Plane or train?
 

Just wondering what is the best way to get to the start of a tour. It seems like a plane would be faster, but it would be expensive to get the bike there and I'd have to disassemble it. A train would take longer, but it sounds like I wouldn't have to pay extra or disassemble my bike. Is that correct? Anybody have words of wisdom to share? (By the way, I'd be going from Michigan to Seattle by plane/train - then riding the bike across to New Jersey - and riding by car home back to Michigan).

Depends on the train or plane company.

My charter airline doesn't charge for my bike. Most do

Some trains take bikes, some don't, but if they do they charge.

Each have their own regulations regarding how they'll take the bike, so check their websites. Airlines invariably want the tires flattened, bars turned and pedals off. VIA Rail will take your bike as is as long as you sign a waiver.

amtrack makes you box your bike too. don't forget to consider the $ you spend for the extra days spent on the train.

personally, i fly, it's usually just as cheap and a LOT faster.

i took the bus a couple of times - never again.

Other options are rideshare (check craigslist), one-way rental car, u-haul.

You might even check on a rental car. During the spring and fall some of the rental car outfits will give excellent rates on one-way drops because they need cars relocated. I live near Salt Lake City Utah, a popular summer vacation spot. I completed my Southern Tier in St. Augustine, FL in early May. Tourism slows down dramatically in FL in summer months, so they have too many cars. I was able to rent a full-sized car in Jacksonville, FL, and drive it home to Utah for just over $100. I had the car for a full week.

Taking a bicycle by plane or train is always at least a little complicated. It's less hassle, in my experience, to travel by train, even if the railway company insists that you box the bike.

+1 -- those have been my experiences too.

But the other thing to remember with Amtrak is this ... if you figure your trip will take you 20 hours, add an extra 8-12 to that. Amtrak is always late and slow.

All the Amtrak lines are different too, some take bikes, some don't. Some have racks, some have baggage cars and some don't...

Howdy - -

You don't say where in Michigan - but I'm guessing somewhere along !-94 or I-96.
Baggage service on Amtrak is extremely limited - but is much cheaper than airlines.
$5 vs. $75 is a lont of change for some folks. They sell bike boxes at Amtrak stations - call first.
The Amtrak "boxes" are giant - - all you have to do is take off the pedals and turn the handlebars.
Plus - you have less hassle with all the gear you need for a bike tour.
You get checked baggage, as well as carry-on.

The good news - The Empire Builder - from Chicago to Seattle - is one of Amtrak's best trains.
It has the best ontime performance of any of the long-distance trains. Two-level cars. Diner and lounge.

The fair news - You Lakeshore Limited for NYC is an O.K. overnight train -
It's the only one with baggage service.

The bad news - There is no baggage service or bicycle roll-on on any Michigan train.
Thus you would have to drive to/from either Toledo or South Bend.

<<<<>>>>

If you could get someone to take you to Chicago and then catch the Empire Builder -
that would be the ideal Amtrak solution. There's a fast ferry from the Jersey Shore to Manhattan -
then you can catch the Lakeshore back to Toledo/South Bend from Grand Central Station.

The nice thing about taking the train out to Washington state is that it allows you time to decompress.
Same goes for taking the train back from the East coast. You usually have the chance to meet nice folks who are travelling for the fun of it - not a bunch of harried business people trying to make the next buck. You'll have the extra cost of meals - and you should really consider getting Mom or Grandma to front you something for meals on the train - because it's a pleasant break to eat in the diner.

If you have two days to take the train out West - I'd do it.

Howdy - -

You don't say where in Michigan - but I'm guessing somewhere along !-94 or I-96.
Baggage service on Amtrak is extremely limited - but is much cheaper than airlines.
$5 vs. $75 is a lot of change for some folks.
They sell bike boxes at Amtrak stations - call first.
The Amtrak "boxes" are giant - - all you have to do is take off the pedals and turn the handlebars.
Plus - you have less hassle with all the gear you need for a bike tour.
You get checked baggage, as well as carry-on.

The good news - The Empire Builder - from Chicago to Seattle - is one of Amtrak's best trains.
It has the best ontime performance of any of the long-distance trains. Two-level cars. Diner and lounge.

