Where can I go?

MSA said:

I've got a spare weekend coming up and was thinking about getting away to cycle some hills (road).
I live in London and was wondering if anyone had any ideas? I was think the Lakes, but that's a
little too far for a couple of days...any thoughts on anywhere else? Devon, Wales etc.

I'll be travelling by car and want to cycle about 100 miles each day. B&B recommendations (that
like cyclists!) would be cool too.

I'm taking my bike on the 15:35 Paddington to Bodmin Parkway next Friday. On arrival ~19:30, I'll be
cycling the Camel Track to Padstow where I'll be camping Friday night. I've no plans for Saturday
and Sunday, but I have to back at Bodmin Parkway for 17:20 on Sunday for my return journey.

Why do you have to drive to your destination? A bicycle and train are a very powerful combination
for getting around the country quickly and safely.
--
remove remove to reply

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

Quoted message said:

MSA said:

I've got a spare weekend coming up and was thinking about getting away to cycle some hills
(road). I live in London and was wondering if anyone

had

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

any ideas? I was think the Lakes, but that's a little too far for a

couple

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

of days...any thoughts on anywhere else? Devon, Wales etc.

I'll be travelling by car and want to cycle about 100 miles each day.

B&B

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

recommendations (that like cyclists!) would be cool too.

I'm taking my bike on the 15:35 Paddington to Bodmin Parkway next Friday. On arrival ~19:30, I'll
be cycling the Camel Track to Padstow where I'll be camping Friday night. I've no plans for
Saturday and Sunday, but I have to back at Bodmin Parkway for 17:20 on Sunday for my return
journey.

Why do you have to drive to your destination? A bicycle and train are a very powerful combination
for getting around the country quickly and safely.
--
remove remove to reply

Err, actually I don't 'have' to, I 'want' to!

What's the SP on taking a bike on the train anyway? Where does the bike go, can you keep it with
you? If the answers no, then I wouldn't consider it.

--
Mark

"Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak"

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

Quoted message said:

I've got a spare weekend coming up and was thinking about getting away to cycle some hills (road).
I live in London and was wondering if anyone had any ideas? I was think the Lakes, but that's a
little too far for a

couple

Quoted message said:

of days...any thoughts on anywhere else? Devon, Wales etc.

A part of England that I would never have condidered before is Hereford/worcester. (I was close to
Ludlow). I been close to there before, and thought it would be all rather rolling and a bit ordinary
(as it is when you are only a few miles away from the M5).

However, there are plenty of hills, and you'll end up in mid wales if you cycle for 100 miles.

Quoted message said:

I'm taking my bike on the 15:35 Paddington to Bodmin Parkway next Friday. On arrival ~19:30, I'll
be cycling the Camel Track to Padstow where I'll be camping Friday night. I've no plans for
Saturday and Sunday, but I have to back at Bodmin Parkway for 17:20 on Sunday for

Great ride, we did a trip a few weeks back. From Penzance/Lands End > Padstow and back. Camel Trail
was good. It was nice to have a flat bit after a seemingly endless run of hills. Fortunately we
weren't camping as it bucketed down most of the time we were there, I'm sure you'll be luckier! If
you haven't ridden it, be prepared to get messy. Not sure what the surface is, but it's a white,
sandy substance that gets everywhere and sticks when wet!

Definately agree that the train was the way to go. They get alot of bad press when they're off, but
our Paddington>Penzance couldn't have been easier. Saves worrying about cars and keeps the trip cost
effective.

Quoted message said:

What's the SP on taking a bike on the train anyway? Where does the bike

go,

Quoted message said:

can you keep it with you? If the answers no, then I wouldn't consider it.

No, they have seperate compartments for the bike. I didn't worry about it though. It's not a
publicly accessible part of the train (while the train is in motion) it's just behind the driver.
You can lock up to the special racks they have.

