Will I get on the train?

General cycling advice ( NOT technical ! )
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horizon
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Re: Will I get on the train?

Post by horizon »

Lazybird wrote: 12 Feb 2024, 9:01pm or am I being overly pessimistic?
Yes, you are.

AFAIK all the trains from Exeter to Plymouth are now IETs/Azumas (they're called IETs on GWR). There used to be truncated HSTs just doing the Exeter to Cornwall run but are being phased out (these are the ones which have the capacious bike compartment at the end of coach A). You can check online if your train is one of these as they won't have a First Class carriage. The trains that ply between Cardiff and Plymouth have also switched to IETs. Check where your train originates from but if Paddington it will be a regular IET. In the unlikely event you have booked a Cross-Country, this will be a Voyager and you have booked a bike space.

At the station, the electronic boarding signs will tell you where the bike spaces are - there may be one or two depending on whether the train is 5, 9 or 10 coaches long. You just find the correct zone (which is marked on the platform) to know where to wait. AFAIK, GWR have now sorted out their bike booking numbering and your booking might refer to a specific slot. But I really wouldn't worry about this unless there is an issue and it will in any case give you further support. There may well be luggage where your bike is supposed to go!

What I would say though is that getting your bike on the train is usually really OK. There are some holiday trains that can be over-full (you have a booking!) but mostly the bike spaces are empty. I travel with a folder but rarely fold it - I just put it unfolded into the bike space (no reservation) unless a cyclist needs it. Exeter can be busy and I would certainly recommend a reservation, which you have. The worst of it is a bit of pushing and shoving to get your bike onto the train, into the space and onto the hook. I don't take my luggage off until the bike is on the train. The whole thing is an appalling design but you should be fine.

It is very quick to get from Plymouth station to the ferry terminal but I am presuming you have left yourself plenty of time to allow for any train problem.
When the pestilence strikes from the East, go far and breathe the cold air deeply. Ignore the sage, stay not indoors. Ho Ri Zon 12th Century Chinese philosopher
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Traction_man
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Re: Will I get on the train?

Post by Traction_man »

horizon wrote: 13 Feb 2024, 11:25am
AFAIK, GWR have now sorted out their bike booking numbering and your booking might refer to a specific slot.
That sounds like a good system if it works!
SwiftyDoesIt
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Re: Will I get on the train?

Post by SwiftyDoesIt »

I've had a bike reservation on LNER and the cabinet had been left open so passengers dumped their prams (unfolded) and luggage in there thus there was no way I could get my bike in there. I had to spend best part of 2 hours standing up with bike on its back wheel in the gap at the door opposite the side that passengers were alighting. Wasn't impressed!

I'd say to absolutely make sure and ease your mind, speak to the train companies help line 4-5 days beforehand and make a specific request that the bike space you've reserved is clear on the train booked.
I'm sure that will suffice.
Don't sweat it on where on the train, just ask the platform staff when you get to the station and they can check where that's going to be for that specific train, I don't know about that line/train type but generally they'd need to unlock the bike locker, in which case the bike space will be free.

Enjoy the trip
rareposter
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Re: Will I get on the train?

Post by rareposter »

SwiftyDoesIt wrote: 13 Feb 2024, 11:59am I've had a bike reservation on LNER and the cabinet had been left open so passengers dumped their prams (unfolded) and luggage in there thus there was no way I could get my bike in there. I had to spend best part of 2 hours standing up with bike on its back wheel in the gap at the door opposite the side that passengers were alighting. Wasn't impressed!
I've had similar with LNER, it's very variable what you get on those trains.
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horizon
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Re: Will I get on the train?

Post by horizon »

SwiftyDoesIt wrote: 13 Feb 2024, 11:59am
but generally they'd need to unlock the bike locker,
They won't, it will be open, though there may be luggage in it.
When the pestilence strikes from the East, go far and breathe the cold air deeply. Ignore the sage, stay not indoors. Ho Ri Zon 12th Century Chinese philosopher
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mjr
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Re: Will I get on the train?

Post by mjr »

SwiftyDoesIt wrote: 13 Feb 2024, 11:59am I've had a bike reservation on LNER and the cabinet had been left open so passengers dumped their prams (unfolded) and luggage in there thus there was no way I could get my bike in there.
Anything to stop you throwing the luggage out while your bike leans in the corridor between the first stops? Or if you feel nice, asking in the adjacent carriage whether anyone would like to remove luggage from your booked cupboard before you do?

I'd ask people to vacate my booked seat, so I've no qualms asking people to vacate my booked cupboard. I'm aware this is another situation where being a tall Man In Black may be reducing the risk of arguments.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
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Lazybird
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Re: Will I get on the train?

