Audax rides

Logistics are not bad. Monday morning Eurostar and TGV to Nice

Are you planning to change in Paris or Lille? Years ago, I took the train down to Nice and back with a bike. I changed at Lille and it was way easier than having to cross Paris with a bagged bike. I literally had to go up one escalator, walk across the concourse, and down another one to get the TGV to Nice.

It is a long journey though, you whizz down to Marseille, but then it's slow going after that all the way to Nice as the line isn't a high speed one.

Have they fixed Eurostar for complete bikes yet? Ah, you just answered that with your rinko comment. Fuck that.

If you have to disassemble/box your bike you may as well fly. More time riding. Plant a tree or something, but the planet's fucked anyway.

forgot to come back and say thank you - did the teapot with @neilp at the weekend. Weather was horrific, but the route wasn't. Thanks vey much

It was a top route!

nope they havent or their website to allow for easy booking and information of what trains you can actually catch. I tried it last summer from Further, was a massive stress. Took Eurostar so long to reply that even when I started the race I didnt know whether there was a space for my bike for the return leg on the train.

Lille

Good thought. Lille didn't come up in my options but I'll have a look for it. Would be way easier.

Edit - just looked it up. There is one train a day. Would have to change at avignon as well and it takes longer over all and doesn't get in until late. Another one to think about...

Have they fixed Eurostar for complete bikes yet?

I don't think so. But I'm getting OK with rinkoing because once I've done it I can get any train anywhere, any time. No fucking around with bike reservations - which are just about impossible to line up on multi leg journeys, and much less stress to have the bike with me in my carriage.

I'd have to build a new bike I think, with external cabling. Aerobars and hydro lines don't make for a particularly easy rinko setup.

Yes, I had my front brake hose put on externally so it would be easier to take to bits. And aerobars might be a bit of extra work, but maybe not as I have to take the handlebars off anyway.

I would have to carry my torque wrench - or maybe use the small ones I got for TCR in 2019 and have never used! And rinko bag. So a bit of extra luggage, but not that bad. Maybe a bin bag to keep all my other stuff together.

And pedal spanner. And shoes. Or use flat pedals.

I've got a little Topeak torque wrench/chainbreaker kit I race with when I fly to events so I can torque stuff to spec after building it up. Not sure I want an uglier bike just to pull it down more. I think I'd rather just whinge on bike forums about the lack of multi-modal travel options and then burn jet fuel.

Polruan ferry is really easy. I think I got an ice cream nearby whilst waiting for it (you can see across the estuary so it's easy to guess the timings). Wasn't busy at all when I used it.

Also cheered up by the fact that the third last road you pass on the right on the way down to the ferry is called Greenbank. On the KS&W route there's also another Greenbank Road in Liskeard an hour or two before Polruan.

That’s annoying. When I did it there was a direct train from Lille to Nice, which took 8 hours if memory serves.

Cool. I'll leave it in for now. Since we're going to DIY it, I've stretched the route a bit to grab some nearby tiles while I'm rolling around. Now we need to decide if it's better to train to Exeter on Thu night or Fri morning? I imagine both options will be shit. I presume GWR still have those almost useless 2xbike racks in 3 places on their trains that are usually full of people and luggage and/or don't fit modern bikes.

I wonder if it's easier/smarter to take Crossrail out to Reading and then get an Exeter train? Rather than going in to Paddington. Probs fewer people getting on.

Always found it easier to get bikes on trains where they begin (e.g. Paddington rather than Reading/etc). I used to get there nice and early and chat to the gate people to ask about the formation of the train, where the bike storage was, and get them to allow me to be the other side the barriers earlier so I could have more of a chance of getting there before some dozy twunt decides to put all their luggage in the bike spot.

(Mind you for Exeter SWR was easier for me than First Great Worsten so I used to schlep up to Waterloo rather than risking it at Clapham Junction.)

Coming back I was usually in such a "do not give a shit" state that I'd be happy if someone just took the bike from me on the platform and I never saw it again.

Yeah, it's the way out that's more of a concern. I'll fucking ride back if they give me grief. Missus might not have the same view :)

But, I could get Crossrail to Reading, which is a piece of piss and then go from there to Exeter which means not going the wrong way, not having to deal with Paddington and um I dunno, I just think it might be easier. Dunno if you can book bike spots though and so if they're full we might end up fucked at Reading.

lways found it easier to get bikes on trains where they begin

In general I agree, but it's a lot easier to get a bike on if you don't have a reservation somewhere other than London. ie possible vs impossible.

Having said that GWR seemed to have lots more capacity last time I used them last June.

Yes, a shame. I think that there are fewer Lille trains now, like Ashford and Ebbsfleet. I've got three hours to get across Paris so at least it won't be a rush!

I've booked it now - really looking forward to it.

Another option might be to take the train to Reading at lunch time, work remote in the arvo and then get an earlier train from Reading to Exeter.

The other option is to get the GWR sleeper, which has horizontal bike spaces.

Never done a sleeper. Doesn't look like there are any. Presumably because Exeter is only like 3hr away.

Capacity: 2-4 bikes
Storage: 5 car services - in Carriage B
10 car services – in Carriages B and H
9 car – in Carriages B and J
Reservations: Compulsory on all trains

67% less Co2 than by car, for the bargain price of £130

Can you not get to Exeter via Waterloo and south-west trains?

Edit: You can, one train an hour. It’s slow though, but I think is a lot easier to get a bike on.

It's for going to Cornwall, but it stops at Exeter. 23:45-3:07, doesn't run on Saturday nights.

I mean maybe, but again, seems silly heading into London when the train is passing by my place? I guess I've never tried going via Reading to Exeter so don't know how bad that is, but I'd like to avoid Paddington and that GWR bike space shambles

Hmm, National Rail said no sleepers on Thu 28th. Maybe I did something else wrong.

Ok, done the search again and now it's there so maybe some other filter blocked it.

Ah, I had it looking for return trips and there's probs no return sleeper.

I don't think I've ever had a good experience taking a bike on a train.