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Issues with folding bicycles on European trains?
I wrote 3 May 2003 http://groups.google.com.au/groups?threadm=cf94a0b1.0305031653.3fe83456%40post ing.google.com:
My doctor prescribed a bicycle ... ended up with a Dahon "Boardwalk 6", 6 speed 20" folding bicycle, which has proved far more useful than expected. ... Was going to take the folding bicycle to the UK on Tuesday by aircraft then Cambridge, Brussels, Berlin and Hamburg by train. Any issues or suggestions? If I put the bicycle in a carry bag I assume it can be taken as normal luggage, as I did to Brisbane http://www.tomw.net.au/2003/bb/brisbane.html. Bringing a similar folding bicycle back from China, as it was not covered and had to be separately checked in (where golf clubs are handled) http://www.tomw.net.au/2003/bws/. The intention is not to go on long cycling tours, just short day trips around the city centre, with luggage left at a hotel. But here is still the problem of transporting the bicycle and luggage to and from planes and trains. Putting the bicycle bag on top of a small wheeled cabin bag (with luggage in it) when walking to the airport seems to work. For longer distances, strapping the bag to the top of the bicycle carrier and riding the bicycle seems to be workable. Because the bike has small wheels the load is low down, about the level panniers would be on a conventional bicycle. Towing the wheeled bag behind the bike carrier (with the bag handle extended as a tow bar), seems to work. But the bag wheels are too small and noisy for road use. Will do a report on how it works out. Previous trip reports at http://www.tomw.net.au/travel/Tourist.htm. ps: I realize that specially designed hard cases are available to put bicycles in, but I really can't see the point. A folded bicycle is stronger than the case, so why have the case? The padded bag I have is really more to protect everyone else's luggage from the bicycle. Also with the soft case you can hide the bicycle if they are not allowed or uncover it if there is a concession for bicycles. Tom Worthington FACS Director, Tomw Communications Pty Ltd ABN: 17 088 714 309 http://www.tomw.net.au PO Box 13, Belconnen ACT 2617 Visiting Fellow, Computer Science, Australian National University Publications Director, Australian Computer Society |
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Issues with folding bicycles on European trains?
You can hire a bike in any of the cities you mention.
Tom Worthington wrote in message om... I wrote 3 May 2003 http://groups.google.com.au/groups?t...3.3fe83456%40p osting.google.com: My doctor prescribed a bicycle ... ended up with a Dahon "Boardwalk 6", 6 speed 20" folding bicycle, which has proved far more useful than expected. ... Was going to take the folding bicycle to the UK on Tuesday by aircraft then Cambridge, Brussels, Berlin and Hamburg by train. Any issues or suggestions? If I put the bicycle in a carry bag I assume it can be taken as normal luggage, as I did to Brisbane http://www.tomw.net.au/2003/bb/brisbane.html. Bringing a similar folding bicycle back from China, as it was not covered and had to be separately checked in (where golf clubs are handled) http://www.tomw.net.au/2003/bws/. The intention is not to go on long cycling tours, just short day trips around the city centre, with luggage left at a hotel. But here is still the problem of transporting the bicycle and luggage to and from planes and trains. Putting the bicycle bag on top of a small wheeled cabin bag (with luggage in it) when walking to the airport seems to work. For longer distances, strapping the bag to the top of the bicycle carrier and riding the bicycle seems to be workable. Because the bike has small wheels the load is low down, about the level panniers would be on a conventional bicycle. Towing the wheeled bag behind the bike carrier (with the bag handle extended as a tow bar), seems to work. But the bag wheels are too small and noisy for road use. Will do a report on how it works out. Previous trip reports at http://www.tomw.net.au/travel/Tourist.htm. ps: I realize that specially designed hard cases are available to put bicycles in, but I really can't see the point. A folded bicycle is stronger than the case, so why have the case? The padded bag I have is really more to protect everyone else's luggage from the bicycle. Also with the soft case you can hide the bicycle if they are not allowed or uncover it if there is a concession for bicycles. Tom Worthington FACS Director, Tomw Communications Pty Ltd ABN: 17 088 714 309 http://www.tomw.net.au PO Box 13, Belconnen ACT 2617 Visiting Fellow, Computer Science, Australian National University Publications Director, Australian Computer Society |
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Issues with folding bicycles on European trains?
"Tom Worthington" wrote
| Was going to take the folding bicycle to the UK on Tuesday by | aircraft then Cambridge, Brussels, Berlin and Hamburg by | train. Any issues or suggestions? I don't know about Cambridge area trains specifically, but many British trains have compartments specifically for (full-size) cycles, with restraint straps and padlock points. Spaces are limited, requirements for reservations and paying a fee will vary between train operating companies. You might find the following useful: http://www.ctc.org.uk/working/CycleTrain.aspx (UK National cyclists' association) http://www.atob.org.uk/Bike_Rail.html http://www.pushbikes.freeserve.co.uk...uring/TOCs.htm http://www.colc.co.uk/about/transport.html#ECycle (Cambridge local site) Owain |
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Issues with folding bicycles on European trains?
