I am considering taking my nice road bike by train/Amtrak to New York to do an AIDS ride (50, 85 and 100 mile loops). I haven't decided whether I will be registering yet but am considering my options. There is one transfer each way and on the way to NY, I would have to take a bus to the Ohio station. On the return trip, I have the option to take the train all the way home.

I read the section about bicycles (here) and am a bit apprehensive about bringing my bike on the train (I would probably have to resist the urge to check on it every 10 minutes). How would it work? Would I have to take it out myself to transfer to the next train, along with my regular luggage? Is it better to pack it up in a box? It seems like Amtrak cannot guarantee anything about the train I will take (since it is so far in the future--September) but I plan to call Amtrak and ask them about whether my bicycle could be transported on the bus.

Does anyone have experience with this? How did it go? Anything you would have done differently if you had to do it again?