Cycling the outer herides

Niel Heesakkers said:

Hi all,

In the beginning of October I will go cycling in The Outer Hebrides with a friend of mine. Sinds we
come from The Netherlands we will get there by boat and train. Now there is rising a question, is
it easy in the UK to take a bike on the train, with extra fare offcause.

And any other tips on cycling in The Outer Hebrides are welcome to, it is the first time we go on a
cycling holiday so everything is welcome!

Thanks in advance,

Bicycles are usually carried free on British trains. Some train companies charge £1. It's best to
book in advance when you buy your ticket. Also, if you book your train ticket 3 months in advance
you can get very cheap fares - e.g. London to Inverness £26.50.
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It's much better to cycle from South to North, as there is a strong southerly prevailing wind there.
I had to cycle 60 miles into it last year. It was mostly flat and I was flat out averageing 9 mph.
I'm not exaggerating.

On 1 Sep 2003 14:10:07 -0700 someone who may be [email hidden] (Niel Heesakkers) wrote this:-

Quoted message said:

Sinds we come from The Netherlands we will get there by boat and train.

A to B magazine has the guide on taking bikes by public transport. atob.org.ukatob.org.ukOpen ↗

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked
keys, unless the UK government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

(Niel Heesakkers) said:

In the beginning of October I will go cycling in The Outer Hebrides with a friend of mine. Sinds we
come from The Netherlands we will get there by boat and train. Now there is rising a question, is
it easy in the UK to take a bike on the train, with extra fare offcause.

Quoted message said:

And any other tips on cycling in The Outer Hebrides are welcome to, it is the first time we go on a
cycling holiday so everything is welcome!

See if you can find someone who is subscribed to 'Op Pad' (Dutch outdoor magazine). They had an
article about cycling in the Hebrides, in the Jan/Feb 2000 issue.

I can lend you my copy if you take a detour through Dundee 😉

Roos

Quoted message said:

And any other tips on cycling in The Outer Hebrides are welcome to, it is the first time we go on
a cycling holiday so everything is welcome!

We were there this summer - trip report is at bikesandtrains.co.ukscot2003Open ↗ We
liked Barra and Harris the best, though North Uist and Lewis had their moments

Happy holiday!

Alan

Niel Heesakkers said:

In the beginning of October I will go cycling in The Outer Hebrides with a friend of mine. Sinds
we come from The Netherlands we will get there by boat and train. Now there is rising a question,
is it easy in the UK to take a bike on the train, with extra fare offcause.

On Scotrail you won't need an extra fare, but it might be prudent to book a space, and on some
services you must do this. See scotrail.co.ukcycle.htmOpen ↗ for Scotrail's cycle policy.

Of course, with out "enlightened" railway organisation you may well not be on Scotrail the whole
way, certainly not if you're coming into the UK at Newcastle or Hull. The individual train operating
companies will have different policies... GNER say free bike passage but you must make a
reservation.

In summary, it's usually easy *if* you ask in advance.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

Peter Clinch said:

Quoted message said:

In the beginning of October I will go cycling in The Outer Hebrides with a friend of mine. Sinds
we come from The Netherlands we will get there by boat and train. Now there is rising a question,
is it easy in the UK to take a bike on the train, with extra fare offcause.

Quoted message said:

Of course, with out "enlightened" railway organisation you may well not be on Scotrail the whole
way, certainly not if you're coming into the UK at Newcastle or Hull.

Or take the new ferry to Rosyth and cycle from there to avoid the trains alltogether 🙂

Roos

In message <[email hidden]>, A.C.P.Crawshaw <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

And any other tips on cycling in The Outer Hebrides are welcome to, it is the first time we go on
a cycling holiday so everything is welcome!

We were there this summer - trip report is at bikesandtrains.co.ukscot2003Open ↗

You sure.... ?

It redirected me to :

vegwales.connectfree.co.ukscot2003Open ↗

Which gives a page not found error.

But this worked:

<http://www.vegwales.connectfree.co.uk/bat/routes/scot2003/>

:-)
--
Chris French, Leeds

chris French said:

<http://www.vegwales.connectfree.co.uk/bat/routes/scot2003/>

Aargh...thanks!

Alan

Gearóid Ó Laoi/Garry Lee said:

It's much better to cycle from South to North, as there is a strong southerly prevailing wind
there. I had to cycle 60 miles into it last year. It was mostly flat and I was flat out averageing
9 mph. I'm not exaggerating.

But North to South is downhill.
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