Leaving a bike at Waterloo

[jay clock]

I plan to park a bike at Waterloo. @simonsch has kindly confirmed this is fairly painless. Anyone else do it and got any views. It is a cheapish hybrid with a Kryptonite D lock and a cable combination lock. QR wheels. Will be uglifying it a bit (and it has been kept outdoors so not great cosmetically currently anyway)

Also, do people who do short commutes of this type (partic in London) carry anything in the way of tools/pump etc? Or just head to the nearest shop if the problem occurs?

 

[subaqua]

I leave mine there from 7am to 5pm when I go to head office in Woking . I have pump and spare tubs with my multi tool in my panniers. Bike was left once when I forgot keys to locks so made it look like it was secured with the cable loop! It was there when I got back.

 

[mjr]

Also, do people who do short commutes of this type (partic in London) carry anything in the way of tools/pump etc? Or just head to the nearest shop if the problem occurs?

Either a sealant canister and pump, or tube, patches, levers and pump . Anything worse and I wheel the bike if it's a short trip, although you forget how frustratingly slow walking is! (who am I kidding? The full tool roll is left in the bag from the last long ride more often than not )

 

[jefmcg]

I'd bring tools, or plan to lock it up and hop on the tube if you have a problem on the way to work. Shops may not be open when you need them.

 

[jay clock]

I leave mine there from 7am to 5pm when I go to head office in Woking . I have pump and spare tubs with my multi tool in my panniers. Bike was left once when I forgot keys to locks so made it look like it was secured with the cable loop! It was there when I got back.

Impressive "Cyclist doesn't bother locking bike and it doesn't get nicked".

Toolwise I will bring the basics. I definitely prefer to sort it on the spot

 

[Tim Hall]

Some stations (Redhill, Three Bridges that I know of) have public pumps and tools available. The tools are on the end of wire tethers to discourage their being stolen. I don't know if such an arrangement exists at Waterloo, although the magic internet suggests there is a public pump there.

 

[subaqua]

Only down side of Waterloo bike parking is the the smokers like to stand there. Which in a good sense deters thieves but also makes it orrible when you are locking up the bike after a ride. Makes me want to puke now God knows how i managed to smoke for 18 years

 

[Twizit]

I can't vouch for facilities in Waterloo, but there's an EvansCycles just across the road and they always have a track pump available during opening hours - and they tend to be open 8am - 8pm.

 

[jay clock]

I can't vouch for facilities in Waterloo, but there's an EvansCycles just across the road and they always have a track pump available during opening hours - and they tend to be open 8am - 8pm.

The one across the road has closed but the one at the Cut is still there

 

[Twizit]

The one across the road has closed but the one at the Cut is still there

oops - been a whilst since I've been there clearly! - although I did always wonder at the logic of having two stores so close by.

 

[jefmcg]

BTW, despite what I said on your other thread, I think cycling is the way to go for this. I remember (2008) queuing for 15 minutes to get on the Waterloo City line. When I finally was standing right in front of the door when the next train arrived so not only was I on my way I was getting a seat! Then the announcer said "The Waterloo City line is closing due to overcrowding at Bank.

I'd been standing there pondering if I should buy a folder that day - I'd finished my research, just deciding to pull the trigger. The announcement meant that I was going to miss the morning StandUp, so I texted work and said I'd be late, and went to buy my new bike. Improved my quality of life 100%.

You know folders. Not for you this time. If I was in your exact shoes, I'd find a cheap ass bike they wouldn't break my heart if it was stolen.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Waterloo is getting a 5,000 space Bike Hub..............in 2018! So not much use to you now.

 

[jay clock]

BTW, despite what I said on your other thread, I think cycling is the way to go for this. I remember (2008) queuing for 15 minutes to get on the Waterloo City line. When I finally was standing right in front of the door when the next train arrived so not only was I on my way I was getting a seat! Then the announcer said "The Waterloo City line is closing due to overcrowding at Bank.

I'd been standing there pondering if I should buy a folder that day - I'd finished my research, just deciding to pull the trigger. The announcement meant that I was going to miss the morning StandUp, so I texted work and said I'd be late, and went to buy my new bike. Improved my quality of life 100%.

You know folders. Not for you this time. If I was in your exact shoes, I'd find a cheap ass bike they wouldn't break my heart if it was stolen.

well put. The bike I have is not something of huge value or attachment, and I will prep it to look unremarkable and lock it up well. Most of the time I will look forward to the ride.

 

[simonsch]

Either a sealant canister and pump, or tube, patches, levers and pump . Anything worse and I wheel the bike if it's a short trip, although you forget how frustratingly slow walking is! (who am I kidding? The full tool roll is left in the bag from the last long ride more often than not )

I have almost only ever needed the tools on days when I forgot to bring them. The problem is that sometimes I run the London part of my commute, and I don't want to carry excess weight in the backpack on those days, so the tools get taken out, then I forget to put them back. I need to make a nice little commuter tool pack that just has what I want, and can go in and out of the backpack conveniently. That would be the smart thing.

 

[simonsch]

Only down side of Waterloo bike parking is the the smokers like to stand there. Which in a good sense deters thieves but also makes it orrible when you are locking up the bike after a ride. Makes me want to puke now God knows how i managed to smoke for 18 years

Glad its not just me that gets completely p*ssed off by this.