sp115

Hey All,

I am trying to sort out a way to get some more bike time and I'm thinking my best option is to bike to work. Obviously I'd like to do the whole thing on my bike but at 80 miles round trip I can't commit to that on a regular basis. So my second best option is a bike/train/bike setup.

I live in Providence (RI) and travel up to Canton (MA) every day and am planning to use two beaters with one locked over night at a station near work (I have several options for stations). I think I have a most of the basic issues thought out: clothes, rain gear, shower at work, spare gear, tools, locks, train schedules, and a back-up plan if a bike is trashed/missing at either station.

But before I give it a go I figured I'd ask around and see if anyone has any experience or advice that they wanted to share. Is this just more work than it's worth? Or is this no big deal and more common than I think?

Thanks,
Stephen

hubcap

My commute is bike-train-bike. 9 miles from my home to the station, 1/2-hour train ride, 5 miles from the station to my office. I have a bike locker that I rent at the station nearest my office, so that bike stays secure and sheltered from the elements.

A couple of tips that I can think of: If you are like me, the bike that you use to get from the train to you work will likely have less routine maintenance and general tlc given to it. Try to make that bike a simple bomb-proof one (think singlespeed). Get a pannier setup that is easy to move from bike to bike and carry on the train. I use an Arkel Bug. When you are hot and sweaty in the summer from riding back to the train from your office, make sure you have a bandana or towel or something to wipe up the sweat. The person sitting in the seat next to you will appreciate you efforts to not create a big puddle since you will be a dripping mess.

craptastico

Have you considered a folder that you could bring on the train and into your workspace? This may allow you to eliviate any concern about the bike not being there and it will also allow you always ride a bike that is regularly maintianed (as long as you do the maintanance).

Psydotek

Are you unable to take your bike on the train?

I do a car-train-bike commute myself. It's not so hard.

sp115

Bike locker? I didn't know they even existed, I'll look into it as well as the pannier setup. As for a folding bike, that was a back up option. I'd definitely need to find one that was enjoyable to ride for a 6'4" goon.

And as far as I know the bike on the train option is hit or miss. Technically they are not allowed on the trains during peak hours, but from what I hear it's upto the platform attendant to give you the final blessing and if he says no then it's 40 mile commute time.

Thanks for the responses.

hubcap

Non-folding bikes are not allowed on the Chicagoland Metra trains during any of the times that I would be commuting. I thought long and hard about a folder, but the train can get pretty crowded, and although it would be technically allowed to bring it on anytime, I can see a folder becoming a bit of a hassle to lug around all the people.

I just got lucky that the train station that was most viable for me ended up having bike lockers. I don't believe that the majority of Metra stations have them.

One other suggestion: If you do end up using two separate bikes, consider setting them up so they use much of the same kind of equipment. For example, if you are commuting when you will need lights, think about how you will be needing to take the lights off one bike and put them on the other twice a day. You will want to do it quickly and with minimal trouble and it's nice if you don't have to carry two separate light setups.

Andy_K 

I share a Cateye 530 and PB Superflash between my two bikes. Both have nice clip-on mounts and both required me to buy the mount separately to get the one I wanted, so it was not really much trouble to buy one extra. It's very easy to move the lights where I want them.