Search found 59 matches

by randonneur
28 Jul 2023, 7:48pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Bikes on TfW trains from Holyhead
Replies: 5
Views: 546

Re: Bikes on TfW trains from Holyhead

Some TFW trains are made up of 4 coaches, and thus space for 4 bikes, on 2 coach trains it would be difficult to get 3 bikes on, its quite a tight space for 2 bikes as it is.
The majority of the Chester - Crewe trains only run between the 2 stations as a shuttle and booking were not required or available last time I used this service.
by randonneur
25 Dec 2022, 11:18pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Scotland to Northern Ireland Ferries
Replies: 20
Views: 1250

Re: Scotland to Northern Ireland Ferries

Its £10 each way for bicycles on Stena easily booked on website, similarly P&O were charging £10 last time I used them but from memory their website was less user friendly and booked through www.aferry.com
by randonneur
26 Oct 2021, 8:23pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Gibraltar to Lancashire
Replies: 16
Views: 1034

Re: Gibraltar to Lancashire

I would agree with Simon, do not follow EV1.
Cycled a couple of times from Faro back to UK.
First time through Portugal where there's little evidence of EV1, but coast often built up and not so interesting, followed by coast of Northern Spain.
Second time followed Camino Via de la Plato from Seville north to intercept the Camino Francis then in reverse to the Pyrenees, with detour through the Picos Mountains. While Inland Spain is not well populated, roads are quiet and following Camino always means cheap accommodation is available.
Once in France, in summer the coastal EV1 route gets very busy, and generally headed inland for sections.
by randonneur
15 Nov 2019, 5:29pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: malaga to santander
Replies: 5
Views: 775

Re: malaga to santander

Yes, earlier this year, cycled Faro to Santander, nearest I got to Malaga was Ronda. However my route essentially was following the Via De La Plata (Pilgrimage route to Santiago) to get north from Sevilla to Leon. Mainly follows the old N630 with plenty of old interesting towns along the route and plenty of cheap accommodation. From Leon headed into the Picos Europa for a weeks touring and this is within a days cycle of Santander.
Note I did this route in April and encountered snow on a few days in Central and Northern Spain which I was not fully prepared for after the warm weather in the South earlier on the trip.
by randonneur
8 Nov 2019, 5:24pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Carretera Austral
Replies: 7
Views: 887

Re: Carretera Austral

When I went out to Chile to cycle the Carraterra Austral, while not the cheapest flight, I flew via Brazil on TAM Brazil which has a very generous luggage allowance of 2 X 23kg bags, so bike in one bag and panniers in the second bag. Obviously had to take a domestic flight from Santiago to Puerto Montt using Lan Chile, this I booked on the same ticket hence the same luggage allowance. Since flying out there I believe TAM and Lan Chile have now merged to LanTam so things may have changed. However flights through Brazil do generally have better luggage allowance. As mentioned above definitely worth avoiding any American Airlines if travelling with a bike together with the hassle of clearing US Immigration.
by randonneur
22 Oct 2019, 11:01pm
Forum: Helmets & helmet discussion
Topic: Helmets in Spain
Replies: 56
Views: 9372

Re: Helmets in Spain

Cycled across Spain early this year-end was stopped twice by Traffic Police for not wearing a helmet, both times were in the Picos Europa area, in rural areas. Told it was the law to wear a helmet, but after pleading ignorance I was allowed to go on my way.
Whilst I was aware of the law, having cycled many thousand miles in Spain over the last few years, it was quite a surprise to be stopped and guess will take a helmet next year.
by randonneur
30 Jul 2019, 11:27pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Coast of UK?
Replies: 23
Views: 4504

Re: Coast of UK?

Check out Audax UK, They used to have a permanent event for the coast of Britain, can"t recall the distance, but was based on 200km daily.
by randonneur
30 Jul 2019, 11:09pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Manchester Airport / Trans Pennine Trail
Replies: 8
Views: 2028

Re: Manchester Airport / Trans Pennine Trail

Head out of the airport towards Wythenshaw/Heald Green essentially following the tram route, and the nearest point to join the Trans Pennine Trial is either on the banks of the River Mersey at Northernden or Cheadle, the route then follows the River through to Stockport Town Centre, but is quite confusing as several routes through town centre. Much of the route surface is good with many sections on the river now asphalted as far as Stockport. Can't advise east of Stockport until Hadfield where route follows old rail trial to Woodhead Pass. Good surface on rail trial but quite rough over Woodhead summit, I usually use main road at this section, or go over Holme Moss which is probably a more direct route for Batley.
by randonneur
21 May 2019, 1:03pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Anyone with experience of railsail?
Replies: 3
Views: 503

Re: Anyone with experience of railsail?

