Comment

Comment by Kelly on February 6, 2012 at 4:51pm

Team, Team may be reincarnated. Email me if interested ;-)

Comment by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on February 6, 2012 at 3:27pm

wouldn't it be great to collectively get some type of "Chainlink" shuttle out there and back?  Not sure how complicated it is, but if there are enough people, that could be a nice option.  I may be doing the same RAGBRAI team I did last year so I personally may not need it, but sounds like there is def a need for transport to and from Chicago.

Comment by Larry on February 6, 2012 at 3:15pm

WOW LIZ!!!!  I have never used ShuttleGuy, but I know the owner of Amlings, and I am a bit surprised.... Also, I have heard good things about ShuttleGuy from others that I have spoken to during RAGBRAI in the past....  My own suggestion is to ride with a team....  Most teams have somewhere that you can leave your car, transportation from that point to the start, luggage support during the week, and transportation back to your car at the end....  Also, it is a good way to meet people that you can spend the week with....  Sometimes teams arrange for housing one or some or all nights....  There is sometimes an opportunity to get laundry done....  Coolers with drinks in at the bus in the overnight towns....  Charging stations for phones....  Also, they are usually smaller groups, so there is some camaraderie....  The charters are usually much bigger groups and more expensive....  Again, when I know what I am doing for the week, I can let you know....  It probably won't be until sometime this spring....  But there's no rush....  You can ALWAYS find a team the week before the ride....

Comment by RyanG on February 6, 2012 at 7:36am

I know this doesn't help you get there from Chicago, but last year we used Brancel Charters. Nice clean setup, friendly staff. We only used them for End Town to Start Town transportation, no overnight service.

You should be able to hitch a ride with other people doing the same thing. Usually there are more people posting as we get closer to the big week.

Comment by Mark on February 6, 2012 at 7:27am

Thanks for your comments, Liz.  Sorry to hear about your experience.  I'll definitely keep those issues in mind.  Unfortunately, it looks like Shuttle Guy is the only service from Chicago.

Comment by Liz on February 6, 2012 at 7:17am

We did Shuttleguy 2 years ago and had a very negative experience with it.  

It was very difficult to get to the bus and bike drop off in Niles since its not accessable via public transportation.  We had to have my parents drive out of their way twice (once on friday and drop us off on saturday).  

Additionally, we stayed at the main campground instead of paying for their gear transport (same service level as a ragbria truck) our gear started and needed to end at their campgrounds which are intentionally far away from the main campground.  We had trouble getting out stuff to them on the last day and ended up spending an hour running around on the morning last day, this was not made clear in the pre-trip emails or on the way to ragbria.  The owner refused to send a van (just sitting at his campground) to help us with luggage  .  We couldn't find the buses because he was parked very 5 miles from the route end.    When we called to figure out where he was the owner insulted us for not being quicker getting to the end town and threatened to leave without us.  We didn't get on his bus and got a full refund.  We found our own way home (on the megabus for $20 with our bikes).  

Had I known that he doesn't offer anything more than a greyhound bus service would off I would've just taken the greyhound bus for 1/2 the price and with stations that I can get to via public transit.  

I would not recommend his service in the future. 

Comment by Larry on February 4, 2012 at 9:56pm

If you are looking for transportation from Chicago, you can also try Amling's Bike Shop in Niles....  But I THINK his charter is with ShuttleGuy????  When I know what my plans are I can let you know.... 

This is the page on the RAGBRAI website that lists all of the AUTHORIZED charter services....  The info has not yet been updated for this year....

http://ragbrai.com/about/charter-services/

Comment by Mark on February 4, 2012 at 5:44pm

I'm looking for transportation from Chicago.  It looks like there is only one service (Shuttle Guy) from Chicago, but serveral services from Clinton.  I'd be happy to pay to get a ride with someone from Chicago to Clinton and back - and then catch one of the charter services in Clinton over to the start.

Comment by Kathy Schubert 'n Suzy Schnauzer on February 4, 2012 at 3:28pm

I recommend Out of Staters Bicycle Club.  They leave from the end town and take you to the start town.  They put up a beverage tent in their campground at the end of the day and carry your luggage each day.  It does cost more than using the RAGBRAI truck.  But you are then a member of a team of several hundred riders.  http://www.oosbicycleclub.com/Home.html

I've used them for many years.  

Comment by Larry on February 4, 2012 at 2:51pm

There are several listed on the RAGBRAI website....  I am on my way out the door right now, but I will post some links for you in the next few days....  If I forget, just send me a subtle reminder....  Also, I would suggest looking into riding with a team or finding a group that is traveling together that can help with support....

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