Trains back from Brighton...

mattward1979
mattward1979 Posts: 692
edited June 2010 in Road beginners
Hey all,

How strict are the train service when it comes to enforcing the "No bikes on the trains" on the Sunday of the L2B?

Im not fit enough to cycle back, and no car transport.. so Ill have to sit out if the trains are a no go!
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Comments

  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    Isn't it First Capital Connect? I take my bike on that line between London and Luton all the time and no one has ever said a thing
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  • mattward1979
    mattward1979 Posts: 692
    Its a special consideration just for the L2B day. Usually Bikes are fine, but for the sheer volume of people with bikes wanting to use the trains, they restrict it
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  • NWLondoner
    NWLondoner Posts: 2,047
    First Capital Connect and Southern run from Brighton.


    From what i have read before they have a 100% BAN on Bikes on L2B day. Even if you try to get on at a station a few stops up the line you may/will still get stopped.
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    Typical UK rail company, unable to adapt. Is it supposed to be an outright ban or just limited to a certain number of bikes per train?
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  • NWLondoner
    NWLondoner Posts: 2,047
    Typical UK rail company, unable to adapt. Is it supposed to be an outright ban or just limited to a certain number of bikes per train?

    OUTRIGHT BAN on L2B Day :cry:
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    Stay the night in Brighton and party.

    After all, Brighton, parties, and cycling all have the same thing in common.....
  • jrduquemin
    jrduquemin Posts: 791
    There is an outright ban for a 30 mile radius around Brighton. Last year I rode to Gatwick airport and caught the train from there. If this is an option, you might want to see about plotting a viable route as riding up the A23 is not very pleasant....
    2010 Lynskey R230
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  • TommyEss
    TommyEss Posts: 1,855
    This isn't new - been like this for a number of years now - why don't you just ride back?
    Cannondale Synapse 105, Giant Defy 3, Giant Omnium, Giant Trance X2, EMC R1.0, Ridgeback Platinum, On One Il Pompino...
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    edited June 2010
    Typical UK rail company, unable to adapt. Is it supposed to be an outright ban or just limited to a certain number of bikes per train?

    Yes, unable to adapt to 30,000 people on one day wanting to take their bikes back to London. How utterly unreasonable.......

    I suppose they could strip the seats out of a few of their trains for the day. I'm sure that amount of effort would be well worth it........
    Faster than a tent.......
  • CiB
    CiB Posts: 6,098
    It's always flagged up clearly in advance, that they won't carry bikes. You miss the point Headhunter - normally trains can fit the odd bike or two in between the passengers, but when it's obvious that everyone and his dog will want to get on with a bike, someone has to say no.

    The only times I've done it was as part of a group and we had a van to get the bikes to the start & from the finish. Can you talk a friend / family member into colllecting you? Trains are a no-no on L2B day.
  • jimmcdonnell
    jimmcdonnell Posts: 328
    The frustrating thing is that in the past they used to lay on special trains back from Brighton, and just turned the seats over, then packed the bikes in like sardines. They did a pretty good job too, considering the mayhem that 30,000 people with bikes all trying to get on a train can look ilke.

    Then they upgraded their rolling stock and from that point, claimed that it was no longer possible to carry bikes back to London from the L2B.

    So in one fell swoop they've turned away xx,000 £15 tickets (IIRC - might have been more), and made few friends with the charidee cycle community. Not a problem as far as they're concerned, or the L2B organisers, obviously - there are enough punters happy to fork over their entry fee to them.

    I like the L2B, despite it being a pedestrian (literally) event for at least 1/3 of the route, because of congestion; and despite the appaling road sense shown by 98% of the participants, I've not ridden it since they stopped the bike trains though - I know no-one who'd drive to Brighton to collect, don't really want to cycle back, and can't take time off teaching to stay over until the Monday morning.
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  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    The frustrating thing is that in the past they used to lay on special trains back from Brighton, and just turned the seats over, then packed the bikes in like sardines. They did a pretty good job too, considering the mayhem that 30,000 people with bikes all trying to get on a train can look ilke.

    Then they upgraded their rolling stock and from that point, claimed that it was no longer possible to carry bikes back to London from the L2B.

    So in one fell swoop they've turned away xx,000 £15 tickets (IIRC - might have been more), and made few friends with the charidee cycle community. Not a problem as far as they're concerned, or the L2B organisers, obviously - there are enough punters happy to fork over their entry fee to them.

    I like the L2B, despite it being a pedestrian (literally) event for at least 1/3 of the route, because of congestion; and despite the appaling road sense shown by 98% of the participants, I've not ridden it since they stopped the bike trains though - I know no-one who'd drive to Brighton to collect, don't really want to cycle back, and can't take time off teaching to stay over until the Monday morning.

    That's what I mean by completely inflexible train companies in the UK. I used to live and work in Japan and train companies were very adaptable, if there were major events taking place they would up the train capacity to reflect this and earn a nice bit of cash. In the UK we get "computer says no".... Yet train fares here are way more expensive than in Japan.
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  • jrduquemin
    jrduquemin Posts: 791
    Alternatively, you could ride along the coast to Worthing (about 10 miles) and pretend you just went out for a ride. Ditch anything remotely related to the L2B and you might get lucky.
    2010 Lynskey R230
    2013 Yeti SB66
  • spark303
    spark303 Posts: 17
    If I brought a lightweight bike bag with me on the ride, do you think I'd be able to get on a train back to London with my bike in that?
  • TommyEss
    TommyEss Posts: 1,855
    spark303 wrote:
    If I brought a lightweight bike bag with me on the ride, do you think I'd be able to get on a train back to London with my bike in that?

    Doubtful...
    Cannondale Synapse 105, Giant Defy 3, Giant Omnium, Giant Trance X2, EMC R1.0, Ridgeback Platinum, On One Il Pompino...
  • Not a chance of getting on a train with a bike on Sunday. ( heck its even difficult on Saturday because many riders want to get to London the day before )

    Riding to Gatwick, via Devils dyke, wineham, slaugham, pease pottage is feasible but if you made it to Gatwick just ride back to London

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