Cycling UK Forum

Considering a trip with an overnight stay in Bristol YHA. Has anybody used the cycle store and can comment on its suitability?

I've used it. It's indoors, in the basement, locked and with rails to lock your bike to. I still felt funny about it though - maybe I just like to keep my bike in sight. Access to it though is a bit of a hassle if I remember rightly.

I have just come back from a hostelling tour and I was quite irritated by the wardens wanting to have my bike locked in the store from the moment I arrived until I left.
I would like time after my first cup of tea to inspect/clean/maintain/repair and lubricate the bike as required.

I have many irritations re bike stores at YHAs, not least is the fact that you have to cajole the wardens to let you have the bike key overnight if you want a getaway before they open up.

Some mornings I've wanted to be away by 6.

Dunno about Bristol, sorry.
I know Street and Welsh Bicknor very well.

Thanks for the replies. The original trip got cancelled due to a multitude of factors but may be back on in a couple of months.

On the subject of Bristol YHA, what is access to the basement like? Is it a case of carrying a cycle down/upstairs? Are the corridoors narrow? Is it a tiny store cupboard or a larger room? The reason I ask is I will be travelling on the trike and, despite some dismantling, it can still be a 'little' unweildy!

Thanks.

Never been to the YHA in Bristol but I do live there....

I am sure your bike will be completely fine there!

If you are really that uptight about it then there is probably the biggest bike shop in bristol literally around the corner - Mudock

They offer storage for commuters bikes with showers etc along with a cafe, I am sure they will also have general overnight bike storage

you can carry your bike down to the store - and ours were perfectly safe.

But............The beds were ghastly and the place smelt of stale sweat. I'd rather sleep on a park bench than go back there.

Hostels, great idea, been using them best part of 40 years, never had a good night's sleep in one. What Simon said plus snorers, people in the middle of apocalyptic nightmares, disgruntled wardens, rising damp, Olympic standard pedantry (better of late than yore), rising prices and a broken chain of distance.

I arrived at one south coast hostel to find local youths casing the shed I was about to leave my precious in. I found a B&B instead.

Re: Mr Batts reply. Its not a matter of being 'uptight'. If you read the posts (which obviously you didn't!) you will see that I ride a recumbent trike. Narrow corridoors and doorways are not easily negotiated with this. I posted this thread to see whether it would be secure (inside, so yes) and whether I could get the trike in without taking lumps out of me and the hostel. I would remind you to be a little more 'polite' with you replies in future. You could make yourself very unpopular on here.

So back to the question in hand, what is access to the basement like? Narrow and a bit tricky or wide staircase and doors? Thanks.

Okay, well it would be best to give them a call and explain this - explain that it is longer and wider than a normal bike. If not, try giving mudock a call

A constructive reply. Yes, that is an option but its also valuable to see other people's views who have used this facility. The viewpoint of providing a facility can often be very different from the user's viewpoint (as I was reminded cycling on the Isle of Wight two weeks ago for the weekend). Posts on here also have the benefit of forming a knowledge base which all members can benefit from.

I have stayed at Bristol* and recall that the cycle store entrance is at the rear and that it would be possible to get a trike into there.
I can't see there would be a problem, but phone first.

*not my favourite hostel.