TransAm Bike Route Questions 2021

[fixedbydoc]

Even starting on the coast the ride itself doesn't need to go anywhere near Portland, especially if you opt for the Florence starting point, but you have to get there.  I think you could probably fly in to Eugene.

Flying would be great but I am told by my friend who is in charge of the airport here in my county that masks are mandatory in order to fly. Though I am medically exempt, he said I might run into problems getting a flight. So I intend to use a rental car. Maybe that will change by July.

I said that out of force of habit without thinking.  I am not flying yet myself and do not know when I will again.  You could rent a car to Florence.  FWIW, I have almost always had problems getting a one way rental when walking up to a rental desk.  Either they didn't have cars they'd let go or there was a big one way drop off fee.  Booking online from an aggregator pretty much eliminates that.  Also I have found that sometimes it helps to book airport to airport even when not flying.

My airport is within walking distance of my home. So that would be easy to book airport to airport. I just took a look at the adventure cycling map for Oregon and see that it shows the Florence alternative route. I could always get a small Uhal  and drive it out there. Would give me a place to sleep rest areas along the drive.

[HikeBikeCook]

I have good luck with Budget and Enterprise for 1 way rentals. Enterprise will also pick you up or drop you off.

[John Nettles]

I could always get a small Uhal  and drive it out there. Would give me a place to sleep rest areas along the drive.

Do NOT get a U-Haul for anything other than short distances.  The MPG is around 10 and the cost is much more than a minivan.  There is a Hertz in Corvallis, OR.  Also, even though you live next to an airport, a lot of times, airports have very high taxes so be sure to also check the local non-airport locations for pickup also.  The same goes for nearby cities.  Can save you some big money at times. I live in Tulsa and sometimes will drive 30 minutes away to a suburb and get a 40% discount compared to the closest one.

[staehpj1]

I could always get a small Uhal  and drive it out there. Would give me a place to sleep rest areas along the drive.

Do NOT get a U-Haul for anything other than short distances.  The MPG is around 10 and the cost is much more than a minivan.  There is a Hertz in Corvallis, OR.  Also, even though you live next to an airport, a lot of times, airports have very high taxes so be sure to also check the local non-airport locations for pickup also.  The same goes for nearby cities.  Can save you some big money at times. I live in Tulsa and sometimes will drive 30 minutes away to a suburb and get a 40% discount compared to the closest one.

Compare prices, but, yeah when I shopped prices in recent years uhaul was never a good deal for long distances for any of the things I priced them for.  That said I never priced them for small trailers.  You would have issues with pulling a trailer with a rental car that was from some other vender. any way though  That almost certainly would violate the rental car company's policy.

BTW, some folks like to use Amtrak.  I always liked the idea of Amtrak until I actually looked at the schedule and prices.  It never really worked out for me, but might be worth checking out.

[John Nettles]

Pete, I think he was talking about a U-Haul van, not a trailer.

[staehpj1]

Pete, I think he was talking about a U-Haul van, not a trailer.

Yes, I got that.  My experiences with price comparisons were all for vans and various sized trucks from vans on up.  I meant the trailer mention as an aside and may have been off track with that, but figured it was worth ruling it out for use with a rental car.

In any case everything uhaul that I priced for my move or for a bike tour was crazy expensive.

[fixedbydoc]

All of you have been helpful thank you. I like the idea of enterprise coming to me to pick up. Seeing I wont know where anything is and would like to go straight to trail and let the rental people pick the van up. My recumbent trike folds up so should fit in the trunk of a sedan but haven't tried that yet.

[HikeBikeCook]

I have looked at the ICE Trikes in the past, really nice but pricey. How did it do on the C&O? I have seen trikes on the GAP but never on the C&O.

[fixedbydoc]

I have looked at the ICE Trikes in the past, really nice but pricey. How did it do on the C&O? I have seen trikes on the GAP but never on the C&O.

I road my Giant Sedona bike on the C&O canal and GAP. I don't think the trike would be very good on the C&O. Way to narrow and muddy in many sections.
This is what I road on my Route66 ride, GAP, & C&O Canal...


The VA hospital here has a recreation for physical therapy program. They buy gear/equipment etc. for the disabled Veterans like myself to get them back out there but you have to prove you will use it. They purchased my trike with a bunch of accessories to help me ride. I purchased the bags and GPS, bike computer etc. for it. All gear and trike together around $9,000. The VA also does all the repairs and maintenance on it for as long as I own it. I just have to take it to one of their vendors.

[HikeBikeCook]

Thank you for your service. It is nice to hear that our government actually does something constructive from time to time. That is the type of investment I appreciate my tax dollars being spent on - giving back to the people who have given so much for this country.

[fixedbydoc]

Thank you for your service. It is nice to hear that our government actually does something constructive from time to time. That is the type of investment I appreciate my tax dollars being spent on - giving back to the people who have given so much for this country.

Thanks. I asked the VA if there were any other Vets that would want to go with me. Waiting for a response.