Adventures Riding Rail Bikes on the Railroad

Let’s go for a bike ride on the railroad! This unique and exciting adventure is not your typical bicycle ride. Instead, it’s a pedal-powered rail bike that glides along historic railroad tracks. How cool is that?!

During our last trip to Sacramento, we visited Ione, a small town in Amador County, to check out Rail Explorers. My mom had ridden rail bikes in Washington and was eager to try them again when she found out it was available nearby.

We had a blast, and my son was grinning ear to ear the entire time. It was an incredible way to see all the beautiful scenery and thrilling, especially on the way back when you go downhill and pick up some speed. I enjoyed it so much that I want to do it again in other locations.

These rail bike tour companies are popping up all over the United States, so there’s a good chance you can find one of these fun adventures near you.

Who are the Rail Explorers?

Rail Explorers launched in July 2015 in New York. Their design was inspired by rail bikes in South Korea, and it was the first time this type of bike had been seen anywhere outside of that country.

Their rail bikes are built to be top-of-the-line, and they offer four-seaters, unlike most other companies. The bikes are commercial-grade machinery, and the wheels are steel with polyurethane instead of plastic. They’re also the first to incorporate a power-assist motor that kicks in after a few pedals so you can sit back, relax, and not worry about the inclines.

What to expect on the Amador tour

From downtown Sacramento, it’s an easy 50-minute drive. We took US-50 E to CA-16 E, which was a pretty drive through rural areas. You can also take CA-99 S to CA-104 E.

When you arrive, the turn into the Rail Explorers is easy to identify, with two large red flags on each side of the driveway. Parking is a little way down the road.

We showed up early and were happy to see they had a nice area to hang out with chairs, tables, shades, and bathrooms while we waited.

Before or after your ride, don’t forget to take pictures in front of their Rail Explorers sign.

Scenery on the tour

This rail bike tour is on the Amador Central Railroad, built in 1904. It coasts through the hills and has scenic views of pastures, farms, trees, and the Sierra Nevada mountains. We also saw horses and a large hawk.

Safety First

Before you hop on the rail bikes, there’s a quick orientation to explain how the bikes work, how to operate them safely, and the hand signals to use when stopping and slowing down.

On the tour, they have guides in the front and back of the line if anyone needs assistance. They also keep an eye out for hats or other belongings that may have flown off your bike and will retrieve them for you.

There are three railroad crossings we passed on main roads at the beginning. At each crossing, the Rail Explorers employees monitored the traffic and lowered the rail guards with a person standing on each side with stop signs. When it was safe, they had each rail bike pass the railroad crossing.

Service

What stood out was how friendly and professional all the Rail Explorers staff members were. Even before we started the ride, some employees greeted us and engaged in pleasant conversations. They told us all about the company, tours, and rides, which was very informative.

Throughout the ride, they checked in with us and the other groups to make sure everything was going well and to chat.

Afterward, my son removed our name tag from our bike and handed it to an employee we talked to – who I think might have been an owner. She asked if he wanted a job collecting the other name tags, and he happily accepted. When he was finished, she rewarded him with a pin from the gift shop. It was so sweet and made his day.

What are the rail bike options?

They offer two-seat tandem and four-seat quad bikes. If your group has five or six people, they can attach a tandem to a quad so you can all stick together.

Can kids ride the bikes?

Yes, kids can ride, and they’ll love it! The seats are adjustable, and my four-foot-tall son could reach the pedals easily. They just can’t sit in the driver’s seat unless they are 16 or older.

Are dogs allowed on the bikes?

If your dog loves adventures, bring them! There’s only one dog allowed per bike, and they are not permitted on the Boone, Iowa, tour.

Dogs must be on a leash and can lie on the floor of the rail bike, which didn’t look comfortable. I’d bring a blanket or pad for them to lie on for the long ride.

Is it hard to pedal?

Easy peasy! There are four sets of pedals, and the driver’s seat pedals trigger the power assist motor. To get it started, only a couple of pumps are necessary to turn on the engine. Technically, only the driver is required to pedal, but I am sure they would appreciate the help getting it moving.

My son was convinced he was doing all the work and kept demanding that we all pedal more, so there was no relaxing for us. But the exercise was good, and there was no resistance because of the power assist. He also ratted out Grandma to the railway attendant for relaxing too much. ????

How long is the ride?

The ride in Amador is two hours long, and it’s 8 miles long. Initially, I thought this sounded long, but it went by fast. Now that I’ve experienced it once, I’d have no problem signing up for a longer tour.

How much does it cost?

The Amador Division tour costs $95 for tandem bikes and $175 for quad bikes. The price is per bike, not per person. So, if you have three people on a quad, it will still cost $175. Their other locations offer similar pricing.

What should I bring?

There’s a bin on each bike to place bags and coolers. You can also put items on the floor. We brought a small cooler and two bags and had plenty of room.

Pack a snack or lunch

Halfway through the ride, everyone gets off the bikes so they can be turned around to head back. While this is happening, you can enjoy something to eat at the chairs and tables they have set up.

My mom brought crackers, cheese, fruit, and salami, and it was perfect. The only thing missing was a bottle of wine to enjoy while admiring the scenic views. Although, I am not sure if alcohol is allowed, and you would have to drink it quickly. The stop lasted 15-20 minutes.

Water

Even though it’s not strenuous exercise, it’s a good idea to bring a water bottle, especially in the summer. It gets hot there!

Blanket

Our tour began at 10:30 a.m. at the end of October, and it was 54 degrees. Luckily, it was sunny, but it’s nippy when moving through the cold air and shaded areas. We threw in a small lap blanket and dressed in layers.

If you don’t need your blanket to keep warm, it could be used for padding your back. The seats were comfortable, but my back was a little sore from pushing against it for so long.

Sun Protection

Most of the ride was in the sun, so be sure to bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Camera

Your hands are free during the ride, so it’s easy to take lots of photos and videos. If you have a GoPro, it would be perfect for this ride.

Where else can I ride the rails?

Rail Explorers has six locations, and they told us they hope to expand to Monterey or Santa Clara.

• The Amador Division
• The Bluegrass, Kentucky Division
• The Boone, Iowa Division
• The Cooperstown, NY Division
• Rhode Island Division
• The Catskills Division

If there are no locations near you, you can search for rail bike rides to see which companies offer these exciting adventures near you.