No need to use the trainline website and pay unnecessary fees, use one of the train operator sites, Transport for Wales provide most services for the ferry connections to Ireland and offers rail sail tickets. Just phone to book bike on train, although they do not insist on reservations.
As for the ferry, they charge for bikes (£10 last time I travelled), assume just pay at check-
by randonneur
21 May 2019, 10:54am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: easyjet NOT accepting poly bags May 2019 (Maybe?)
Replies: 14
Views: 1898

Re: easyjet NOT accepting poly bags May 2019 (Maybe?)

Reading this thread had me a little nervous flying out of Manchester last week with bike in poly bag. Had no problem in March on EasyJet and could not see any difference in the T & Cs since then. Anyhow bicycle was accepted in simple polybag without question.
Only hassle I had was getting the bike security checked as handlebars/bar-ends to wide for scanner meaning a long wait for a guy to come and check with hand held scanner.
The good news, on arrival at Faro airport, bike assembly area and tool station including track pump in baggage reclaim hall, can't see such facilities ever being available in a UK airport
by randonneur
24 Oct 2018, 9:58am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Return from the Arctic
Replies: 42
Views: 3774

Re: Return from the Arctic

I have cycled a couple of times between Norway, Sweden and Finland to UK, usually June time, although was in Finland early July on one occassion, overall had few bad experiences with mossies, and no way is it as bad as Alaska.
As for crossing to Denmark, Oresund is closed for cycling but bikes are taken by train between Malmo and Copenhagen, but a better route if wishing to visit Copenhagen is the very frequent ferry between Helsingborg and Helsingfor some 30 miles North. You will still get to experience some long bridges heading South towards Rodby for the ferry to Germany.
I dont think the option for a ferry from Ostend is available nowadays, its Calais or Dunkirque, for Kent or Hook of Holland for Essex if you are desperate to get back to UK
by randonneur
29 Sep 2018, 1:53pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Anyone toured near Chamonix?
Replies: 13
Views: 1286

Re: Anyone toured near Chamonix?

Its been a few years since I last visited the Chamonix Valley by cycle, and in the days before apps and owing detailed maps on my first visit did use the main road up across the viaduct, not too pleasant climbing up, but the descent on a Sunday morning was fine. On subsequent visits I used the D road which from memory was perfectly good this would be about 20 years ago.
by randonneur
23 Jun 2018, 12:13pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Puttgarden - Rodby ferry
Replies: 17
Views: 2589

Re: Puttgarden - Rodby ferry

Just an update.
Used this ferry last week, simply cycle up to the toll booth at Rodby, paid cash 16.50 Euro and ride (Danish Kr or cards accepted). Then once directed cycle onto the boat after other vehicles have been loaded. Cycle routes once off the ferry clearly signed.
Similar arrangement at the Helsingborg - Helsingfor ferry, runs every 15mins and costs equivalent of £5.
by randonneur
21 May 2018, 9:00pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: YHA booking discount
Replies: 6
Views: 762

Re: YHA booking discount

The 10% is an additional discount to the £3 discount for being a member, but only available at the wholly owned YHAs and not the enterprise hostels which account for a substantial number. However, I have used the discount a few times in the this year, but the last time I tried I got some obscure computer code thrown back at me as to why the discount was not available. Given most hostels off season were about £13, it was hardly worth bothering with the discount.
by randonneur
28 Apr 2018, 8:48pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Flying with KLM - What Bike cost / experience ?
Replies: 13
Views: 2926

Re: Flying with KLM - What Bike cost / experience ?

Have not flown with KLM recently due to high fees for carriage of bicycles. Got stung a few years ago just after fees were introduced, despite having there frequent flyer silver card allowing additional luggage allowance.
For the record Aberdeen Marrakesh will set you back 55Euro each way. It is all available on their web site.