nesdog

Has anyone taken their bike on Amtrak in Socal?

I've had an idea to take the train to Santa Barbara, then ride back to Ventura. I thought it would be fun, a change of pace, and would meet up with my wife in VTA. I've done the ride as part of the Cool Breeze Century.

What is required to get on the train? How do you handle the bike? I figured I would show up at the station, place the bike someplace and that's it. (It would be funny if the engine had a rack on the front like the buses do).

Thanks for any info.

Sheldon

El Diablo Rojo

Yeah I used to do it a couple of times a week. On most of the cars as you enter towards the back there is a place for your bike.

LCI_Brian

I've had some issues a couple years back, see my writeups here: https://www.briandesousa.com/bicyclin...g/sba2la02.htm
https://www.briandesousa.com/bicycling/touring/sd01.htm

I hear that some of the newer trains don't even have bike racks like they used to. Therefore, I wouldn't rely on Amtrak being able to come through for you.

El Diablo Rojo

How new is new? I was doing this quite regularly in 2004.

roadfix

True. That's been the case with the Surfliner I rode on.....although I was able to roll my tour bike into the baggage compartment of the baggage car and ride in the same car at L.A. Union Station. This was last September on my way to Pismo Beach. But according to the station attendants I spoke with, this was the case with just some Surfliner lines but they couldn't exactly tell me which ones were equipped with racks inside the passenger cars.
With the Surfliner, you don't have to check your bike in. You simply proceed with ticket in hand to the platform with your bike.

saharvey2

I have never done this, but I have noted that Amtrak has good information regarding bringing your bicycle with you.

Bring Your Bicycle Onboard

nesdog

Just looked at your site...wow, you've done some great tours! Have to keep these in mind! Probably would be easier without a wife and 11 year old, huh?

Nonetheless, doing the train up and ride down, short as it may be, should still be a cool day. I think Channel Islands Bike Club does this one every year with its members.

Thanks everyone for the info. I'm going to start thinking about dates as summer approaches.

Sheldon

Extort

never had a problem getting on the train with my bike. There is generally a car with space for oversized luggage area with hooks for the bikes. It has never cost me any extra money and the Amtrak people will generally point you towards the right car. If the oversized luggage compartment is full, the conductors have put our bikes into the regular luggage car.