Search found 13 matches

by Confusedbycycling
13 Aug 2019, 9:21am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: German wants to reserve bikespace
Replies: 63
Views: 4830

Re: German wants to reserve bikespace

After cycling in Wales , I want to say thank you to all, who helped me to sort out, how to travel with bicycle and train in the UK.

The experience was very good. The main difference between Germany and UK is, there were always members of staff at the station, which I could ask for advice. In Germany there are the most times no members of staff to ask. So the situation was more comfortable in the UK than in Germany going by a unkown connection.

Cycling through London was very pleasant. The traffic was not so fast like I knew from Edinburgh and Glasgow. The main issue were pedestrians jumping on the street without looking left and right.

Completely different was the experience cycling to Manchester Piccadilly Station. Fast and dense motor vehicles. By the way do you know in the UK bypass roads? It seems to me, you push the whole traffic through the heart of the cities and not around the town.

If someone is interested on more details of my journey through Wales, I have written a report in German http://www.radreisen.stephan-zitzmann.de/radreise-2019/ with many pictures.
by Confusedbycycling
21 Jun 2019, 10:31am
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: NCN 47 interrupted?
Replies: 2
Views: 535

Re: NCN 47 interrupted?

Because of your post I took a closer look to this area in an editor for openstreetmap. The reporting person seems loosing NCN 47 and was hindered on a way not belonging to NCN 47 by the mentioned fence.
by Confusedbycycling
19 Jun 2019, 4:57pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: NCN 47 interrupted?
Replies: 2
Views: 535

NCN 47 interrupted?

I want to cycle in two weeks NCN 47. But I have found https://bikewalesrides.blogspot.com/201 ... -epic.html.

There is reported, that 10 feet high fence, which is not passable in any way interrupt NCN 47.

But there is not reported, whether this fence is temporally or stationary.

Do anyone know, whether this fence still exist or was meanwhile dismantled?
by Confusedbycycling
17 Jun 2019, 12:04pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Greater Anglia and bikes
Replies: 30
Views: 2840

Re: Greater Anglia and bikes

Many thanks to all, who answered and helped me.

Do I have from this bike space direct through access to the seats or do I have get out to the platform and enter the train again?
by Confusedbycycling
16 Jun 2019, 1:05pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Greater Anglia and bikes
Replies: 30
Views: 2840

Re: Greater Anglia and bikes

Thank you for all replies.

I already have a bike reservation.

My main issue is, how to recognize standing at the platform where is bicycle space?

Is there reliable order of the waggons at this IC, so one can say, in the third or first waggon will be the bike space?

I am a little bit worried, because IC can be very long in Germany. So the trick with standing in the middle of the platform is very risky.
by Confusedbycycling
14 Jun 2019, 8:32am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Greater Anglia and bikes
Replies: 30
Views: 2840

Re: Greater Anglia and bikes

mjr wrote: (class 321, known as "bins" after the mascot of 1980s quiz show 3-2-1) are scheduled for replacement 2019-2020 but I don't think the new commuter

Thank you for your help.

My ticket is bound to a specific train. Departure 10:19 Manningtree.

You recommended some weeks ago this site: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/L ... 1/advanced . This information has led me to make the decision for the train mentioned above.

If I am remembering right, there is a change the "operational Information".

Now the train type is "Electric locomotive, trailing load 350 tonnes".

So I am worried, that there is a change of trains and the situation is different now.

The main issue is, that the British timetables do not tell, whether a train is a commuter trains or a intercity. But I have to admit, I am searching in a German way for this information.
by Confusedbycycling
13 Jun 2019, 12:29pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Greater Anglia and bikes
Replies: 30
Views: 2840

Re: Greater Anglia and bikes

mercalia wrote:Your bicycle will be stored in the guards van, so please give yourself enough time to locate it and load your bicycle before the train is scheduled to depart.

I have found this sentence also on the Greater Anglia website. Because I am German I am trying to figure out, what is a guards van. But my dictionary does not help. So what is a guards van, how do I recognize it? And very important, have this van a predictable position in the train?

I want to use the train from Manningtree to London. I am cycling with a heavy loaded bike. Are there rules, how I have to handle the luggage? Can I go in the train, and keep the luggage on the bike and put off the luggage after entering the train. Or do I have to put off the luggage before entering the train?
by Confusedbycycling
19 Apr 2019, 7:54am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: German wants to reserve bikespace
Replies: 63
Views: 4830

Re: German wants to reserve bikespace

JohnW wrote:This may be just me, but in that instance I'd walk that distance rather than take the train. As you say, each to his own......................London is unique in Britain though; the tube obviates the need to know the way!


