by Barbara Chapnick

Europe has done it for years so why not the USA? In Europe, most trains have a separate car to store one's bicycle. Passengers can sit in or near the car with the bicycles. It's a very simple idea and works great. I have traveled for 5 weeks in Europe, solely by bicycle and train to 5 different counties. Being able to place my bicycle in a bike car and then sit near the bike car allowed me to quickly get from point A to B.

I live in Portland, Oregon and I am an avid bicyclist who likes to travel via my bicycle for vacations. In fact, I take friends along with me on tours, just for the fun of it. No profit is made.

Not being able to take our bicycles on a train, and hang them up in a special car, has presented problems regarding where we can travel without using our automobiles to get there.

Following are 5 fabulous long distance cycling adventures that would be ideal for a Bike Train. All 5 are within a days' train ride by Amtrak from Portland, Oregon (one of America's great cycling cities).

5 Great Cycling Destinations From Portland, OR. By Train:

Cycling Destination: OC&E Woods Line State Trail
Trail Type: Rails to Trail
Bike Train Route: Portland, OR. to Klamath Falls, OR.
Description: Over 91 miles (one way) of multi-use trail to ride/camp/play. Since the trail is an old railway the grade is very gentle (2.1% maximum).

Cycling Destination: Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes
Trail Type: Rails to Trail
Bike Train Route: Portland, OR. to Spokane, WA.
Description: The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes bike path follows the Union Pacific Railroad's right-of-way from Mullan, a mountain mining town near the Montana border, to Plummer, a town on the prairie near the Washington border. About 72 miles of paved path takes you from high mountain splendor, through the historic Silver Valley, into the chain lake region, along the shore of Lake Coeur d'Alene, over a bridge to Heyburn State Park and then on to the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation: an adventure for the entire family!
Editors' Note: A truly beautiful trail; see my Coeur d'Alenes Trail photos & lodging suggestions.

Cycling Destination: Glacier National Park
Bike Train Route: Portland, OR. to East Glacier Park, MT.
Description: From East Glacier park, bicycle north up to Alberta, Canada to connect with Lake Louise and the Columbia Icefields parkway that is a great bicycle route for cyclist. Once in Canada, it is possible to take ViaRail to Vancouver and then Amtrak south to Portland.
Editors' Note: Another great route I rode. This is a road route & can have heavy traffic during the summer. It's best ridden during shoulder season.

Cycling Destination: Seattle, WA.
Bike Train Route: Portland, OR. to Seattle, WA.
Description: From Seattle, there are hundreds of destinations a bicyclist can take for a vacation. Examples include...

- Seattle springs the Ferry to Vancouver Island
- Friday Harbor can easily be reached to open up a possibility of travel to the San Juan Islands.
- Everett springs the ferry to Alaska Marine Hwy
- Mount Vernon and the yearly Tulip Festival
- Bellingham springs opportunities to cross into Canada.

As well as special events such as...
- Seattle to Portland Bike Ride (STP) - July
- Ride Seattle to Vancouver & Party (RSVP) - Sept.

Cycling Destination: Eugene, OR
Bike Train Route: Portland, OR. to Eugene, OR
Description: From Eugene, cyclists can ride...

- South on Hwy 58 to camping on lakes such as Lookout Lake, Waldo Lake, Odell Lake
- East on Hwy 126, a tourist can travel all the way to Florence, on the Oregon Coast.
- Other options are numerous for being able to have a Bike Train to Eugene.

"Take the Train and See the USA" is a great concept; think how much better it would be with "See America by Train & Bicycle - Go Amtrak!"

Sincerely,

Barbara Chapnick
Bergfreunde Ski & Activities Club
Portland, Oregon
http://www.bergfreunde.org/

Labels: bike-train