I have to put my Dahon Jack on the rush hour Gatwick Express service which is an old South West train with extra luggage racks eg it's not the new and modern plenty of room service that runs the rest of the day. It's the train with only one entry door to the carriages eg not easy access with a bike and panniers plus a large step up to it. The bike carriage is locked and only used by the conductor. It's proving difficult to find a space for the bike. There's a small area by the disabled loo but there's nowhere to fasten the folded bike securely and it bangs around here quite a bit. Also a sign here saying "no bikes" and plenty of on board announcements about leaving luggage (or bikes!) in aisle etc. A drinks trolley comes through too so there has to be enough room for that. I've now taken to folding up one of the 4 flip chairs (wheelchair space, would move of course if need be but not sure where
) but several passengers are getting upset about the loss of the seat - can understand that. But what can I do? There is nowhere specific to put a bulky folded Dahon.
I met a really nasty man this morning who went into a complete rant about bikes on trains, seats and having to sit "near" the bike as if he was allergic to it.
Mr Nasty won't even show his season ticket to the conductor he just grunts and points to where he has propped it up by the table as if the conductor is going to look around his person trying to see where the ticket is? Why he can't hold it up for inspection like everybody else, who knows? Ignorant man.
Want to avoid Mr Nasty in future and will look at other carriages and check out the racks but I know some are too small for the bike, the larger ones are not in all the carriages and not surprisingly have suitcases on them!
The Brompton was so much easier on the trains but the Dahon is much better on the road
Does anybody else put a Dahon Jack or similar sized bike on an old South West train service with a locked bike area? If so where?
) but several passengers are getting upset about the loss of the seat - can understand that. But what can I do? There is nowhere specific to put a bulky folded Dahon. I met a really nasty man this morning who went into a complete rant about bikes on trains, seats and having to sit "near" the bike as if he was allergic to it.
Mr Nasty won't even show his season ticket to the conductor he just grunts and points to where he has propped it up by the table as if the conductor is going to look around his person trying to see where the ticket is? Why he can't hold it up for inspection like everybody else, who knows? Ignorant man.
Want to avoid Mr Nasty in future and will look at other carriages and check out the racks but I know some are too small for the bike, the larger ones are not in all the carriages and not surprisingly have suitcases on them!
The Brompton was so much easier on the trains but the Dahon is much better on the road
Does anybody else put a Dahon Jack or similar sized bike on an old South West train service with a locked bike area? If so where?
