neilfein

I do a lot of touring by taking the train to my starting point, and end up taking a loaded bike on the train. I just ordered a new set of ortlieb rear roller plus panniers, and they're going to be too large to fit the bike through the aisle of a train.

How does everyone handle this? Carrying them isn't really an option, since I'll be walking sideways next to the bike. Any thoughts here? It's not a huge problem, but it is going to be annoying.

Machka 

Don't take the bicycle down the aisle of the train. I can't think of any trains which would allow that anyway. Just stand in the doorways with the bicycle, or if your bicycle seems secure to stand there by itself, leave it there and go and sit down.

neilfein

NJ Transit requires that you go to designated bike/handicapped areas, which means you have to go through the aisles unless you happen to board the right car.

Machka 

On a lot of the trains I've been on in various parts of the world, those cars are usually the first car or last car ... and whether they are or not, they are usually marked with a little bicycle sign or something. I've never seen anyone attempt to take a bicycle through the aisles on any of the trains I've been on, nor have I attempted it myself.

I'll ask when I get the ticket if there is a specific car for the bicycle. If there is, they'll tell you either specifically which one ("Yes, the baggage/bicycle car is the first/last car"), or give you a general idea ("Yes, look for the car with the bicycle logo outside it ... it's usually near the back"). If there isn't a specific car, they'll usually look blankly at you and then slowly say something like, "No, just put it on wherever it fits."

You can sometimes get additional help/information from the conductors ... they will sometimes point to the right car when I'm dashing along side the train, or shout out that it's the last car or something.

twodeadpoets

Will work for one but not sure about a second: Ortlieb has a setup to easily turn panniers into a backpack, then you can walk normally down the isle.

neilfein

I thought about this, but the problem is that I'm backed against the seat backs when doing this.

arctos

When I need to carry four panniers and a rear rack stuff off the tandem I enclose them all in a light weight duffle from Osprey packs called the Airporter. It is designed for enclosing a large backpack as checked baggage on a flight.Twelve ounces and 8000 cubic inches as I remember. I see at this link that the model I have has been redesigned & renamed. https://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/Sid...s/AirporterLZ/

With the shoulder strap I can carry the bike bags and handle the tandem at the same time if I need to negotiate stairs on a ferry, an aisle on a train or any other awkward situation where I lack six arms. It also provide security for the gear as one unit while waiting for transport rather than multiple pieces that can be stolen or forgotten in the rush to board.

neilfein

That might be the way to go, although I don't see fitting two 17x12x9" panniers in it. I'll start looking locally for something of appropriate size when the panniers arrive. Thanks!

arctos

I manage four panniers sized like yours and more in the original Airporter. I have not seen the new version for comparison. The old price was about $30.

Another duffle that I used previously was the Dana Designs Travel Duffle. Two models: 6500 and 8000 cu inches. I do not know if they are still available.

I use two of them now on multi-month sea kayak tours; one to carry all the food and fuel in dry bags and the other for all camping equipment plus PFDs, four part paddles, clothes, dry suit and everything else. It makes for a convenient carry onto ferry boats on the Inside Passage to Alaska or the Queen Charlottes Islands.

eric von zipper

That's pretty cool. Do you own one? If so, how do you like it?

twodeadpoets

I wish I did but don't... yet. Working up to it. I do have the Ortlieb Bike Packer Plus set though and if all goes according to plan, should have the front roller plus set by mid spring. Maybe by the end of the summer (just in time to pack it away into storage) I can get the harness.

Machka 

All this brings up another point. When you load up your extra large panniers with stuff, make sure you can lift them, and preferably the two of them together ... and not only just lift them off the floor, but climb a flight of stairs or two with them, or walk a ways with them.

You might have great upper body strength, so this might not be an issue for you, but it's a big issue for me. Not only do I not have great upper body strength (although I've started rowing to work on that), but I also injured one of my shoulders which just added to the weakness.

I discovered that I do a lot of lifting and carrying on my tours ... not just into trains, but on and off ferries, up 5 flights of stairs into the hostel, in the airport, etc., etc.

It's nice to have the bicycle carrying it all while you ride, although there are moments when I'm climbing a hill where I wish I'd packed less ... but it's those moments when I'm staggering up a flight of stairs with my hands full of panniers where I really, really wish I'd packed less!

Just something to keep in mind.

neilfein

twodeadpoets, I called the touring store and left a message with Wayne to add the backpack attachment to my order. I figure I can use one of those and something like the bag arctos suggested to sling the other bag over my shoulder, unless the shoulder strap that comes with the Ortlieb rear roller is wider and more comfy than I think it is. (Or I can get a strap pad.)

Machka, you make a good point about upper body strength. I have upper body strength but not endurance. I can carry my MTB with two loaded panniers and a trunk rack up a flight of stairs but I'm not good for all that much after. Stairs are my nemesis, and I encounter them more than I'd like when on tour. Trains, subway stations, parks... bleah. Maybe I need to do stair-climbing training on my days off the bike. (Wow, that sounds dull.)

staehpj1

What do you do with the bag when you get to your destination? Is it small/light enough to carry on your tour or do you mail it home?

arctos

<< What do you do with the bag when you get to your destination? Is it small/light enough to carry on your tour or do you mail it home?>>

My original Osprey Airport duffle packs quite small and weighs only 12 oz so I just carry it with me. I have even used it as a critter/bear bag by hanging it filled with partially empty panniers , food and miscellaneous gear while camping. The nylon is coated so rain is not a problem after I seam sealed the few seams.

The AirporterLZ- the latest model lists at almost the same weight-13 oz. I do not know how small the new model packs.

FlowerBlossom

If you can, stop the order for the ortlieb rollers and get the bike packer plus bags.

You can install d-rings on the straps of the bike packer plus bags and then attach a shoulder strap to one or both bags, making more room for moving in the isles. If you can't find d-rings

I put on d-rings on my bike packer plus bags. It's not as comfortable as a backpack, but, it does make your hands free.

Cave

You can use a shoulder strap with front rollers, I assume the same would be the case with back rollers. It clips into the clips on the roll-top closure.

BTW Neil surely the train carriages for bike/handicapped access are marked - what does a guy in a wheelchair or scooter do, they can't squeeze through the aisles!

Machka 

This is what I've been saying. You've got to ask, or guess, that the car will be at the front or back. I've seen them in both places. If you can't ask for some reason, it may require a brisk jog from one end of the train to the other, on the platform.

valygrl

I took my loaded bike on BART (local train) it was fine. Just try not to travel at rush hour.

You might be making something into an issue that really isn't.