Taking a bike on the train and cycling from Paddington to Twickenham

[jeltz]

In October I'm doing the London to Bath ride organised by the BHF. I live near Bath so I'm going to cycle to the station catch a train to Paddington and stay in Twickenham overnight.

This is the 1st time I'll have taken my bike on the train, how does it work? I guess I need to book that with the ticket but is there generally a charge.

What are the roads between Paddington and Twickenham like on a Saturday afternoon, I've never cycled in London and my usual area is rural but I'm pretty sure I'll be fine I've a bike GPS so I can plan the route but suggestions as to the most bike friendly route would be appreciated The odd thing is that if someone suggested that I drive somewhere in London I'd probably feel a lot more uncomfortable at the prospect!

Thanks
Nic

 

[vickster]

@jefmcg for that route

It'll be busy...especially if there's any rugby on

Check out First Great Western's website for their bike policy. Book as far in advance as poss for best fares and to guarantee a bike space

 

[jeltz]

Thanks, according to the Twickenham fixtures list up to Nov '14 there isn't anything going on (nothing in October and only one thing in September!)

 

[jefmcg]

It should be fine. When cycling through London assume that behind every car door is a crouching person about to throw the door open, and that every pedestrian near the kerb is about to step out without looking.

Here's my commuter route. It's a little complicated, but avoids chiswick roundabout, hammersmith gyratory, shepherd's bush, HPC etc. http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5967769 Note there's a very short section against a one way road (Glenthorne) where you cross the road and ride legally on the footpath.

However, you may find it simpler to change at Reading for a Waterloo train, that goes through Twickenham. Just watch out for rail replacement buses on either route, which won't take your bike. Check again a few days before. Recently I booked a ticket and rechecked ten minutes later, and they had replaced part of the service with bus, just 5 days in advance.

Bikes can be carried on any train for free. On some lines (I suspect the Bath-Paddington route) you need to make a reservation. Reading to Twickenham, no reservation necessary.

(hi @vickster)

 

[jeltz]

That's great Having looked at Quins fixtures they are playing at home so that might make it busier

 

[Cuchilo]

For a more scenic route I would nip across Hyde park and go down the Kings road or Embankment then onto the New kings road and over Putney bridge .
You can then either turn right and go through Ham and along the river or through Sheen maybe taking in Richmond park . Either way you go through Richmond and back over the river into St margrets and on to Twickenham .

 

[vickster]

Putney Bridge is closed at the moment, think I might open again end September though

 

[trj977]

I believe that cyclists can still use the bridge but must dismount to cross.
Having said that train option, changing at Reading, would be best option.

 

[jefmcg]

For a more scenic route I would nip across Hyde park and go down the Kings road or Embankment then onto the New kings road and over Putney bridge .
You can then either turn right and go through Ham Barnes and along the river or through Sheen maybe taking in Richmond park . Either way you go through Richmond and back over the river into St margrets and on to Twickenham .

FTFY.

Nice route, though my route does include the lovely Syon park and the quite pretty old Isleworth; Brentford is pretty bleak.

I wouldn't worry about match days, they don't cause to many problems, unless you are catching the train out of waterloo to twickenham. I've caught a train from Reading to Twickenham on a match day after abandoning a 400km, and it wasn't too crowded. However, being in a carriage with 6 young men in cow print morph suits after sleeping for an an hour at Newbury services did make me think I was hallucinating. There will be a few more people milling on the footpaths between the station and the stadium, but there are a lot of crowd controls, so just cycle carefully and you'll be fine.

 

[subaqua]

worst great western are abysmal with bikes. even to the point of advising that there would be less provision at the weekend of the ride london event.

 

[Simontm]

That's great Having looked at Quins fixtures they are playing at home so that might make it busier

is that the ride on the 5th? We, sorry, Quins play on the 4th October. Also doesn't the ride start at the Stoop?

Either way, the Stoop won't start getting really busy until about 2 hours before the match with the main traffic the hour before k/o.

 

[jefmcg]

is that the ride on the 5th? We, sorry, Quins play on the 4th October. Also doesn't the ride start at the Stoop?

He's riding up the day before ....

In October I'm doing the London to Bath ride organised by the BHF. I live near Bath so I'm going to cycle to the station catch a train to Paddington and stay in Twickenham overnight.

 

[jeltz]

Thanks everyone I've booked to change at Reading and get off at Twickenham station as @jefmcg suggested, and I've booked a room at The Twickenham Guest House which is ½ a mile from the start and the station, looks cheap and cheerful but its just somewhere to get my head down. Yes it starts at Twickenham Stoop, shame its not Bath playing Quins on the Saturday or I might have caught an earlier train. Can't wait, this is going to be my 1st 100+ ride.

 

[Simontm]

Thanks everyone I've booked to change at Reading and get off at Twickenham station as @jefmcg suggested, and I've booked a room at The Twickenham Guest House which is ½ a mile from the start and the station, looks cheap and cheerful but its just somewhere to get my head down. Yes it starts at Twickenham Stoop, shame its not Bath playing Quins on the Saturday or I might have caught an earlier train. Can't wait, this is going to be my 1st 100+ ride.

Well it's the Welsh so bit of a London derby although I believe a fair few will be on the Reading train.

 

[Simontm]

He's riding up the day before ....

Doh! Read post properly wookie!!