Cycling UK Forum

Hi there, looking to take my bike on train from chester to Holyhead beginning of August, transport for Wales saying essential journeys only. Anyone reckon it'll be okay to get on with bike or not?

Not sure what the position is in Wales, but BoJo waffled on about public transport being available for all in his press conference the other day. May be worth checking the Welsh regs - should be available on-line - to see of they provide any more clarity.

If you choose a virgin (sorry, avanti) service, you don't get the warning message, so you can book with a clear conscience....
You'll be best making a reservation, as the voyagers have quite limited bike space. I'm not sure that you can do this by phone at the moment, but you should be able to book it when you book your ticket on the avanti website . Alternatively, any manned ticket office should be able to sort you out, providing they know what they're doing.
There's still not many people travelling on the trains at the moment, so you'll be able to stretch out in style...

It depends whether or not your journey is essential.

https://gov.wales/travelling-safely-coronavirus-guidance-public

Just a quick update on this.
I've travelled with a bike on Welsh services over the last couple of days (Crewe to craven arms and back). There was no issue at any point, or any vetting on the essential nature of the journey.
The main problem (as with so many of uk services) is that it wasn't possible to book bike spaces, and there are only a couple in each train. Given the infrequent services on many lines in Wales, this leads to worrying times as your conection runs in...
For this reason, I would recommend using one of the avanti services which you can pre book the space.
Disclosure, I work for them, but in this instance I am putting myself in the position of the general public!

Crewe - Craven Arms is all in England

Pendodave wrote:I've travelled with a bike on Welsh services over the last couple of days (Crewe to craven arms and back).

Cyril Haearn wrote:Crewe - Craven Arms is all in England

And the operator is... ?

Jonathan

Cyril Haearn wrote:Crewe - Craven Arms is all in England

Lol. It's a fair cop. Maybe they'd have kicked me off at abergavenny???

Transport for Wales train from Chester to Holyhead will be fine. There is space for 2 bikes and you don't need to book. You will unlikely be asked whether your journey is essential. The only issue is whether the train is full. Weekdays, I've never had a problem. One time on a Saturday, had to wait for the following train as other cyclists were there before me.

good luck!

Generally taking bikes on trains in Wales is fine. My only bad experience was when I was staying in Newport Pembrokeshire and decided to ride over the Preseli Hills to Carmarthen with the idea of getting a train back to Fishguard for a short ride back to Newport.

Arrived in Carmarthen early, had a couple of pints, then meal and some red wine in Pizza Express and staggered around to the station only to find the train was cancelled and they wouldn't let me on the replacement bus.

Soon sobered up on the 50 mile ride back to Newport.

Just shows the state of the rail network when somebody who works for a train company travels between two places in England and claims to have used the Welsh network!!!

Not quite Phil
The trains might be operated by a Welsh company
And whatabout the Caergybi - Caerdydd service? It goes via England, then back into Wales

philvantwo wrote:Just shows the state of the rail network when somebody who works for a train company travels between two places in England and claims to have used the Welsh network!!!

This is by some distance the least indicative measure of the state of our rail network that I've come across...

Thanks very much for all your help y'all!