Bike on train

anyone managed to get away with taking the wheels off and carrying the bike on the train, in theory it would be the same size as some of those so called fold up bikes.

really need to get my bike into london tomorrow but got to travel at 7am.

Nick

why would I? I dont live there.

just check your train company, other like SWT are perfectly fine, just be wary of certain station as there are some who claim you need to buy a ticket for your bike as well, even thought that particular railway company stated you don't need to.

Yes. I took the forks, bars, and wheels off my bmx and bungee corded them to my backpack. Ticket inspector wasn't happy but I lied and said it wasn't a complete bike, just parts and he seemed to like that.

I've travelled a few times from London to Barnham in evening peak hours and I've had no problems. Just aim for the bike carriage bit and be prepared for a bit of barging

So far as I know there is no problem with bikes on trains except between the hours of 8am-10am, and 4pm-7pm. I have taken a complete bike from Clapham Junction to Crystal Palace more than once, and it's fine provided I get to the station before 8.

probably waayyyyy too late but:

if nothing else works take a roll of wrapping paper and roll of sellotape with you, take the wheels off and then liberally wrap the frame etc up like a big present : tada! Luggage!

I saw a cyclist do this after a heated argument with a station guard who wouldn't let him take his bike through the gates because it was rush hour. He nipped into WHSmiths, took his wheels off, turned his handlebars to the frame and then created himself a large wrapped present in shiny xmas paper. The guard just giggled and let him through.

Good luck.

nick, hope you made it in, if you have any problems getting back, let me know, either jump on at cannon street and change at london bridge or battersea park'

So far as I know there is no problem with bikes on trains except between the hours of 8am-10am, and 4pm-7pm. I have taken a complete bike from Clapham Junction to Crystal Palace more than once, and it's fine provided I get to the station before 8.

I also notice that they allowed bike if you're going against the rush hour, says from Waterloo to Surbiton at 9am, instead of the other way round since there won't be many people heading to Surbiton for work from waterloo.

Yes, the wrapping method has been shown to work.

You can also get a mate to accompany you with a properly-sized cardboard bike. This method has been tried successfully, too, as it neatly shows up the absurdity of the regulations.

Good luck.

Hey, rules is rules you know. you don't want to go and upset that massive cunt bob crow and his ilk

yeah managed it fine, took wheels, bars and sadle off not a blink getting on at smitham, then got off at london bridge and some ticket guy tried to argue with me, so I pointed to the hundreds of fold up bikes which were taking up much more room and were not even folded, then epic failed to put bike back together as chain was off rear cog, when I finally did get it back on the commute to regents street was one of the most dangerous I have ever done fucking pedestrians everywhere with headphones in not looking while crossing the road. made it still alive, bring on tomorrow, this london riding is fun get to take out all my aggression shouting at pedestrians.

probably waayyyyy too late but:

if nothing else works take a roll of wrapping paper and roll of sellotape with you, take the wheels off and then liberally wrap the frame etc up like a big present : tada! Luggage!

I saw a cyclist do this after a heated argument with a station guard who wouldn't let him take his bike through the gates because it was rush hour. He nipped into WHSmiths, took his wheels off, turned his handlebars to the frame and then created himself a large wrapped present in shiny xmas paper. The guard just giggled and let him through.

Good luck.

An easier version of this is to take two big binliners that can be easily scrunched into a pocket if needs be, and breaking them out as you arrive at the station. It takes less than a minute to cover your bike and you can use the good old 'it's a parcel' blag/loophole.

Could it be that the three technologies are incompatible at some base level?

Bump...

Wasn't sure where to put this question so here goes:

Has anyone had any experience of traveling with TWO bikes on the train? I usually get the Virgin train from Bham to Ldn no problem with one bike but in a couple of weeks I want to play at polo champs and do a long ride in one weekend. Will they let me book two bikes on or will I need an extra ticket/someone to come with me?

I googled "two bikes" thinking it was an acronym

When you book the ticket you can add at least one bike on the Virgin trains that will go in one of the carriages in a storage area f.o.c. Not sure about 2 bikes but i'd have thought if you have a conductor who is not a prick shouldn't be a problem

Two bikes one train?

Eurrgghh

That remind me to find someone who will call Virgin to book my fucking bike on the train as I can't seemed to find a way to contact them via email beside the usual 'feedback' one that does bugger all.

Bump...

Wasn't sure where to put this question so here goes:

Has anyone had any experience of traveling with TWO bikes on the train? I usually get the Virgin train from Bham to Ldn no problem with one bike but in a couple of weeks I want to play at polo champs and do a long ride in one weekend. Will they let me book two bikes on or will I need an extra ticket/someone to come with me?

I know all the scotrail trains have a bike space, you don't need to book. Great stuff.

I also had mine on "cross country" without booking. Weird bike section though.