Atlantic Coast Route DC to Key West - Logistics

[rootchopper]

I am planning a fall tour along the southern half of the Atlantic Coast Route. I am thinking of riding from DC to Key West. The issue I am dealing with is logistics.

I could fly to Fort Myers, take a ferry to Key West, and ride home. This runs the risk of damanging my bike in transit but i don't have to be concerned about return logistics at the end of my trip, can book in advance, save $$$.

Or I could just ride south and figure out return logistics when I get done. Ferry to Fort Myers and plane home or ride to Miami and take Amtrak. Both involve boxing the bike.

Advice?

[John Nettles]

Amtrak now allows bikes on numerous trains where you do NOT need to box the bike.  Only regular (diamond frame) bikes are done this way, i.e. not recumbents, tandems, trikes, etc.

https://www.amtrak.com/servlet/Satellite?c=AM_Accommodation_C&cid=1241210575921&pagename=am%2FLayout

Based on this, I would ride south and then ride back to Miami and take the train as boxing the bike is a pain.

Enjoy the ride!  John

[rootchopper]

I didn't realize this was an option in Miami. Good to hear. I think I'll go this route. Thanks.

[indyfabz]

I didn't realize this was an option in Miami.

The Trainside checked service has expanded as the new baggage cars have come on line. Note that you will have to remove your panniers and likely any tent, etc., strapped to the racks. It might be worth investing in a cheap duffel bag at the end of the trip to consolidate all your stuff. That's what I did when I rode the Vermonter service, which is true roll-on service, to the start of the trip. When I reached my destination there was a young woman with several smaller bags. I gave her the duffel to make things easier for her.

[rootchopper]

This is exactly what I did. It work fine. Dealing with Amtrak in Fort Lauderdale and DC's Union Station was a good experience. Great to see this feature on Amtrak trains.