General Cycling Discussion - Railroad Bike

Many years ago I recall reading an article about a guy who rigged his bike to ride on abandoned train tracks. There was an outrigger with a wheel on the end that rode on one rail with the bike riding the other. The front wheel had an attachment with rollers that kept the wheel on the rail.

One of the things that intrigued me about the idea was the authors observation that train tracks never have more that a three percent grade; that would be like riding on a sheet of glass, albeit a very think piece.

Anybody read, heard or do such a thing?

Many years ago I recall reading an article about a guy who rigged his bike to ride on abandoned train tracks. There was an outrigger with a wheel on the end that rode on one rail with the bike riding the other. The front wheel had an attachment with rollers that kept the wheel on the rail.

One of the things that intrigued me about the idea was the authors observation that train tracks never have more that a three percent grade; that would be like riding on a sheet of glass, albeit a very think piece.

Anybody read, heard or do such a thing?

You mean like this? (http://www.railbike.com/)

I've never done it, but it sounds pretty cool!

I saw a movie(A LONG time ago), made in Britian?, that had a kid riding a bike modded to work on railroad tracks.

Does bike also come available in Russian gauge?

I saw an old one in a meuseum near here. They made it sound like they were fairly common "back in the day."

Does bike also come available in Russian gauge?

My guess would be yes. He probably makes so few of these that'd he could do custom without a problem. Send him an email.

A long time ago I saw a television news magazine report on these things. I thought they were cool but impractical. Someone interview on the report complained that people were riding on tracks that were in use. I guess one wouldn't want to come face to face with a freight train while cycling along. As far as I remember, the report was aired before the rails-to-trails movement took hold, at least around here.

Stevetone: excellent site. What I remembered was way before recumbents were widely known, but that is the idea. This is great, thanks.

A guy here used to have a road/rail bike. It was a standard DF bike with an arm that reaches across to the other rail, and swings straight up when not in use on the rails. I only saw it in use on the street, though, so I don't know quite how it interfaces with the railroad.

Many years ago I recall reading an article about a guy who rigged his bike to ride on abandoned train tracks. There was an outrigger with a wheel on the end that rode on one rail with the bike riding the other. The front wheel had an attachment with rollers that kept the wheel on the rail.

I actually rode along an abandoned rail track in Tasmania (Montezuma Falls) -- although I just used my MTB and didn't worry about an outrigger or anything else for the traction. I just rode across the wooden planks that were still there. Consequenly, I had a much bumpier ride than I perhaps needed to.

Whatta ya do when a train comes!!?? :eek:

Whatta ya do when a train comes!!?? :eek:
That is why they call it...

TRAINing...


:)

I saw an outrigger that hookes to any hybrid type bike many years ago but that was before all the old (some still very usable) rails were ripped up for rails to trails.