43 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
Hi you guys,
I am home from my first real bike adventure. It was pretty darn perfect.
I got on Amtrak just great at Kalamazoo. I rode to the station and got there embarrassingly early. The agent helped me hoist the bike up the steep steps (nearly impossible for just me as the back had three heavy bags and the angle was practically vertical). He gave me premiere parking in the hallway! And he helped lift the bike down those same steep stairs at the ride’s end.
Leif from this List reached out to me and invited me to ride with a group of his friends (and his wife). They were Chicagoan, experienced cyclists who had their own extras to put on the agenda and were welcoming to add-ons like me. I had never met Leif, but he was as nice as you might imagine and so was his wife. When do you ever decide to travel across state lines with 6 strangers and think that’s a safe idea? Only on a bike tour.
The friends rode a variety of bikes, several had drop bars and 2 of them were wearing kit. The rest of us were in normal clothes. Almost all of us were about the same age, which was really nice as we were all in similar stages of life. The group was SO kind and did not make me feel like an interloper at all. Accomplished, interesting people, they were enjoyable to chat with and I loved hearing about their lives. There were 2 married couples in the group and they were very happy to be on their bikes together. (Sweet!) This Tour de Shore was the leader’s 10th year doing it, and he had prepared fun side quests for us. We took an extra and more scenic departure from the city. Instead of eating PB&J at the SAG stop, we hit a great brewery for a real lunch. He knew the little food co-op to get the good ice cream bars from. These extras made the ride even more exciting.
They all went camping, but I stayed in a hotel. I met them on the road for Day 2 and was so pleased it worked. I had to add an extra 2 miles to my route and frantically pedaled to get there in time because road construction took the bridge out on my route and I was detoured. We made good time today and rode pretty fast. We had 41 miles to do and we averaged 20.3 mph on mile 35, 19.6 mph on mile 36 and 18.7 mph on mile 38. Not bad for day two!
The scenery was..well, I felt like we were in a movie. A lot of our route was on bike paths and quiet roads. We wound our way around the coast of Lake Michigan which, if never you’ve seen it, is teal (teal!!!) and like an inland ocean. There were grand beach houses and kind townspeople. There were wetlands and creeks and swamps and bridges. Serene bike paths under tunnels of arching trees. We saw every kind of person riding every kind of bike. I wish I had taken photos of the scenery but I dreaded causing a wreck so left my phone in its mount.
The SAG stops were fun - the first one was a giant pancake breakfast and you caught your pancakes on your plate as the cook sent them sailing towards you in the air. The facilities were plush and we lacked nothing.
The Amtrak ride home did not offer the princess treatment at New Buffalo. The agent stood by while I tried to hoist the bike nearly vertically (have you seen how steep the steps are?!) and fully loaded. A bystander lifted the saddle and I was in. There were two other bikes in the hallway and I had to put mine against them. But the Backabikes padded the frame and no paint was chipped. The agent must have felt a little bad because he did help me guide the bike off the train.
A few hot tips from your novice tour-er RivSister. 1. Cotopaxi packing cubes. Highest praise! I got everything (full make-up! 3 days of clothing!) into my Backabikes using those cubes. They just make everything fit and they are so convenient. I wanted for nothing.
2. Kickstands. If and when I get a road bike I can tell you right now it will have a kickstand. I don’t care about the weight or that it’s profane to pollute a pure road bike with one - I have seen too much. People were propping bikes up and I was watching them smash onto asphalt and concrete. No thank you.
3. Bring food. They ran out of breakfast at our first SAG stop today. We all had enough food to make it through until we could eat. But I’d hate to be out there bonking.
4. Electrolyte tabs. It was hot enough that one of our group was cramping up. I gave him some Nuun tabs but he must have been pretty behind on his lytes because he was full-body cramping even after taking them.
5. Arm sleeves. They have cooling ones on Amazon and they were great for keeping me from being sunburned and feeling cool in hot weather.
I’m making a video for IG that will also tell the story. I’ll post it later. I made it home this evening under my own power - no cars were used on this bike adventure. I pedaled home from the station and am back at my post. Three days, about 140 miles, two time zones and three states. How can I go back to normal life now?
Bonus: RIV CONTENT! At the start in downtown Chicago, this darling woman rolled her bike towards me. “You’re my kind of girl!” I called to her, seeing her pink tires and bamboo fenders and dyno. “Oh, my husband does all this to my bike and he’s overkill,” she said. “Well he is wonderful!” I said. A few minutes later she said, “I think my husband knows you.” Apparently he is Scott on this list. Scott, are you out there? Youth have good taste in bike things and this lady is lucky!
![cid:295B4337-70D9-4A7B-ABED-9948C6EDFAE6-L0-001]() ![cid:A3C65E4B-D52A-4736-BC14-B9865F1D85EE]()
At the finish, this man approached me. He’s also on the List and he has this 23 year old Romulus! ![cid:A4CE14FF-6296-45C7-A170-C0B05AFBC370-L0-001]()
Lastly, the leader of our group was interested in my bike. He knows a little about Rivendell. He rides a Lemond that he has had forever. He likes a steel bike. Did Riv make a Platypus that wasn’t a mixte because what do the men ride? I had to tell him all about how Riv has made you all converts and you men are all out there riding your Clems and Platys now. And he was a quick believer. “I think she’s convinced me,” he said to the group after test riding my bike. He’s 6’3” but he could still tell this bike is awesome. ![cid:074BC5A8-D4E0-4EB5-959F-92D17356EEFC-L0-001]()
Thanks to everyone who helped me with their Amtrak tips and bolstered my courage to even try this. You are good, kind people and I am grateful to you. Leah Hi you guys,
I am home from my first real bike adventure. It was pretty darn perfect.
