Rail Explorers
Ride our custom built pedal powered Rail Explorers and enjoy a leisurely 6 mile expedition along spectacular Narragansett Bay with views only visible from the unique perspective of the railroad.
Location
1 Alexander Rd.
Portsmouth, RI 02871
Health and
Safety Measures
- Masks Required
- Virtual Shopping
What is Rail Explorers: Rhode Island Division?
Rail Explorers is open from May - November and offers tours on our custom built, pedal powered vehicles that ride on railroad tracks. They have 4 steel wheels, hydraulic disc brakes, pedals for each seat, and are comfortable, fun and easy to ride. Although the rail explorers require pedalling, the magic of steel wheels on steel rails makes the experience very different from riding a regular bicycle. There is no need to carefully watch the road ahead, there is no need to steer and riding is hands free - making it easy to take photographs and video as you roll along. Choose either the Tandem Rail Explorer (2 seats) or Quad Rail Explorer (4 seats) for your ride.
The RI Division offers two tour options, The Northern Ramble and the Southern Circuit. The Northern Ramble is a 6 mile expedition along the rails with a shuttle bus return to the station. The Southern Circuit is also 6 miles, but includes a stop at our exclusive waterfront picnic area with spectacular panoramic views over Narragansett Bay - bring a snack!
Everyone can enjoy this activity: couples young and old, groups of friends, and families of all ages and abilities. We are committed to providing an accessible experience for all visitors.
Come check out our specialty tours in 2021: Sunday Brunch Tour, Sunset Tours, Lantern Rides, Private & Special Events - Large groups welcome!
Gift Cards
Gift cards are available for purchase by rail bike OR in $50 and $100 increments. They do not expire and are valid at all locations throughout the US.
Mary Joy Lu & Alex Catchpoole
Inspiration:
The inspiration to start Rail Explorers originally came from a scene in a Korean soap opera. Back in September of 2012, Mary Joy Lu (who started Rail Explorers with her husband Alex Catchpoole) was watching one of her favorite K-Dramas and became intrigued when she saw a strange contraption being pedalled along the railroad tracks.
Travel to South Korea:
Mary Joy was so excited by this extraordinary looking rail bike that within 10 days she was on a plane to South Korea to meet with the designer and manufacturer of the vehicles. Mary Joy, Alex and other Rail Explorers employees travelled back to Korea in 2015 to learn more about the unique business. Rail Explorers was then able to bring a fleet of explorers to the USA. This was the first time these rail bikes had been seen anywhere in the world outside of South Korea.
First Days:
Rail Explorers operations began on July 3, 2015 in New York’s Adirondacks and the response was extraordinary. ‘It was a shock,’ remembers Alex, ‘we really had no idea that it would take off the way it did. It was really exciting to say - wow, maybe we are on to something!’
‘After 3 years of dreaming and planning, of hard work and putting in every dollar we had, to finally get to opening day and see the joy Rail Explorers brought to our riders was incredibly rewarding.’
Since that day more than 200,000 people have enjoyed Rail Explores tours in the Adirondacks, Delaware, Rhode Island, Las Vegas and New York's Catskill Mountains.
