random biking/lighting questions

[KyGirl]

We will be visiting FW for the first time ever to tent camp in November. We've never been there so I assume the tent sites are far far away from anything. Anyway, we were planning to bring our bikes to travel around FW and over to the Wilderness Lodge for some meals.

I was thinking we could ride them to the marina or bus stop in the morning, lock them up there, and have them waiting for us when we return in the evening from the parks. Is that okay to leave the bikes for that long? We're usually in the parks all day.

Also, I just realized that in November, it will probably be dark well before we get back to FW. Is there enough light that we'd be safe biking back to our site or should we be prepared with lights, etc on our bikes?

 

[KristinU]

We biked just like you're suggesting when we were at the Fort in 2008. We didn't have a problem locking the bikes at the main bus stop all day. There are racks there and people do it often...some bikes weren't even locked, but we did lock ours.

As for biking over to Wilderness Lodge to eat, we did that too. There I don't remember finding a bike rack, but we did lock them to a light post kind of near their marina area where others had their bikes parked.

Biking at night form the bus stop or marina - it is probably be light enought to see, but you want to be seen! So you'll want to go to a sporting goods/bike shop and pick up front and rear LEDs. While you're there you might want to look into a rack for on your bike so you can carry any parcels with you. I go old school and zip-tie a milk crate to my rear rack, and it is so convenient to have a little "trunk" to put stuff in.

 

[stacktester]

If you don't want the expense of putting lights on the bikes I've actually seen people using the head flash lights. They're usually pretty cheap. The fort has some areas that aren't real lit up so I would suggest getting what Kristin said or something to help you see better.

 

[KyGirl]

We have lights for the front and rear of the bikes and also head lamps. (We bike/camp quite a bit-just never at Disney before!) I was just kind of concerned about leaving all that stuff on the bikes while we were gone all day and we're trying to get out of lugging a backpack around the parks to take that stuff with us. But no big deal! We can if we need to.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[KristinU]

We left our lights on our bikes and left our helmets in the crate while we were out for the day...just kind of linked them together and clipped a couple of straps around the crate to make them a little more difficult to just pick up and walk off with. Not sure if that helps with your lights and headlamps concern, thinks probably do walk off, but we did fine.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

We have lights for the front and rear of the bikes and also head lamps. (We bike/camp quite a bit-just never at Disney before!) I was just kind of concerned about leaving all that stuff on the bikes while we were gone all day and we're trying to get out of lugging a backpack around the parks to take that stuff with us. But no big deal! We can if we need to.

Thanks for the advice!

There are lockers at the marina if you would like to lock your stuff up while you are off at the MK. They take quarters. I am not sure if it's $.50 or $1.00.

TCD

 

[ftwildernessrick]

When we bring our bikes, no one has ever bothered them, but I still lock them at night & when we go elsewhere to a bike rack or post. I leave my led lights on the bikes even though the headlights can be removed from its mount by pushing a button, allowing the headlight to be used as a flashlight.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I knew I had a photo of the lockers at the marina.

So, here you go:

The sign says it's $1.00 per rental.

TCD

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Since you will be tent camping, I realize space will be limited,,so I would like to suggest telescopic rod'n reel, small, space saver, easy to carry on bikes and will fit in that marina locker if you rent one.

Nov. is a good time for fishing at the Fort.

Ya'll hava great time.

 

[ElementCamper]

I always have lights on my bike at FW front and rear. Not only are campers driving through the resort to and from their sites, you don't want a Disney bus to not be able to see you if on the roads. Most of the time you can be on the sidewalks though and just need to carefully watch at any crossings. The ride from FW to WL at night is VERY dark, there are no lights out there at all. Also be aware the path crosses a road about half way and last time I was there it was not marked. I almost zoomed out in front of a car not knowing the road was there! It is very spooky out there in the dark, I think I heard banjo's like Deliverance!
I was concerned about taking my Electra Townie for this trip, it's an expensive bike and I didn't want to scratch it transporting it and it takes up a lot of room in the car. I went out and got a 12 speed folding bike at Camping World to use since I will be there for 10 days. I can always turn around and sell it when I get back and still be saving money over renting.

 

[Solamom]

Yep, lights are a must. We do exactly what your thinking and have never had a problem. We came back from the MK late one night and our bikes were just fine but we were soooo glad we had the lights!

Our very first trip, we tent camped in the 2000 loop and were so unprepared. We had no lights and tried to hold flashlights for lighting...didn't work so well.

You'll have a blast! Riding bikes around the fort for our familys is one of the best things about camping there!

 

[KristinU]

I knew I had a photo of the lockers at the marina.

So, here you go:

The sign says it's $1.00 per rental.

TCD

TCD, you never cease to amaze me!

 

[mikeymouse1]

Biking at the Fort ROCKS! I would light up though!

 

[Magicbus]

TCD, you never cease to amaze me!

Ditto!

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Agree on the lighting/stuff advice that's already offered. (We LOVE biking at the Fort.)

But KristinU's comment got me curious...are there bike racks at WL? We never found any when we went over there -- we just put the bikes out of the way and locked them together.

 

[stacktester]

Agree on the lighting/stuff advice that's already offered. (We LOVE biking at the Fort.)

But KristinU's comment got me curious...are there bike racks at WL? We never found any when we went over there -- we just put the bikes out of the way and locked them together.

Not sure if you know where the WL's bike barn is but there's a sidewalk leading to the pool and there's a bike rack there. I usually just park mine in the front by the arcade and then walk in. Never locked it either so no problem with that.

If you want to ride to the bike barn there's a little short cut off the exercise trail. There's a path that cuts over where there is an electric arm gate. If you keep going you'll see a trail that leads to the left. Very nice scenery over here as well. This is where the rumored DVC Resort is going in btw. Once you see the bike barn look to the left and the rack is there.