How do you get your car when you want to go on a long bike trip?

Question

We're planning to go on a 60 mile bike trip for the next weekend. We want to stay at a motel for one night at the 30 mile (half way mark) but are unsure of the fact that we wouldn't have our car with us. Also we would like to go to the end of the bike path (60 miles away) but can't figure out how to get back to our car. It would take us another full day to ride back and we only have one night and 2 days.

Anyone have any ideas? Taxi? Bus? but 60 miles would be expensive? Is there any shuttle service on some bike paths? This is in Minnesota near Bemidji.

Answer 1

One car at each end?

Answer 2

How about checking GReY hound bus. They go everywhere.

Answer 3

No shuttles. cyclists either ride it all the way or turn back at the half way mark. If you want to ride to the end, ask a friend to pick you up - not much else you can do.

Answer 4

For a 60 mile ride?  I'd just take my car out to the end of the trail the day before, leave it there, and have a friend follow to give me a ride home--or take a bus, train or taxi home.  

There are some bike shops that offer shuttle service--and we've used their services when riding in Wisconsin, particularly along the "Sparta-McElroy" historic trail  (historic for the fact that it's the very first "rails-to-trails" bike path).  

We live in Chicagoland and here we have a wide variety of options.  

First, all the commuter trains will allow you to bring your bike right on the train as long as it's not during rush hour, so we just take the train to the end, and ride our bikes back home.  

Second, many Amtrak trains will also now allow you to bring your bike right on the train with you (without having to store them in the luggage compartment which I would NEVER do!)  We can ride the Amtrak clear to the other end of the state, and then ride our bikes back home--the surcharge for our bikes is only $10-$15!  Great for multiday rides.  

If you want to ride 60 miles, how far are you from the Paul Bunyon trail in Minnesota?  There is a looped 54 mile road byway (Paul Bunyon national scenic byway)  that has a wide shoulder for cyclists--it's LOOPED meaning you return back to your starting point--no need to worry about how you'll get back to your car!  

Now in Brainerd, there is a bike shop that offers shuttle service for the Paul Bunyon trail--see this link:  http://www.brainerd.com/rec/summerrental...

And how far are you from the Katie Trail in Missouri?  It's a historic bike trail over 200 miles long that follows the route Lewis and Clark took along the Missouri river--and you can leave your car at the Amtrak station, and bring your bikes on the train with you to ride out as far as you want, and bike the trail back to your car.   The trail is jam-pack full of historical sites to visit along the way, all kinds of great bike-friendly B&Bs to stay in--and the trail is paved and absolutely AMAZING!  Oh, and the train is really cheap too.  I think we paid $25 each including our bikes, and that was to ride the train the entire 200 mile distance.   Here's a link with info on the trail:  http://www.bikekatytrail.com/

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Perfect example of why Americans are obese.  They can't figure out how to go for a day or two without car.

Although there and back would be a daytrip for me, here's some thoughts.

1.  go 30 miles, stay at the hotel.   go to the end and all the way back the next day (90 miles).

2.  go 90 miles first day, stay overnight, 30 miles the next day.

3.  find a hotel near the end of the path.  Go out one day, back the next.

4.  Bike paths are often near rail lines.   Is there a station within a reasonable riding distance of the end of the path?   Remember, your bike can be used on roads other than the path.......

5.   Have a friend drop you and your bikes at the far end, ride home.