Before Amtrak ruined things by requiring bike boxing, I recall 30+ years ago my local club would take an early Sunday morning train to some destination about 60-100 miles away. Due to the light passenger volume at that time of day, it was no problem to quickly load the bikes into the baggage car. Sitting in the nearly empty passenger cars and talking about bike stuff before the ride was fun too. We'd then spend the day cycling back. Lovely way to see new roads a little farther from home. We could also take the train one-way to go up-wind when strong spring north winds were howling, then have tail winds push us all the way home. :-) (For CR content, bikes used were mostly Paramounts, Raleigh Pros and Internationals, Peugeot PX-10s, with a sprinkling of Pogliaghis, Masis, and Bianchis thrown in for good measure. Nailed-on shoe cleats, wool clothing were worn, and no helmets, naturally.)
Bill Bryant Santa Cruz, CA
CYCLESTORE@aol.com wrote:
> Howdy,
>
> Great pain. For extra classic vintage content it should be known that there
> were many "Bike Trains" in the 1930's and 1940's out of Chicago. LAW
> reCofounder Phillis Harmon told thrilling tales of her young days of hundreds
> of local cyclists riding away for the weekend for away trips on the train
> with their bikes along.
>
> I think they had square dances on the way (in box cars?) and a bike time in
> new territory.
> He youth experiences motivated her and others to rejuvenate the league of
> American Wheelmen in the 1960's. Old Schwinn exec. Keith Kingbay was also
> involved. Phillis completed a century a couple of years ago I heard and is
> well into here 70's.
>
> By the way, why don't you guys let that big ole Amtrak train take ye cycles
> home. You guys just addicted to drivin in Californie or what?
>
> Here just east of hill billy country in North Carolina Amtrak took my Rene
> Herse unboxed to my first Cirque and we arrived unblemished. What kinda bikes
> ya got, I mean jees. Boxing is a pain on some Amtrak routes, however. The
> bike racks on baggage cars are spaced far apart and you can hand the bike
> over to the loader and watch them, they are always courteous around here.
>
> The truck idea would take the boxing the bike dilemma out of the equation if
> needed.
>
> Have fun,
>
> Gilbert Anderson
>
> Raleigh, NC USA
>
> In a message dated 1/10/02 11:03:54 PM, Cyncrest@cs.com writes:
>
> << Anyone who wants to bring there vintage bike out for a great ride, pre
> circa
> 80's
> myself ,with my 68 Peuqeot px10, and about 30 other friends, will ride from
> the
> Irvine amtrak station, to Solana Beach (North San Deigo), apx 76 miles, of
> coast
> via Laguna Nigel-San Clemente-onto San Anofre-then through Camp Penelton,
> onward to Oceanside,Carlsbad, down PCH to Solana Beach, for some Pizza beer
> and bike talk, then ride the Amtrak train back to Irvine in the pm.
>
> Cost $13 bucks for train ride, additonal $5 for rental truck to bring
> bikes back
>
> Hopefully weather will be in the mid 70's, and clear,
> For more info or RSVP cal Paul Grant
> 909-785-0610, or e-mail me >>