Auto Train

[danh600]

I am kicking around the idea that this might make a nice trip.

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Route_C&pagename=am%2FLayout&cid=1241245666320

The auto train will take you and your MC from Stanford, FL(Orlando area) to Lorton, VA(Washington DC area). You board that day and it travels through the night. Next day you are in Virginia!!!

Cheaper if you do coach, but not outrageous even with a "room". I am thinking it would save us from riding the interstate out of Florida. We would be fresh and ready to ride in a brand new area.

I am not that familiar with Virginia, but I understand it's a beautiful state. Then of course North Carolina is right below it.

Now just to plan a route.

[dt]

I never did anything like this, but when I worked in NYC, I’d take Amtrack down to Philadelphia and D.C. and back once in awhile and I gotta say…it’s actually a pleasant experience riding the train and a bajillion times better than flying. The auto train sounds like an interesting offering.

[danh600]

We have decided to do this trip. The idea of slabbing it out of Florida and through Georgia this time of year just doesn't sound like fun. So in a couple of Saturdays we (and our bikes) are going to load up on the train and travel through the night. Wake up Sunday morning just minutes from the good stuff.

We are going to ride over to the west part of Virginia. Stay in a cabin and do day rides every day.

Going to hit the Skyline Drive and part of the Blue Ridge Parkway for sure. Still researching the other roads.

[danh600]

[dt]

 

[v65infla]

Sweet Dan, I have been waiting for you to get back and post up about the trip.  How did Tina like the curves??  Not that I was worried about HER handling them.   

[danh600]

She did fine. I came closer to a log truck then I would have liked.

Actually it was nice riding. The Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive are pretty easy rides. No really sharp curves, mostly on the ridge line and no commercial traffic. Now the roads to get up there are a little more technical and fun. Tina didn't like going down the really sharp and steep switchbacks, but she did fine. Going up the switch backs is much easier.

Leaving home. Camera fogged up from the AC.


They take good care of your bikes on the train. They don't get on your bike. You ride it up onto the cart. There is a chalk on the front wheel and they strap the bike down. They don't over compress the front forks.  We were the only two bikes on the way up.

[danh600]

They pull the cart into the train car and lock it up. We only carried a small backpack, one tail bag, helmets and valuables onto the train. Left the bikes loaded.



Our first sight of the mountains. I have always been to the mountains from the south. It gradually gets more hilly, then more mountainous. Coming from the east it's just rolling farm land, then in about 15 miles of going up you are on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our cabin was about half way up those mountains.
I was waiting for Tina to finish taking pictures so I could ride!!   You will see several pictures like this. I was so excited the camera would probably have gotten left in the bag. I am glad she got so many pictures. I think I took about 50 and her about 700.


Driveway was steep and full of gravel. It's amazing we never went down. I finally found a way to go up and around the big rock to park level and make it easy to get down.

[dt]

Is the train ride itself still a pleasant experience? Back in the day they had big seats, lots of leg room and places to walk around...bar car too. 

This is actually a great idea if for anything else to stay off the highways and not have to deal with the traffic and all that stress.

Nice photos.

[danh600]

Is the train ride itself still a pleasant experience? Back in the day they had big seats, lots of leg room and places to walk around...bar car too. 

This is actually a great idea if for anything else to stay off the highways and not have to deal with the traffic and all that stress.

Nice photos.

We upgraded to a roomette. I never did go see what the coach seats looked like. I have heard they are about the size of a first class airline seat.

I liked riding the train. Much more fun then driving (or even riding) up I-95. If you can get some sleep on the train it's a great way to travel. You can walk around, no seat belt to keep on. Plus Amtrak actually seems to be happy you are there. They don't treat you like a criminal like the airlines do now.

I think we will do it again one day. Probably ride back home though.

[danh600]

Home base for much of the week. Cool 200 year old cabin. It was pretty centrally located. Only a few really curvy miles to the Blue Ridge Parkway.


Went to the cabin unloaded the bags and headed to the store. Lots of little stores like this. Finding gas and food was no problem. I have to ask? Why is gas in some little mountain town that's hard to get to 30 cent cheaper then where I live not a few hours from a port?


Me waiting on the photographer again..............


Early morning on The Skyline Drive. The jacket actually felt good. Mornings were nice and cool.

[danh600]

Looking into the Shenandoah Valley from the Skyline Drive.


The scenery was great. You wanted to ride, but you also wanted to stop and just stare for awhile. The Skyline drive has lots of great awesome paved pull offs. Close to one for every mile.


You do have to at least stop for gas, coffee and food.


Waiting..............

[dt]

Very cool pics. 

That cabin kind of looks like Jed Clampett's old place.