Bike the rails with these fun tours
You might be familiar with a handcar from old movies — when cowboys hand-pumped a small flat-bed car across the lonely railroad tracks in the west. The west isn't so wild anymore, but handcars are back and they are a trendy, exciting way to take in scenic vistas.
Perhaps properly called draisines, railroad bikes are popping up everywhere in the U.S. and Europe along abandoned tracks, often built in stunning scenic settings. Historically, draisines have come in dozens of different shapes and sizes, from a two-man lever pump to modified jeeps and motorized trucks. Even the classic VW bus has been converted into a draisine.
Today, rail biking draisines are usually built for two to four peddlars who can sometimes be seated in a recumbent position. Some rail bikes are electric-powered, and some require some pedal power.
Turns out that riding the rails is a pretty easy way to take a tour. The tracks guide you along the route. You don't steer. There's no traffic, but plenty of time to snap some photos. Most rail biking tours have a guide.
Among the U.S. locations with rail biking:
* Revolution Rail, North Creek, NY, through the Adirondacks: A route that also includes tubing.
* Pudding Creek Railbikes, Fort Bragg, California: Through the redwood forest, the electric railbikes also include an option to take your dog in a special trailer.
* Soarin' Eagle Rail Tours, Haley Pennsylvania: Through the Pocono Mountains, a six-mile easy pedal for two to four.
* Tracks and Yakes, Frostburg, Maryland: Through the Allegheny Mountain passage, a 15-mile downhill railbike tour, following by kayaking or tubing.