MSA said:

"Gonzalez" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

Why do you have to drive to your destination? A bicycle and train are a very powerful
combination for getting around the country quickly and safely.
--
remove remove to reply

Err, actually I don't 'have' to, I 'want' to!

What's the SP on taking a bike on the train anyway? Where does the bike go, can you keep it with
you? If the answers no, then I wouldn't consider it.

I'd agree train would be the best way for your trip. Details are at:
atob.org.ukBike Rail.htmlOpen ↗

John B

MSA said:

What's the SP on taking a bike on the train anyway? Where does the bike go, can you keep it with
you? If the answers no, then I wouldn't consider it.

On many local trains bikes go in the carriage with you. On most intercity trains the bike goes in
the guards' carriage and you go next door or wherever you want. The cycle racks are of the wheel
bender variety, but you can use them to your own purpose.
--
remove remove to reply

Peak District, from St Pancras, an hour and a bit to Derby and cycle north west from there. Plenty
hills, plenty places to stay and some ex railway cycleways as well. Put '"Peak District" cycling' in
Google and you'll find what you need. Cycle goes in guard's van, usually behind engine at one end or
t'other. A year ago Midland Mainline charged £3 for the bike but I seem to remember reading they'd
dropped this.

Johnny Klunk' johnnyklunk@:rem0ve-this:johnnyklunk.com said:

Definately agree that the train was the way to go. They get alot of bad press when they're off, but
our Paddington>Penzance couldn't have been easier. Saves worrying about cars and keeps the trip
cost effective.

People complain about a train running 10 or 15 minutes late, but since when has anyone been able to
judge a 200+ mile journey by car to within 10 or 15 minutes.

Today I coughed up £165 for a year's road tax - that's the equivalent of 4 return train journeys to
Cornwall - and the fuel, servicing and insurance haven't been taken into account. I reckon it's
£1000 per year to keep my car on the road, and my car's cheap to run!
--
remove remove to reply

On Sun, 29 Jun 2003 19:50:03 +0000 (UTC), "Johnny Klunk"

johnnyklunk@:rem0ve-this:johnnyklunk.com said:

Quoted message said:

What's the SP on taking a bike on the train anyway? Where does the bike go, can you keep it with
you? If the answers no, then I wouldn't consider it.

No, they have seperate compartments for the bike. I didn't worry about it though. It's not a
publicly accessible part of the train (while the train is in motion) it's just behind the driver.
You can lock up to the special racks they have.

I just chuck the bike in the guard's van but make sure I can see it [the bike] when the train stops
at a station.

James

--
homepage.ntlworld.comDscf0632.jpgOpen ↗

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

Quoted message said:

People complain about a train running 10 or 15 minutes late, but since when has anyone been able
to judge a 200+ mile journey by car to within 10 or 15 minutes.

Not a fair comparison. Trains run to a timetable and some people consider that, having published a
timetable, the train operators should at least strive to do what they say. Trains throughout the
world run to timetables. Other countries appear able to ensure that there is at least a rough
equivalence between what is written down and the departure and arrival times of the actual trains.
That does not seem to be the case here.

I use trains regularly -- but not in Britain unless there is no viable alternative. In Germany,
France, most of Europe, Japan and even India trains run broadly to the published timetable. Here,
taking the train is like taking part in a delay lottery while engaging in the self flagulation of
dirty, overcrowded carriges.

Quoted message said:

Today I coughed up £165 for a year's road tax - that's the equivalent of 4 return train journeys
to Cornwall - and the fuel, servicing and insurance haven't been taken into account. I reckon it's
£1000 per year to keep my car on the road, and my car's cheap to run!

I suspect you underestimate the fixed cost of having a car. Of course, if you actually want to go
anywhere it is even more expensive. But, most of us decide (many with reluctance) that it is a
facility we 'need'.

T

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

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

People complain about a train running 10 or 15 minutes late, but since when has anyone been able
to judge a 200+ mile journey by car to within 10 or 15 minutes.

