On 2017-09-17 08:08, Ned Mantei wrote:
On 17-09-17 16:54, Joerg wrote:
Thinking about doing rides farther away without carting the bike there
in my car. Or riding out farther and using a bus for some of the way
back. Buses out here have racks for two bikes up front, like this:
http://www.sacbike.dreamhosters.com/...us_No_2395.jpg
Unfortunately the top-holding bar goes over the front wheel where the
emergency dynamo is on my road bike instead of over the seat. Ok, I
can remove that dynamo. However, both my road bike and my MTB are
"rear-heavy" with panniers that contain lots of water, tools and such.
Are they still safe in those racks?
The other question is, El Dorado Transit and others state to "remove
panniers and other baggage to allow safe operation of the bus". My
panniers look detachable but they are not, there is a lot of stuff
underneath that bolts and cinches them in place.
What's your experience?
The Swiss way is to have hooks from which you hang the bike by the front
wheel. This is common on both buses and on trains. And that means
removing panniers. ...
That would be a no-go for me so I'd have to use my car like I do now.
Especially on an MTB you can't have panniers that are just slung over
the rack. Everything must be bolted and cinched in place or it goes
flying on the trail.
The exceptions would be some local trains, where
bikes are just leaned against a padded area that is meant mainly for
people standing during rush hour, and a few trains in which the hooks
are only a bit above waist height.
All in all I'm a big fan of being able to travel with my bike by train.
An hour or two brings me to the mountains, and I don't have to end my
ride where it started. A yearly bike pass costs about $220.
We don't have deals like that here but public buses have come a long way
in the last five years for our county. Light rail allows bikes inside so
no problem. Buses unfortunately not. The other challenge is that you
can't count on availability for the way back. If both racks are occupied
you are screwed, have to pedal back and be late. So I'd only use it for
the way out even though that's downhill.
--
Regards, Joerg
http://www.analogconsultants.com/