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Reply to Bikes on Amtrak
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stever from North Prairie, WI on 2/9/2010 2:11:37 PM:
Having read reports of problems getting bikes on the train, even with reservations,in the past, I'm wondering how reliable it is today. Are there still problems, or has it become a non-issue and we can count on using the train to get our bikes and us back to our starting point? Thanks,
Steve

 
Trek on 2/9/2010 3:43:24 PM:
Contact Amtrak with information about your bikes, luggage, trip, etc. and get the word from them if you can board with your specific type of bike and at the location required. It may be best to hear it straight from them if they can accommodate you or not.

 
Dan from Centennial, Colorado on 2/9/2010 6:55:09 PM:
WE just made reservations for three of us going from Kirkwood to Sedalia in May. The only guidance was that the pedals have to be removed and the handlebars loosened to turn parallel to the frame when stored. There is a limit of four bikes per trip, so book soon if you are considering.

 
Tony from KC on 2/10/2010 6:13:30 PM:
I took the train from STL to KC last July. The only issue we had was that they rush you to board if you are not at one of the main stations (Downtown STL or KC). My buddy and I started loading our bikes, and one of the train employees threw our painners on the train behind us. We were a little upset with the lack of care, but in the end, nothing was damaged. I would recommend getting on at one of the main hubs, or you will be rushed. We were not asked to breakdown our bikes at all.

 
Kyle from Bolivar, MO on 2/11/2010 10:00:39 AM:
I have to agree that they rush you but I'm sure it's to stay on there schedule. Last spring over Memorial weekend I parked my car at Sedalia and rode the trail 3 days to Hermann and rode the Amtrak back to Sedalia to my car. I was mostly disappointed in the fact that I paid my $8.00 extra in advance to reserve a bike rack. The bike racks were already full so they just threw my bike and pack up on a luggage shelf laying on it's side. Not the way I wanted my bike to ride on it's side for the trip otherwise it was a nice train ride back to car.

 
Kyle from Bolivar, MO on 2/11/2010 1:39:12 PM:
I have to agree that they rush you but I'm sure it's to stay on there schedule. Last spring over Memorial weekend I parked my car at Sedalia and rode the trail 3 days to Hermann and rode the Amtrak back to Sedalia to my car. I was mostly disappointed in the fact that I paid my $8.00 extra in advance to reserve a bike rack. The bike racks were already full so they just threw my bike and pack up on a luggage shelf laying on it's side. Not the way I wanted my bike to ride on it's side for the trip otherwise it was a nice train ride back to car.

 
cunninghamair from O'Fallon, MO on 2/11/2010 5:28:21 PM:
We got on in Washington, and you had to be QUICK but Amtrak personnel were there to
help. They leaned our bikes against the bulkhead in the front of the car--no disassembly
required. We reserved ahead of time.

 
EB from Greenwood on 2/25/2010 2:19:05 AM:
Bring a bungee cord and move quickly and everything will work out.

 
kim from independence, mo on 2/25/2010 1:28:47 PM:
We also had bike reservations, but the bike spots were full anyway (what's the point of reserving if they give them away to someone else). We had to use our own bungess to attach our bikes to the handicap bathroom door in the back. The Amtrak guy offered to attach them outside the back of the train. Needless to say, no one could use the handicap bathroom from Hermann to Sedalia.