Using rail road tracks for bugging out

I think riding over rail ties and ballast for any distance might get a little tiring after a while. Riding along maintenance trails running parallel to the tracks might be less exhausting, but would still have much the same vulnerabilities as riding on the rail bed or on an unsealed country back road.

 

Recently I saw a new bike that has 3' diameter tires ,wide rims .
This with an out rigger might be able to ride the rails ,and be light enough to lift off from time to time ,and use the out rigger as a trailer swapping to regular tires. I'd want a bike with suspension the gaps in the rails ends vary .

 

(German rig)


I'd want something soft to sit on, be a nice design




family sized.

Rail riding is popular in the EU zone. BTW - illegal and not terribly bright on US rails.

If you want to ride on ABANDONED rail systems - look here
Abandoned Rails: Home has an interactive map

 

Those are awesome and "post fan" could come in very handy. I was looking for something like this (more of a curiosity than anything) and that's pretty sweet.

 

The commercial rail rides use the heavy stuff because it will outlast tourists....

Still, a cool business if you can get into it...

 

Anytime you are going to rely on a vehicle, whether you are talking bicycle or motor driven vehicle, you must consider maintenance concerns. RR ties will beat you mode of transportation mercilessly. It's a safe bet that riding between the rails on a bike will lead to flat tires, bent rims, and broken hubs unless you have some particularly stout hardware. Then there is the bike frame work to consider. A cheap bike will likely suffer frame failure under that kind of abuse. A more expensive one will last longer, but take into consideration repair part availability. Having the best bike ever made doesn't help you if you can't find parts when it does finally break.

 

Though it might not be as convenient but walking the power utility lines is another method of travel. They are not as clear of brush, as the rail , but are a distinctive line through from one town to another.