Knowing the London underground visiting London as a teenager I have slight memories of the underground stations. Very steep and long escalators. Perhaps to steep to go upstairs with a heavy loaded bicycle.

Asking https://tfl.gov.uk, it seems not to be possible to use elevators.

Knowing the traffic in Glasgow and Edinburgh, I planned to try cycling, but I am prepared that I will decide to push my bike. I am not afraid of the traffic. I am living in the city of Frankfurt. But the traffic of a city and left-sided traffic together could be to hard.

Talking about left-side traffic. What side I have to use on bridleways, railway paths and so on. I had the impression that one can use the side he likes.

JohnW wrote:I have to ask why you keep coming back to cycling in the UK if as everyone agrees it is an inferior place to ride in terms of safety compared to Germany? From Germany I would be looking at places other than the UK to cycle tour. Riding a bike in the UK is not a pleasant experience unless you can find a dedicated cycle track or path, very quiet rural roads but then you are at risk of being flattened by morons in huge 4x4s speeding too fast or ride off road altogether then problem solved. Too many cyclists have been knocked down and killed in this country not to mention all the abuse and hatred. I think Germany and neighbouring countries would be much nicer places to ride than the UK.

First at all I had good experiences in 2006/7 following the british part of NSCR. 2017 Scotland was okay, but the weather awful. The only bad experiences was 2014 in Southengland. I explain this 2014 experience, with the high density of population in this area and the holiday time. Many ways were overcrowded. I hope Wales will be better.

In general, there are countries, mainly the Scandinavian countries, where you have to use normal streets similar to the UK. If this streets a crowded it is dangerous, if this streets are lonely is is beautiful, if the landscape is beautiful. The UK have landscapes, which are beautiful and unique.

I did last year Iceland with a bicycle. The traffic was at the end so bad, so I used the bus. The first time I did that. But the the other part I have cycled and the good impressions I got in Iceland were worth it. And I hope it will be the same in Wales.
by Confusedbycycling
18 Apr 2019, 9:53pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: cycle route maps mainz frankfurt regensburg
Replies: 8
Views: 592

Re: cycle route maps mainz frankfurt regensburg

The cyclemaps for Germany are "ADFC-Radtourenkarte". Here you can see how the maps cover Germany. https://www.fahrrad-buecher-karten.de/d ... on_cut.jpg

It seems to me, you can also order them at Amazon UK. You also get them in Germany in bookstores and bigger fuelstation. But mainly for the local area. If you go in Frankfurt to Hugendubel https://goo.gl/maps/BhvmXHcVwETJo7Qf7 they might have all maps you need. The way from Mainz to Frankfurt is easy. Follow R3 along the river Main.

A different suggestion to come to Regensburg. Follow the Limes-Cycleway. Sometimes very steep, but very lonely, not so crowded like the routes along the rivers.
by Confusedbycycling
18 Apr 2019, 12:26pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: German wants to reserve bikespace
Replies: 63
Views: 4830

Re: German wants to reserve bikespace

JohnW wrote:Perhaps you could persuade DB to take over all our railways!

British people in Germany praise DB and do not understand, why nearly every German is swearing about DB. They always say, you should be pleased about your railway system, you do not know the British one. I am a little bit frighten using trains in the UK. :wink:

mjr wrote:A lot of very, very helpful things

Thank you a lot. You have been a great help.
by Confusedbycycling
18 Apr 2019, 9:15am
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: German wants to reserve bikespace
Replies: 63
Views: 4830

Re: German wants to reserve bikespace

mjr wrote:
Confusedbycycling wrote:On the other hand:
<https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/travel-information/your-journey/cycling/bikes-on-trains> gives the information:
„Restrictions of non-folding bikes on peak services
For the comfort and safety of all passengers, only folded cycles can be accommodated during busy times. This applies to the following Stratford and London Liverpool Street station services.
These restrictions apply Monday to Friday, except Bank Holidays:
AM – any trains arriving at Stratford or London Liverpool Street between 07:45 and 09:45*
PM – any trains departing from Stratford or London Liverpool Street between 16:30 and 18:30*!“


Grr, they've retimed things and broken the boat trains for bikes! :(

I think what you could do is buy a ticket without reserved bike on that part of the journey (as long as it still reserves a suitable GWR service) then use these trains to London:
0828 Harwich International to Manningtree (doesn't go to London so bikes allowed) arrives 0850, ignore the Intercity and catch the commuter-style train at 0908 arriving London Liverpool Street 1010. It's only 10 minutes after the Intercity.


Thank you for your reply and help. I think this is very helpful for me.

After reading some threads here, I have some more questions. In Germany you can always go from the bikespace to your seat without leaving the coach. I had the impression, it could happen, that I have to leave in the UK the coach, run along the platform and entering the train again to reach my seat. Are I am right?

