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I just got back from Bristol on one of those shit GWR trains with the corner cupboards. Did manage to find a way to fit out bikes after much swearing. We'd be fucked if we had gravel tyres or slightly deeper rims on the bikes. Also, fucked if I'd put an expensive bike in one of those things.
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https://greatbritishrailsale.nationalrail.co.uk/
Some cheap tickets going on sale. I can't get the site to link out to any actual bargain tickets though, maybe others will have more success.
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https://lcc.org.uk/news/new-connections-for-cycles-on-trains/
Stations in the heart of London are becoming accessible to cycles at non-peak times in line with carriage rules on London Overground – so you’ll be able to take your cycle on the new Elizabeth line trains and get out at central stations! The welcome off-peak access highlights the urgent need to provide high-quality cycle routes to all stations along with sufficient cycle parking.
The new Elizabeth Line will accept passengers with non-folding bikes from approximately 9.30am – 4pm with no additional fare for the cycle. Lifts will provide access to the train platforms at Tottenham Court Road, and Bond Street when it opens. Lift access is already provided at remaining Elizabeth Line stations.
As a general guide, overground sections of the Underground, Overground Rail and the DLR permit off-peak cycle carriage as well as the new Elizabeth Line. There are some specific restrictions as well as a few peak time exceptions.
The full permissions and restrictions on the Elizabeth Line are:
Launch of the Elizabeth Line Central Section (24 May 2022)Non-folding cycles will be prohibited:
On trains arriving at Paddington (from the west) between 0745 and 0945, and departing Paddington (to the west) between 1630 and 1900; On trains arriving at Liverpool Street (from the east) between 0730 and 0930, and departing Liverpool Street (to the east) between 1600 and 1900; and On trains travelling in the Central Operating Section between 0730 and 0930, and 1600 and 1900.Elizabeth Line fully open (spring 2023)
Non-folding cycles will be prohibited:
On trains arriving at Paddington (from the west) between 0730 and 0930, and departing Paddington (to the west) between 1600 and 1900; On trains arriving at Liverpool Street (from the east) between 0730 and 0930, and departing Liverpool Street (to the east) between 1600 and 1900; and On trains travelling in the Central Operating Section between 0730 and 0930, and 1600 and 1900.TfL says that there will be tip up seats in five of the carriages where cycles can be more conveniently placed off-peak. Carriage 5 is the accessible carriage and offers space for wheelchair users. The first and last carriages have no tip up seats.
Cycle ParkingCycle parking, while improved, remains insufficient or insecure at most stations. This is recognised in the Mayor’s Cycle Parking Implementation Plan which promises action to address it.
Paddington’s well located (on platform) cycle parking is invariably packed to the gills. At Stratford some cycle parking is so well hidden that it is barely used. There is next to no cycle parking next to Tottenham Court Road station. Farringdon provides some spaces in Turnmills Street.
Unless the Mayor’s plan to build adequate and secure parking hubs at central stations is delivered the potential for bike-rail trips will be constrained.
Cycle access to stationsThe new Elizabeth Line promises to expand the potential number of bike-rail-bike trips but only if riders (whether on shared-bikes or on their own cycles) feel secure riding to and from their workplaces.
It is high time that the short distance from Cycleway 3 (the East-West route from the Tower to Lancaster Gate) was extended the few hundred yards to Paddington Station. Similarly, Tottenham Court Road station needs a safe connection to the nearby Cycleway in Gower St. In sharp contrast, Farringdon Station, another Elizabeth Line stop, sits right next to the convenient and high quality North-South Cycleway.
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looking to head to new forest by train later this month from waterloo - booking tickets with southwestern direct - says bike reservation is not available on southwestern site and the rules are a bit
"well you can, but we can say no, and if there are lots of bikes we might say no"
https://www.southwesternrailway.com/travelling-with-us/travelling-with-a-bike
anyone done this on a sunday and know if it's busy? - looking forward to gravel glamping (gramping) and do not want to be fucked over
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looking to head to new forest by train later this month from waterloo - booking tickets with southwestern direct - says bike reservation is not available on southwestern site and the rules are a bit
First come, first served but as it is Waterloo (the start of the line), you'll be fine heading down, just get there as the train pulls in and get on first. There are dedicated bike areas you can store 2 maybe 3 bikes in.
Have never had a problem getting back to London from Brockenhurst but you could get unlucky if there is a bike event down the line in Bournemouth or if it's an incredible sunny weekend and it's crammed with beach goers.
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thank you @spinnnout and @Jameo ! going sunday morning and back mid week - will try to get there extra early :eyes:
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That happened to me twice-
1st time - one of the doors wouldn't open so had to hold my bike all the way back from Bristol as they refused to let the train leave with my bike in a wheel chair spot, even after saying "I'll move it any one needs the spot (because I'm not a total cunt)"
2nd time - with my MTB, tyre wouldn't fit and the bars were too wide, ended up putting a cable tie round the rim and tyre and putting that in the hook.
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putting a cable tie round the rim and tyre and putting that in the hook.
That's a bloody good idea. If I remember, what I might do is pack a couple of straps of some kind (Voile or velcro or buckled faster ones I've got kicking around) and then loop that through the wheels. Save scratching up my wheels on their shitty racks. Could also strap them together so they don't swing around so much.
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In my experience SW trains are fine for bikes. As others have said they usually have dedicated spaces for a few, and if they're full you can stand with it by a door with no problem at all, never met a guard on SW trains who's complained, and that includes a few trips with about 10 of is with bikes dotted about.
If you're in the New Forest, make sure to pop into The Woods in Lyndhurst, they have a good cafe there now too.
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I'm going to Windermere by train on Avanti West Coast (and Northern), the week after next.
I've booked my bike reservation but am wondering what kind of storage they have.
Does anyone know if it is upright hangers like on GWR or something a bit easier?
If it's the former, I think I'll take a spare pedal strap to make a hanging loop - it was a bit of a faff last time on GWR, due to the depth of rims and tyre size on my gravéfauxdaxventurecyclebike.
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Avanti use the old Virgin trains so it's a section in the guard's van just behind the driver. You just sling them in there from what I remember, there might be some straps to keep them secure but not really needed.
The train is probably going up to Glasgow so make sure the guard knows where you're getting off and be prepared to stand there blocking the carriage door if they forget.
Northern are just shitty little trains. They have a bike space which is just a bit of empty vestibule but they're not normally particularly strict.
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Northern Trains just have an area without regular seats in a carriage, always near the toilet. You just lean it against the window. If you're not getting on at the start of the train's journey, you better hope it isn't busy.
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About
Bikes on trains in the UK
Posted by
@BikerDude24
When Virgin were running the LNER they just had like Sheffield stands in the hood for your bike. In the new trains they've got two of those stupid cupboard with the corner doors, when I arrived with my mountain bike the tyre wouldn't fit in the hook, even with all the air let out, and the handlebars were too wide, and they're supposed to fit two bikes. In the end I just hung it with a cable tie on the wheel, and a cable tie on the brake lever to stop it from moving round.