getting on busy trains with a bike

salsajake

weather looks like it means train the bulk of the way home tonight, in rush hour. Hard to get on often as people are crammed in anyway and no chance of getting on with a bike. Has anyone tried asking the conductor at the end of the train if possible to put the bike in there (behind the door to the unused 'cab', in the section that is normally locked) at least until there is room to return to the cabin? That's the only possible way I can think of, but he might just say sod off, which seems likely!

davmaggs

I don't know what line you are going for, but Southwest trains in London doesn't allow bikes until off peak. I suspect that other companies are the same, and with the train design I think that they are right

There are carriages that have bike spaces, but they can be busy or you spot them go past your place on the platform and due to the crowd you can't wheel the bike up in time to get to them.

If you can avoid the busy times

salsajake

London Midland has a policy (I think, I'm sure central did before they were bought out) that they prefer you not to go on in busy times, its just a question of if there is space. I can't leave before busy times and don't want to stand around until non-busy times. I guess I'll just have to head down there and see what comes to pass.

itboffin

I take my bike everyday on S/West trains no problem from them only the people that think the two cycle spaces are where they should either put their bags or stand, even when the train is empty :evil:

VespaTrek

Often see people with a non-folding bike on the way home on SW Trains (about 6pm), and have taken mine on the train at peak time before... I aim for one that is non-stop to where I am going, try and get on it early before it fills up, and head to the front where it is generally quieter.

salsajake

itboffin wrote:

I take my bike everyday on S/West trains

you do know the miles spent on the train with your bike don't count for SCS don't you...?!

itboffin

salsajake wrote:

itboffin wrote:

I take my bike everyday on S/West trains

you do know the miles spent on the train with your bike don't count for SCS don't you...?!

Yes otherwise I'd be almost 46,000 train miles alone

Do you seriously think I hadn't already worked that one out

Go on ask me another one :roll:

salsajake

itboffin wrote:

salsajake wrote:

itboffin wrote:

I take my bike everyday on S/West trains

you do know the miles spent on the train with your bike don't count for SCS don't you...?!

Yes otherwise I'd be almost 46,000 train miles alone

Do you seriously think I hadn't already worked that one out

Go on ask me another one :roll:

just testing you for a chink in your armour whilst your guard is still 'post-hols' down. As i believe it is CJCP that says "I got nothing"

sebastiandangerfield

I use London Midlands a few times a week between Brum and Wolves and have never had a problem even at peak times.

salsajake

sebastiandangerfield wrote:

I use London Midlands a few times a week between Brum and Wolves and have never had a problem even at peak times.

you are lucky! The train I get is often crammed with people standing all down the aisles. Its not worth even approaching it because people (rightly) just give you a "don't even think about it sunshine" look.

Dudu

Usually, all lines ban non-folding bikes during rush hour in the direction of the rush hour. You may happen across a friendly and helpful member of staff who might let you on, but I wouldn't bank on it.

<smug>My commute is, of course, in the opposite direction to the rush hour so I am able to take my non-folding bike on the train any time I need to</smug>

salsajake

I just MTFU'd and rode home anyway!

stage_fright

totally off topic...

salsajake - Porsche 917? Can't tell if it the K or L body.

Headhuunter

I can barely consider getting my bike on the train even off peak. One time I caught the last train home at about midnight with the bike after a few beers. When I got on, the train was relatively empty but at subsequent stations, loads of people got on. We pulled into the station before my stop and my bike had become wedged between a mass of people and a handrail by the door and I just couldn't move it out of the way. I was trying to swing the bike back into the train to get it away from the handrail but people were pushing forwards trying to get off and starting to get a bit aggressive. In the end I managed to manhandle the bike off the train but it was a nightmare. I now never use the train with bike at peak times or the last train of the day to avoid these situations

rjsterry

Headhuunter wrote:

I can barely consider getting my bike on the train even off peak. One time I caught the last train home at about midnight with the bike after a few beers. When I got on, the train was relatively empty but at subsequent stations, loads of people got on. We pulled into the station before my stop and my bike had become wedged between a mass of people and a handrail by the door and I just couldn't move it out of the way. I was trying to swing the bike back into the train to get it away from the handrail but people were pushing forwards trying to get off and starting to get a bit aggressive. In the end I managed to manhandle the bike off the train but it was a nightmare. I now never use the train with bike at peak times or the last train of the day to avoid these situations

Surely that's the rail equivalent of the nightbus. No wonder it was a bit pushy-shovey

secretsam

Just don't go over to the dark side (ie getting a folding "bicycle" abomination).

"No going to the dark side!!!" (name that film)

salsajake

Stage Fright wrote:

totally off topic...

salsajake - Porsche 917? Can't tell if it the K or L body.

its a stunning picture ruined by compression! Its a K - the #22 Martini liveried 1971 Le Mans winner. This photo and lots of similar ones at: http://www.art-racing.com (I bought a v large print of this one)

rolf_f

salsajake wrote:

Stage Fright wrote:

totally off topic...

salsajake - Porsche 917? Can't tell if it the K or L body.

its a stunning picture ruined by compression! Its a K - the #22 Martini liveried 1971 Le Mans winner. This photo and lots of similar ones at: http://www.art-racing.com (I bought a v large print of this one)

I can do you a much better compression than that if you like.

stage_fright

salsajake wrote:

Stage Fright wrote:

totally off topic...

salsajake - Porsche 917? Can't tell if it the K or L body.

its a stunning picture ruined by compression! Its a K - the #22 Martini liveried 1971 Le Mans winner. This photo and lots of similar ones at: http://www.art-racing.com (I bought a v large print of this one)

Classic racer - but surprisingly small if you ever stand next to one - and wickedly quick. The Martini car that year beat the 'works-backed' JWA cars, with some works support of its own via members of the Porsche family if i remember correctly - says a man a long wayfrom home where his motorsport books are!

I was once in a shed in Hampshire which had a 917/10 parked up in the corner.

salsajake

Stage Fright wrote:

salsajake wrote:

Stage Fright wrote:

totally off topic...

salsajake - Porsche 917? Can't tell if it the K or L body.

its a stunning picture ruined by compression! Its a K - the #22 Martini liveried 1971 Le Mans winner. This photo and lots of similar ones at: http://www.art-racing.com (I bought a v large print of this one)

Classic racer - but surprisingly small if you ever stand next to one - and wickedly quick. The Martini car that year beat the 'works-backed' JWA cars, with some works support of its own via members of the Porsche family if i remember correctly - says a man a long wayfrom home where his motorsport books are!

I was once in a shed in Hampshire which had a 917/10 parked up in the corner.

Your knowledge of the era surpasses mine! Stunning car though. I'm a bit more knowledgeable about current era sportscar stuff, and this year should be even more vivid given that I have just received press accrediation to cover the Le Mans Series this year - result!

rolf_f

Rolf F wrote:

salsajake wrote:

Stage Fright wrote:

totally off topic...

salsajake - Porsche 917? Can't tell if it the K or L body.

its a stunning picture ruined by compression! Its a K - the #22 Martini liveried 1971 Le Mans winner. This photo and lots of similar ones at: http://www.art-racing.com (I bought a v large print of this one)

I can do you a much better compression than that if you like.

I'll take that as a no then

stage_fright

salsajake wrote:

Your knowledge of the era surpasses mine! Stunning car though. I'm a bit more knowledgeable about current era sportscar stuff, and this year should be even more vivid given that I have just received press accrediation to cover the Le Mans Series this year - result!

Really - I'll be at every race with a team...you on my media distribution list? And I really ought to chase a pass myself, never been to Paul Ricard before.