If yes, how can I figure out, which kind of bikespace a train have? It is important because of all the cycle bags I am carrying around.

Bike reservation again. I found this article on the net:

https://saveecrewards.co.uk/cycling/bik ... ion-online

I understood, if I am using the online systems of the in the article mentioned railway companies, I can reserve a bike space also for a railway company online, which offers only possibility of bike reservation by calling the company. Is this right? I am a little bit afraid, that I am lost in translation, because this seems not very logical to me.
by Confusedbycycling
17 Apr 2019, 2:28pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: German wants to reserve bikespace
Replies: 63
Views: 4830

Re: German wants to reserve bikespace

mjr wrote:Book journeys online through London-South Wales operator http://www.GWR.com because they reserve bikes online.


I have tried this. But this site refuse to make a reservation for theGreater Anglia part of the journey

[/quote="mjr"]
Every train from Norwich to London Liverpool St is an intercity service, but those don't visit Harwich - you change at Manningtree onto those. There are also a few direct Harwich-London services leaving after the ferry arrives and not requiring reservations.
[/quote]

On the one hand Greater Anglia told me:
„ If you travel on a direct train service from Harwich International to London Liverpool Street, this service would be non reservable so no cycle reservation would be need. „


On the other hand:
<https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/travel-information/your-journey/cycling/bikes-on-trains> gives the information:
„Restrictions of non-folding bikes on peak services
For the comfort and safety of all passengers, only folded cycles can be accommodated during busy times. This applies to the following Stratford and London Liverpool Street station services.
These restrictions apply Monday to Friday, except Bank Holidays:
AM – any trains arriving at Stratford or London Liverpool Street between 07:45 and 09:45*
PM – any trains departing from Stratford or London Liverpool Street between 16:30 and 18:30*!“


JohnW wrote:I really hope you enjoy your tour here - please let us know your experiences.


I have cycled 2006/2007 the Northseacycle Route from Harwich up to the Orkneys. The car drivers were okay. I remember I was a kind of sensation for the people.

2014 I cycled from Harwich along the southcoast to Cornwall, than to Bath, Reading. Than I drive round the northern part of Greater London back to Harwich. It was a hot summer during the holiday. I had three weeks no rain. But it was horrible. Way back to Germany I felt more comfortable in the city of Rotterdam than in the English country side.

2017 I cycled again in Scotland. Car drivers were ruder than 2006/7. For example passingplaces. 2006/7 mainly all car drivers give me the time to reach the passing place or the waited for me using the passing place and give way. 2017 the most car drivers did not wait, to enable a safe passing for both parties. They passed me in the narrow part of the street.

On the one hand it seems to me the farther away from London, the better the car drivers behave. On the other hand in spite cycling is getting more popular, the car driver treat the cyclist more badly. In Germany it is the other way round.

2006/7 there were no SUVs in Britain. 2014 I met them all one single track minor roads. They are to quick and need to much space, so passing is always a little bit stressful. Do I damage the car or damage the car me?

But in 2006 the Times claimed cyclist have to cycle left so near to the kerb as possible. 2017 the TImes claimed the same rules like in Germany. Cyclist need a space from 1meter to the kerb. And car drivers have to pass the cyclist with a saftey distance of 1,5meters.

In Germany I made many rides avoiding intentionally the cycle network and I am safe. In the UK I would recommend using the cycle network. It is safer. But some things seems to me to be crazy and dangerous using the NCN. The very narrow pathes along the channels. (Bath Reading) Or the gates on NCN-routes, where it is necessary someone lift the bike over the gate, because the gate should hinder motorcyclist to use the NCN-route.

But from a German point of view, it looks like you have not enough space on your streets. My impression is, the British have always one lane less than they need.
by Confusedbycycling
16 Apr 2019, 8:35pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: German wants to reserve bikespace
Replies: 63
Views: 4830

German wants to reserve bikespace

I am German and I feel helpless to understand to go by train with a unfolded bicycle in the UK.

In this year I want to make a cycle journey in Wales. So I try to get train tickets from Manningtree to Newport (South Wales)

This are my problems.

1. Getting a bike reservation for the train Manningtree to London Liverpool. Greater Anglia told me, that I have first to buy a ticket, than I can make a reservation. But they did not explain me, what is happening, if the reservation is not possible. Whether they refund the ticket or not? It seems like roulette to me.

I founded https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/travel- ... -on-trains. But I could not figure out, whether every train from Norwich to London Liverpool is a intercity service or only some. What do you recommend me to do?

2. Going from London Liverpool to London Paddington. Is it allowed to go with a unfolded bike the
Hammersmith & City Line?