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Oh wow, events took over!
Hope the eye is mending.I reckon it would be harder to smuggle a bike on in Paris than London or Brussels. Why do you think it would be difficult though if you got it under 85cm? What I mean is did you see anything specific - like a sign saying 'no bikes in bags' or something?
2 bags is a good idea, not exactly rocket science but I hadn't thought of it!
frank9755
Glws
Sorry been meaning to update this thread but when I got to Paris I realised had a detached retina …. I was in a bit of a panic having to get back to Ldn A&E pronto l, and been recovering since etc etc…(but the 4 day Beeline route from Herne Hill to Portsmouth, ferry St Malo then Paris was fun despite the appalling weather).
I think you either have to book your bike on the train well in advance OR possibly (looking at the way you have to shuffle though passport control, security and then the train) I think disassemble the bike and split the bike across two bags eg put frame in one bag and wheels in another or sthg. preferably with a friend to help. Smuggling the bike on the train in one bag seems very difficult to me.
Basically I got my bike boxed up (110cms by 75 by 25) at a Paris Giant shop and sent an urgent email with the dimensions (to travelservices@eurostar.com) asking if I could get it on the train. To be fair Eurostar replied within an hour and told me that it would count as oversized luggage.
“The item described is oversized. You would need to send it as an oversized registered item. To do this you would need to take it to the Eurostar ticket office at Gare du Nord to pay the fee. they will direct you to our luggage partners "Geoparts" - see map, to drop off the item, have it x-rayed and collect your paperwork.Please give yourself plenty of time, Geoparts will require the item at least 90 mins before your departure time. All registered items must travel on the same train as you and the last train they load is train number 9051. You would collect the item on PLATFORM level in London. Please see the collection point map attached.”
I couldn’t miss the train potentially faffing about so ended up leaving the bike in Paris with a friend. It’s still there - so if anyone’s driving back to Ldn and wants to earn £60 do let me know :)
Cheers Bert