Getting back to where you started

[tonythomson]

Hi planning a south to north along the Atlantic Coast in the spring. 

I hate flying with the bike and have no intention of taking a Greyhound type trip so my question is. (Plus not sure about airports way up north)

Hire a UHaul type van, and go one way - possibly camp in the back.  Quite like this idea...

Hire a suitable sized car one way

Give the bike to one of the shipping companies and fly (have done this before from San Francisco to Florida and worked OK except this time I don't have the visa time to hang around waiting for it to arrive). 

Anyone have advise on the best way would be much appreciated.

Thanks Tony

[staehpj1]

If there is more than one person to share the driving and cost, a car becomes a pretty reasonable option.  It is less so for one person, especially given the long drive.  It has worked well for me when traveling with two companions.

Taking a train might also be an option.  Amtrak worked out very well for a leg of my spring tour.  Be careful to verify that they will load and unload baggage at both ends or each leg done by rail.  I liked that they were willing to switch the dates of my ticket with no fuss or fees, even at very short notice.  They supplied a huge box for a small fee.  It was so big that I only had to take off the pedals and turn the handlebar.  I didn't even need to remove racks or lower the seat.  It was all really convenient and I had no complaints at all.  That said I have only done it once.

[aggie]

I've used Amtrak several times and always had a good experience.  As Staephj1 mentioned check the route schedule to see which stations have baggage service.

[tonythomson]

Thanks guys hadn't thought of Amtrak - just looked at this possibility and seems possible after taking a bus to Boston from further north - is it easy to get your bike aboard one of these buses or does it need to be boxed etc?

Thanks Tony (UK)

[indyfabz]

Check with the particular bus company.  Each could have different rules.  For example, for New Jersey Transit busses allow bikes in the luggage hold on a first-come, first-served basis, and they do not have to be boxed.

[dubovsmj]

amtrak.