I use trains regularly -- but not in Britain unless there is no viable alternative. In Germany,
France, most of Europe, Japan and even India trains run broadly to the published timetable.

In Britain, trains run broadly to the published timetable, with an 80% punctuality rate. Granted,
that's poor, but it's not a delay lottery, and as far as I'm able to tell it compares reasonably
well with going anywhere by car (although I don't do so that often.)

Quoted message said:

Here, taking the train is like taking part in a delay lottery while engaging in the self
flagulation of dirty, overcrowded carriges.

As for the carriages being dirty (by which you presumably mean full of litter), that's not self
flagellation, that's other people being antisocial. And in case you hadn't noticed, being well
travelled, that's a feature of the whole of Britain, not just the trains. I've not noticed
particularly grimy trains outside of the south-east, but I'm not that well travelled in the UK.

Overcrowding, too, I've not noticed to differ particularly between the UK and other countries.

I'd agree that the trains in Britain are very substandard for a country this rich, but they're far
from unusable.

Ambrose

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

Quoted message said:

I'd agree that the trains in Britain are very substandard for a country

this

Quoted message said:

rich, but they're far from unusable.

You clearly have a higher level of tolerance than me. My experience is that British trains are worse
than any I have experienced.

German trains are frequently full.

The litter is not the only problem -- and yes, we are an antisocial bunch -- litter is rarely
continuously cleared and some or the seats do not appear to have been cleaned since Victoria
was a lass.

Indian trains are famed for their overcrowding and slowness -- they are amazingly overcrowded in 2nd
Class -- but they run to time and (for a very few rupees) you can travel in air-conditioned comfort.

Even second class is fun -- you certainly get to meet the locals!!

T

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

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

People complain about a train running 10 or 15 minutes late, but

since

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

when has anyone been able to judge a 200+ mile journey by car to within 10 or 15 minutes.

I use trains regularly -- but not in Britain unless there is no

viable

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

alternative. In Germany, France, most of Europe, Japan and even

India

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

trains run broadly to the published timetable.

In Britain, trains run broadly to the published timetable, with an 80% punctuality rate. Granted,
that's poor, but it's not a delay lottery,

and as

Quoted message said:

far as I'm able to tell it compares reasonably well with going

anywhere by

Quoted message said:

car (although I don't do so that often.)

In many European countries they manage 98%. Even Italy (a byword for disorganisation) does better
than the UK.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Here, taking the train is like taking part in a delay lottery while engaging in the self

flagulation

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

of dirty, overcrowded carriges.

As for the carriages being dirty (by which you presumably mean full of litter), that's not self
flagellation, that's other people being

antisocial.

So it's self flagellation to willingly suffer the antisocial behaviour of others. That's what
Tony meant.

Quoted message said:

And in case you hadn't noticed, being well travelled, that's a feature

of

Quoted message said:

the whole of Britain, not just the trains. I've not noticed

particularly

Quoted message said:

grimy trains outside of the south-east, but I'm not that well

travelled in

Quoted message said:

the UK.

In other countries they clean the trains occasionally.

Quoted message said:

Overcrowding, too, I've not noticed to differ particularly between the

UK

Quoted message said:

and other countries.

You jest.

Quoted message said:

I'd agree that the trains in Britain are very substandard for a

country this

Quoted message said:

rich, but they're far from unusable.

Easyjet offers quite cheap flights to Switzerland. Go and take a look at what can be done, and then
come back and ask yourself how UK trains must appear to the Swiss.

They actually have cycle space on all their trains, with a picture of a cycle on the outside of the
carriage so you know where to get on. Amazing. But too hard for the British.
--
Mark South: Citizen of the World, Denizen of the Net "I wonder why so many Finnish traditions are
related with booze?"
- Juha Sakkinen

In "]news:[email hidden], Mark South
<[email hidden]> typed:

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

And in case you hadn't noticed, being well travelled, that's a feature of the whole of Britain,
not just the trains. I've not noticed particularly grimy trains outside of the south-east, but
I'm not that well travelled in the UK.

