Ride needed from D.C. to Banner Elk

Date: Sep 7, 2006

Ride needed from D.C. to Banner Elk

Date: Sep 8, 2006

Have you thought about taking the Amtrak to Raleigh. I think CNC is running a shuttle bus out of there.

Hey! How did the tow path hold up on the C&O canal after all that rain? I spent six days touring solo last year and had a great time. My wife dropped me off at the train station in Charlotte. 10 hours later me and my fully loaded touring bike was rolling out of Union Station.

Date: Sep 9, 2006

The towpath is fine. It recovers.

I thought about Amtrak, but I thought Amtrak didn't permit you to roll the bike on and I thought the shuttle bus tickets had to be purchased by 9/6. By the way, I'm surprised Amtrak let you roll the bike on. When planning a D.C to Pittsburgh ride (C&O canal and Allegheny Highlands Trail), Amtrak informed us that they didn't permit bicycles any longer. We found friends who were willing to go Pittsburgh to D.C. and take our car to the Pittsburgh so it worked out and we all had a great time, but I was real disappointed that Amtrak was missing an opportunity. We wrote a number of letters to Amtrak about this. I'll check again with them. Even if the NC ride doesn't happen for me this year, this opens up a huge number of other possibilities. Thanks!

Date: Sep 9, 2006

Hello Windy,

Amtrak at least in June of 05 allowed bikes on their trains. I had to remove my peddles and handle bars and roll it into a cardboard box. The boxes were sold at the station for $10 bucks. My packs were checked. The only catch is the station must have baggage handers.If they don't you will not be allow to bring your bike on the train. Cumberland does not have a handler,so my brother-in law drove up from Laurel and took me to their home for the night and then back to Union Station a day later. Where I got another box and disassembled my bike again. It really was quite painless. I plan to do it again one day.

Oh! One more thing. They allowed me put it togather right in the station. I just found a quite spot over in a corner and did my thing. Then hung my panners on and roll it right through the lobby and out the front door. It is a good idea to practic taking it apart and putting it back togather at least once to make sure you have every thing you need. I neven went to the station a few days earlier and bought a box and brought it back to my house to make sure I wouldn't have any problems. The boxes are 70 inches long, 9 inches wide and 48 inches tall and cost $10. Be sure to take your own marker for writing on the box. They may not have one for you to use. It only takes 20 min.or so to put the peddles on and reinstall the handle bar post back into the frame.I left the box there in the station and Amtrak took care of it for me. I think there is a $10 fee for the bike on the train. If you need more info here is Amtrak's number. When you call go right for a real person. They were very helpful. 1-800-872-7245.

Take Care. Hope you have a good time. I must sit this one out due to knee surgery but may drop by Tanglewood to visit some "TEAM POKE A DOT"friends

Date: Sep 9, 2006

Hello again WENDY,

I just called Amtrak and they still allow bikes on their trains. The same rules apply as last year. Must have handlers at station and must be boxed. bike fee is 5 bucks each way not 10 and they have a handler in Raleigh. My round trip ticket was $120 but I booked early. When you call ask for an "AGENT" this will get you to a real person and out of the automated system.

Hope this helps

Date: Sep 10, 2006

Thanks for all the info. We are experienced with boxing bikes. Took them on a few European trips. It is a pain & sometimes they don't have boxes. Thinking about a folding bike for the future.

Next time you're in the D.C. area, let me know (aaronridge@comcast.net). Lots of good riding.

Date: Sep 10, 2006

Thanks Wendy.

I will keep you in mind. It's nice to have a contact point.Although it may be several years before I get back to DC.

You mentioned Europe. I spent 4-1/2 years in Germany. I was stationed at Bitburg Air Base near the town of Trier. It was a great place for cycling.Their bike paths go for hundreds of miles.So much history over there. I also cycled in Luxenburg, Sardinia,Italy and Osan, South Korea. Korea was alittle scary but interesting. I had to do a one year tour of duty there and my bicycle was my life saver. o2duck@aol.com

Whistle Dog

Date: Sep 10, 2006

hi wendy,

If you are already resigned to boxing up your bike, are not in a big hurry, and you only want a one-way trip, you can do like I have done lots of times and "go Greyhound". Greyhound has really cut back a lot on their routes in the last two years (and the service in the bigger stations is always inadequite/sometimes bad), but I quickly looked and there are two routes per day going from DC to Johnson City, TN (38 miles from Banner Elk) that take 11 or 12 hours for a $55 one way 7 day advance purchase . They don't normally charge extra for a bike in a standard "new bike" box, although if they do, its only $10 or so. You are responsible for transfering your own luggage if you change buses, but that may be a good thing with an expensive bike. This journey has a transfer in either Richmond or Charlottesville. Just abandon the box when finished. You still gotta decide how to get to the ride start.

If you are a "people watcher" or very outgoing, its fascinating to see the "common", but unique people that go through US bus stations.

Date: Sep 11, 2006

I guess I procrastinated a little too long. If I had my act together, I would take a train and then purchase a shuttle ticket. There is always next year. Have fun!