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A question for you.
I often get a Cross Country train from Brum to Banbury with my bike. It has 3 spaces for bikes but you can only reserve 2, the other is 1st come, 1st served. Despite planning a few days in advance often there is no space available and so you run the risk of the spare space being in use. It occurred to me that, if I had the bike and no space to put it, could I take the wheels off and say it was luggage and not a bike which therefore didn't need a reservation? I've done this with buses in the past and got away with it, do you reckon it would wash on the trains?
I know people who've made ultralightweight bags so that they can take the wheels off and stick the bike in at which point it's a bag, not a bike.
http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/customer-service/luggage
Don't know what they could say if you just stuck the wheels and frame in two separate tough bin bags.
IIRC if it's in a bag it counts as luggage. You can buy very large plastc bags (that pack fairly small) for this very purpose.
It occurred to me that, if I had the bike and no space to put it, could I take the wheels off and say it was luggage and not a bike which therefore didn't need a reservation?
I have done just that before. The bloke made it clear that he thought I was taking the piss a bit but didn't stop me.
[quote=martinhutch > http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/customer-service/luggage
Don't know what they could say if you just stuck the wheels and frame in two separate tough bin bags.
Well they still won't fit within the dimensions in that link - not unless you've got small wheels and a folding frame. So the chances are you might get away with it, but no guarantees.
Hmm, this may need further thought in that case. The guards seem very relaxed about oversize luggage, you often see huge cases well above their dimensions, on board and they don't get as much as a second look. However, I don't particually like the idea of carrying a large bin bag with me every ride.
I wonder how chuffed the staff at New Street would be if I locked up a cheap bike bag in the bike park? I could then collect it on the way in and replace on the way back. Interesting.
it is basically a massive ballache
wish we could force the train companies to change 🙁
it is basically a massive ballache
That much is true. I've always felt that trains and bikes are a great combo. The train gets you roughly where you need to go, the bikes does the final part. Perfect.
The annoying thing is the lack of space and availability. the Cross Country trains have space for 3 bikes and 500 ish passengers I guess. The Chiltern train for the same journey just won't take bikes at all.
I recall the XC trains back in the mid 90s (it may well be the same now) particularly the day we caught one back from a Polaris in mid Wales. After a weekend of riding a lot we were in no mood for the guard telling us that we were only allowed one bike on the train and refused to get off. He gave up eventually... 🙂
[Pedant][i]"dimensions not exceeding 90 x 70 x 30cm [b]or[/b] weighing more than 50kg"[/i]
is not the same as
"dimensions not exceeding 90 x 70 x 30cm [b]and not[/b] weighing more than 50kg"[/[pedant]
You could try arguing that your bike meets the second condition, if not the first. 😛
You reckon your bike weighs more than 50kg? Because if you're going to be properly pedantic about the wording then that's the requirement to meet the second condition. I'll let you try and argue it though...
I think if it's in a standard bike bag with both wheels off it would be fine.
We've done this on the eurostar, underground and southern trains - even at peak times.
I've taken bike bags on National Express coaches too.
I can understand why they have the rules as there isn't the room on trains to accommodate all the passengers (i've been on busy trains with a bike and it's not fun - Southern trains have unrestricted carriage outside peak hours).
The thing that annoys me is that train companies aren't cycle friendly generally. East Coast are one of the few that allow cycles to be booked online and then in terms of facilities, why don't new carriages have more folding seats with provisions for cycles? Surely these areas can double as disabled facilities for wheelchair users?
For shorter lines, why aren't there standing only carriages?
I went Exeter to Stanstead one xmas, via train, underground, then another train, with a frame strapped to the back of my rucksack with bungee cords, and then the wheels ziptied to the frame, only problem I had was getting through the turnstiles on the underground...
A cheap sheet or shower curtain and some string will turn your bike into a parcel.
There was a TV programme did this with a surfboard. They were refused entry to the train with a surfboard, but were allowed on with said surfboard wrapped in brown paper.
A friend has taken a wooden bike on the Newcatsle Metro to highlight the absurdity of their no bikes rule.
I wonder how chuffed the staff at New Street would be if I locked up a cheap bike bag in the bike park?
Very happy. They could call their friendly neighbourhood disposal expert!
dknwhy - Member
For shorter lines, why aren't there standing only carriages?
There are, they're called Virgin Trains.
I know people who've made ultralightweight bags so that they can take the wheels off and stick the bike in at which point it's [s]a bag, not a bike[/s] still a bike but in a bag = taking the piss.
FTFY