Bikes on trains

[Paul on the Pearson]

Anyone had any experience taking bikes on trains. I'm going to Devon end of August and have booked the ticket and was given a cycle reservation (First Great Western) but it seemed to cause a bit of confusion when I explained that the bike will be in a proper padded bike bag as the last thing I want is some idiot with their 89 quid Halfords special to chuck it against my pride and joy and scratch it or worse.