Biking the rails: The Railrider experience comes to the Oregon Coast

Coming soon to the Oregon Coast, the Railrider will provide you with the unique experience of actually biking on train rails from Bay City to Tillamook. Needless to say these Tillamook Bay Railroad rails are inactive during the times the Railriders are running.

Pedal the rails on this specially designed Railrider vehicle

I found out first hand how biking the rails can feel and I’m a fan. I biked with Railriders in eastern Oregon recently and heard about their plans to start rides on the coast too.  Railriders will begin offering rides on their unique pedal-powered vehicles just off Hwy 101 in Bay City by the end of May 2016.

Ready to roll!

So what’s it like? Well, first of all it’s fairly easy. Railriders are recumbent bikes with wheels designed to fit on train rails. You will bike on a Railrider with another person, or like on the Oregon Coast, with up to three more people. Groups will be guided by Railrider staff. Pedaling is easy… after all you have help. And you can brake your own vehicle.

Can you do it? Of course. I’ve given up standard biking because of crowded bike paths and lack of confidence in my sense of balance. On the Railrider, I sat back, buckled in and pedaled with a friend. Our guide told us when to slow down to cross roads and made sure the track ahead was free of obstacles. Easy, peasy.

It was a quiet, relaxing ride. I enjoyed wildlife, farm animals and the passing scenery. And, if I wanted to take a picture, we just slowed down. When you get to your destination, guides turn the Railriders around and off you go. You’ll pedal harder if there is a grade but remember you’ll have a friend or two to help you. Little kids can ride along with adults and really don’t have to pedal.

Oh yes, she's just kidding about derailing in the video. It's completely safe!

In eastern Oregon, there are a couple of routes. We took the one from the arts town of Joseph to Enterprise. There is also a route running from the confluence of the Minam and Wallowa Rivers at Minam to the city of Wallowa and back… gorgeous scenery! 

In the Oregon Coast area watch for the buzz as Railriders kicks off their first summer season.  I suggest you call ahead if you want to ride the rails because this is going to be hugely popular. Get ready for an experience unlike any other.

More Information

Pedal from Bay City to Tillamook

2 hours, 11 miles round trip

$20 per person / 12 years and older

$10 / 11 years and younger when accompanied by an adult.

Departures: 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. Thursday through Monday

Purchase tickets at the location on Hayes Oyster Drive in Bay City

541-910-0089 or 541-910-0981

Soft Opening May 26; closing for the season October 2.

A Grand Opening will be held July 2, 2016 in Bay City.

Oregon Coast Railriders Website

Eastern Oregon Railriders Website

Washington State Man Bikes across the US for Charity

Camas resident, Tom Baltes likes challenges. On his 60^th birthday he walked 60 kilometers in Washougal… all at once. That’s 37 miles.

And, they're off!

But now, Tom and his wife, Louise, have set a lofty goal. Tom is biking across the United States (4,000 miles) to raise awareness and funds for the Arthritis Foundation and the non-profit walking sport, Volksssporting.

Tom, a retired Air Force officer, has two siblings with Rheumatoid Arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation sponsors research, public education on resources available to those with arthritis and much more.

Volkssporting is an international walking, biking and swimming program available around the country and in over 40 countries. The American Volkssport Association urges people to get out and walk and exercise for the health of it.

Tom and his friend take a break in the Columbia Gorge yesterday

Tom and Louise don’t do anything half-heartedly. They have worked hard to plan the route, purchased a travel trailer for the trip and are actively blogging and writing updates on the event Facebook page. They have photos and commentary as they go. It’s fun to read and inspiring to those of us who think a long walk is 3 to 6 miles!

Yesterday, Tom rode 117 miles along the Columbia River through smoke filled air from several fires in WA and 90 degree temps.  His GPS showed a calorie burn of 6900 on the day and ascent of about 4450 feet.  Louise seemed to be at every rest point just when Tom needed her so they could refill water bottles, have lunch and then a terrific supper.

This is quite a challenge for the Baltes’ and they welcome you to follow the journey on their Facebook Page and Blog. And, if you are so moved, you can find links on the blog for donations.

Today, they expect to roll in to Walla Walla, Washington.

