Bikes on trains in the UK

Our trains to and from Oxenholme / London a month ago were both like the above - proper spaces in a guards car.

Where are you coming from that's on Avanti to Preston but not continuing up to Oxenholme?

Euston, not sure why I need to change at Preston.

4th July,

0930 Euston -> 1138 Preston
1153 Preston -> 1221 Oxenholme
1239 Oxeholme -> 1258 Windermere

Looks like its a fast train to Glasgow that doesn't stop at Oxenholme.

At Preston I change onto the Edinburgh bound stopping service that departed Euston at 0843.

First time in maybe 10years that I'm about to take a bike on the train (it was a fucking shit-show last time, guard refused to let us on despite a reservation) so I'm understandably worried.

Paddington to Taunton, lunchtime train, very long MTB - any tips? Also, it would be so helpful if I could take it on the Lizzy Line from Woolwich (I know you're technically not allowed) - has anyone done this? Take a wheel off and hope no-one says anything? Arguably, it's of a similar footprint to tourists pulling on their oversized suitcases, and they're allowed

Also, it would be so helpful if I could take it on the Lizzy Line from Woolwich

I think you can? Text here is confusing but look at the map and key https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/cycles-on-public-transport

Huh. D'you know, I searched and searched for info on whether you could, and all I found was a very old document that said "no bikes on sections that go underground"

That seems to suggest that I should be fine then, thank you for finding it!

I saw someone pushing a Canyon up from the Elizabeth line @ Liverpool Street recently, the underground one, not the Essex one

Yeah our own @hippy has taken bikes on the Queenie line from Ealing t Liverpool St o

My next concern is this is the storage section on a GWR train. My bike has a wheelbase over 30cm longer than the bikes in this picture.... 😬

Hardly any of my bikes fit in their little shit boxes, all too long. Also good luck if you have big tyres or wide bars.

2.4" tyres, 800mm bars, and a 1338mm wheelbase. This is gonna be fun!

Can you take a wheel off and turn the bars?

Take a pedal strap or similar to make a loop around the rim to hang off the hook. Deep section rims or big tyres are impossible otherwise.

I tried it last week: Abbey Wood to Farringdon (off peak) and it was great.

1 Attachment

Take a pedal strap or similar to make a loop around the rim to hang off the hook.

Was planning on that, yep. Carbon rims and massive tyres ain't going in that tiny scratchy hook

I could, but I don't want to have a loose wheel rattling around in there. You're also not allowed to lock your bike up in there, so I'd rather not make it easier for someone to walk off with stuff

For the record, I will be locking my bike in there

Your dedication to getting this bike down to Epping Forest on Saturday is commendable

The only thing stopping me is that I can't fit a water bottle to it

Cargo bike (Bullit) on a SWR from Waterloo on a Friday night, what do we reckon?

Hahahahahahahaha

Ye of no faith

I think it'll be fine. SW dont need pre-booking and bike carriages are quite big. Just that Friday evening is a bit of an anomaly in terms of how busy they could be. Is anything happening in Clapham @Mickie_Cricket ?

Ride to Earlsfield/New Maldon and take train from there?

I guess risk of being returned from Waterloo is low as you can just lock it up at work.

you can just lock it up at work.

Alas, I no longer call SCH home