I got on Amtrak just great at Kalamazoo. I rode to the station and got there embarrassingly early. The agent helped me hoist the bike up the steep steps (nearly impossible for just me as the back had three heavy bags and the angle was practically vertical). He gave me premiere parking here:
Leif from this List reached out to me and invited me to ride with a group of his friends (and his wife). They were experienced cyclists who had their own extras to put on the agenda and were welcoming to add-ons like me. I had never met Leif, but he was as nice as you might imagine and so was his wife. When do you ever decide to travel across state lines with 6 strangers and think that’s a safe idea? Only on a bike tour.
That's rock star service Leah. I bet you made that agent's day! Have a nice trip.
Best, Rich in ATL
On Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 1:07:47 PM UTC-4 Jason Fuller wrote:
I have no doubt that your excitement is both evident and refreshing for the employees you're interacting with and will pave the way for a great weekend! It's been years since I took Amtrak with my bike but now I'm very much feeling the itch. I would be taking the Cascades route down to Portland again - such a fun trip and multi-modal travel by train and bike is the BEST. Nothing else compares.
The adventure begins! I had a feeling you might get lucky with a roomy train and helpful helpers in that Michigander way they have about them. Have a lovely time, Leah! 🙂🙋♂️
Joe Bernard
On Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 7:51:58 AM UTC-7 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
Guys, they’re being so nice to me! They carried my bike up the steep train steps, they told me to put it in a great place. No bags removed. ![image3.jpeg]() I told the agent I was so excited and thanks for helping me and he has been over here 10 times to point out everything he knows about anything. This is GREAT!
Also, check this out. Seen as I wandered the train cars. ![image4.jpeg]() Sent from my iPhone On the Amtrak trains in the DC/NYC/Boston corridor you have to take the front wheel off and hang the bike on a hook. I'm not sure if it's the same everywhere, but fenders might be more of a problem than a long bike. I can second that the conductors don't care about the dimensions of your bike unless it's something crazy.
On Monday, June 10, 2024 at 8:02:00 PM UTC-4 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
Yes, Ryan, same thoughts! I’m staying in a hotel. I’m not much of a camper. I feel like the Canucks might think that’s rather weak of me. 🫣 yeah if little Prince platy isn't dialed in yet I'd roll the dice and take the raspberry one that you feel most efficient on. First day of 61 miles is not an insignificant distance (100 klicks to us Canucks) with possible wind and heat issues...
Are you camping or staying in a hotel/motel?
Have fun
On Monday, June 10, 2024 at 5:24:50 PM UTC-5 George Schick wrote:
Thanks for revealing all of the details. Helps explain the situation better. Under the circumstances I'd say take the longer Platy and try to deal with the Amtrak conductors at New Buffalo. Doesn't sound like it'll be much of a problem.Oh, and congrats on having a son who's studying physics during the Summer time. More power to him.
On Monday, June 10, 2024 at 4:41:15 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
Oh George, do you really want to know these details? Ok, then.
I’m married to a man who is so fun and so yummy and he was going to drive me to Chicago and we were gonna make a night of it. So I was taking my preferred bike. But then he remembered he’s actually flying out of state for one of his many engagements and won’t be free to retrieve me in New Buffalo at the ride’s end. Now I have to rely on our teenage son to get me, and he is not thrilled to miss out on a single second of his summer college physics study time. Yes, seriously.
The little Platy is just not trustworthy yet. It’s got a fender strut that’s misbehaving and I’m waiting for a new one to arrive. It’s work to get that thing to really roll, and I like to keep a good clip on long rides. But the people in New Buffalo are likely a little more low key than in a big place like Chicago, and maybe they’d let this pretty, too-long Platy on board this one time for this one journey. Sent from my iPhone Between this post and your previous post requesting a ride partner I have to admit to being a bit confused. If the concern is whether or not you can take that long Platy on Amtrak back to KZoo, how were you planning to get from Michigan to Chicago in the first place? I'd assumed that you'd be taking the train on that leg, too, having been dropped off a New Buffalo. And if I were you, I'd use your new shorter Platy for this ride, since you got it to fit on the train in the first place. I wouldn't make a big deal over the size tires, etc., just use and ride that bike. I'm sure you'll be just fine out there with it.
On Monday, June 10, 2024 at 1:31:26 PM UTC-5 Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! wrote:
Hi! Quick question. I was looking at Amtrak and I know my 55 Platy is too long - it’s like 74” and the max for Amtrak is 70”. However, if you are rolling the bike on board, are they really very strict? I ask because it would be great to ride the train home from New Buffalo back to Kzoo after the wrap-up of my tour on Saturday. I have never ridden Amtrak, so I don’t know what the setup is inside the train cars.
If anyone has successfully wheeled a longwheelbaser onto Amtrak, let me know.
Yes, yes, I know this is what my little purple pocket Platy is for, but that bike would not be my choice for a 106 mile road ride. I want my 700c wheels with the 42mm tires!
Leah
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