Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with bicycle and travel

Escape from rain city

PercussivePaul — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:43:44 -0800

We want to go somewhere sunny and warm in February. We're in Vancouver BC and don't want to fly too far; cost is an issue. We would really like to bring our touring bicycles and do a mini-tour at a relaxed pace - maybe 250 miles over two weeks. So far we're looking at South Baja. Good idea? Other ideas? I have all kinds of questions about South Baja if anyone has been there. Specifically we were thinking of flying to Cabo San Lucas (looks like around $600 round trip plus baggage fees), then biking to La Paz and back in a loop, and we need to know about road conditions, traffic, availability of services, typical price of a hotel, etc etc.

But I'm also interested if any other destination comes to mind. The bike tour is not a requirement but something we would really enjoy. Touristy mega-resorts are not really our thing but we would appreciate a little bit of comfort on this trip I think. Beaches would be nice. Sunny and warm in February is the key.

Montauk in June

falameufilho — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:23:30 -0800

My wife and I are thinking about going to Montauk on the first week of June, taking our bikes on the LIRR. I've never been to the beaches in Long Island so I have no idea what to expect on this time of the year. 1) Taking the bikes on the LIRR: How much of a hassle is it?

2) Biking around the city and the region while I'm there - is it bike-friendly? I'm a very leisure oriented biker (i.e. I hate hills and I ride slow:-) )

3) Any recommendations of places to stay or things to do? I'm all ears. I saw this link on another AskMeFi thread, sounds like a nice place to stay.

4) How crowded is it going to be in the first week of June? Is it unbearable? Should I wait for the next winter? :-)

Help me figure out how to keep my dress shirts nice in the office for a bicyce commute.

onalark — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 07:39:35 -0800

Help me wear a dress shirt at work while doing a bicycle commute, or, tell me what your favorite garment bag is. I'm trying to transition to a train/bicycle commute for work. My work place has showers and I have an office to store stuff as long as it looks reasonable. My main concern right now is how to keep nice-looking dress shirts and pants available at work to change into after the ride. My best current idea is to keep a travel garment bag at work hanging from a over-the-door hook, and store my weekly wardrobe there. I don't own a garment bag, but am willing to invest in one. What recommendations do you have for a garment bag or other way to store clothes?

Cheap travel from Delaware to NYC?

viewofdelft — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:23:54 -0800

What are the cheapest ways to get from Newark, Delaware, to New York City? I'm a research assistant at the University of Delaware and as part of a long and wonkish I-95 corridor project, we've decided to produce a map or informational pamphlet letting students know the cheapest ways to get from here (Newark, Delaware) to New York City.

A few things to keep in mind:
1. Any mode of transportation is fair game (air, rail, highway, seaports, etc.), as is any type of vehicle (plane, train, automobile, bus, shoes, etc.).
2. Be creative, but within reasonable limits of safety (i.e., no airmailing oneself).
3. It's alright if many of the suggested travel methods begin in Philadelphia (and maybe even Baltimore) if these departure points are more familiar to you.
4. Cost is the most important factor, although I don't want to discourage that outlandish teleportation idea you've been waiting to uncork.

After we've completed the map or pamphlet, I'll contact each of the contributors about mailing them a finished product. Thank you.

where in the U.S. (prefer warmer climates) can I rent an electric bicycle?

carrynation — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:26:00 -0800

where in the U.S. can I rent an electric bicycle? I've found websites for many US bike stores that sell e-bikes, but I'm looking to rent one for a bike tour, and I haven't seen many stores that seem to do that.

I'm organizing a self-contained bike tour for December, contingent on finding a base city with a store that has a few electric bikes for rent by the day or week.

Warm, if not downright hot, climates are preferred, so I'm partial to getting some store names/locations/websites anywhere in the more southern states.

For example, I've been looking but unable to find much in Arizona and southern Florida.

Oh yes: I do own an electric bike, but am unwilling to fly domestically with it. The weight of it basically doubles the airfare.

All leads appreciated!

europe bike trek questions

pamccf — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 09:18:59 -0800

We're planning on biking across Europe. We're planning on doing it a year from now. What are we forgetting? What did you encounter in a similar trip that we might be unprepared for? Any general advice? The executive summary: We are two, living in the US. We currently bike to work (5-10 miles daily). We also make a longer trip (10+ miles) at least once a week, sometimes twice. Currently, this is a bit of a stretch. We are attempting to increase that upper limit gradually to where we can comfortably do 50 miles in a day by the time we leave. (We think we have time to do this without much strain.) We are experienced in hostel-travelling in Europe (moving inter-city by car, rail, and bus). (We have French, German and Russian.)

Our planned route goes from Amsterdam to Istanbul in a rough L-shape, the hinge being Warsaw. (Some details are fuzzy here - can you help?) Our bikes are these (should we ditch them?); we have no panniers yet, but we're looking at these (are there better?).

We are not bringing tents or camping gear. Should we worry about finding places to stay? We don't have maps of our route. Should we plan on getting these in-country? In Amsterdam?

We might take the plane. Have you turned your bike into a folding bike/have you gone for an extended ride with a foldie? We might take a boat. Have you taken a freighter cruise/are there other ocean alternatives?

Bonus question: We are planning to stay in Istanbul for an indeterminate time. Should we plan on being able to get around town by bike? Something tells me no. Can you tell me yes?

Where should I go for a week-long bike trip?

killdevil — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 07:33:29 -0800

Help me find a destination for a last-minute, week-long cycling vacation in the western United States or Canada. I've decided that I want to go ride my road bike for a week towards the end of August. I'd like to go somewhere of great natural beauty, involving mountains, ocean, or similarly scenic environments. The destination should be relatively convenient to air travel; in other words, I should be able to fly in, unbox the bike and go. Help me choose a destination and a route!

I'd like to ride about 80-100 miles per day, carrying very little gear (probably just what will fit in a large saddlebag such as these), and stay in inexpensive hotels/motels along the way.

I've done considerable long-distance, self-supported bike touring (including having crossed the United States a couple of times), but have never done a short, motel-oriented trip like this. In addition to a destination, I'd like to hear any tips you may have about cycling travel of this type.

A bicycle for the bus/train/plane

airguitar — Wed, 20 Apr 2005 09:02:05 -0800

How do you take your bike along when you ride the bus/train/plane? Checked baggage? Carry on? In a box? As is?

I'm looking to get a new bike, but I want something that travels well. Ideally something that assembles/breaks down in a few minutes with little tools, if any. Something where I can peddle to the Amtrak, throw the bike in a bag, ride, unboard, reassemble, and jump back on the bike in quick time. Any ideas?

Tips for Bike Trip from NJ to DC in March

lorrer — Tue, 15 Feb 2005 11:38:24 -0800

Bike touring [+] I’m planning a bicycle trip with a friend from college, from New Brunswick, NJ to Washington, DC in mid-March.

For anyone who has done similar trips, what do you wish you had known? What did you take that you didn’t need, or what did you wish you’d taken? I’m especially interested in clothing and tools you think are needed. My friend has AAA, so we should get deals at hotels and some restaurants. Any advice is welcome.