Cycling UK Forum

The bike spaces were actually better on the Cross Country train on the way back: a single and a double space in separate compartments

This is quite old stock I believe hence being better!!!

I use them quite a lot going north and hope that the single compartment is free as its much easier to use, The double space is a bit of an illusion. Its almost impossible to get two full sized bikes in.

Sorry CJ read that as internal pockets. We are obviously talking about the same thing. Must get eyes tested!!

https://www.ortlieb.com/uk_en/outer-pocket+F91S

I use these with my rollers having seen them at the Cycle Touring Festival. Also involves punching holes but I have never seen any water get in even when they are not attached.

A perfect description I think Jonathan.

Falling off a bicycle at speed is very traumatic especially as we age and for that to happen in a far off land must be frightening

Being pedantic I suspect I was propelled off the bike at speed, falling implied something a little gentler!!! As I said in the "Will I get on the train" thread these things happen and you cope. It didn't feel particularly traumatic, mainly because of the adrenaline I think, as the local Spaniards and health professionals took over within about 30 seconds of me hitting the concrete and bouncing up.

As I said though the panniers. which I collected from Guenica police station next day having spent the night in hospital, survived virtually unscathed and I have continued to use them for tours and shopping ever since. The reflective patches are coming off in places but they are still waterproof and don't look too tatty.

I didn't have travel insurance at the time because I was invincible of course but now I always do!

Hope you survived Brian?

I did thanks but I was a bit of a mess. Can vouch for the Spanish health service's efficiency.though and also the kindness of strangers.

I can add 17 years as well, Bought in 2007 and used regularly ever since. Not daily but at least weekly.They even survived flying through the air in Spain in 2011. They survived with some replacement parts. Sadly the Alu bike didn't!!

They have never let in any water ever either.

Lazybird These comments including mine may seem rather depressing. Please don't be put off and try not to get too stressed. Yes there may be issues or maybe not yes there may be aggro or maybe not but just accept it as part of the adventure.

It will seem daunting the first time, I can remember 2007 very clearly still but it didn't put me off.

With experience you will learn what you need to do from your location and with your train operators and that will in all probability make things easier in the future.

I hope it is the start of many adventures which you will enjoy as much as I have. In my view nothing compares with the freedom of cycle travelling and France is a very good place to start I think.

do some train operators get all arsey about bikes?

From my experience down south yes. I have rarely had trouble on what was South West trains because the pressure on the bike spaces is not so bad. However Cross Country and GWR always have an issue with bikes and bike reservations it would seem. Sweeping generalisation I know.

Unfortunately you will only know when the train arrives. It is a lottery sadly. As has been said you can increase the chance of the space being free by choosing certain times of day but on a holiday line with little luggage space there is always going to be some uncertainty.

As has also been said if you have a booked space you can either just move the luggage or get the train manager to do it if that is possible. I once stood with my bike from Sheffield to Winchester so with goodwill from the train crew it can be done.

I am always nervous and I've being doing this since 2007. I am lucky enough to be on what I consider one of the best routes. I use the Waterloo to either Poole or Portsmouth line and those trains have a much more bike friendly set up but if several other people choose the same train it can still be an issue.

If I have time I try to use local routes. It does take longer but can be more restful!!

Good luck. Don't let it put you off.

but without the opportunity to pay for hold luggage

Again, in my experience from 2007, like cars the luggage keeps getting bigger. The two cases I turfed out of the bike compartment of an Hitachi last year, and which almost brought the train to a halt as the guard wanted them shifted, were the size of medium fridges and hard shells.

it's clear that there is insufficient luggage space for passengers

That applies to almost all of the stock used on holiday routes not just Hitachi.

Here is one of my experiences with GWR

In my experience not at all unusual on Hitachi stock on a holiday route!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nr3tL7ZEM8g

This is the promo. Not sure if this was in the BBC piece.

Interesting thread. I used to always have a map in a case on the bar bag but as the old eye sight declines that is not so easy. Currently I use a gps device which I have preloaded with my routes usually via cycle-travel. I normally also carry a map because I love maps but it is usually in the pannier to be accessed if necessary or browsed between rides to see what is around.

Being very old I remember pre satnav days in a car. I used a pda which was the forerunner of the smartphone. I was driving up the M6 and found it blocked at Shap. I therefore set the device for Haltwhistle which was my intended destination and set off across country. I did fervently hope that the battery didn't run out because I was just following a line without any idea where I was if it failed being a Southern chap.

I think that is the problem. I distinctly remember an edition of University Challenge when the very bright undergraduates were unable to identify educational establishments on a map. Not only not identify them but guess I suppose at towns nowhere near the location. A result of not looking at maps I fear.