Amtrak must not have completely gotten this concept, but with some southern charm and some strong will I think we got the point across.
In theory.
So the first 14 hours have been eventful. Please be warned I'm on about 4 hours of quasi, upright train sleep as I recount this...
We show up about 2.5 hours before our train so we can break down our bikes (ended up being pedals off and handlebars lowered and swung to the side). We get to the ticket booth to check in and ask about the bike boxes.
The woman at the ticket counter took a phone call on her cell phone, pulled out her wallet to show us her new lisence picture (Liz commented on how my picture was more zoomed in) and then preceded to tell us that there was no luggage cart going with our train and we would not be able to check our bikes.
So we went to baggage to see what the deal was. The crate or whatever for our train was broken from the previous trip or something and no one was able to check baggage. Amanda at baggage was very helpful and apologetic which helped but I was fuming. What kind of bike trip would it be without bikes?
We talked to a manger (Wandelina) and she said no there was nothing they could do, they could not accommodate us for any part of this and that our only real option was to get on he train and trust that they could check it he following day and send it down...
This would mean that we have to spend an extra night in Charleston and not be biking until Friday...keep in mind due to mother nature we are already two days behind.
Our angel Kevin, luggage attendant extraordinair, who said he would talk to the conductor to see if our bikes could just go in one of the regular cars was very sweet. We hope he is married to someone who appreciates him. Anyway. Try as he might due to all the weather stuff there were too many passengers and no room..otherwise the conductor (who we chatted with later, "we're the bike girls!) would have been cool with it.
We weighed our options and decided that our best bet was to get on the train, bum around Charleston for a day and pray our bikes get there tomorrow.
So that's what we are doing. After watching our mothers dance to stay warm in the train station after this escapade we told them to hit the road and about 5 minutes later Kevin yelled "get your bags let's go!) and let us board early with the families with small children...then we were off! Not to mention the train was late, the seats not terribly comfortable and being near delirious. We will get to Charleston tonight and hopefully get our bikes tomorrow night, if they make the next train...we think Amanda and Kevin will make it happen.We just started our train ride to Charleston from DC and it is very pretty...
We might change up our plan and route a bit to better accommodate time and whatnot but we are excited to get this show on the road.
Afterall, a bike trip without a bike, is still a trip! (although cross your fingers our bikes will be on the way)
More to come soon!
Cheers and Spokes, Esther
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