cycling and using the train

ZootHornRollo

hi,

i am starting a new job at the end of january.

i had intended on driving there, it is about 20 miles away, but it occurred to me i could use the train and cycle the last 4 miles - probably more likely in the summer!

the train i'd need to get has about 8 bits to secure a bike. what happens if i get on the trai and there are no free slots for securing my bike?

i'd have to change trains at Edinburgh Waverly, what happens if there are no spare slots on the new train?

also, my journey would cost £5 return daily. is there a way to get cheaper train travel on local comuter trains? for example a monthly ticket.

sorry if these questions are a bit obvious to regular train users but i have never taken my bike on the train before or used trains on a regular basis.

ticketcollector

Hmm

What station you thinking of traveling from and to?
What sort of time? (I know that bikes do have restrictions during peak hours on some trains)
and will it be local service or parts with NXEC etc.

I can work out the best routing for you with a bike, and then work out the train stock and spaces for bikes.

Normal people just dump them in the space between the doors and move them as required. Some companies require you to have a bike reservation.

Yes it is normally cheaper to buy a weekly ticket if you are traveling more then 4.3 days a week. Monthlys work out around 15% cheaper then buying 4 weekly seasons.

ZootHornRollo

hi,

thanks.

it would be Wallyford to Edinburgh Park via Edinburgh Waverly, all on FirstScotrail. Times would probably be train about 7am outbound and around 4 or 5pm return, mon to fri. i know there is a specific bike compartment on the east coast line section, hence i was wondering what happens if they are all full, can you still travel with your bike?

ticketcollector

Hmm
I have just had a look at the timetable (http://www.firstgroup.com/scotrail/tt/1197159594-edinburgh%20suburban%20dec.pdf) and theres nothing about bike restrictions in it.

I would guess it would be okay to stick your bike on this train, maybe a phonecall to ScotRail Customer Services (0845 601 5929) to double check, but based on the Timetable if it was restricted, and you needed to get a reservation it would say so in the timetable.

Season Tickets are:
7 Days 19.80
1 Month 76.10
3 Months 228.10
6 Months 456.20
12 Months 792.00

Lorian

Don't forget you could probably get on/off at south gyle too as an alternative if the times are of more use good. South gyle is only 2/3 minutes ride around the cresent from Edinburgh Park.

If carriage space becomes an issue it might be worth investing in a brompton/dahon etc folding bike.

ZootHornRollo

south gyle is a good alternative, didn't think of that!

cheers.

Lorian

Obviously I don't know where you are actually going, but from SG there is a safe route alongside the track to the west as far as the Gyle Center, and also if you cross the over and *walk* the bike up the east bound platform there is a good route as far as the Mariott (Royal Scott) on Glasgow road.

Altarf

As an alternative to taking your bike on the train, you could get a cheap bike (local newspapers, freecycle, ebay, etc) that you would not be too upset if/when it is nicked and leave it at your destination station. Most mainline stations have facilities to leave bikes, and provided it doesn't look desirable and has a reasonable lock on it, it shouldn't get stolen too often. If you need to cycle to the station at your home end, use a second bike and leave it there. Even if you get them nicked occasionaly it will still work out cheaper than a folding bike, as they are horrendously expensive for something that you would want to carry.

ZootHornRollo

Altarf wrote: »

As an alternative to taking your bike on the train, you could get a cheap bike (local newspapers, freecycle, ebay, etc) that you would not be too upset if/when it is nicked and leave it at your destination station. Most mainline stations have facilities to leave bikes, and provided it doesn't look desirable and has a reasonable lock on it, it shouldn't get stolen too often. If you need to cycle to the station at your home end, use a second bike and leave it there. Even if you get them nicked occasionaly it will still work out cheaper than a folding bike, as they are horrendously expensive for something that you would want to carry.

that sounds like a good idea. i have my old bike in the hut, might need a new deraileur to get it going again but it was a seriously cheap bike so i'd expect a low end shimano one will do for under a tenner. i weighs a tonne tho... suppose i'll get extra fit and my main bike will feel like a feather weight when i go to Glentress for some off road action!

cheers

ZootHornRollo

Lorian wrote: »

Obviously I don't know where you are actually going, but from SG there is a safe route alongside the track to the west as far as the Gyle Center, and also if you cross the over and *walk* the bike up the east bound platform there is a good route as far as the Mariott (Royal Scott) on Glasgow road.

i'd be heading to newbridge, don't suppose there a decent cycle track down that way?

Lorian

ZootHornRollo wrote: »

i'd be heading to newbridge, don't suppose there a decent cycle track down that way?

I think it will be difficult to avoid the Glasgow road (A8), but I'm not actually local, so someone else may know better for sure. If you have usenet access ask on uk.rec.cycling, as someone on there will know for sure.