Messages

1

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Linking the Sierra Cascade and Pacific Coast Routes

« on: July 31, 2020, 06:03:46 pm »

Thanks for your comments Nyimbo. It would be nice to see some coastline especially after having been so far inland for a while. I'm still pondering at this stage. I'm keen to hear if I am missing out on some great scenery etc. by not completing the last leg of the SC route.

StuartB, I'd be curious to hear what you decided and how it turned out!!

2

Connecting ACA Routes / Re: Amtrak in Colorado to Great Divide (via Western Express?)

« on: July 31, 2020, 06:00:53 pm »

If the Google option tells you to go to Grand Mesa, though a beautiful climb up, be aware that is over 10k feet, quite a huge gain in elevation coming from sea level.  Due to you lack of acclimation, I would take US-50 to Delta, then backroads to Montrose.

That said, you really should consider taking a few days in Grand Junction to get acclimated to the elevation.  Grand Junction is about 4500', Montrose is 5800', and Salida is about 7100'. Altitude sickness is not a fun way to begin a tour.

Tailwinds, John

Thanks John! I'll definitely need to acclimate. Staying for a few days in Grand Junction and exploring nearby trails/roads sound like a great option for me. 

When I look at google maps from Delta to Montrose, I see a large pattern of grid-like roads on either side of US-50.  Are those the backroads you're thinking of?

3

Connecting ACA Routes / Amtrak in Colorado to Great Divide (via Western Express?)

« on: July 28, 2020, 01:45:23 pm »

Hi, I'm planning to take Amtrak's California Zephyr from California to Colorado to meet up with the GDMBR.  I'd like to start at Salida and head north.

From looking at maps, a reasonable route would be to get off the train at Grand Junction, ride to Montrose on the Western Express leg 4, and head east to Salida where I'd get on the GDMBR.

I'd appreciate any advice or thoughts on these two questions:
1) Do you have any suggestions on alternate ways to get from any Amtrak station in Colorado to the GDMBR?
2) If my option (Grand Junction - Montrose - Salida) makes sense, do you have suggestions on how to get from Grand Junction to Montrose other than what google maps tells me? I'm not on a strict schedule and prefer staying away from cars.

Thanks!

4

California / Re: bike on Amtrak - California Zephyr

« on: July 28, 2020, 11:32:26 am »

I just use a cardboard box.

I just use a cardboard box.

Thanks for the great suggestions.  Right now I'm planning to bike to the station from home, so the duffel would be easier for me to carry (empty and folded up) than a cardboard box.  I live in an area where free duffels come up on craigslist pretty often - although I may need to get 2 medium sized ones instead of one big one. Just scored one yesterday. 

5

General Discussion / Re: maximum tire width for bikes on Amtrak

« on: July 28, 2020, 11:29:00 am »

Hard to say what I'd do to avoid that sidewall issue. Not use supple tires again, for one. Deflating could help, but I'm no expert.

I feel silly now. I didn't know what supple tires were, and just figured it out via google and youtube.  I think I'll be OK - I'm using mountain biking tires with reinforced sidewalls.  Thanks.

6

General Discussion / Re: maximum tire width for bikes on Amtrak

« on: July 28, 2020, 11:27:20 am »

Make sure you check with Amtrak that the stations for starting and stopping your trip still offer baggage service.  Amtrak has made many service reductions that include making many stations unmanned.  This means the station no longer offers baggage service.  This means you can't buy a bike box or even put the bike in the baggage car without a box.  Some trains may still have a separate car with bike racks but I am not sure which train have that car.  I had to cancel my trip because they changed the service in major cities.  I wasn't notified of the change even though my fare included the bike fee.  You have to call Amtrak.  The website doesn't include the changes they recently made.  If you just go by the website it may say the station offers baggage service but when you get to the station they will tell you no baggage service is available.

Damn, it's really terrible that you had to cancel the trip! So frustrating!   Thanks for the heads up. 

In case this is useful information for anyone else:   I dropped by the Emeryville, CA station yesterday (July 27, 2020) and asked the agent for details about bringing a bike.  It's operational there. He also asked where I'm getting off (Grand Junction, CO) and he said that would work.

7

General Discussion / Re: maximum tire width for bikes on Amtrak

« on: July 28, 2020, 12:48:35 am »

I've put my bikes with tires about 2.35" in width, both on the Coast Starlight (traditional baggage car bike hook setup, which would be the same as the Zephyr) and the Cascades trains. They seemed to fit okay. I have 26" wheels, so I don't have experience with bigger wheels and clearance. Deflating the tires a bit before giving the bike to the crew member for loading is probably a good idea.

One word of caution: The bikes can sway in the hooks (especially if there's not other bikes around it to stabilize it), the longer the trip, the more chance of sway. This could lead to tire sidewall rub. The more supple the tire, the greater the chance. I had Compass Rat Trap Pass (26" x 2.35") tires on my bike when I traveled by train from Portland to Oakland. When I got the bike off the train, there was a hole in the sidewall, tube bulging out.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. What would you do to avoid that sidewall rub if you were to do this again?   Do you think that deflating the tires would help with that?  Now I'm thinking that maybe I should opt for the box just to be safe!

I'm running tubeless for the first time on some nice new tires, so I'd be heartbroken to see a hole in the sidewall from the train trip!

Check your pedals. On many bikes, the space to get a wrench in is very narrow, too narrow for an ordinary wrench.

Thanks!  I'll be sure to try the throwaway wrench on my pedals before I commit to this option.

8

General Discussion / Re: maximum tire width for bikes on Amtrak

« on: July 27, 2020, 05:41:07 pm »

I have old-school pedals and cranks that need a 15mm wrench. Great advice John, I'm on the hunt for a throwaway wrench now!

Thanks for the ideas everyone!

9

California / Re: bike on Amtrak - California Zephyr

« on: July 27, 2020, 01:58:57 pm »

Thanks for your message.  I'd also been anxious about how to carry all my stuff, and your duffel bag idea is perfect. I'll see if I can score a free one on Craigslist.

10

General Discussion / Re: maximum tire width for bikes on Amtrak

« on: July 27, 2020, 01:57:59 pm »

Thanks for the suggestion!
I may do this to be safe. 

The other plan B is to ship the bike in an Amtrak box, but then I'd need to bring a pedal wrench to remove and install the pedals!

11

General Discussion / maximum tire width for bikes on Amtrak

« on: July 27, 2020, 01:30:17 pm »

Hi, I'm writing to ask if anyone has experience bringing a mountain bike on Amtrak, or more specifically the California Zephyr.

The Amtrak FAQs say that the tire width limit is 2.0". My question is whether my 2.4" (front) or 2.2" (rear) tires could fit in the rack if I deflate them.

I plan to leave from Emeryville and get off at Grand Junction, Colorado, then ride to meet the GDMBR at Salida.

I dropped by the station to ask my question today and the agent said he'd never seen a bike rejected for tire width reasons, but he also couldn't promise anything.

Thanks for any advice or experiences!
-Adrian

12

California / bike on Amtrak - California Zephyr

« on: July 27, 2020, 01:27:57 pm »

Hi, I'm writing to ask if anyone has experience bringing a bike on the California Zephyr.

The Amtrak FAQs say that the tire width limit is 2.0". My question is whether my 2.4" (front) or 2.2" (rear) tires could fit in the rack if I deflate them.

I plan to leave from Emeryville, CA and get off at Grand Junction, Colorado, then ride to meet the GDMBR at Salida.

I dropped by the station to ask my question today and the agent said he'd never seen a bike rejected for tire width reasons, but he also couldn't promise anything.

Thanks for any advice or experiences!
-Adrian