the railbike journey

[Shebeen]

what's a railbike you say?

as it says on the box, it's a bike that rides on rails.

 

 

I've been wanting to explore abandoned/quiet railroads since like forever.

trains being shut near my house during lockdown has kind of rekindled the idea.

I'd like to put something together that is lightweight/cheap.

 

Two reasons for this, 

a)you will most likely be on tracks that are verboten and would need to get off quick and easy

b)cheap is good, if it fits onto an existing bike then hundreds, but a donor bike might work better but then can't be ridden there.

 

I'm aware of Keith and the light/strong/cheap nexus, i think there are some sweetspots to hit though, stability/staying on the tracks is a variable too

 

Just never got round to actually moving my  thoughts into practice. but will be throwing around ideas here, feel free to contribute.

 

some ideas

 

 

 

[dirtypot]

Since seeing the old pump hand car things, I've been interested in this idea.  I often watch the railway line bend and flow next to the road along the mountains (normally taking a more scenic or exciting route) while driving and have wished to be able to do something like this. 

 

You could get one of those trailer attachments to go on the back of the bike to carry the 'rig'.  Should be able to have a bracing / tracking arm behind it to keep it running on the track, same as you'd have on the front wheel.    

[Pieter-za]

I have also wondered about this in the past!

 

(Just a pity some tracks are not maintained anymore. These were part of the old Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe line, outside Belvidere (Keytersnek) on the way to Goukamma station)

[100Tours]

what's a railbike you say?

as it says on the box, it's a bike that rides on rails.

 

I'm aware of Keith and the light/strong/cheap nexus, i think there are some sweetspots to hit though, stability/staying on the tracks is a variable too

 

I'd add in that you need a methodology for dealing with different gauge rails? I would imagine this is a bit of an issue if travelling around.

[madmarc]

So i'm wondering if you get rid of the 3rd wheel and run a pilot on the front and rear if that would work at least you would get some side to side movement and it would probably be more comfortable to ride.

 

Eisch!! now we need to design a rocker plate for the rails 

[Shebeen]

I'd add in that you need a methodology for dealing with different gauge rails? I would imagine this is a bit of an issue if travelling around.

yes. but that is in v2.0

 

edit:

 

would be nice to see some abandoned rail locations

i know of a few, but feel free to add in here, and indicate if the gauge is not standard SAR 3ft 6

 

edit:

 

it's here

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_abandoned_railway_lines_in_South_Africa

Edited June 29, 2020 by BikeHub Plus

[nickc]

yes. but that is in v2.0

 

edit:

 

would be nice to see some abandoned rail locations

i know of a few, but feel free to add in here, and indicate if the gauge is not standard SAR 3ft 6

 

edit:

 

it's here

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_abandoned_railway_lines_in_South_Africa

 

 

Nelspruit to Graskop via Hendriksdal and Sabie - that would be a cool one to ride through the forests !!

Plus you can stop at Hendriksdal for something to eat and even overnight if required.

[dave303e]

Or you could take a topo map, and use it to string together all the service roads and work your way accross country on your current steed set up for bike packing. You will be less restricted by the lines which is good when it comes to high risk areas. You can detour around them or switch to the next track easily. 

 

I have used many service roads to string together 150km+ rides in and around GP east. I still want to try get to the slowveld that way via Dullstroom...

[dave303e]

If you really adventurous pack in a bouldering pad, some shoes and chalk and try boulder some of the smaller features where there are cutbacks into the earth.

[PhilipV]

yes. but that is in v2.0

 

edit:

 

would be nice to see some abandoned rail locations

i know of a few, but feel free to add in here, and indicate if the gauge is not standard SAR 3ft 6

 

edit:

 

it's here

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_abandoned_railway_lines_in_South_Africa

If I recall correctly there is a narrow gauge line between the Langkloof and PE. I cycled over it's railway bridge over the Van Stadens river once.

 

Edit: thanks for the correction.

Edited June 29, 2020 by PhilipV

[Shebeen]

Or you could take a topo map, and use it to string together all the service roads and work your way accross country on your current steed set up for bike packing. You will be less restricted by the lines which is good when it comes to high risk areas. You can detour around them or switch to the next track easily. 

 

I have used many service roads to string together 150km+ rides in and around GP east. I still want to try get to the slowveld that way via Dullstroom...

happy to do both!

[Shebeen]

If I recall correctly there is a narrow gauge line between the Langkloof and PE. I cycled over it's railway bridge over the Bloukrans river once.

you're thinking of the apple express, and it's the van stadens bridge.

 

i rode the patenise section in an adventure race recently...massively overgrown.