Bikes on trains

[DanTrain]

Hi,

I'm looking at taking a bike from Sheffield down to Wareham in early July. I've looked at the bike policy for the relevant TOCs and XC seems fine in that you book a space, but SWR seem to have a 1st come 1st serve policy. This is hardly ideal on an advance ticket, is this ever a problem on their services or is it usually ok?

Also, is there a 'best' way to keep the bike secure, supposedly you're not supposed to lock it to the train, but how else do you stop it getting nicked?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[Bletchleyite]

Also, is there a 'best' way to keep the bike secure, supposedly you're not supposed to lock it to the train, but how else do you stop it getting nicked?

Sit (or stand if necessary) near it is basically the answer to this.

You'll be fine on SWR, I reckon. People tend to cycle to the station and leave their bikes there on London trains rather than take them with them.

 

[DanTrain]

Sit (or stand if necessary) near it is basically the answer to this.

You'll be fine on SWR, I reckon. People tend to cycle to the station and leave their bikes there on London trains rather than take them with them.

Thanks for the help, glad SWR isn't too much of a problem! How am I supposed to sit/stand near my bike on a 4 hour XC journey though? Their trains are always packed and I don't much relish the idea of standing for 4 hours!? Maybe if I locked the wheels + frame together that'd do?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Thanks for the help, glad SWR isn't too much of a problem! How am I supposed to sit/stand near my bike on a 4 hour XC journey though? Their trains are always packed and I don't much relish the idea of standing for 4 hours!? Maybe if I locked the wheels + frame together that'd do?

The best answer re XC generally (not re bicycles) is not to travel with XC unless it's the HST. However, the Voyager cycle spaces are I think visible from the saloon - so if you book via them you can use the seat selector to ensure you reserve a seat facing them. You'll have to reserve the bike anyway so there's no "walk-up" benefit.

Locking frame and wheels is probably a good idea, as it would slow down any theft attempt.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think looking at this photo of the cycle area:

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=103504.0

you'd actually want a seat in the *next* coach to be able to see it? Can others comment?

That said, cycle theft from trains is not so far as I'm aware a significant issue. Is yours particularly valuable?

 

[ForTheLoveOf]

When I've previously taken my bike on XC I've had no qualms locking the wheel and 'chassis' to the bike storage frame. Not taking any chances, and it's not like other trains where the bike area is also used for other purposes.

 

[DanTrain]

The best answer re XC generally (not re bicycles) is not to travel with XC unless it's the HST. However, the Voyager cycle spaces are I think visible from the saloon - so if you book via them you can use the seat selector to ensure you reserve a seat facing them. You'll have to reserve the bike anyway so there's no "walk-up" benefit.

Locking frame and wheels is probably a good idea, as it would slow down any theft attempt.

I do tend to agree but it appears to be cheaper than going via London, and avoiding having to cycle across London is a good thing in itself!

I think looking at this photo of the cycle area:

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=103504.0

you'd actually want a seat in the *next* coach to be able to see it? Can others comment?

That said, cycle theft from trains is not so far as I'm aware a significant issue. Is yours particularly valuable?

Not hugely but it probably looks more valuable than it is to the common thief and it's not something I want to lose!

When I've previously taken my bike on XC I've had no qualms locking the wheel and 'chassis' to the bike storage frame. Not taking any chances, and it's not like other trains where the bike area is also used for other purposes.

Fair point, I can see from @Bletchleyite's photo that it's a seperate defined area so may well be a 'no-one's going to notice if you run a quick lock round' sort of thing!

Thanks for the help all!

 

[Chumba]

Cant speak for other TOC's but as I use SWR and take a bike I can comment on that part of it. SWR have a policy regarding bikes here. Please check it as you may find it affects your travel. But basically :-

"Bicycles cannot join or leave trains bound for London Waterloo, Reading, Hook, Alton, Guildford and Dorking, due to arrive at London Waterloo between 07:15 and 10:00 inclusive or departing from London Waterloo between 16:45 and 19:00.

Stations between Clapham Junction, Feltham/Strawberry Hill and the Hounslow loop cannot allow bicycles to join or leave trains which are due to leave Clapham Junction between 07:45 and 09:00.

If you are travelling on our London Waterloo to Salisbury/Exeter/Bristol trains you will need to reserve a space for your bike:"

This policy doesn't include fold up types, they are allowed and are often just left by seats or the doors. I've also seen full size bikes just left against the train furniture by the doors.

There is also a bike storage area on the trains, (3 or 4 racks, cant remember exactly) where you can secure your bike and sit within sight of it. I think there's one bike storage area per car set, so a 12 carriage train would have 3 units so 3 racks at different locations on the train. they are clearly marked on the outside of the train. (I've always managed to find somewhere to put mine.)

Hope that helps.

 

[DanTrain]

There is also a bike storage area on the trains, (3 or 4 racks, cant remember exactly) where you can secure your bike and sit within sight of it. I think there's one bike storage area per car set, so a 12 carriage train would have 3 units so 3 racks at different locations on the train. they are clearly marked on the outside of the train. (I've always managed to find somewhere to put mine.)

Hope that helps.

Thanks, that's good to know, I think it's mostly 444s down on the Weymouth line so I assume they have 2 bike areas per 10-coach unit (or 1 per 5), either way it sounds like plenty