Tube to Thameslink at London Blackfriars With a Loaded Bike

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simonhill
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Tube to Thameslink at London Blackfriars With a Loaded Bike

Post by simonhill »

I've only ever used the Gatwick Express, but that isn't running at the moment. Trainline routes me via London Bridge onto Thameslink. I'll be coming on the tube, District Line.

A couple of questions:

What is the change like from tube to mainline? Is there lift, stairs, or what?

I'll be travelling about 11 am on a midweek day, how crowded are the tubes at the moment?

I may choose to cycle from Fenchurch Street, which is an easy run, but I have panniers and a lot of cardboard strapped to my bike (for padding the bike-bag), so not so easy to pedal and definitely a no no if it's raining.

Ta.
Edited Bridge to Blackfriars in title - sorry.
Last edited by simonhill on 5 Oct 2021, 6:24pm, edited 2 times in total.
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mjr
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Re: Tube to Thameslink at London Bridge With a Loaded Bike

Post by mjr »

District line doesn't go to London Bridge. The nearest station is Monument which is a stairs fest. Better to stay on to Blackfriars and change onto Thameslink there if you can. Should be the same price, if I remember correctly. I'm pretty sure that the recently-rebuilt Blackfriars has lifts... or escalators aren't difficult with a two-wheeled upright: put the front wheel on the bottom and when ready to go, apply the front brake and hold on!
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MikeF
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Re: Tube to Thameslink at London Bridge With a Loaded Bike

Post by MikeF »

simonhill wrote: 5 Oct 2021, 2:00pm I've only ever used the Gatwick Express, but that isn't running at the moment. Trainline routes me via London Bridge onto Thameslink. I'll be coming on the tube, District Line.

A couple of questions:

What is the change like from tube to mainline? Is there lift, stairs, or what?

I'll be travelling about 11 am on a midweek day, how crowded are the tubes at the moment?

I may choose to cycle from Fenchurch Street, which is an easy run, but I have panniers and a lot of cardboard strapped to my bike (for padding the bike-bag), so not so easy to pedal and definitely a no no if it's raining.

Ta.
Where are you travelling to and from? That seems to be the key question.
District will take you to Blackfriars and you could board Thameslink there if that's what you want.
Last edited by MikeF on 5 Oct 2021, 4:12pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Jdsk
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Re: Tube to Thameslink at London Bridge With a Loaded Bike

Post by Jdsk »

MikeF wrote: 5 Oct 2021, 4:09pmWhere are you travelling to and from? That seems to be the key question.
I'm not clear about this either...

Jonathan
MikeF
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Re: Tube to Thameslink at London Bridge With a Loaded Bike

Post by MikeF »

Tube map seems to indicate step free access at Blackfriars
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simonhill
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Re: Tube to Thameslink at London Bridge With a Loaded Bike

Post by simonhill »

Sorry, I should have said Blackfriars. I had been looking at the map and saw it was a bridge station. Thinking of bridge I typed London instead of Blackfriars. Duh!!

Coming from Fenchurch Street (Tower Hill), but would probably get on at Barking which is a cross platform change from C2C.

Nonetheless, question answered - the new Blackfriars has stair free access.

Anyone know how crowded tubes are at the moment - or is everybody staying away?
MikeF
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Re: Tube to Thameslink at London Bridge With a Loaded Bike

Post by MikeF »

The problem with Thameslink trains is that area for cycles is very poorly marked unlike Southern and South Eastern. However they are "cattle waggons" so seats don't take up much space wherever you board.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_700

Added a picture
https://www.cyclestreets.net/photomap/t ... pid=100134
Last edited by MikeF on 5 Oct 2021, 6:33pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Philip Benstead
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Re: Tube to Thameslink at London Bridge With a Loaded Bike

Post by Philip Benstead »

I use the tube regulary with my Brompton.

The disrict line should be OK during the day in midweek.

