mjr wrote:Book journeys online through London-South Wales operator http://www.GWR.com because they reserve bikes online.
I have tried this. But this site refuse to make a reservation for theGreater Anglia part of the journey
[/quote="mjr"]
Every train from Norwich to London Liverpool St is an intercity service, but those don't visit Harwich - you change at Manningtree onto those. There are also a few direct Harwich-London services leaving after the ferry arrives and not requiring reservations.
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On the one hand Greater Anglia told me:
„ If you travel on a direct train service from Harwich International to London Liverpool Street, this service would be non reservable so no cycle reservation would be need. „
On the other hand:
<https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/travel-information/your-journey/cycling/bikes-on-trains> gives the information:
„Restrictions of non-folding bikes on peak services
For the comfort and safety of all passengers, only folded cycles can be accommodated during busy times. This applies to the following Stratford and London Liverpool Street station services.
These restrictions apply Monday to Friday, except Bank Holidays:
AM – any trains arriving at Stratford or London Liverpool Street between 07:45 and 09:45*
PM – any trains departing from Stratford or London Liverpool Street between 16:30 and 18:30*!“
JohnW wrote:I really hope you enjoy your tour here - please let us know your experiences.
I have cycled 2006/2007 the Northseacycle Route from Harwich up to the Orkneys. The car drivers were okay. I remember I was a kind of sensation for the people.
2014 I cycled from Harwich along the southcoast to Cornwall, than to Bath, Reading. Than I drive round the northern part of Greater London back to Harwich. It was a hot summer during the holiday. I had three weeks no rain. But it was horrible. Way back to Germany I felt more comfortable in the city of Rotterdam than in the English country side.
2017 I cycled again in Scotland. Car drivers were ruder than 2006/7. For example passingplaces. 2006/7 mainly all car drivers give me the time to reach the passing place or the waited for me using the passing place and give way. 2017 the most car drivers did not wait, to enable a safe passing for both parties. They passed me in the narrow part of the street.
On the one hand it seems to me the farther away from London, the better the car drivers behave. On the other hand in spite cycling is getting more popular, the car driver treat the cyclist more badly. In Germany it is the other way round.
2006/7 there were no SUVs in Britain. 2014 I met them all one single track minor roads. They are to quick and need to much space, so passing is always a little bit stressful. Do I damage the car or damage the car me?
But in 2006 the Times claimed cyclist have to cycle left so near to the kerb as possible. 2017 the TImes claimed the same rules like in Germany. Cyclist need a space from 1meter to the kerb. And car drivers have to pass the cyclist with a saftey distance of 1,5meters.
In Germany I made many rides avoiding intentionally the cycle network and I am safe. In the UK I would recommend using the cycle network. It is safer. But some things seems to me to be crazy and dangerous using the NCN. The very narrow pathes along the channels. (Bath Reading) Or the gates on NCN-routes, where it is necessary someone lift the bike over the gate, because the gate should hinder motorcyclist to use the NCN-route.
But from a German point of view, it looks like you have not enough space on your streets. My impression is, the British have always one lane less than they need.