Cycling UK Forum

Many thanks all. The local car hire is an idea, but quite an ask to get someone to drive all that way. We're 45 mins beyond Exeter.

I'll look into the Flixbus option, hadn't heard of that.

The box can be scrapped if necessary. We tend to get new boxes for each trip. Which reminds me, to get new boxes!

The issue has arisen because my wife wants to return early from our Norway trip, for a family matter. But there's a possibility she may be able to combine this with getting me home.

That's bad news about National Express, my experience is the drivers are often more relaxed than the company policy, but I wouldn't rely on that.
Have you tried Flixbus? Depending on where you're going to it might be an option, you'd probably need to transfer in Bristol. Boxed bikes go on as special luggage, maximum size - Width + Length + Height = max. 240 cm, large bikes might need the front wheel off. Needs booking and there's an additional charge, I think £7.50 last time I used it.

Hi everyone,

I just posted these photos on LinkedIn, but I thought they’d be perfect for a post here on the forum, too.

These are photos from our train trip to a few day “romantic” cycling route along the Tauber and Altmühl rivers - the Tauber-Altmühl Radweg - in Franconia, Germany. We traveled there by train(s) from Gdańsk in northern Poland. It took us four trains to get there and three on the way back, with a total travel time of around 10 hours one way.

The key takeaway - the conditions for transporting bikes in Germany, as well as in Poland, are generally good. It would be even better if not for the fact that bike spaces sell out quickly. The 6-8 spaces usually available on long-distance trains in this part of Europe are simply not enough. Just take a look at how many bike spaces are already occupied! Tickets need to be purchased weeks in advance.

The most enjoyable ride was on the ICE train, Germany's high-speed train. Between Berlin and Munich, via Nuremberg (our destination), these trains offer eight bike spots in a spacious, dedicated compartment at the front (or end) of the train. They also feature wide entrances and low steps, making boarding easy.












Conditions were slightly less convenient on the Berlin-Gdynia-Express, a joint service train operated by Polish and German railways. It also has eight bike spaces, but they are in a traditional carriage with high-mounted hooks. It works fine, but ICE trains show that bikes don't necessarily have to be hung.






And then there were the local German trains we took from Nuremberg to Rothenburg and back from Kelheim. Short-distance trains are by far the most comfortable for bike travel. As long as we don't block space for other cyclists, we don’t even have to remove our panniers. These are trains by S-Bahn Nuremberg, DB Regio, Arverio and Agilis.










As you can see, bike transport on trains is becoming increasingly popular. That's why we - cycling tourists - should keep writing about it as often as possible, so that railway operators consider us when upgrading their fleets.

Finally, something that shouldn’t be surprising but is still rare to see - huge bike pictograms on the trains, clearly indicating where the bike spaces are. Just look at the photos - even when the platform is packed with passengers, we can easily find our area. That’s how it should be!








Would this sign be visible through a crowd of people? Flixtrain, a train by Flixbus:




Happy travels :)

S.

I took a flixbus from Amsterdam to Frankfurt a couple of years ago, the bus i was travelling on had no rear cycle carrier so my bike went in the luggage space under the bus ( i had a space pre booked) no problem along with all 4 panniers, the only thing i took onboard with myself was my bar bag and a jacket.

Hi, I am thinking of taking the Flixbus from Amsterdam to Berlin.

Has anyone got experience/hints as to how I can fit all my 4 Ortlieb paniers (2 front and 2 back paniers) and Ortlieb rear rack bag (about 30 litres ) into the required bag size allocation of 80 x 50 x 30 cm (which seems quite small)?

if so, what would you recommend as a bag container, to put the 5 bags in? I will only be using the bag once for the bus, so don't want anything with much weight on it.

many thanks in advance.

Flixbus has already been mentioned upthread, but there are other coach companies that take bikes, I've used the Omio website to get information and book tickets. I've taken bikes on Alsa and Ecolines as well as Flixbus.
https://www.omio.co.uk/coaches

I've always been heading South in Europe, or returning North to the UK, but Luxexpress cover some routes that might be of interest to you, bookable on the above website, bike details here:
https://luxexpress.eu/en/travelling-with-bike/

FlixBus take bikes on some services.

You can add a bike at the search stage and it will show routes that can take a bike.

AllRides wrote: ↑6 Oct 2024, 7:25pm

ratherbeintobago wrote: ↑6 Oct 2024, 2:46pm Borders Bike Buses look really good, though I’ve not used. I think the first route they used them on (X62) goes past some of the 7 Stanes trail centres which presumably helps drive demand/custom?

For it to work, would either need to be long distance (e.g Flixbus - not sure I’ve seen them with bikes on the back in the UK) or some there that there’s demand but no train option (so e.g. Hebden Bridge to Rochdale bisecting the MTL is probably pointless). Anyone got any suggestions for routes?