In other countries they clean the trains occasionally.

The trains I use most (Virgin, Central, GNER & Scotrail) are all pretty clean, apart from litter

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Overcrowding, too, I've not noticed to differ particularly between the UK and other countries.

You jest.

I've been on intensely overcrowded trains in Germany, and crowded ones in Denmark & Belgium. I've
also been in South Korea, where the trains run on time, but that's because there's only one on the
track at a time, and they're not overcrowded because you have to book a ticket, even for standing.

Admittedly, I don't commute into London, but that's a deliberate choice of mine.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'd agree that the trains in Britain are very substandard for a country this rich, but they're
far from unusable.

Easyjet offers quite cheap flights to Switzerland. Go and take a look at what can be done, and
then come back and ask yourself how UK trains must appear to the Swiss.

I *said* they were substandard. Didn't you notice. However, for many journeys I want to make, they
fit the bill.

Quoted message said:

They actually have cycle space on all their trains, with a picture of a cycle on the outside of
the carriage so you know where to get on. Amazing. But too hard for the British.

No. There are pictures of a bike on the outside of the carriages of plenty of trains that carry
bikes. I'd get a photo if I had a digital camera.

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

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

I'd agree that the trains in Britain are very substandard for a country

this

Quoted message said:

rich, but they're far from unusable.

You clearly have a higher level of tolerance than me. My experience is that British trains are
worse than any I have experienced.

German trains are frequently full.

The litter is not the only problem -- and yes, we are an antisocial bunch -- litter is rarely
continuously cleared and some or the seats do not appear to have been cleaned since Victoria
was a lass.

I wonder which trains you have actually used recently in the UK. I use GNER and Virgin regularly and
litter is continuously cleared on both. Arriva transpennine is continuously cleared though Arriva
north isn't, though that is a local service.

Colin.

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

Quoted message said:

Easyjet offers quite cheap flights to Switzerland. Go and take a look at what can be done, and
then come back and ask yourself how UK trains must appear to the Swiss.

They actually have cycle space on all their trains, with a picture of a cycle on the outside of
the carriage so you know where to get on. Amazing. But too hard for the British.

Well, Virgin and Arriva transpennine both manage to have a picture of a bike at the appropriate
entrance. GNER uses the guard's van and station staff usually know whether it will be at the front
or the back.

I don't think anyone doubts that British trains have problems but they are hardly the unusable
trains that some seem to think.

Colin

Ambrose Nankivell <[email hidden]> wrote:

: In Britain, trains run broadly to the published timetable, with an 80% punctuality rate. Granted,
: that's poor, but it's not a delay lottery, and as

The killer though is what happens when you have a journey involving a couple of changes. One train
being 10 mins late can make the whole journey hours later (and this has happened to me).

Once a certain percentage of trains are late, you have to leave such large gaps for connecitons that
the time it takes to get anywhere on the railways shoots right up. And 20% of trains being late is
over that limit IMO.

I'm going to have to buy a car if things get much worse. Sigh.

--
Arthur Clune clune.orgclune.orgOpen ↗ Power is delightful. Absolute power is absolutely delightful -
Lord Lester

In "]news:[email hidden], Arthur Clune <[email hidden]> typed:

Quoted message said:

Ambrose Nankivell said:

In Britain, trains run broadly to the published timetable, with an 80% punctuality rate. Granted,
that's poor, but it's not a delay lottery, and as

The killer though is what happens when you have a journey involving a couple of changes. One train
being 10 mins late can make the whole journey hours later (and this has happened to me).

Fair point. I should have remembered that since it happened to me only last week.

Quoted message said:

I'm going to have to buy a car if things get much worse. Sigh.

You can always rent for the weekend when you need to. Shouldn't be much more than 60 or 70 quid a
few times a year, which makes for a lot less than looking after one yourself.

A