More Information
Tom’s Blog
Tom’s Facebook Page

Photos courtesy: Tom and Louise Baltes

Tour Idaho by Bike: Bicycle Adventures 2015 Idaho Tours

Last year I had the pleasure of going to beautiful Idaho for a wedding. But I'd like to return to do something even more exciting... like this! Idaho ranks high this season on Bicycle Adventures’ list of preferred destinations that encompass two-wheel tours in North America, Hawaii (the Big Island) and internationally.

Two of the four trips new for 2015 course through a wilderness world of tall timber and jagged peaks. Sun Valley Frugal brings guests into one of the nation’s legendary resort locations for six days for $2,225 per person, double including five nights accommodation, most meals, bicycles, guide services and more. Active options include golf, fly fishing, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding and wine tastings when not pedaling scenic byways. Departure dates in 2015 are July 26 and Aug. 23.

Also new is the five-day Coeur d’Alene Family at $2,295 per person, double, with discounts of up to 30 percent off for children. Rates include four nights’ accommodation, all meals (except one dinner), bicycles, guide services and more.  Two of the car-free bike trails on this adventure are paved: Trail of the Hiawatha and the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes (ranked one of the ’10 Best Car-Free Bike Paths in the U.S.’ by Bicycling Magazine). Families enjoy an indoor water park and mountain bike park at Kellogg, Idaho's Silver Mountain Resort. Departure dates are June 29, July 13 and Aug. 17, 2015.

A company favorite is Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, a four-day adventure showcasing Northern Idaho along a network of paved rails-to-trails paths beside rivers and lakes, through wildlife refuges and pure wilderness with nary a car in sight. Guests may opt for a splash in Lake Coeur d'Alene; hiking and golf are options as well. Overnights are at the Roosevelt Inn, an historic property that was Coeur d'Alene's first permanent schoolhouse (est. in 1905). The per person double rate is $2,050 including three nights lodging, all meals (except one dinner), bicycles, guide services and more. Departure dates in 2015 are June 14 and 28, July 6 and Aug. 9.

Northern Idaho - Selkirk Bike Tour brings guests into what Starnes called “a bicyclist’s Nirvana” for seven days of pedaling and hiking between Northern Idaho and British Columbia. For advanced cyclists, a day brings from 40 to 80 miles of full body workout following the International Selkirk Loop. It's all about the rivers and lakes and mountains in this region: the Bitterroot, Selkirk and Cabinet ranges, Lake Coeur d'Alene, Priest Lake and Lake Pend Oreille, nestled in the mountain ranges of Idaho's panhandle. Per person rates, double, are $2,995 including six nights accommodation, most meals, bicycles, guide services and more.  Departures are July 11 and Aug. 15, 2015. 

For more information on all of Bicycle Adventures Idaho tours please see http://bicycleadventures.com/destinations/idaho-bike-tours.  

For more details on Idaho please see http://www.visitidaho.org/.

In the April edition, Bicycle Adventures was honored as the Best Family Outfitter in Outside Magazine’s Best of Travel 2015 Awards.

Information provided by Bicycle Adventures

Outside Bike & Brew Festival: New Santa Fe Event for 2014

The Outside Bike & Brew Festival is a new event celebrating Santa Fe’s vibrant, and growing, bike culture. Scheduled for May 15-18, 2014, the event officially kicks off Friday with a craft beer fest, bike expo, live music stage, food trucks, live art demonstrations, a bike beauty pageant and a pedi-cab mobile mariachi band that will serenade festival goers Santa Fe style.

The weekend will also include a bike in movie, Single Track Sampler demo rides, a ‘Tour de Brewer” ride to four breweries, endurance bike poker race, pro rider led special clinics and, on Sunday the 18^th, the 29^th Annual Santa Fe Century, a 100-mile ride–and several shorter distances–that explore the history, culture and beauty of the Santa Fe area. 

For competitive riders the Century Gran Fondo timed event will be another part of the day’s activities during the century.  

More Information  

Santa Fe Century
Event Facebook Page

Traveling by air with your bike!

From time to time I read the "She Rides a Bike" blog. The author is a bike rider (sans car) from Flagstaff, Arizona, a very bike-friendly town.

But recently she and her husband took to the air with a folding bike. They traveled to San Francisco do do a bit of sight-seeing by bike (of course).

I thought her article and all the advice was well-worth a read, especially if you are considering traveling with your bike. Her photos show how the bike was packed and how the enjoyed touring San Francisco.

Article: A Few Thoughts on Air Travel with Your Bike

This (to the left) is like the bike she took to San Francisco.