would motorcycle rims work instead?

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I don't know how they look inside but at least on bicycle wheels the spokes protrude the rim and thus it is not flat.
Here's what you are aiming for, slightly inward-sloping wheel surfaces and a small flange on the inside. I think it could be accomplished with a car steelie rim cut in half, for example.

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Tomas, Sweden
1966 Mercedes Benz 230S with OM617.912, automatic. Disk brakes from W108
1983 Mercedes Benz 300TD grey, OM617.912 and 5-speed manual
1983 Mercedes Benz 300TD blue 7-seater, OM617.912 and 5-speed manual

Now that's cool !!!

My brother lives up in Eagle, Colorado.
I think I recall him saying that the line from Leadville down to Minturn was no longer being used. Or maybe it’s just seasonal. You’d have to check. I'm thinking that would be an awesome ride. One heck of a beautiful down hill run.

I have to wonder about the legalities of that one though. I’m sure the track is still owned by the RR. I know that they loved busting snowmobiles up there on it for trespassing. I’d think a “rail-rider” would be no different. But if you could do it... That would be a nice scenic run.

BTW – If you pull the tires off an old CT-70 (Honda Mini-Trail) they sit on a track pretty nice. BTDT. Just need the outrigger. Over time the rims get pretty beat up though. No longer usable with tires.

Nice thread.
I want one !!

Have a great trip. (I’m jealous)
Don't forget to take pictures !!

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

You would have to do it in a rural area. Around here all you would see are bum's and gang signs.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Oh man, I want to do that. I'll bet you could have an easily deployed and taken down sail setup that would work a good half of the time or more. That and pedals would be a trip, as the grades are all so gradual.

Would be cheaper than converting old lines to bike paths but you'd still have to get up and move your rig to let other similar rigs pass.

I used to hop freights a bit, first in '73 and last in '81. Great stuff -- great views, but sometimes in box cars a harmonic oscillation sets in that will almost take your spine apart. You have to stand up and let your knees absorb the movement.

BTW: "Used to." Is that a weird bit of the language or what?

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

I still kick myself for not taking the Durango to Silverton narrow gauge trip when I was in Durango in '92. Me and a bud were traveling and we got jobs with the carneval in Grand Junction and followed them to Durango. Carny pay is lousy but it's a gas. Girls, ladies, and more girls. Hormones a pumpin.'

When that old coal fired train fired up the cloud of black smoke was something to see. Way wrong in PC terms but a trip.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

Your right the track is still owned by the UP but they dont use it. The track isnt even passable after Minturn too many rocks on the tracks. UP only has 2 cops for the whole state and I have met one of them I think he would remember me if we got caught. I dont think the railroad cops would care.

Here is a pic of where we went today. The tracks run about 200 feet to the right of where my wife was standing

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these are from the old ghost town Gilman today

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