Paddington main line

[defy-one]

I'm going to use my old hybrid over the Olympics in London,and have heard people leave them at the station, take the mainline trains in/out.
Looks like the best solution for me and possibly a permanent commute.
Anyone do something similar,do i have to register/book/pay to leave my bike there?

Any info would great :-)

 

[jefmcg]

No replies ... well, if it's of any help, there is no registration required at Waterloo. You just find a spot and lock it. And there is definitely no way they could register there, the racks are on different platforms, so it would take dozens of extra staff to enforce it.

The real problem would be because, at a glance, the racks are rather full. I suspect lots of people buy beater bikes + shitty locks, find that cycling in London doesn't work for them or the bike develops a mechanical fault (eg flat tyre), or they get a new job etc etc, and just leave the bike where it stands.

If Paddington is the same, then your biggest problem will be finding a space to lock it - and that will only get worse during the Olympics. Hopefully a Paddington commuter will chime in.

 

[defy-one]

Thanks for the reply. I will give it a go one day this week. Take the bike in by car once i've stripped down/cleaned/lubricated and put some new cheapo tyres on.
It's also my beater bike so not overly concerned about it

 

[srw]

There's this useful thing called the internet, which came up with this in about three clicks:
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/9533.aspx

 

[defy-one]

There's this useful thing called the internet, which came up with this in about three clicks:
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/9533.aspx

Well done for stating the obvious. Glad you have found the internet recently. I was using peer to peer protocols in 1985 to get mainframes to share databases within a local area network - this was then extended to a wide area network via a leased line.
Early internet for the smart alec's

 

[defy-one]

No replies ... well, if it's of any help, there is no registration required at Waterloo. You just find a spot and lock it. And there is definitely no way they could register there, the racks are on different platforms, so it would take dozens of extra staff to enforce it.

The real problem would be because, at a glance, the racks are rather full. I suspect lots of people buy beater bikes + shitty locks, find that cycling in London doesn't work for them or the bike develops a mechanical fault (eg flat tyre), or they get a new job etc etc, and just leave the bike where it stands.

If Paddington is the same, then your biggest problem will be finding a space to lock it - and that will only get worse during the Olympics. Hopefully a Paddington commuter will chime in.

Update : have used the train/bike commute for 9 days now. Yes it can be hard finding a spare rack,but i manage to get the d lock and rear wheel/frame secured. The front wheel with a cable lock.
Observations .....
Takes about the same time as it did by car, but cheaper,less hassle trying to find a space,worry if i'm going to over run and get a ticket etc.
Saving me £50 a week and i'm enjoying it so much.
Getting fitter and losing weight without really trying.
The future .....
Need to look at a better bike with a panniers system on it. The beater bike keeps slipping gears,needs new chain/cassette et

Triban 3 high on the list. If anyone has one with mudguards and pannier rack pls put a pic up.
Also looking at ebay and local quality bikes.

Rain hasn't dampened my spirits. Just donned my waterproofs