Cycles on trains Query

kborom

Hello everyone, new poster here so be gentle if I get something wrong!

I am doing the coast to coast in June and need to get the train from Knaresborough to Whitehaven with my bike.

Anyone know how difficult it will be to get my bike on a train and whether or not it will cost me?

Looking at the routes my easiest (and possibly cheapest) option is to go to York on a local train, then get a 125 up to Newcastle and then over via Carlisle.
All help and experiences appreciated!

Oh and if anyone has any idea of what they see as the cheapet route do tell!!

ticketcollector

Most companies will bar bikes at peak times, long distance trains you will need to book a cycle space to guarantee a space.

Livingthedream

It is free as long as you follow a few claveats, use this link to give you each rail companies policies on cycles but as above avoid peak hour travel and reserve a place for you bike at a station;
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/passenger_services/cyclists.html

As for getting cheap fares try to book well in advance 8-12 weeks and book cheap advance singles for each leg, but if you want make a day of it and do some sight seeing cycling at some of the stops you mentioned then perhaps a North East Round Robin ticket;
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/promotions/pr4ca44ac35ce741011162d2595cb407/details.html

kborom

Thanks for the replies, I'll check up those links later but am looking to go off peak in any case.

I have been looking on a couple of routes for cheap advance fares but haven't found any yet, my trip is mid-June so looks like around now is the time to catch them.

Livingthedream

Here's another link for you gives the dates that the cheap Advance singles are released up to, by train company;

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/booking_horizons.html

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

kborom wrote: »

Anyone know how difficult it will be to get my bike on a train and whether or not it will cost me?

You shouldn't really have a problem. If you can though, do everyone a big favour - stick a plastic bag in your pocket, and when you're on the train wrap it over the drive side crank, or derailleur (if applicable). It saves anyone rubbing their leg on the oily bits.

Hope you enjoy the ride I'm planning on going from Manchester to Liverpool on the bike soon, and getting the train back.

kborom

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

You shouldn't really have a problem. If you can though, do everyone a big favour - stick a plastic bag in your pocket, and when you're on the train wrap it over the drive side crank, or derailleur (if applicable). It saves anyone rubbing their leg on the oily bits.

Hope you enjoy the ride I'm planning on going from Manchester to Liverpool on the bike soon, and getting the train back.

Thanks, good tip that.

I'm really looking forward to the ride, 140 miles across some stunning scenery over 3 days and finishing about half a mile from me mam and dads in Sunderland!!