Considering taking bike on train to London

[RhythMick]

I'm in London (again, sigh) from Monday evening next week until Thursday afternoon. Hectic work schedule as usual and I'm getting a bit fed up of not being able to ride during the week.

I'm considering cycling to the train station Monday after tea, taking the bike on the Wakefield to London train, cycling over to Canary Wharf and having the bike there with me to get a couple of rides in after work.

Does anyone have experience of taking the bike on the East Coast line to London? Do I need to book cycle carriage? The journey there should be fairly quiet I think but the return on Thursday late afternoon might be an issue.

The route from Kings Cross to Canary Wharf is about 7 miles with lots of marked cycle routes on the map. My better half will be worried sick with the reputation London has. What is it really like cycling in London ? Safe if you don't take any daft risks, watch for left turners at junctns etc.?

And finally, is it worth it? Are there any good rides out from Canary Wharf, around 20 to 30 miles. There's a route marked on the Open Cycle Map which goes under the river to Greenwich then along the south bank route 56/1 for at least 15 miles. Nice route ?. Sunset will be around 19:20 so I reckon I might get an hours ride in. Wondering if it's worth the bother, though I could get an early ride in too around 6:30 sunrise

Comments welcome.

 

[vernon]

Use the Eastcoast web site to get your ticket and cyclespace booked.

Red spotted hanky seems to use the same search engine and can offer better prices for some trains.

You do need to book the cycle space to guarantee getting on the train.

I have not found cycling in London, fully laden with camping gear, from Kings Cross to Waterloo in mid afternoon traffic to be a worrying experience having done it a couple of times.

I can not comment on your proposed rides as don't live there and do most of my cycling around West and North Yorkshire.

 

[sheddy]

Sorry not answering your questions, but have you considered just taking a Boris Bike whenever you need one ?

 

[Chris H]

I did the Boris Bike thing last week it was great spent a couple of evenings after work doing my own sight seeing tour well worth it

 

[Brains]

The route from Kings Cross to Canary Wharf is about 7 miles with lots of marked cycle routes on the map. My better half will be worried sick with the reputation London has. What is it really like cycling in London ? Safe if you don't take any daft risks, watch for left turners at junctns etc.?

And finally, is it worth it? Are there any good rides out from Canary Wharf, around 20 to 30 miles. There's a route marked on the Open Cycle Map which goes under the river to Greenwich then along the south bank route 56/1 for at least 15 miles. Nice route ?. Sunset will be around 19:20 so I reckon I might get an hours ride in. Wondering if it's worth the bother, though I could get an early ride in too around 6:30 sunrise

Comments welcome.

I'd class cycling in London as safer than cycling on many open roads, sure is crowded, but the motor traffic is slow and they are used to cyclists. Yes you have to watch where you are going and assume that by default that every other road user is a vindictive, blind and drunk idiot who has yet to take their driving test.
My better would be worried sick about me cycling in Barnsley.

The route via the Greenwich foot tunnel is worth doing, but I'd guess you would not be exceeding more than 10mph along the river, it's an interesting route, but not fast, dog walkers have priority.
You could ride through Blackheath and take in the sights of Greenwich and find many a place for world class curry and a number of ye olde oake beame pubs, and get the photo of you on the Meridian line or in front of the Cutty Sark, but inner London is not the place for a September mid week evening blast out to Kent and back.

 

[RhythMick]

Yeah my better worries about ME cycling in Barnsley too, lol

Thanks all. Think I'll have a go at the Boris Bike thing.

 

[Brains]

Boris bikes have not made it to Greenwich yet

 

[srw]

Cycling in central London is safe - over what must now be approaching 3000 hours of rush-hour commuting I've seen the aftermath of precisely one accident involving an injury to a cyclist.

I'd second the advice to hire Boris bikes - or, alternatively, take a Brompton*. Cycling is a great way to see London and get to places, but it's not somewhere I'd choose to go for a ride for fun without a destination, or for fitness.

