DC to NYC via Amtrak?

[RESTONTODC]

This Bikes on Transit page from Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia site might be helpful.

http://www.bicyclecoalition.org/resources/bikes+on+transit

Also, here is a story about bike-friendly bolt bus from a Philadelphia Cycling Examiner.

http://www.examiner.com/bicycle-transportation-in-philadelphia/bike-friendly-bolt-bus-contributes-to-environmental-charity

[cephas]

It’s policies like Amtrak’s that scream “FOLDING BIKE”.

[kyleg]

Amtrak is exactly the reason why I’ve kept a folding bike in my stable for the past few years.

Back in 2006/2007, a bike commuter on the Keystone Line in Pennsylvania named Dave worked very hard to get clarification on Amtrak’s folding bike policy. (BCGP used to link to a version of the text, but the link seems to be broken). His hard work paid off when Amtrak changed the wording in their conductors’ handbook spelling out that folding/collapsible bike were allowed on all trains at all times. I used to carry a copy of the updated handbook text in my wallet in case I ever got any guff but most of the NEC conductors don’t even bat an eye at folding bikes anymore. Thanks, Dave!

[CCrew]

@MCL1981 8847 wrote:

There is no baggage car. Its a normal Northeast Regional train. It just happens to be pretty empty since most normal people are asleep. Not mail and no bikes or other unreasonable luggage is allowed. Its quite unlikely that you’ll get your bike passed the gate agent, the police officer, and the conductors.

Yeah, dating myself here since I used to ride it all the time.

Looks like they killed it years back. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_Mail_(Amtrak)

[rcannon100]

Old thread. Any updates? Has anyone done this. I take it the gig is
* The bicycle must be in a box
* The bicycle must be checked (which means only stations with baggage service)

Anyone done it and can report on whether this is such a grand thing?

http://www.amtrak.com/bring-your-bicycle-onboard

[PotomacCyclist]

We’ve been posting updates on Amtrak’s new baggage cars on this thread: http://bikearlingtonforum.com/showthread.php?7018-Amtrak-Roll-On-Roll-Off/page3

I think some of the new baggage cars are in service, but they can’t start the roll-on bike service until all stations are set up along a particular route. Once the service starts up, passengers will be able to roll their bike into the new baggage cars. I’m not sure what the procedure is about locking the bikes, if that’s even an option. The service will only be available on certain long-distance routes. I believe that at least one of the DC-NYC routes will include the service.

[rcannon100]

Yeah, I dont care about the roll on service. I know they dont offer it where I am going. I am asking about the baggage service.

[KayakCyndi]

@rcannon100 117527 wrote:

Yeah, I dont care about the roll on service. I know they dont offer it where I am going. I am asking about the baggage service.

Sadly, the last time I looked the vast majority of, if not all, the trains into New York Penn Station were no checked baggage allowed therefore precluding taking bikes. If there was baggage service my understanding is that the boxes Amtrak provides are so big that you can basically roll your bike into it.

[rcannon100]

Hmmmmmmmmm. I have never heard good things about it. Well no one wants to go to New York City anyways. Bleah!

[Tim Kelley]

@rcannon100 117544 wrote:

Hmmmmmmmmm. I have never heard good things about it. Well no one wants to go to New York City anyways. Bleah!

Just ride there?

Or use CitiBike?

[rcannon100]

The real question is a trip to Bahston ~ then New London to Long Island ~ and then having a bike on the North Fork. I think I can rent a bike on the north fork. But I would probably have to hitch hike from the ferry to town (who puts a ferry 10 miles from the closest town?)

[Rockford10]

My father (who lives around DC) has spent some time trying to take public transport to NYC for years. He found he could get north of Baltimore through Metro and MARC and could get from Delaware through Philadelphia and NJ into NY. The problem was getting from where the MARC train stops (Perryville) into the Delaware system. Conceptually, you could bring bike between Perryville and Newark Del. (?) and then continue along. It would also be terribly slow and cheap, but if you have the time …

[Tim Kelley]

@rcannon100 117546 wrote:

to Long Island ~ and then having a bike on the North Fork. I think I can rent a bike on the north fork.

Good luck!

https://www.strava.com/segments/2250201

https://www.strava.com/segments/2920777

https://www.strava.com/segments/4815234

Email me if you want some ideas on bike rental places, or delicious ice cream.

[rcannon100]

Thanks! Greenport is the family home. Olstead and Utzes. They used to be rum runners. Maybe I will train and Ferry hop and then spend a few days with the fishes.

[Tim Kelley]

@rcannon100 117553 wrote:

Thanks! Greenport is the family home. Olstead and Utzes. They used to be rum runners. Maybe I will train and Ferry hop and then spend a few days with the fishes.

Mattituck/Laurel area. You can’t beat the Magic Fountain for ice cream!

The original family home was in Miller Place.

[Author]

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