I almost climbed Rainier a few years ago with a hiking group from New Hampshire but notice for the climb was way too short for me to get ready in time. I still want to get to that part of the world and think riding a bike up would be the best option. Great trip report Bengeboy.
Rainier is a serious mountain and the link and video I copied from a New England hiking web site illustrates the point.
http://www.youtube.com/user/x0s0p0y#p/a/u/0/fzRhLs5GkYs