Cycling UK Forum

andrew_s wrote:Glancing at next year's route, I'd expect the following to be popular enough to require some thought, the Galibier above the Lautaret, top part of the Iseran, Tignes, top 7 km or so of Val Thorens.
Tignes and Val Thorens are sizeable ski resorts, so parking there and riding down to do the spectating may be an option. This would limit picnic provender to what you can carry on the bike, and would also mean you couldn't leave until several hours after the race finished.

Never had to drive through without a pass from ASO, but the timing for road closures seems very variable. If there's any resurfacing needs done, if will close earlier than if not. Also, you will be moved on if you're not well clear of the roadside.

Downhill sections are more empty than uphill - because you only see them for a split second - but you may see more than on TV as in recent years, there are some downhill sections where the camera bikes have pulled out as they considered the speed to be too dangerous.

I seem to remember quite a few parking up in Ski resorts and taking the lifts to near the action.

mjr wrote:

Cyril Haearn wrote:TDC the tragedy of drive-cycling rears its ugly head again
Much better to stay home and watch the race on tivi

Have you seen how many motorbikes, cars, lorries, helicopters and planes are used to bring you the live TV coverage? I hope you only watch the highlights, but even though they could be produced with fewer vehicles, they're not!

Like most sporting events, the feed to European broadcasters is shared via Eurovision. This feed is also sold to many of the foreign channels.

Euromedia and France TV use about the same number of trucks and cameras as a small Premier League game plus two helicopters to provide links and overhead shots. I know that some smaller races are moving to drones for overheads - if 5G lives up to the hype, the helicopters won;t be needed for links either.

Jdsk wrote:I'm sure that they're trying to be helpful. But it doesn't answer my question... how do I book this journey that involves two train operating companies?

At the moment I'm considering either booking online with each operator and trying to reserve bike spaces with each or booking online with GWR and then 'phoning SWR.

Jonathan

No need to phone SWR, they have bike bookings on London Waterloo to Salisbury/Exeter/Bristol trains - all others are First Come First Serve.

See: https://www.southwesternrailway.com/tra ... ith-a-bike

You should also keep an eye on https://www.southwesternrailway.com/pla ... provements
Bikes aren't carried on rail replacement services.

You can't reserve a bike on that South Western Railway route, it's first come, first served.

There are also rush hour cycle bans.

What time do you need to be at Portsmouth (and which Portsmouth station)?

Sweep wrote:

PDQ Mobile wrote:

Sweep wrote:Meaning what vis a vis a pedalling trip?

Meaning exactly that.
The EHIC has been mentioned already.

And depending what ageements can be made.
In the event of a no deal if you overstay for example, you will have the same status as a Nigerian or Japanese citizen.

For myself it's a biggy.
I always thought the feeling of belonging was something profoundly worthwhile.

overstay?

Some perpective please.

How long you planning on going for?

I suggest you look at the pre brexit implications of staying in Italy for more than 90 days.

And also at the situation of a pre brexit brit with regard to access to Italian healthcare beyond a short holiday.

Note - am not downplaying brexit, but this is supposed to be a thread about touring.

On a bike.

If you have other axes to grind, as seems likely, suggest you head to the cafe.

You're assuming that cycle touring is all a person does.

Quite often with work I get near to 90 days in 180. That will reduce the time I can travel to the EU for holiday.

Some things can be mitigated at a cost, some can't. One of my colleagues is now a German citizen (despite never having been there).

Sweep wrote:

PDQ Mobile wrote:

Sweep wrote:Meaning what vis a vis a pedalling trip?

Meaning exactly that.
The EHIC has been mentioned already.

And depending what ageements can be made.
In the event of a no deal if you overstay for example, you will have the same status as a Nigerian or Japanese citizen.

For myself it's a biggy.
I always thought the feeling of belonging was something profoundly worthwhile.

overstay?

Some perpective please.

How long you planning on going for?

I suggest you look at the pre brexit implications of staying in Italy for more than 90 days.

And also at the situation of a pre brexit brit with regard to access to Italian healthcare beyond a short holiday.

Note - am not downplaying brexit, but this is supposed to be a thread about touring.

On a bike.

If you have other axes to grind, as seems likely, suggest you head to the cafe.

You're assuming that cycle touring is all a person does.

Quite often with work I get near to 90 days in 180. That will reduce the time I can travel to the EU for holiday.

Some things can be mitigated at a cost, some can't. One of my colleagues is now a German citizen (despite never having been there).

MarcusT wrote:Not sure why the panic. The UK was never a member of the Schengen agreement, the only thing that will change is a passport instead of just a photo ID. That, and a 90 day limit for visits

Only if you're a tourist.

I frequently spend 2-3 hours at Heathrow, Geneva and others getting ATA Carnets stamped. Moscow took 6 hours.

When we need Carnets for all of the EU, the system will grind to a halt.

MarcusT wrote:Not sure why the panic. The UK was never a member of the Schengen agreement, the only thing that will change is a passport instead of just a photo ID. That, and a 90 day limit for visits

Only if you're a tourist.

I frequently spend 2-3 hours at Heathrow, Geneva and others getting ATA Carnets stamped. Moscow took 6 hours.

When we need Carnets for all of the EU, the system will grind to a halt.

Just an update, I've updated the rear wheel to a cassette and the crankset. Performs beautifully with a couple of more bits I'd like to change.

Took it out at the weekend, cruised up some hills with plenty left in the tank.

Thanks for all the help.

Northumberland?

https://www.wigglestatic.com/product-me ... &h=430&a=7

Wiggle seem to have solved the issue.

pete75 wrote:

The utility cyclist wrote:

PH wrote:Is there a reason you don't book online?

Cycle reservation tickets are not available to book online, I thought that was made clear already, the travel tickets one can do online but the hassle is always the reservations for the bikes.

Bike reservations for the east coast can be booked online. I've done it many times.

You used to be able to, but then when Virgin got the gig, they removed that function from the website.

May have been put back again, haven't checked.

Go camping in Africa, after the first time you exit the tent and see reflecting eyes, you learn not to need to go in the dark.

SimonCelsa wrote:Anyone got any info regarding South East trains & bike carriage??

Looking to disembark the Newhaven ferry on an August mid afternoon (15.30 ish) & get upto London to catch the Caledonian Sleeper (21:00 ish)

Not enough time to cycle it so will have to use the train. I believe it goes via Brighton or Lewes with a couple of changes......is it a lot of hassle? Will have minimal luggage, a couple of small panniers, but the bike is not foldable.

Cheers

Should be OK on a Sunday provided it's not a rail replacement bus day.

Thanks, just ordered a Mercator Gear PAT adaptor based on these reviews.

Heading to the Netherlands and Germany when the sun comes out - hopefully will get the chance to try it out.