Bike on LNER
Bike on LNER
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
Re: Bike on LNER
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)
Re: Bike on LNER
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
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
Re: Bike on LNER
Thanks for the info. I don't fancy standing all the way from Harrogate to London!gbnz wrote: ↑28 Jul 2022, 7:51am 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)
Out of interest is it possible to get the bike on the train first and then remove panniers?
Re: Bike on LNER
Hi Jonathan,Jdsk wrote: ↑28 Jul 2022, 7:59am 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
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.
Re: Bike on LNER
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
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
Re: Bike on LNER
The bike space on Azumas:
Jonathan
Jonathan
Re: Bike on LNER
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.
Re: Bike on LNER
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.
Re: Bike on LNER
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.)
Last edited by pal on 28 Jul 2022, 9:22am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Bike on LNER
Thanks. That's good to hear.pal wrote: ↑28 Jul 2022, 9:16amLNER 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.
Photos, anyone?
Jonathan
Re: Bike on LNER
There are some in this thread: viewtopic.php?p=1692291#p1692291
Re: Bike on LNER
Thanks
(I looked for those but couldn't find them.)
Jonathan
(I looked for those but couldn't find them.)
Jonathan
Re: Bike on LNER
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.