Bikes on the Transpennie Express at rush hour

[Bodhbh]

I need to get to an interview near Warrington next week and - as there's shower and changing facilities at the site - I'm looking to take a bike on the train to get there. The service is the Transpennie Express between Leeds and Warrington Central, and I'll be taking either the 8:09 or 9:09 from Leeds. Obviously this'll be rush hour and apart from Leeds will pass thru Manchester.

I've read all the bumph on the TPE website about taking bikes - but iit realistic, or will the train be rammed and I risk not getting on? Anyone use that route? I do have the option of a folder if needed.

Normally, I go with the flow with bikes on trains, but obviously this is an interview so....

 

[ColinJ]

Not the same route, but ... The only transpennine train that I couldn't get on with my bike was a train leaving from Leeds in the evening rush hour. The train was so packed that there was no chance of getting on. The next one was ok though, about 20 minutes later.

I think the 08:09 would be crammed full, but the 09:09 should be a lot better. Off-peak fares do not come in until 09:30, so there can be a lot of people waiting to avoid the rush hour and peak fares, but you would be boarding the 09:09 before then.

The other problem could be the inability to reserve bike places. The other transpennine route is the one I use. All the trains round here have limited bike storage and it is first-come, first-served. Having said that, I have always been allowed on to non-rush hour trains and have either stood with my bike, or bungee-corded it to something and kept an eye on it.

The safest bet might be the folding bike though!

 

[Bodhbh]

kk Cheers Colin. I can use the folder if need be, but it's an old Stowaway so the fold is not particularly small and it's not really set up for carrying much luggage wise. Good call about the times.

 

[PaulSB]

I commuted for a year on the Transpennine route from Chorley to Manchester and only failed to get my chosen train once. It was literally rammed and to attempt to get a bike on would have been very anti-social.

Trains frequently carried more than the regulation two cycles without any problem.

 

[Pale Rider]

The time of year may help, peak cycling season is all but over so your pitch is less likely to be queered by leisure cyclists.

Those in the know wait with the bike at the point on the platform where they estimate (know) the bike carriage part of the train will stop, thereby ensuring first place in the queue.

Doubt you will need to do that, but it might be worth turning up in good time and keeping your eyes open for any other cyclists, if there are any.

 

[the_mikey]

Brompton.

 

[classic33]

Tends to be fuller going into Leeds at that time in the morning, rather than coming out.

 

[Bodhbh]

Brompton.

I'll prolly treat myself to one if I get the job !

Cheers all, I'll take the folder to be safe and stick my gear in a pack.

 

[snorri]

An interview alone is enough stress for one day, why add the extra worry regarding getting your bike on the train? Find a less stressful alternative, and don't tell the CycleChat hard liners how you got there.

 

[Bodhbh]

An interview alone is enough stress for one day, why add the extra worry regarding getting your bike on the train? Find a less stressful alternative, and don't tell the CycleChat hard liners how you got there.

The site is 4-5miles from Warrington - I figured riding to the site and having a shower would be the best way of destressing and getting in a good frame of mind prior to the interview (and destressing afterwards). I suppose a taxi wouldn't push the boat out tho.

 

[snorri]

I failed to add...Good Luck with the interview regardless of your travel arrangements

 

[Bodhbh]

I failed to add...Good Luck with the interview regardless of your travel arrangements

Cheer! I'll probably let the weather decide - don't really want to turn up with a bag full of wet clothes!

 

[Bodhbh]

Oh, intervierw went well (I think). Took the 9:09 from leeds, it wasn't too busy. I used the folder, but it wasn't really nneeded (apart from letting me grab a coffee in warrington without fretting about it getting nicked). I did get a comment about it getting in the way from the guard, but fair enuff - the fold isn't that small oon a stowaway. Cheers all for help.