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I've done the cycle to work scheme before and was issued with a generic company cheque equal to to the value of the bike after clearing it with HR.

Does anyone know the implications for the cycle to work scheme if I had purchased it on my own credit card and simply filed the cost in my expenses?

Successfully back from my trip here are my latest tips on Eurostar to TGV travel.
Heres what I learned:

To take a bike from St Pancras you need to use Eurodispatch to get your bike on the train.

Its £25 on the day if their is room or £30 to book in advance.
They limit space to only a few bikes and are not open to telling you how full they are prior to travel.

Basically you need to book in advance.
http://www.eurostar.com/us-en/travel-information/travel-planning/luggage/travelling-with-your-bike-eurostar

But if its in a bag then its £25 (just don't tell them its a bike)
Once you book they will send you a PDF receipt, print this and take it with you.
You take it to a depot window behind baggage services in the station.
You put it on a conveyor belt and hope its treated well.

Getting off the other end you can collect your bag on the platform from the porters taking it out of carriage 10 if you show them your receipt, otherwise you need to go and find the euro dispatch office in that station and hope its open.

Coming back I did not have time to find the eurodispatch office in Lille Europe (probably would have been closed anyway) I walked straight through ticket control with the bag and then security xrayed the whole bag with no problems.

The baggage room in carriage 10 was locked, but I got on anyway and a friendly train clerk unlocked and allowed me to put my bike in it. Getting off in London you are not allowed to collect baggage on the platform and need to go back around to eurodispatch. I didn't have my receipt and wanted me to pay double for basically loading my own bike on the train but in the end relented.

TGV is a different experience altogether, just make sure your on the right end of the train because they often spilt and SNFC employees can't be relied on. I had to move half way meaning all the best luggage spots where already taken.

The best place for bikes on a TVG are the bigger racks in the upper 1st class deck, if its a single decker then leave your bike in the dining cart, guards don't seem to mind and noone uses it.

Think im going to fly next time.. it was all just too much hassle and probably cost me double.

Thanks

I emailed them and they told me the train was full.. seems strange for a tuesday afternoon outside of the tour de france.

I rang them up and a space magically was found.
Anyone know where in Lille Europe I need to take my bike on the return leg?

@umop3pisdn who did you email at eurostar to find out the number of bike spaces available?

Are 'bagged' bikes allowed in the bike hold?
Ive got a connection on a TVG where it needs to be bagged and id rather only do it the once.

Any plans for a new run?

Same code.. but might be linked to your email used when you pay?

but probaby isnt.

How do I get a name on my jersey, the ones bought through the shop don't have any customisation options do they?

Is their a third party service who could do this for me?

Ive booked a TVG from Lille europe to Valence and as their was no option to reserve a bike on the online through the site, I thought id just do it afterwards on the phone.

Rang the UK SNFC office and was told there is no way to add a bike afterwards from their end.
http://www.bikes.sncf.com/your-bike-on-the-train/bringing-your-bike-into-france/tgv/

I either need to cancel both tickets or ring up SNFC france and plead for mercy - I don't speak french.

Anyone have any experience with get a bike reservation?
At the moment I'm thinking i'll save myself the £25 - each way (eurostar) & 10 euros - eachway (TGV) charges for taking a bike fully assembled.

Thanks to John & Chris for all organisation!
Great day out on bicycles in the sun.
Shame I couldn't stay for the regents TT and pickup DFL..