Secure bike parking at Heathrow airport?

[redfalo]

Hi there,
I´m not quite sure if this is the best section for this query - so admins, please move it if there is a better place for this question.

Next week I´m off for a 1-day-trip from Heathrow. I would like to go to Paddington by bike and then hop on the Heathrow Express to the Airport.

However, I don´t want to leave my brand new Brompton at Paddington for a full day. (Unfortunatley, only Finsbury park and London Bridge offer secure bike parks at the moment, don´t they?) I wonder if it´s a better idea to take the Brommi with me on the train and store it at the airport.

Heathrow says on its website (http://bit.ly/61UNGr) that bikes also be safely stored in the left baggage office for up to 90 days. Has anyone done this before? Is there a left baggage office in every terminal (I´m leaving fromT5 and according to Google there seems to be only one office in T1)? Has anyone used the regular cycle parks in Terminal 5? Are they secure?

Thanks a lot in advance
Cheers
Olaf

addendum: just found out that there IS a left luggage office in everey terminal: http://bit.ly/58vT5f They charge 8 Pounds per item...

 

[brilliantndrew]

Hi

How about taking the Brompton with you and using it at the other end?

If you want to store it then there is (according to the Heathrow website) - a left luggage possibility at T5.

"Terminal 5
Left luggage office, arrivals level (ground floor), UK arrivals end.
Opening hours: 05:30 - 23:00."

Personally I wouldn't leave a nice bike at the bike facilities - they are just a bike rack at either end of the terminal - more intended for for airport workers than travellers I would say.

- Andrew
www.BrilliantBikes.co.uk

 

[redfalo]

Hi Andrew,

I share your doubts about leaving the bike at the bike facilities. I think I´m going to give the left luggage office a try (it´s a business trip so I propably get the 8 quid reimbursed instead of the tube ticket to Paddington...).

Taking the bike on the plane... Well, I wouldn´t like to do it without a proper bag.

I don´t know if the B Bag (which I don´t have) would offer enough protection, or if one should go for the new B Pod, which will be available from June 2010 according to their catalogue.
Thanks anyway