Taking bicycle to London on train?

willhub

As above.

I've got a 2 weeks work experience placement in London, starting on Sunday, I would if possible like to take my bike.

Is it possible to get a train from say Leeds to London and take a bicycle on? Is it possible to take bicycle on the tube?


Cheers.

Simmotino

Bike on train = Yes*

Bike on Tube = Not a firkin chance!


* you'll be limited as to what times you can take it though dependent on the rail operator.

willhub

Looks like I'll be bikeless for 2 weeks

canbakay

yes its not a problem. I've done London - Leeds several times. You do need a special booking, which gives you a reservation code - like a parking spot. There is a carriage for cargo with bike spots at the front. It doesn't cost extra.

Just book ahead and give yourself extra time.

About the tube.......ride your bike once you get in London!

willhub

Think I'd struggle riding my bike, I'm down there for 2 weeks, can't carry a case on my bike.

bobtbuilder

willhub wrote:

Think I'd struggle riding my bike, I'm down there for 2 weeks, can't carry a case on my bike.

Leave bike in secure location at station while you take tube with your case to your accommodation. Drop the case off, hop back on the tube to the station and ride bike to accommodation.

If you're that keen on taking your bike, it's not that difficult, is it?

willhub

Dunno, I've never got the tube before, sounds like it'll be a faff about going from Kings Cross to near London City Airport (Pontoon Docks) with 3 changes and back.

Jez mon

The tube is plenty easy, just hot in the summer.

Simmotino

willhub wrote:

Dunno, I've never got the tube before, sounds like it'll be a faff about going from Kings Cross to near London City Airport (Pontoon Docks) with 3 changes and back.

3 changes?

King's Cross to Bank on Northern and then change to DLR for Pontoon, surely?

spen666

Bikes are NOT allowed on DLR

Bikes are allowed on overground sections of tube and on the "cut n cover" lines ( ie not the deep lines


Bikes on Train from Leeds - need reservation

cougie

Sign up for the Boris Bikes. If you use them for less than 30 mins at a time then its free ?

nickellis

cougie wrote:

Sign up for the Boris Bikes. If you use them for less than 30 mins at a time then its free ?

AAAAAND, if you need it for longer, bang it back in the rack. Wait 5 minutes, then take another one, then you get another 30 minutes. Repeat as necessary.

Although, the nearest Boris bike rack to Pontoon Dock might well be on the Isle of Dogs. So not really that near....

willhub

Anywhere I can go to rent a road bike? I wanna go to Box Hill and KOM it

team47b

Well done for getting on a work experience placement.

wasabi_m

If you are unsure how to use a tube, I doubt you are going to find boxhill. Never mind "KOM" it!

willhub

Ahhhhhhh.... But that is where you're wrong, I have a Garmin, and I know Box Hill is in Surrey.


Thanks team47b, I'm glad I'll have something to put on my CV, maybe the fact it was in London might help a bit when applying for jobs up north too? As no way do I plan on staying in London, can't see myself liking it better than Manchester.

rick_chasey

If it's for two weeks, I'd suggest forgoing the bike and focussing on your work.

Also, presumably if you're City airport, Box Hill's a long way away. It's more SW Londoners territory than E, though I might be corrected.

jibberjim

Rick Chasey wrote:

Also, presumably if you're City airport, Box Hill's a long way away. It's more SW Londoners territory than E, though I might be corrected.

It is - although if he's good enough to KOM it then it would be barely a pootle out there for him. Realistically though he's unlikely to come close to the QOM that's a minute behind and the 130km ride would be a bit excessive.

50quid http://www.onyourbike.com/rental.php will get you a bike for friday to monday so you can get some good riding in over your middle weekend.

willhub

I'm pretty sure I could average 15.7 up it....

5% average for 2 miles. I think I could do more like 17-18.

bobtbuilder

willhub wrote:

I'm pretty sure I could average 15.7 up it....

5% average for 2 miles. I think I could do more like 17-18.

Only one way to find out. Get out there and ride it. At the moment it's just more Willhub talk....... :roll:

jibberjim

willhub wrote:

I'm pretty sure I could average 15.7 up it....

5% average for 2 miles. I think I could do more like 17-18.

Beating 6 minutes is pretty impressive, not many people manage that solo (considerably less than have done it on strava) beating 5:20 solo - very few have done that, and those that have win HC's and races. I look forward to hearing your eploits!

willhub

One day.

bobtbuilder

jibberjim wrote:

willhub wrote:

I'm pretty sure I could average 15.7 up it....

5% average for 2 miles. I think I could do more like 17-18.

Beating 6 minutes is pretty impressive, not many people manage that solo (considerably less than have done it on strava) beating 5:20 solo - very few have done that, and those that have win HC's and races. I look forward to hearing your eploits!

But we soft Southerners can't climb like our God-like Northern counterparts :roll:

straas

Haha, gwarn willhub.

brettjmcc

willhub wrote:

Think I'd struggle riding my bike, I'm down there for 2 weeks, can't carry a case on my bike.

Replace case with either a rucksack or one of those base camp bags that you can use like a rucksack then. I travelled with work for years and I ended up going from taking cases to dufeel bags or ones that were easier to carry, as no matter what I did I always ended up having to iron all the shirts etc again once I arrived.

willhub

My rucksack will be full, I'm going for 2-4 weeks I need to take plenty of clothes!!!!

straas

Panniers?

I took my bike and 3 weeks worth of kit from Leeds - Cornwall without any issues.

willhub

The train back is an issue.

It's open return so I can't reserve cycle slot.

nickellis

Rick Chasey wrote:

If it's for two weeks, I'd suggest forgoing the bike and focussing on your work.

Also, presumably if you're City airport, Box Hill's a long way away. It's more SW Londoners territory than E, though I might be corrected.

Corrected!

I've cycled to Box Hill from Charlton (SE7) it was 16 miles to Morden (where the GF lives) then another 15 max to Box Hill. I pooled the last section because the old dear was in tow. But it's well doable from City Airport, its adjacent to Charlton on the Thames. If you follow main A roads it's probably closer to 40-45 miles. But if you map it properly before hand simples.

KOM'ing it, that's a different story. I did 7:59 and I was blowing, I am a big lad though. Sub 6 minutes is never gonna happen, sub 7 maybe.

Dmak

Hire a Boris Bike, get the KOM on Box Hill with it and I'll cover the cost of hire.

straas

To save willhub blowing his own trumpet;

http://app.strava.com/athletes/142381/s ... der?page=1