Thread by @LenaGReynolds

Pretty excited, I’m taking the train from Chicago to Kalamazoo to visit a friend this weekend. First time taking my bike on @Amtrak #bikechi ➡️ #bikezoo

Journey started on the @cta blue line from Jeff park. I forgot how many stairs there were at the Clinton stop lol (4 flights!) but there’s a nice bike path for the last couple blocks to union station!

Arrived early just in case, and got a little ticket for the bike. They announced a delay but then the line started moving and we ended up leaving pretty much right on time anyway! So far so good 😊

The conductors were super nice, helped me up the stairs, & directed me to a spot in the snack car for the bike. There was a seatbelt for it that I couldn’t figure out, so I just used the straps & cinch lock I brought lol, hope she’s ok 🤞🏽

Found a spacious window seat back in coach and we’re off! Bye Chicago 😘

Fun river/lake views

And of course Indiana’s famous steel mills. @ELPCenter & @HEC_ED recently sued one of these after a cyanide spill into #LakeMichigan! Settlement resulted in substantive operational improvements at the plant to protect #cleanwater & a land donation for @IndianaDunesNPS

Once they opened the snack car I could come check on the baby, she looks solid! Happy to join me for a beer 🍺 @Amtrak #bikechi ➡️ #bikezoo

Porter and Michigan City looked super cute, didn’t get a photo in time, but I’ll have to come back. After that we got pretty zippy, 100mph! Though @waze is probably concerned why I’m going so fast, no worries, not driving! #TrainsAreMuchSaferThanDriving

Such a beautiful ride! My parents are stuck in traffic driving to Michigan right now and they’re incredibly jealous how much more pleasant my ride is. I get to just enjoy the view, no stress @AmtrakConnects #BlueWaterTrain

Once I arrived, unbelievably, there was a rainbow to greet me! Biked about a mile down thru town to a cute brewery to meet friends and continue a weekend of adventure 🚲🍻🎶🌳🌈

I had such a great time in #Kalamazoo this weekend, here’s a few highlights. First of all, the rumors were true, the city’s bike lanes are amazing! They can take you to key destinations in town and multiple trailheads without big dangerous gaps! (Looking at you chicago lol)

The Kal-Haven trail was delightful, so peaceful and beautiful. I did a good chunk but I’ll have to come back and bikepack the whole thing someday ;) thanks for the tips! #PureMichigan

On the way to the trail, I saw the local school bus fleet and tried to scope out their new electric one ⚡️ Kalamazoo is one of the Michigan communities leading the way toward #CleanTransportation with emissions-free electric school buses #cleanride4kids #climateaction

The architecture is amazing. Lots of historic, unique buildings, with gentle density in both new construction and the way old single family homes were built onto back lots and quiet alleyways. An urbanist/preservationist’s dream

But, like anywhere, there is still more work needed to house people, and the pandemic didn’t help. There are community fridges, little free pantries, and new housing options going up, but you can help by supporting residentialopportunities.org or housingresourcesinc.org

Back to bike lanes! In addition to the established ones, they’re piloting a new network on some big one-way streets that I would never have dreamt of riding on before. I was able to safely stop at shops for beer, books, & groceries all by bike

After errands it was back to my friends place for puppies, pumpkins, and parties!

Today the ride home went smoothly. Back to the cafe car, which was at the front of the train this time. Made it up to at least 113mph! #BlueWater is awesome @Amtrak #bikezoo ➡️ #bikechi

A woman from #Dowagiac sat next to me heading to an appt for cancer (in remission!) in Chicagoland. She was super sweet, hosts foreign exchange students. She loves the train, said it’s a world better than the stress and danger of driving @AmtrakConnects #MidwestRail

Pro-tip for @Amtrak #biketravelers, the south-western Clinton entrance is a great way in and out, because you don’t have to tackle stairs or an elevator. #accessible doors & ramps, plus the Clinton bike lane is right there! Follow green arrow on this map

Decided to skip the stairs at the Clinton blue line stop, so I rode the clinton bike lane south to the Harrison bike lane west to the Morgan pedestrian bridge over 290. The UIC-Halsted blue line stop has a nice clean elevator! Helped a couple students figure out the machines too

Another pro-tip for #bike travelers on #trains: I never did figure out how to pull out the seatbelt for the bike in the cafe car, so I was super glad I brought this cinch lock and a spare voile strap. Good peace of mind

All in all, it was a grand adventure. Thank you for following along, I hope it inspires more people to seek #sustainabletravel. Thanks to @ModeShiftKzoo & all those who made it such a welcoming city to visit by bike. And thank you @Amtrak for a fast, friendly, & fun ride!