Haagen Daft's next thought
03-19-05, 12:18 AM
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Haagen Daft's next thought
On my big ride today I crossed the railway line that runs south of town here. "Groan" I hear you say. However, we only have two rail services a day here. I wonder if anyone has ridden along the railway lines to take a more direct route to a place they want to go. Seems like a really neat idea to me if you didn't get flattened or rattled to bits.
03-19-05, 12:25 AM
#2
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The main cycling corridor in Hobart runs parallel to the rail line. The easement has been wide enough for over 11km to do this. Rather than a rails to trails, it's a rails and trails arrangement. It's one of the better off-road bicycle transport facilities in Australia, in my opinion.
To do it on a rail line itself, you'd probably need a *very* durable MTB with dual suspension. Then of course, you could do the Nullarbor Plain -- there is, I understand, a gravel service road that runs parallel to the line right across. It is a (fatal) attraction for Japanese riders of both bicycles and motorcycles. Most sane peope stick to the Eyre Highway which is further south.
And I suppose the key word in answering your question is "sane".
To do it on a rail line itself, you'd probably need a *very* durable MTB with dual suspension. Then of course, you could do the Nullarbor Plain -- there is, I understand, a gravel service road that runs parallel to the line right across. It is a (fatal) attraction for Japanese riders of both bicycles and motorcycles. Most sane peope stick to the Eyre Highway which is further south.
And I suppose the key word in answering your question is "sane".
03-19-05, 12:26 AM
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Riding ON the tracks??
I know the tracks in Queensland are narrow, skinny little things for the sugar cane trains, and perhaps they might be manageable, but you wouldn't want to ride the tracks in most places in Canada ... the ties are big and stick up quite a bit and are also placed just about right to catch a wheel in between them. I've never tried it, but I would imagine it would be a VERY rough ride.
I know the tracks in Queensland are narrow, skinny little things for the sugar cane trains, and perhaps they might be manageable, but you wouldn't want to ride the tracks in most places in Canada ... the ties are big and stick up quite a bit and are also placed just about right to catch a wheel in between them. I've never tried it, but I would imagine it would be a VERY rough ride.
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03-19-05, 12:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Rowan
And I suppose the key word in answering your question is "sane".
Not even close
03-19-05, 12:47 AM
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Somewhere I've seen pictures and an article about people putting a wheeled outrunner on bikes and riding atop the rails themselves. Road them across the US or maybe Australia. The only difficulty they had was trying to get their bikes off the tracks in time when a train was coming.
03-19-05, 04:46 AM
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No. He's now owned by BFs as resident court jester. I'd only have to go searching for his blog when all I have to do now is click on General Cycling Discussion and Voila! There he is!
On second reading, maybe I should just say: At least he has a sense of humour.
On second reading, maybe I should just say: At least he has a sense of humour.
03-19-05, 05:28 AM
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Somewhere I've seen pictures and an article about people putting a wheeled outrunner on bikes and riding atop the rails themselves. Road them across the US or maybe Australia. The only difficulty they had was trying to get their bikes off the tracks in time when a train was coming.
The ones I've come across are in the USA, alot of them use disued tracks and carry canoes etc. with them. At least you know there won't be any steep grades.
The ones I've come across are in the USA, alot of them use disued tracks and carry canoes etc. with them. At least you know there won't be any steep grades.
03-19-05, 05:46 AM
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Originally Posted by HaagenDas
On my big ride today I crossed the railway line that runs south of town here. "Groan" I hear you say. However, we only have two rail services a day here. I wonder if anyone has ridden along the railway lines to take a more direct route to a place they want to go. Seems like a really neat idea to me if you didn't get flattened or rattled to bits.
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03-19-05, 10:22 PM
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Hmmm. I wouldn't try it. Train tracks here in So Cal get used a lot.
I do remember this group, but they usually stepped in after the line was out of use:
https://www.railtrails.org/
I do remember this group, but they usually stepped in after the line was out of use:
https://www.railtrails.org/
03-20-05, 03:07 PM
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I've tried it. Its just too bloody rough. Maybe with a full suspension bike it would be okay. Or a very skinny tired road bike that you could ride on top of the rail.
03-20-05, 04:23 PM
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I had another look at the tracks yesterday. I reckon it would be rough... might have to look into this outrigger invention today.
03-20-05, 05:39 PM
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You could develop really good balance and just ride the rail.
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03-20-05, 06:26 PM
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Originally Posted by HaagenDas
Not possible, I have a chip on my shoulder 
