Buy a bike and cycle it home?

[frazzled]

Haven't travelled by rail much over the last couple of decades so dunno if prices are still nonsensical, but...

After completing trade training in the RAF, back in '92, I was posted from Somerset to Bedfordshire. Went to book a single and the kindly ticket office chap told me a day return was cheaper.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

I have cycled home on the last two bikes I bought, though it was only 6 miles so much shorter than what the OP would be planning.

The first one had a dropper post so I was able to get the saddle height right quite easily before setting it absolutely right when I got home.The second took a bit more time to set right for me but required no more than the multi tool, I’d taken with me, to sort it out.

 

[united4ever]

Had a friend who did the reverse. Cycled from Manchester to Sheffield to pick up a new car. Put bike in boot and drive home. They were a bit surprised at the dealership when this sweaty guy in Lycra explained he has come for the car.

 

[steveindenmark]

I flew from Denmark to Beverley in Yorkshire to buy a Moto Guzzi Motorbike with Jannie. We then rode it to Mandello on Lake Como where it was made and back to Denmark.

That was fun

 

[chris667]

I bought a GT Karakoram in "Tequila sunrise" in Hunstanton, and rode it home to Henley-on-Thames, where I lived at the time. A great adventure, partly because the seller gave me a duff middle ring.

I had a really nice day in Cambridge after sorting the ring, then came home after a week. Never booked campsites or had a map or anything - just rode around.

Lovely little adventure. Mechanical failures added to the fun. Really!

 

[Glow worm]

If you have the time why not extend the 50 miles and turn it into a mini tour. I collected my new Spa from Harrogate last year (got the train there) and rode it back to Newmarket over 3 days or so and it was a great ride.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I'm interested in buying an older bike from a recycling project and then cycling it 50 miles home.

I could just jump in a car, drive 100 miles and be done, but where's the fun in that?

I'm thinking of taking the usual tools, inner tubes, patches and credit card.

Anyone done this? Anything else I should consider? Take a chain?

Make sure you have identified any railway bailout options and, if any exist, checked the timetable

 

[cougie uk]

I bought a GT Karakoram in "Tequila sunrise" in Hunstanton, and rode it home to Henley-on-Thames, where I lived at the time. A great adventure, partly because the seller gave me a duff middle ring.

I had a really nice day in Cambridge after sorting the ring, then came home after a week. Never booked campsites or had a map or anything - just rode around.

Lovely little adventure. Mechanical failures added to the fun. Really!

Strangely I bought a GT tequesta from near Henley.
Then had to arrange a family trip down to Legoland so I could pick it up.

 

[BoldonLad]

Make sure you have identified any railway bailout options and, if any exist, checked the timetable

and the strike calendar!