Tom Worthington wrote:
Was going to take the folding bicycle to the UK on Tuesday by aircraft then Cambridge, Brussels, Berlin and Hamburg by train. Any issues or suggestions? Definitely the most flexible option to take the folding bicycles. I can't think of any form of public transport off-hand that would prohibit you from taking them. Are there? Even our local ******* tram service allows folding bicycles, where regular bikes are a no-no. David -- David Horne- www.davidhorne.net usenet (at) davidhorne (dot) co (dot) uk |
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Issues with folding bicycles on European trains?
| Was going to take the folding bicycle to the UK on Tuesday by
| aircraft then Cambridge, Brussels, Berlin and Hamburg by | train. Any issues or suggestions? I don't know about Cambridge area trains specifically, but many British trains have compartments specifically for (full-size) cycles, with restraint straps and padlock points. Spaces are limited, requirements for reservations and paying a fee will vary between train operating companies. IIRC the WAGN trains from Kings X to Cambridge don't have a big enough guards compartment. I do however see quite a few people boarding with bikes outside of peak hours. However a folding bike will be no problem. |
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Issues with folding bicycles on European trains?
Peter File wrote:
IIRC the WAGN trains from Kings X to Cambridge don't have a big enough guards compartment. I do however see quite a few people boarding with bikes outside of peak hours. However a folding bike will be no problem. WAGN don't have a guards compartment at all. There are restrictions on non-folding bikes into Cambridge and into London at certain peak times on WAGN. These times a - Monday to Friday on services south of Stevenage (Kings Cross/Moorgate routes) and Broxbourne (Liverpool Street Routes) that terminate in London between 07.00 and 09.29 or depart from London between 16.00 and 18.59. - Monday to Friday on services between Audley End and Cambridge that depart from or arrive at Cambridge between 07.45 and 08.45 If you are flying to Brussels they do not allow non-folding bikes on the Stansted Express unless they are packed flat for air travel. Best put a black binbag over your folding bike as they can be iffy about them even if there is no restriction. Tony |
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Issues with folding bicycles on European trains?
Tom Worthington wrote:
Was going to take the folding bicycle to the UK on Tuesday by aircraft then Cambridge, Brussels, Berlin and Hamburg by train. Any issues or suggestions? Folding bicycles may be transported on almost all UK trains (including the ones you will be using) and the London Underground without trouble. -- David Damerell Kill the tomato! |
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Issues with folding bicycles on European trains?
Tom Worthington wrote:
Was going to take the folding bicycle to the UK on Tuesday by aircraft then Cambridge, Brussels, Berlin and Hamburg by train. Any issues or suggestions? Taking a full size bike on a UK train involves negotiating a Kafkaesque series of rules which vary from train company to train company, depending on their type of rolling stock and their overcrowding problem (despite the trains being rubbish, they're busier than ever!) Some operators will not take bikes at all on some services, some require pre-booking and with others you just turn up. Folding bikes like Bromptons are always OK - I don't know how big your bike is but if it's similar then you should have no problems. |
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Issues with folding bicycles on European trains?
"Tom Worthington" wrote Was going to take the folding bicycle to the UK on Tuesday by aircraft then Cambridge, Brussels, Berlin and Hamburg by train. Any issues or suggestions? www.nationalrail.co.uk will get you links to all the UK rail companies, each of which has its own policies about bicycles (Why does a country the size of the UK need 30 odd rail companies?). Most rail companies seem to treat a folding bike in a case the way they would treat any comparably sized suitcase, it's the fully assembled, full sized bicycles that become troublesome. My own (very limited) experience taking a fully loaded tourer on trains in the UK was not bad, other regulars on this NG seem to have a limitless supply of horror stories. -- mark |
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Issues with folding bicycles on European trains?
www.nationalrail.co.uk will get you links to all the UK rail companies,
each of which has its own policies about bicycles (Why does a country the size of the UK need 30 odd rail companies?). Most rail companies seem to treat a folding bike in a case the way they would treat any comparably sized suitcase, it's the fully assembled, full sized bicycles that become troublesome. My own (very limited) experience taking a fully loaded tourer on trains in the UK was not bad, other regulars on this NG seem to have a limitless supply of horror stories. I've had OK experiences with just turning up. The major problem is crossing London. It takes some nerve to cycle across London if your not used to London drivers. |
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