Bike bag

"Mark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Hello,

Looks like I'll be taking The Red Terror (my road bike) over to Norwich for a few day's cycling in
September. I'll be travelling by train. I was considering transporting my bike in a bike bag,
rather than having the hassle of trying to reserve places on trains in advance. Does anyone have
any recommendations for bike bags to use?

A bagged big is a BIG piece of luggage and remarkably unwieldy on a train -- even with the back
wheel and handle bars off. (Admittedly my own experience is limited to Moroccan trains where they
have mostly corridor stock -- but with an efficient luggage service -- indeed with an efficient
train service -- something unknown in our own fair country).

Given the general level of overcrowding on British trains I'm not sure I would recommend a bagged
bike as a means of making friends with your fellow passengers.

T

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Given the general level of overcrowding on British trains I'm not sure I would recommend a bagged
bike as a means of making friends with your fellow passengers.

Also, it is possible for a guard/conductor/customer services manager! to refuse to carry oversized
luggage [1]. On trains with guards vans, GNER and FGW stock for instance, it would be worth using
the guard van for such a large item---no reservation required.

Colin
[1] Though I have never seen a guard refuse someone access to the train, even the b*st*rd with the
double bass in a hard case taking up both bike spaces, bike spaces I had bl**dy well reserved
for *bikes*!

Tony W said:

"Mark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello,

Looks like I'll be taking The Red Terror (my road bike) over to Norwich for a few day's cycling
in September. I'll be travelling by train. I was considering transporting my bike in a bike bag,
rather than having the hassle of trying to reserve places on trains in advance. Does anyone have
any recommendations for bike bags to use?

A bagged big is a BIG piece of luggage and remarkably unwieldy on a train -- even with the back
wheel and handle bars off. (Admittedly my own experience is limited to Moroccan trains where they
have mostly corridor stock -- but with an efficient luggage service -- indeed with an efficient
train service -- something unknown in our own fair country).

Actually its really easy. All the old trains have plenty of room in either the guards van or the
doorways, and the new trains are required by law to have space for a wheelchair, which takes a bike
bag quite nicely, and has a seat right next to the space so you can keep in company.

Steve

In article <[email hidden]>, spam@puppet- head.co.uk says...

Quoted message said:

On Mon, 18 Aug 2003 15:30:47 +0100, Tony W wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

A bagged big is a BIG piece of luggage and remarkably unwieldy on a train -- even with the back
wheel and handle bars off. (Admittedly my own experience is limited to Moroccan trains where
they have mostly corridor stock -- but with an efficient luggage service -- indeed with an
efficient train service -- something unknown in our own fair country).

Actually its really easy. All the old trains have plenty of room in either the guards van or the
doorways, and the new trains are required by law to have space for a wheelchair, which takes a
bike bag quite nicely, and has a seat right next to the space so you can keep in company.

As long as someone in a wheelchair doesn't actually get on and need to use that space.

Colin

Quoted message said:

Given the general level of overcrowding on British trains I'm not sure I would recommend a bagged
bike as a means of making friends with your

fellow

Quoted message said:

passengers.

I need to travel from Somerset to Norwich. This involves 2 different rail companies, a trek across
London between stations & uncertain travel times. I don't think I have much alternative, as both
train companies involved require advance reservation if bikes are to be taken... or do I?

Mark

Quoted message said:

Looking at the links, on another page it says, "Mainline and London

Crosslink

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Services - £3 per single journey except for journeys between Norwich and Colchester, where the
charge is £1 single or day return. Advance cycle reservations are essential for these journeys" It
also says cycle bookings can't be made online but can by phoning 08700 40 90 90.

It's the getting across London bit I'm more concerned about, at the moment - Waterloo to
Liverpool Street.

Mark

"Mark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Looking at the links, on another page it says, "Mainline and London

Crosslink

Quoted message said:

Services - £3 per single journey except for journeys between Norwich and Colchester, where the
charge is £1 single or day return. Advance cycle reservations are essential for these journeys"
It also says cycle

bookings

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

can't be made online but can by phoning 08700 40 90 90.

It's the getting across London bit I'm more concerned about, at the

moment -

Quoted message said:

Waterloo to Liverpool Street.

Cycle it?

T

"Tony W" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It's the getting across London bit I'm more concerned about, at the

moment -

Quoted message said:

Waterloo to Liverpool Street.

Cycle it?

Or cycle/walk across Waterloo Bridge to Embankment Station and take the Circle Line to
Liverpool Street.

Or get a cab (allowing lots of queuing time).

T

Quoted message said:

Or cycle/walk across Waterloo Bridge to Embankment Station and take the Circle Line to
Liverpool Street.

Can you put a bike on the tube, then?

Mark

Mark said:

Quoted message said:

Or cycle/walk across Waterloo Bridge to Embankment Station and take the Circle Line to
Liverpool Street.

Can you put a bike on the tube, then?

Mark

Only some of them, and I think it's restricted when, too. Most or all of the deep stations won't
allow you to, for safety reasons. The tube's website has some info on which lines/stations are ok to
take bikes on.

Velvet

"Mark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Or cycle/walk across Waterloo Bridge to Embankment Station and take the Circle Line to Liverpool
Street.

Can you put a bike on the tube, then?

On the cut & cover lines (Circle, District and Metropolitan (??).

Not during peak hours.

T

Quoted message said:

Only some of them, and I think it's restricted when, too. Most or all of the deep stations won't
allow you to, for safety reasons.

So it's not looking very promising, then. Bah.

Mark

"Mark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Only some of them, and I think it's restricted when, too. Most or all of the deep stations won't
allow you to, for safety reasons.

So it's not looking very promising, then. Bah.

Waterloo to Liverpool Street is about 2 miles -- so you could ride or walk it without
major problems.

As I pointed out -- the Circle line from Embankment (1/2 a mile walk from Waterloo) to LS allows
bikes during off peak hours. (You cannot travel between the hours of 07:30 - 09:30, and 16:00 -
19:00, from Monday to Friday (except public holidays). )

tube.tfl.gov.ukbicycle.aspOpen ↗

Alternatively, modify your route so you come into Paddington and take the Circle round to LS.

T