Kings X to Canary Wharf is easy - cross the Euston Road, cut down through Bloomsbury to Holborn, turn left and keep going to Bank junction. Take a half-right to Eastcheap, go on to the Tower of London and pick up the start of which CS route goes out eastwards.

On Monday, don't forget that it's the Olympic victory parade - if you can come down earlier you'll see London with different clothes on.

*other folding bikes are available, I gather.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Boris bikes have not made it to Greenwich yet

But there are some just 400 metres away on the north side of the foot tunnel. I've seen quite a few in Greenwich, especially since they arrived at Island Gardens.

Generally, cycling is probably safer in London than in other cities because of the lower traffic speeds and drivers are more used to seeing cyclists about. It's also the best way to see the city. Route 56 does not appear to be signed at all but much of route No. 1 is enjoyable with the sense of space that you get with an expanse of river at your side. There are a couple of places where the route has been fiddled with - let's call it the Olympics legacy - and it can be hard to follow if you don't know the area. I also enjoy going in the opposite direction along NCN4, just for the moment when you come around a bend of the river and see Tower Bridge for the first time.

 

[growingvegetables]

Just a tuppennyworth - and it's a bit dated

GNER/East Coast are among the friendliest to cyclists. Bottom line - to guarantee a place for a bike, booking is a "good idea".

But ... when other things have messed up, I've managed to get a tandem and two bikes on without booking, and on another occasion, two laden bikes. Ime - when they can help you out (if there's space!), the guys on the train have been brilliant.

 

[donnydave]

Hi, (first post apart from welcome mat)

Last week the lady and I did Peterborough to York (and back) with a bike each on the Kings Cross to Edinburgh East Coast service. Pre-booked a space in the guards van (I thought they burned all guards vans years ago but apparently they still exist on some routes). Good sheffield stand and sturdy ratchet straps kept the bike safe, there appeared to be room for about 6-8 bikes. Staff v helpful, they spotted us lurking on the platform and showed us to the correct area of platform to be right infront of the correct carriage when it stopped. They then directed us to hop straight into first class and walk through the train to our seats. The most annoying thing was our cattle class tickets meant we had to walk the full length of the train to get to our seats carrying our heavy panniers/bags etc. In hindsight we should have paid the extra £20 or so for first class and plonked down sweating next to the business dudes hehe.

I've heard of people turning up without booking and there's been no space, then removed wheels and put everything in a wheelie bin bag, hey presto bike becomes luggage! Don't know if there's any truth in this, I'd be reluctant to try that myself. Sounds like a laugh though.

Dave A

 

[Lee_M]

being in canary wharf means you are close to the regents canal. You wont be racing, but its very pretty and you can ride all the way up to islington, or head out towards little venice and paddington

You wont get fit, but youll be nice and chilled, and can stop at a couple of pubs,

Regents Canal is part of my commute route

 

[RhythMick]

being in canary wharf means you are close to the regents canal. You wont be racing, but its very pretty and you can ride all the way up to islington, or head out towards little venice and paddington

You wont get fit, but youll be nice and chilled, and can stop at a couple of pubs,

Regents Canal is part of my commute route

Sounds nice thanks for the tip

 

[RhythMick]

The type of riding I'd look for would depend on the day I'd had.

If it's been roses and glory the Regents canal sounds pleasant and pub stops are always welcome.

On the other hand if it's been the usual round of paranoid idiots, numtpies needing the same points explained many times over, changes of direction and requirements without actually telling me, and senior management totally forgetting what we are supposed to be doing and why ... Then I NEED A LONG STRAIGHT HARD SPRINT WITH LOTS OF OPEN SPACE SO I CAN SHOUT AND SCREAM TO MY HEARTS CONTENT.

Wonder which it will be ...

 

[Lee_M]

you could of course cycle up to leytonstone (not too far), then jump on the central line tube to Epping, then ride back down the Epping new road - its straight, its countryside its fast, and then get back to canary wharf thorugh the regenerated Stratford