The fair news - You Lakeshore Limited for NYC is an O.K. overnight train -
It's the only one with baggage service.

The bad news - There is no baggage service or bicycle roll-on on any Michigan train.
Thus you would have to drive to/from either Toledo or South Bend.

<<<<>>>>

If you could get someone to take you to Chicago and then catch the Empire Builder -
that would be the ideal Amtrak solution. At the other end - there's a fast ferry from the Jersey Shore to Manhattan -
then you can catch the Lakeshore back to Toledo/South Bend from Grand Central Station.

The nice thing about taking the train out to Washington state is that it allows you time to decompress.
Same goes for taking the train back from the East coast. You usually have the chance to meet nice folks who are travelling for the fun of it - not a bunch of harried business people trying to make the next buck. You'll have the extra cost of meals - and you should really consider getting Mom or Grandma to front you something for meals on the train - because it's a pleasant break to eat in the diner.

If you have two days to take the train out West - I'd do it.

If you're going to take Amtrak, you'll have to box the bike. Which is exactly the same way as you would box a bike for the airlines. Possibly even more complicated, because I don't know if Amtrak sells actual bike boxes like the airlines. And believe it or not, it is NOT complicated to do. If you practise a bit at home beforehand, you'll be all set. And to do this, all you have to do is loosen the pedals (which if they haven't been lubed at all, will take some time), turn the handlebars.

Nope - It's not exactly the same.

As I stated above - -
First, the measurements for bike boxes are stringent on planes and next to non-existent on Amtrak. Most Amtrak stations that accept baggage also have these jumbo, roll-in bike boxes for $10. Of course, you can always get a box from a bike shop and pre-pack it more carefully. Second, Amtrak only charges $5 for the bike. Many airlines have hiked their bike fee from $50 to $75. That would be $150 both segments of the journey.

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Conten...Page&c=am2Copy

I biked to Seattle from Michigan, then took the Amtrak Empire Builder back to Chicago, where I was picked up. Putting the bike on the train was EXTREMELY easy, I walked up, paid $10 for the bike box (which jamawani describes), took of my pedals, turned my handlebars, and was good to go. No special tools or an expensive bike box were needed.

I enjoyed the extra time on the train to see scenery and talk to people. Baggage wasn't a concern -- I had been traveling light for several months already! Amtrak + bike touring = highly recommended.

One thing I just remembered: I found the meals on the train to be over-priced, albiet fairly tasty. I'd recommend picking up some food for the ride if you're on a budget. I spent $4 on a loaf of bread and peanut butter and saved myself probably $70-80 throughout the trip.

I just returned via VIA, and all they required was that I buy a bike box for 20 bucks, and they also gave me an enormous box for extra junk like the helmet I carry, my new super rack that won't fit in the Bike box, tent, sleeping bag. Without the awkward rack I could have put all my bags in that box. I didn't have to sign a waiver, either time I have done it, but I wouldn't really count on getting paid if they pouched my bike. Which they haven't either time. I mean the real problem is ending up at the begining of your tour with a wrecked bike. Good luck getting the bike fixed, and an offset for your lost trip costs.

The only major hassle is carrying a pedal wrench of serious enough dimension. It actually proved useful for a few improbable chores, from tightening pedals to removing the blades from my parents lawn tractor which improbably for an american icon like John Deere, are 15mm bolts.

If I go to europe, it will probably be on a bike friday. I have been accumulating construction info for a while for that.

I took Amtrak from San Luis Obispo to Portland. I used my own box, not trusting the Amtrak box. Now I'm thinking I worried too much. $10 for a huge box sounds like a good deal.

I had a very enjoyable trip during the daylight hours. I could read, I sat next to interesting people (or sat alone), it was a beautiful route, I could get up and stretch my legs. I like train travel. However, at night trying to sleep sitting up I found VERY unpleasant. I think I will only take the train again if I have the money for a sleeper car.

The train was about 5 hours late getting to Portland. One guy told me people take a plane when they want to get somewhere. They take the train when they want to take the train.