Bikes on trains in the UK

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/152961.aspx

^ that link gives the latest strike info for the current day, so check that in the morning

Anyone with recent experience of their bike on the Caledonian Sleeper?

Heading up to Scotland for a few days next week and would like to do some riding.

I can access a bike when I get there but would prefer to take my own if possible.

If I manage to reserve a bike slot then is the bike guaranteed to be on the train with me? I really don't want the hassle of having to arrive early and disassemble prior to it being packed onto a lorry.

I hope I can manage to sleep on the seat!

If I manage to reserve a bike slot then is the bike guaranteed to be on the train with me?

My reading of this is that they'll courier the bike for you if all six slots have already gone. Which seems very generous, so I understand you being sceptical - I would be too.

I'd ring them and ask as the website wording really could be clearer.

I wish Eurostar paid for the courier.

Did you do this?

I'm thinking of getting a train to Edinburgh and then riding to JOG.

Then, of course I need to get back from JOG but that's another issue.

Took Grand Central from Kings Cross to Sunderland on Saturday morning with a bike. Rocked up to the ticket desk. Bought a single with senior rail card £41. No need to reserve bike space. They do it old school. Empty guards van. 'Help yourself buddy'. Couldn't be simpler. Much cheaper than Virginia East Coast to Durham and none of the bike booking bollox.

10/10

Ps. Thanks to all the West Ham fans for providing on board entertainment!

I've taken bikes in the past on the sleeper. Was pretty straightforward as they use the old mkIII (II?) coaches which have plenty of place for bikes. Though I did book bike places.

Bikes on the sleeper is fine - done it lots of times.

Any idea of costs to Edinburgh?

It doesn't have to be a sleeper either I guess. I could just go on a late train one night and start riding on arrival.

Do you mean in the sleeper carriage thing or on the same train as your sleeper carriage?

On the same train. IIRC the bikes go in the same carriage as the seats. If you buy a berth you'll be in another carriage.

For cost, I don't think you pay extra for the bike. It's dearer than the regular train, think you'll not get a bed for less than £150~ return. I only got the seat once... hardly slept at all FFS

I paid £110-ish one way from Carlisle last weekend so that's a relative bargain :)

I got an overnight train once between Italy and Germany - didn't sleep at all. Sucked.

Just called virgin trains to book a bike space, not available. Cunts.

Can't you travel with Rapha?

Just show up with the bike anyway, you can usually get it on the train somewhere.

So far so easy with Southwest Trains. Never asked to see proof or confirmation.

Are you sure? Tickets already booked for the long weekend (Fri-Mon) .. if they say no it'll be a disaster i.e. i'll have to cancel the trip.

Which virgin trains route is it? From Euston the pendolinos admittedly don't have much space. From KingX they have space in the DVT at one end of the train

Euston and pendolinos :'(

I am gonna see if I can cancel the ticket and book with east coast as they allow booking a space for bikes.

How about a trial run? i.e show up at Euston with a bike today/tomoz and try and get on a pendolino (look for the disabled section), see what reaction you get from staff.

but how do I go past ticket gates?

So far so easy with Southwest Trains. Never asked to see proof or confirmation.

Cause they don't need booking in advanced, with the exception of the longer distance train.

Yep, this was to and from Exeter.

buy a cheap day return to watford/somewhere very close? Not sure from memory if the barriers at euston are platform specific actually, but usually any ticket will open any barriers, even oyster. Admittedly this plan may not be the best but if you've already got your tix for your trip on friday then you've not much to lose i suppose.

Long distance routes that the Pendolinos are on often have people checking tickets before getting on the train.

Risky. I've been refused by Virgin at KX heading to Durham. And GWR station master at Swindon was a total tosser recently. Tried to make me order a ticket at the desk 2 hours ahead of the next London train to comply with regs on booking bikes. I glared oh so aggressively and pushed my bike thru immediately, stood on the platform. Next train in 5 minutes. No bikes on board. The train guard was a gem. 'Get it on mate. Looks like you had a good day out!'