Getting A Bike To Mobile, AL
 

Just got off the phone with Amtrak and I'm confused/irritated. I'm trying to get from Albuquerque to Mobile in early June to start a tour up the Underground Railroad ACA Route. I've worked out how I can get there via Amtrak "thruway" service and trains out of El Paso, but was told hauling my bike was impossible both on the Amtrak thruway bus and the train going East out of El Paso. I was also told Katrina knocked out the Mobile train station, and would have to stop in New Orleans.

Did I talk to the wrong person at Amtrak? Anybody got some other/better news along this front? Any other ideas on how to get a bike to Mobile (shipping? how?).

Btw, if anyone wants to talk me out of the UGRR in June, I'd be happy to hear/read why. I know it'll be hotter and more humid than ideal, but I really like both the history of that route and going along all those rivers.

For a US domestic tour, I nearly always ship my bike ahead via FedEx. Select a hotel for your arrival date, and make arrangements with them to accept your bike when it is delivered. I've never had a hotel refuse to do this.

My shipping labels typically look like this:

(My name), Guest (date of arrival)
c/o local hotel
hotel's street address
hotel's city and zip code.

Use the FedEx website to determine shipping time, and ship your bike far enough in advance that you'll feel comfortable it will get there before you. I typically ship mine two working days ahead of the number of days FedEx estimates it will take for your bike to be delivered. For example, if FedEx estimates three days for delivery, I'll ship my bike five working days prior to my arrival. I've found FedEx shipping rates to be reasonable, and well worth it to avoid the hassles of trying to get a public carrier (airlines, etc) to carry it. Almost always cheaper, too.

I used to make return shipping arrangments. Now, I simply take my bike to a local bike shop and have them pack and ship it home for me. It costs more, of course, but relieves me of all the burden. That to me makes it worth it.

In the unlikely case that you can't find a motel that will accept your bike, you can also send it to a Kinkos (Federal Express) or a UPS Store in Mobile which will hold it for you. This might be safer than entrusting your kit to a motel (a third party) which doesn't accept bikes in the normal course of doing business.

I rode the UGRR in 2007. The history is interesting, but most of the actual UGRR stuff extant today really only starts when you get to Ohio. In the interim you will have to be satisfied with the Civil War stuff that glorifies the Old South - in a sort of "Gone With the Wind" way. Of course, that's interesting too - especially in light of African American history, which, incidentally, IMHO, is first and foremost American history. The Cincinnati spur and the Freedom Museum are very worthwhile.

I have 4 of the 5 maps and would be happy to send them to you gratis. PM me.

Good luck with that. I wish they would, but FedEx refused when I tried using that approach. They told me Kinko's/FedEx would not accept and hold anything shipped FedEx Ground, which is the least expensive FedEx way of shipping a bike. Don't know UPS policies since I've never used them.

I use Fedex to a local bike shop at the starting point, Fedex to home when finished. Most bike shops will pack and ship the bike for about $100. They usually have a business contract and get lower shipping rates than individuals. No hassle.

What a great excuse to see The Big Easy for a day or two and ride to Mobile? It's not a bad two day ride. There is a published bike route going east of the city which works well (If the bridge is functioning :) )

Couple of state parks along the way and cheep hotels in Biloxi if you book ahead.

Look under delivery options:

http://www.fedex.com/us/services/opt...6&tssect=app30

Yes, FedEx Ground doesn't qualify.

Very important exception! Last time I checked rates to ship my bike, FedEx Freight was about five times more expensive than FedEx Ground.

Thanks for the responses, and despite being a bit crunched for time I'm looking into that New Orleans to Mobile ride. Will look for a NOLA hotel as well for delivery of the bike. I keep hearing about "high speed rail" in the U.S., and from a cycling perspective it couldn't come soon enough if you ask me.

And Cyclesafe...I may very well take you up on the UGRR map offer. Will PM if things stay on target and I don't switch to doing the new Sierra Cascades or something instead. Again thanks for the help, all...

This sumnmer we did UPS Ground from Philly to a LBS in Whitefish, MT. Including the LBS fee to pack the bikes, the shipping was about $80/bike. You just need to leave time to be safe. I think we shipped 10 days ahead and that was sufficient.