Those Borders buses look great and much better than a hold option (particularly for shorter journeys.

In terms of routes. I’d love to see the whole Traws Cambria network in Wales with similar capacity.

I occasionally use them and they are fantastic, apart from
Not every bus takes a bike, and there is no schedule for them so they can not be relied upon. The route I like to use, may be only 1 in 3 takes bikes, and since they are an hour apart.... you can't plan much in advance
There is an interactive map so you can check the bus that is on the way carries bikes, but that only gives me 45 minutes warning
https://bustimes.org/operators/borders-buses/map
clicik on the bus and it tells you if it allows bikes)

so to sum up - only ever get the bus for the outward journey and ride home - doing it the other way could leave you stranded.

As for busyness, they never are; I sometimes get the bus over to Berwick (when there is an easterly wind (cheat)) and if there is 3 people on the bus then that is a lot, sometimes I am the only passenger.

I was told a couple of years back that all future buses purchased would take bikes - but I have seen a few 24 and 74 plate buses (the newest) and they don't take bikes.

ratherbeintobago wrote: ↑6 Oct 2024, 2:46pm Borders Bike Buses look really good, though I’ve not used. I think the first route they used them on (X62) goes past some of the 7 Stanes trail centres which presumably helps drive demand/custom?

For it to work, would either need to be long distance (e.g Flixbus - not sure I’ve seen them with bikes on the back in the UK) or some there that there’s demand but no train option (so e.g. Hebden Bridge to Rochdale bisecting the MTL is probably pointless). Anyone got any suggestions for routes?

Those Borders buses look great and much better than a hold option (particularly for shorter journeys.

In terms of routes. I’d love to see the whole Traws Cambria network in Wales with similar capacity.

Borders Bike Buses look really good, though I’ve not used. I think the first route they used them on (X62) goes past some of the 7 Stanes trail centres which presumably helps drive demand/custom?

For it to work, would either need to be long distance (e.g Flixbus - not sure I’ve seen them with bikes on the back in the UK) or some there that there’s demand but no train option (so e.g. Hebden Bridge to Rochdale bisecting the MTL is probably pointless). Anyone got any suggestions for routes?

ANTONISH wrote: ↑6 Oct 2024, 9:35am

AllRides wrote: ↑5 Oct 2024, 9:36pm There’s an excellent discussion thread on Bikes on Trains but there are some instances of (non-folding) bikes being accommodated on Buses. Flix buses allow them under the coach, and some Scottish buses have bike spaces.

Are there any more examples (or plans) around?

I stand to be corrected but I think that in the UK Flixbus subcontracts it's services to British operators who may not be willing to take bikes - or perhaps driver discretion - not so good if you have a timetable to meet.

Bikes on FlixBus:
https://www.flixbus.co.uk/service/bike-travel

Jonathan

AllRides wrote: ↑5 Oct 2024, 9:36pm There’s an excellent discussion thread on Bikes on Trains but there are some instances of (non-folding) bikes being accommodated on Buses. Flix buses allow them under the coach, and some Scottish buses have bike spaces.

Are there any more examples (or plans) around?

I stand to be corrected but I think that in the UK Flixbus subcontracts it's services to British operators who may not be willing to take bikes - or perhaps driver discretion - not so good if you have a timetable to meet.

singingsprocket wrote: ↑1 Dec 2023, 4:21pm While cycling in France this year I met several Dutch cyclists who told me about a coach company that carries bikes on routes across Europe. However I've not found it by searching online and wondered if anyone here knew of it. One fella said it was called cycle tours but that hasn't helped me find it!

Flixbus:
https://www.flixbus.co.uk
viewtopic.php?t=156311

Jonathan

Jdsk wrote: ↑2 Oct 2023, 5:32pm
Flixbus?

Not currently showing any trips for my dates, but worth considering.
Thanks

Jdsk wrote: ↑2 Oct 2023, 5:32pm Welcome

Flixbus?

This is a good idea, I think, if you can find a route that works for you: I've taken a bagged bike on Flixbus and it was ok. (You have to book it on as excess baggage, but otherwise the process was pretty straightforward). Disclaimer: this wasn't crossing the UK/EU border though: I don't know how many more complications that adds.

DFDS are pretty strict about excess luggage on bikes: their rule is that you have to be able to ride the bike through the port (and in fact there's quite a long, escorted, ride to get out Calais port). So I I'm not sure if trying to fit a box on the back of the bike would work (unless you have very good dexterity/balance!)

If boxing up in Calais would work: I happened to call into this bike shop there last month, and they seemed very friendly and helpful -- they might be able to provide a box? https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id ... cale=fr_FR