Cycling UK Forum

Black Diamond

PH wrote: ↑21 May 2023, 7:21pm
simonhill wrote: ↑20 May 2023, 7:35am
Steve X wrote: ↑20 May 2023, 3:44am I was surprised when he told me that with TfW, as far as he was concerned, a bike reservation is not a guarantee of travel, and if all the bike spaces had been taken by unreserved bikes, he would have refused us travel. As far as he was concerned the bike reservation had no value. Bit startled by that one.
I wonder what the train company's view on this is. I suspect they would say the reservation is always valid.
The regulations - Bikes are carried subject to available space, there is no obligation for a train operator to honour the reservation. The NR Conditions of Travel, only entitle you to a refund on the ticket price if the journey can't be made due to not being able to travel with a reserved bike.
The reality - Twice I've been unable to load a reserved bike. Once the train was absolutely jammed before it got into the station, I got a letter authorising me to travel by a different route and arrived at my destination earlier than planned! The other time I got on the next train 40 min later and explained to the guard/conductor/manager on board who was fine with it. On a handful of occasions, maybe three, I've got the train space with a reserved bike and an unreserved one has been turned away.
That's my experience anyway, has anyone failed to get to their destination with a reserved bike, what about an unreserved one? What happened? Far more useful IMO to hear others experience than fret about the possibilities.

Yes, their regulations state: "Even if you have a reservation, bikes are always carried at the discretion of train staff".

Yes, probably most people either get on, or manage to get an alternative train but the fact is, there is a definite possibility you could be left stranded and unable to reach your destination, which could be your accommodation for the night.

It's something I would probably taken a chance on when I was younger but I'm afraid at my age, sadly it's enough to
put me off using TFW on a cycle tour, which is a pity as the borders are probably my favourite place in the UK.

Black Diamond

Icicle19 wrote: ↑22 Apr 2008, 5:55am Try http://www.lsr.gb.com/

They used to do spares, don't know if they still do............

good luck

A little late with this reply but for anyone else looking for these, the company in the link above still sell them.

Black Diamond

Thanks very much for replies. I last travelled on the Manchester to Milford Haven route with my bike about 8 years ago, when the trains were run by (I think) Arriva Trains Wales and it was stressful enough then, even with a reservation. It sounds as though things haven't got any better so I think will look at other options for my tour which don't involve using TfW.

Black Diamond

Apologies if this is the wrong section.

I have been trying to plan a short cycling tour of Herefordshire and Shropshire that entails taking my bike on the train to my starting point (likely Leominster).

Having contacted TFW, I was amazed to discover that even if you reserve a place for your bike, the conductor can still refuse to take it if he deems the service is too full.

This seems nonsensical to me and means that basically it is impossible to plan a trip as you have no way of knowing you will reach your destination and could be stuck in, say, Manchester or Crewe and having to cancel booked overnight accommodation.

This is particularly astounding at a time when people are being urged to leave their cars at home and use public transport and cycling.

Has anyone had recent experiences of taking a bike on a TFW train?

Thanks

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