Bike on LNER

[iandusud]

We are travelling for the first time with our tandem, split in two, on LNER tomorrow. Can someone who has used these trains tell us if it is necessary to remove panniers when loading and storing the bikes. Many thanks

[gbnz]

Yes, it will be necessary to remove the panniers. The Azuma trains have a narrow cupboard, wide enough for a childs' bike or an adults, if it's got narrow handlebars. I've routinely found the best way to travel on the Azuma trains, is to leave the bike in the corridor and stand near by (Nb. The seats on these trains are so thin, cheap and uncomfortable, standing up for the journey isn't much worse)

[Jdsk]

LNER on bikes, with a note on tandems:
https://www.lner.co.uk/the-east-coast-e ... th-cycles/

There's a photo of the space on Azumas somewhere in the archives.

Jonathan

[iandusud]

Yes, it will be necessary to remove the panniers. The Azuma trains have a narrow cupboard, wide enough for a childs' bike or an adults, if it's got narrow handlebars. I've routinely found the best way to travel on the Azuma trains, is to leave the bike in the corridor and stand near by (Nb. The seats on these trains are so thin, cheap and uncomfortable, standing up for the journey isn't much worse)

Thanks for the info. I don't fancy standing all the way from Harrogate to London!
Out of interest is it possible to get the bike on the train first and then remove panniers?

[iandusud]

LNER on bikes, with a note on tandems:
https://www.lner.co.uk/the-east-coast-e ... th-cycles/

There's a photo of the space on Azumas somewhere in the archives.

Jonathan

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks. I've already read that. Re tandems they say that then can be carried with the wheels off but I don't fancy that at all when it's loaded up with camping gear. Much easier to split it in two and have smaller, lighter bits to deal with.

[Jdsk]

Thanks.

So wheels left on and both parts stored in the bike space?

Next step is to identify the train type. What's the journey?

Jonathan

[iandusud]

Thanks.

So wheels left on and both parts stored in the bike space?

Next step is to identify the train type. What's the journey?

Jonathan

Hi Jonathan, I booked the seats and 2 bike spaces a couple of weeks ago. Harrogate to London direct service.

[Jdsk]

The bike space on Azumas:

Jonathan

[iandusud]

The bike space on Azumas:


Screenshot 2022-07-28 at 08.20.38.png


Jonathan

Thanks. Yes, looking at the seating plan for an Azuma it would appear that we have one of those "cupboards" booked for our "two bikes". Hopefully they'll go without too much difficultly, although I'll definitely need to remove at least the front panniers and maybe turn the stoker bars through 90 degrees.

[Pendodave]

I've routinely found the best way to travel on the Azuma trains, is to leave the bike in the corridor and stand near by

This is not good advice.
The corridor is an escape route in the case of an emergency. There's every chance you could be asked to remove your bike from the train. Possibly at a station that doesn't particularly suit.

As for pannier removal. The trains aren't particularly roomy. My recommendation would be to get to the station in plenty of time and explain to the platform staff what you are planning to do. They won't go without you, and it'll make their life easier too.

[pal]

The bike space on Azumas:


Screenshot 2022-07-28 at 08.20.38.png


Jonathan

LNER have now configured their bike spaces slightly differently: the foldable luggage racks have been removed, as well as that black bar in the middle of the cupboard; and (in some Azumas, but not yet all) there's a channel under each hook (to help with lifting bike onto the hooks -- though probably that won't in fact be much help with half a tandem!). Generally, though, there's a bit less clutter in the storage space, which makes things very slightly easier.

I'd second the advice to remove all (except the smallest) luggage; I'd also second the advice to ask the platform staff for help: I haven't been through Harrogate with a bike for a while, but I've had excellent experiences with LNER staff at other stations: they are generally extremely willing to help.

(Edited to add: it wouldn't be impossible to take the bags off once you're on the train -- and in fact that's what I usually do if I just have a couple of small panniers; but there isn't a huge amount of room to manoeuvre in the bike area, so it might be better to at least start the removal process on the platform, esp. if the platform staff can help with loading bags.)

[Jdsk]

LNER have now configured their bike spaces slightly differently: the foldable luggage racks have been removed, as well as that black bar in the middle of the cupboard; and (in some Azumas, but not yet all) there's a channel under each hook (to help with lifting bike onto the hooks -- though probably that won't in fact be much help with half a tandem!). Generally, though, there's a bit less clutter in the storage space, which makes things very slightly easier.

Thanks. That's good to hear.

Photos, anyone?

Jonathan

[pal]

There are some in this thread: viewtopic.php?p=1692291#p1692291

[Jdsk]

Thanks

(I looked for those but couldn't find them.)

Jonathan

[iandusud]

Thanks again for the helpful replies. I'll get to the station in good time hopefully (I've got a busy last day at work!) and talk to the platform staff. My thought was that it might be easier to get the two halves of the tandem on board with the luggage attached, and then remove the luggage once on board, to avoid having to do multiple trips onto the train. However I'll take advice from the platform staff.