At week ends and rush hour time a different story
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MikeF
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Re: Tube to Thameslink at London Blackfriars With a Loaded Bike

Post by MikeF »

Although he doesn't say, I gained the impression he's not using a Brompton
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mjr
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Re: Tube to Thameslink at London Bridge With a Loaded Bike

Post by mjr »

MikeF wrote: 5 Oct 2021, 6:21pm The problem with Thameslink trains is that area for cycles is very poorly marked unlike Southern and South Eastern. However they are "cattle waggons" so seats don't take up much space wherever you board.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_700
Poorly marked? Have they removed the big grey bike symbols from the outside of the white Thameslink trains since the pandemic started? (Example visible in photo on https://www.globalairrail.com/news/entr ... er-service )
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MikeF
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Re: Tube to Thameslink at London Bridge With a Loaded Bike

Post by MikeF »

mjr wrote: 5 Oct 2021, 6:37pm
MikeF wrote: 5 Oct 2021, 6:21pm The problem with Thameslink trains is that area for cycles is very poorly marked unlike Southern and South Eastern. However they are "cattle waggons" so seats don't take up much space wherever you board.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_700
Poorly marked? Have they removed the big grey bike symbols from the outside of the white Thameslink trains since the pandemic started? (Example visible in photo on https://www.globalairrail.com/news/entr ... er-service )
No they haven't, but you have to be standing opposite or close by to see it, like the person in the photo. If you were many coaches away as the train came into the station how would you find it? I think that may be Brighton station, but anyway it appears to be a terminus where the bike user has time to walk alongside the train and find that symbol. The situation won't be like that at stations on the route. The only indication is the very thin red line on the roof.

Compare with South Eastern https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardie ... Refurb.png
and Southern https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardie ... iagram.PNG

Very easy to see from a distance and as the train draws into the station. There isn't any need to try to spot and memorise the position of the door with the bicycle symbol at all as it is so distinctive and visible. Also with Thameslink the symbol can very easily be easily obscured by other passengers on the platform as well.

Yes, indeed, Thameslink are very poorly marked.
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mjr
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Re: Tube to Thameslink at London Bridge With a Loaded Bike

Post by mjr »

MikeF wrote: 5 Oct 2021, 7:32pm If you were many coaches away as the train came into the station how would you find it?
I'd stand by where the train will enter the platform and watch for the symbol passing.

"Very poorly marked" is what I'd say for those trains with a small bike logo at knee height on recessed doors, like CrossCountry.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
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MikeF
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Re: Tube to Thameslink at London Bridge With a Loaded Bike

Post by MikeF »

mjr wrote: 6 Oct 2021, 12:07am
MikeF wrote: 5 Oct 2021, 7:32pm If you were many coaches away as the train came into the station how would you find it?
I'd stand by where the train will enter the platform and watch for the symbol passing.

"Very poorly marked" is what I'd say for those trains with a small bike logo at knee height on recessed doors, like CrossCountry.
It may not pass you as it depends how the train is arranged.
I compared it with other train companies in the area where the OP was travelling.
From what you say perhaps many different train companies need better indication of their make up of units, including Cross Country and Thameslink eg facilities for wheelchair users and First Class etc.
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mjr
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Re: Tube to Thameslink at London Bridge With a Loaded Bike

Post by mjr »

MikeF wrote: 6 Oct 2021, 8:27am From what you say perhaps many different train companies need better indication of their make up of units, including Cross Country and Thameslink eg facilities for wheelchair users and First Class etc.
I am hoping that Great British Rail will standardise on the old colour stripes of yellow for First Class and red for buffet plus Greater Anglia's additions of blue for wheelchair and green for bike space.
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Philip Benstead
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Re: Tube to Thameslink at London Blackfriars With a Loaded Bike

Post by Philip Benstead »

These maps may be of use while traveling across London with a bike on the public transport network.


https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/cycles ... -transport

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/cycles-on-pu ... nsport.pdf

https://tfl.gov.uk/maps/track/tube
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