Andrews If the town held a contest to chose a couple to host visitors, Judy and Jack Roberson would win the honors. Transplants from Michigan, the energetic couple moved here at the urging of Andrews Chamber of Commerce President Nola Cooper.
“She told us the little town of Andrews needed a boost, that the town was working to bring life back,” Judy said.
Indeed, the little town – on the heels of its high school football team’s resounding success – has big things happening with new restaurants opening, art murals appearing around downtown, the annual Spring Fling and Food Truck Fridays getting ready to kick off its second season.
So the Robersons, with a unique business of running rail bike tours, were excited to join in on the momentum.
“We love it here,” Judy said, “We just really enjoy the small town full of such nice people.”
However, as excited as the community was to see a novel business open, not many people understood what they actually offered.
“What we do,” Judy said, “is provide rail bikes for people to ride 5 miles up to the Valley River Tunnel and back.”
Ride might be a bit of a misnomer. The rail bikes, made from aluminum with polyurethane tires, weigh up to 200 pounds and require pedal power. They look more like expensive gym equipment than a railroad car.
“People will cycle up through the beautiful Andrews countryside, then can explore the tunnel and waterfall before they ride back down,” Judy added.
Each rail bike seats two but can be connected to others for a larger party. The journey requires some physical stamina, which involves certain restrictions for participation.
“We have a weight limit of 275 pounds. Now we make exceptions if a person is really tall,” Judy said.
Additionally, no children under age 4 can ride.
“As grandparents and great-grandparents, we are really safety conscious,” Judy said.
Because the trip up to the tunnel inclines at a 3 percent grade, the rail bikes, mercifully, come with batteries that each bike unit can use to allow a small engine to take over more strenuous parts of the track. There is an element of danger in the two-and-a-half hour adventure.
“We will ride over several train trellises that don’t have sides,” Judy said. Each bike comes with a hand brake, which is necessary for several reasons.
“We see all kinds of wildlife out here, deer, goats, even bald eagles – and everybody wants to stop to take pictures,” she added.
Further, there are multiple road crossings that require the whole party to stop while Jack, the flagman, waves the rail cars through safely.
Another reason the brake is handy comes into play on the trip back to the depot on Locust Street.
“It feels a lot faster, but we don’t get over 10-12 mph,” Judy said with a laugh as the wind blew her hair back and the rail bike seemed to fly down the track.
Each ride – and there are three a day from Wednesday through Sunday at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. – sees Jack on a front bike to check the track for errant rocks or tree limbs, and to serve as flag man at the intersections. The guests ride in the middle, each coupled bike choosing its own speed, with the Roberson’s engineer technician, Rick Lapolla, riding “caboose” to help with the sophisticated turnaround at the tunnel.
Andrews Valley Rail Tour lease the 5 miles of track from the Great Smokey Mountains Railroad, which operates under the supervision of the Federal Railroad Association. The Robersons are responsible for managing the track and keeping it clear of debris.
“You see that tree there?” Judy asked, pointing out a large tree that has been cut into tidy piles of logs on either side of the track. “That took us two days to cut up and move from the track.”
The ride is exhilarating – and just plain fun. In a complicated world, even with the thrill of riding a “bike” along a country railroad track, the whole tour feels like a respite.
“People just love it,” Judy said.
Jennifer and Curtis Ashcroft, the Robersons’ guests for an afternoon visit, drove in from Georgia to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
“We have always wanted to do one of these,” Jennifer said. “I hope we get to see wildlife.”
Judy cheerfully assured her that she would.
Each ride costs $49.99 for the rail bike, or $29.99 for something Judy calls the Trackalay Cart.
“Think it of it as hay-ride type of thing,” she said.
The cart offers the trail experience to those who may have physical or medical limitations and would not be able to cycle on their own.
“We pull it by a speeder car, and people can book it for events,” Judy said.
For details, visit www.andrewsvalleyrailtours.com or call 828-557-4021.