Tiny Helmets Big Bikes
Check us out!
  • Home
  • Us
  • Blog: We Ride
  • FAQ
  • Our Fleet
  • Adventures
  • Getting Started
  • Contact Us

Amtrak weekend

10/21/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
All packed and ready to board the bus with my cheeseball.
After work on Friday, Jose brought the kids over to meet me at the Amtrak station so Big Brother and I could ride the bus to Stockton. Turns out, it's a good idea to buy your bus ticket early. When I got to the ticket counter, the attendent told me that it would cost $39 for the two of us! I was shocked because it had said the tickets would cost $19.50 total. He told me that because the bus was almost full, they had to charge more. So ridiculous, they're all the same seats! I complained and said that I hadn't been able to buy the ticket online and he relented and charged me $19. Turns out that they also have to charge you for a train portion because Greyhound sued them awhile back for selling bus tickets. Definitely learned new things about riding with Amtrak. 
Picture
I had the best view.
We had a fantastic ride! The bus was on time, there was plenty of space under the bus to stow our bike (it was even easier because I had the folder). An hour ride, checking out the scenery and cuddling with my big guy. You can't do that while driving. It was fun to listen to people's conversations with strangers. I didn't have to worry about paying attention to the road or deal with traffic, it was so relaxing. 

We were met at the Stockton Amtrak station by our friends and began our wonderful weekend. 
Picture
Big Brother hooked up the wagons to make a pumpkin train behind the tractor.
Picture
Amazing repurposing of an old tire.
Picture
Quick ride to Safeway to pick up dinner supplies.
Picture
Pizza focus.
While looking up tickets for our ride back from Stockton on Sunday, the tickets from the Stockton ACE station had better timing. To my surprise, I was able to buy the tickets from my Amtrak app so I realized they must be for a train ride. Even better and still only $19.50 for the two of us! 

We arrived a little early so my friend picked up some pan dulce from a local shop. A brilliant idea to fill my kiddo full of sugar to prepare for the ride. 
Picture
As if he wasn't sweet enough already.
Picture
Works well if you have a "normal" sized bike.
The ACE (Altamont Commuter Express) train is a commuter train that runs between Stockton and San Jose. I assume that the one between Stockton and Sacramento is also considered a commuter train because it has bike space. This is fantastic! Last time we rode Amtrak with bikes up to Eugene, we had to box them. It wasn't as bad as boxing them for airlines but extra work nonetheless and you either have to bring your own box or buy one of theirs. 

However, bringing a cargo bike still isn't allowed on any Amtrak, creating a major hassle for families whose main form of transportation is by cargo bike. Amtrak's excuse is that the bikes won't fit in the (possibly) provided space but they don't want to take responsibility for putting them in a cargo car. A very frustrating experience for many. 
Picture
He sat here for about 5 minutes then in my lap the rest.
Free wifi on the train was nice, for sure. 

Getting off the train was a bit of a balancing act because we had so much baggage with us (having received two shopping bags full of my friend's son's hand-me-downs (yay!). They were also doing construction at the station so we had to navigate through a maze of corridors to actually get to the station. I was able to use the Mobic as a luggage cart and manage the giant bag while keeping Big Brother close. 
Picture
More sugar, giant pile of luggage, and two awesome older folks with awesome bikes. She even has BionX. I wish I knew what they were up to.
Picture
Cutest little guy ever!
My original plan was to have Jose bungee the trailer to the back of the Mundo to get the extra bag home but I realized that as long as Little Brother sat up front and Big Brother sat in the Peanut Shell, there would still be room to pile on the bags. 

Some gear went into the panniers and the giant Ikea bag bungeed onto the soft spot securely. If we didn't have that bag, we could have all ridden home on the Mundo together. One of these days, we're going to have to try that. Instead, I took the minivan and Jose rode the Mobic. 
Picture
I love this set-up!
It is great to know that we're still able to go fun places without a lot of work and not have to worry about driving. We'll try to take the ACE train from now on, especially since it's more convenient for my friends in Stockton. If we could get our Mundo on the train, that would open even more opportunities for travel and adventure. For now, join the conversation and let's get better fluidity between public transportation and biking. 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    This is us. We're fun. 

    Picture

    Archives

    April 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All
    30 Day Challenge
    365 Days Of Biking
    Adventure Cycling
    Amtrak
    Big Brother
    Big Brother
    Bike Camping
    Bike Camping
    Bike Friday
    Bikes!
    Bikes!
    Bionx
    Breakfast Club
    Breezer
    Bullitt
    Car Freedom
    Car Freedom
    Carrying Kids
    Carrying Kids
    Carrying Loads
    Carrying Loads
    Cycle Truck
    Cyclofemme
    Daily Errands
    Diy
    Family Rides
    Family Rides
    Hauladay
    Isla Bike
    Kidical Mass
    Little Brother
    Little Brother
    May Is Bike Month
    Mobic
    Overnights
    Positivity
    Practical Cycle
    Sacramento River Parkway
    Safe Routes To School
    Safety
    School Commute
    Solo Kids
    Strider Bike
    Sun Shade
    The League
    Tour De Whine
    Weather
    Whimsical Cycle
    Yuba Mundo
    Yuba Mundo

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.