Fifty Plus (50+) - Train and a Ride

Has anyone taken the Amtrak Train from S. California to ????? and gotten off and done a short tour or any tour for that matter. Thinking about something to do with a long weekend.

I can't speak for the west coast, but here in NYC lots of people will use the commuter rr's to get out or return to the city with their bikes. I'd check with Amtrak to see what their bike policy is.

Yes, we took the Surfliner from Van Nuys to San Luis Obispo last April and rode home. You will get a different story from any Amtrak employee you talk to. We did find out that you can put your bike on the train without boxing it if you go to Van Nuys. Some stations are short stops and they won't open the baggage car. Some trains allow you to bring your bike into the passenger area, but not the Surfliner.
They did put a large scratch in my top tube, so be warned.
It was cheap, and I'd do it again, for sure.

Not quite what you are asking but I left from Oakland, CA and went to Eugene, OR last fall and then cycled home. I was required to arrive at the station early and put my bike--with pedals removed and handlebars turned--into a bike box which they supplied. I carried my four panniers on board. It was an overnight ride.

It is true that only certain stops allow one to add or remove baggage from the baggage car so check for which stops allow for this.

Back in the 90's, I took the Amtrack run from Seattle, WA down to Portland, OR Friday nights and then back up to Seattle Monday mornings. Sometimes there were a few cyclists on board. Unless things have changed, be prepared for a run that gets farther behind schedule at every stop. A few years ago my daughter took the Amtrack from Olympia, WA to Salem, OR and it was about 2 hours behind schedule when they reached Salem. This isn't much of a problem unless you are traveling with small children like she was. Don

See this thread in Utility Cycling: http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=401201

It links to the guy's blog where he tells the story of traveling to LA via Amtrak with his bike.

Like John, I loaded my tour bike, rode out to Union Station in downtown LA, and took the Amtrak Surfliner to Pismo Beach where I hooked up with a couple of friends who started their tour from San Francisco. We rode down along the coast and camped at State Beach campgrounds, and made it back to LA in 3 days. This was a couple of years ago.

Here's one photo from that trip. This was El Capitan State Beach, just north of Santa Barbara.

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c362/jojisan/PISMO-LA5.jpg

Here's our group outside SLO on the first day of riding. 4 days for 300+ miles. A great trip.
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/bigjohn53/R00106831.jpg

Has anyone taken the Amtrak Train from S. California to ????? and gotten off and done a short tour or any tour for that matter. Thinking about something to do with a long weekend.

As you may have gathered, going along the coast works okay. I used to take it going back and forth to college, and carrying my redoubtable Peugeot U08. (L.A. to UCSB). Going east though may be more problematic.

The map (http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/national.pdf)shows that from L.A., you can go 4 routes. Up the coast, down the coast, To Kingman and Northern Arizona or to Yuma and Southern Arizona

A quick consultation of the Amtrak site shows that a trip from downtown L.A. to Phoenix on a Friday gives you one choice. You take the train from L.A. to Flagstaff 6:45 pm to 5:06 am. Then you continue by bus to Phoenix, at 7:30 am to 10:30 am. Only a 14 hour trip. And it would take 6 hours to drive. :rolleyes:

Thanks you all. Neat pic's and good thoughts.

I have talked to Amtrak in the past, even looking going up to Yosemite. That conversation as interesting:

Me: Do you have a train that gets close to Bass Lake or Yosemite.

Amtrak Lady (deep southern accent): I ain't sure, let me look.

Amtrak Lady: Well, you can go from Los Angeles to a place called Yoo Sea Might.

Me: Would you please spell that for me.

Amtrak Lady: Y O S E M I T E = Yoo Sea Mite

Me: Ok, where does the train stop.

Amtrak Lady: It ain't no train. You take the bus from Los Angeles to Yoo Sea Might.

Wow, thanks. I have been out on the Amtrak website and looked at San Luis Obispo or Santa Maria. From Santa Maria I could get off and ride over to Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Preserve or ??? Someplace to ride and camp. Suggestions?

...Suggestions?

Sure. If you're heading south, transport some hay on the back of your rig to help subsidize the trip's expenses.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z142/JohnWoodworthCA/PacidicCoastHighwayBikeSummer07096.jpg

This is a great idea. Maybe it would save the taxpayers from all the $$$$$$ Amtrak gets and they could actually make a profit. If it was a reasonable fee it would even make sense to get on the train and do a century back to your car.