Post by Lazybird »

I have a specific seat and bike reservation in coach B
Pebble
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Re: Will I get on the train?

Post by Pebble »

do some train operators get all arsey about bikes? I use scotsrail a bit and I don't think they are that bothered, I have been on busyish trains with the bike rack full and just stood at the door with the bike, the ticket bloke never seems remotely interested. what are they going to do anyway, pull the emergency cord and hoof you out onto the tracks.
Jdsk
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Re: Will I get on the train?

Post by Jdsk »

Pebble wrote: 13 Feb 2024, 2:14pm do some train operators get all arsey about bikes? I use scotsrail a bit and I don't think they are that bothered, I have been on busyish trains with the bike rack full and just stood at the door with the bike, the ticket bloke never seems remotely interested. what are they going to do anyway, pull the emergency cord and hoof you out onto the tracks.
We had difficulties with unbooked bikes on ScotRail last year, Inverness to Garve and back. It's described in the appropriate thread somewhere.

Jonathan
Pebble
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Re: Will I get on the train?

Post by Pebble »

Jdsk wrote: 13 Feb 2024, 2:27pm
Pebble wrote: 13 Feb 2024, 2:14pm do some train operators get all arsey about bikes? I use scotsrail a bit and I don't think they are that bothered, I have been on busyish trains with the bike rack full and just stood at the door with the bike, the ticket bloke never seems remotely interested. what are they going to do anyway, pull the emergency cord and hoof you out onto the tracks.
We had difficulties with unbooked bikes on ScotRail last year, Inverness to Garve and back. It's described in the appropriate thread somewhere.

Jonathan
think you were just unlucky to get a "Moderately unpleasant lecture" at the gate,
I got a Moderately unpleasant lecture for riding the bike along the platform at waverly, I tried to explain I was late for the train and didn't want to miss it - he then explained I was unlikely to miss it as he was driving it.
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Cowsham
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Re: Will I get on the train?

Post by Cowsham »

If I want to use the train to catch any of the morning ferries leaving Belfast I'd have to go the night before cos you're not allowed on the train before 9.30am --- what use is that for commuters trying to be 'green' ?
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rogerzilla
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Re: Will I get on the train?

Post by rogerzilla »

irc wrote: 12 Feb 2024, 11:07pm
Lazybird wrote: 12 Feb 2024, 9:01pm Have booked a bike space on the train Exeter to Plymouth on a Friday morning in early May to catch the ferry to Roscoff. Now I’m worried that the bike rack will be full of general luggage and I won’t get on despite having booked. Is this a realistic possibilty or am I being overly pessimistic?
Ask staff before the train arrives which carriage has the bike space. Get on the train. If the bike rack is blocked by luggage then block the aisle with your bike. The staff will soon get the luggage moved. If it was me my bike would be in the bike rack and the luggage moved out the way but if you don't want to do that the staff are there to sort out issues like this.
What staff? We usually stand from Swindon to Bristol because our bike spaces are full of luggage amd surfboards.

If you are getting on at the starting station, you might be able to get something done. At an intermediate station, no chance.

The other issue is that two normal bikes don't fit in the GWR "cupboard" anyway.
brianleach
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Re: Will I get on the train?

Post by brianleach »

do some train operators get all arsey about bikes?
From my experience down south yes. I have rarely had trouble on what was South West trains because the pressure on the bike spaces is not so bad. However Cross Country and GWR always have an issue with bikes and bike reservations it would seem. Sweeping generalisation I know.
SwiftyDoesIt
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Re: Will I get on the train?

Post by SwiftyDoesIt »

horizon wrote: 13 Feb 2024, 12:54pm
SwiftyDoesIt wrote: 13 Feb 2024, 11:59am
but generally they'd need to unlock the bike locker,
They won't, it will be open, though there may be luggage in it.
IME the train staff unlock the bike locker, that might not occur all the time as I alluded to with the one incident.
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Philip Benstead
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Re: Will I get on the train?

Post by Philip Benstead »

Lazybird wrote: 12 Feb 2024, 9:01pm Have booked a bike space on the train Exeter to Plymouth on a Friday morning in early May to catch the ferry to Roscoff. Now I’m worried that the bike rack will be full of general luggage and I won’t get on despite having booked. Is this a realistic possibilty or am I being overly pessimistic?
I ONLY 45 MILES, I used to ride it in 3 hours when I was a student at Plymouth Poly.
Philip Benstead | Life Member Former CTC Councillor/Trustee
Organizing events and representing cyclists' in southeast since 1988
Bikeability Instructor/Mechanic
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