LEJOG train logistics

pompy

Hi all,

I'm hoping to do LEJOG at the beginning of September and have started looking into trains down to Cornwall and then back from Wick.
Does anyone have any advise in regard to taking bikes on trains, ease of it etc. Is it best to book your bike on or just turn up with it? I'm trying to avoid going through London too as this seems even more complicated! (live in Aylesbury)

Thanks all x

toontra

Definitely get cycle reservations for the bike. You probably won't be allowed on the trains otherwise. Best to book early for the Scotrail train from Wick as they have very limited space for bikes and there are always cyclists wanting to go south at the end of a LEJoG.

mroli

Pompy - I have done the train down to Penzance many a time and it is a quick and easy route. You will probably want to pick it up in Reading if you don't want to head into London. You should defo book the bike on board though - no matter what time of day it is, things can be tricky with the staff if you don't have a bike reservation.

Bear in mind, when you get to Penzance, Land's End is another 15 or so miles and you will have a couple of "typical" Cornish hills before then - thinking particularly of Paul Hill in Penzance and the hill round past the Logan Rock pub.

4-5hr journey - you get to Exeter in no time, but you realise how much cycling through Cornwall and Devon is needed due to the time spent on the train!

You can also get the sleeper down - which is quite a nice experience too and saves having to get a hotel in Penzance for a night, get's you there early doors and ready for a good day's cycling!

Tim Farr

Penzance to Lands End - you'll avoid the really steep roads by taking the A30 (ten miles) rather than the minor coast road B3315. Rest assured it's not busy - unlike further back!!

andymiller

Either cycle across country and pick up one of the first Great Western trains coming out of Paddington, or go into London: Marylebone station and Paddington are pretty close.

On FGW trains you are supposed to have a ticket/reservation for the bike. No one has ever checked mine, but it's probably worth getting one all the same. (If you want to book online go to the east coast mainline website).

daviddd

..there are only 2 places for bikes on the Wick to Inverness train; they run 3 times a day though. The Thurso bike shop 01847 895385 may be able to give you a bike box if you decide to use the bus to Inverness - they run about 6-8 times a day from Wick and Thurso.

Check out this related thread - http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=43444