BHF London to Brighton - trains not taking bikes back

[Will]

If you are thinking of joining the crowds for the official London to Brighton this Sunday (i.e. 20th), be warned that Southern are not taking bikes back on trains.

From their [url=http://www.southernrailway.com/about_us/news_item.shtml?1084108787812]website[/url]:

[quote]Brighton Bike Ride ? Sunday 20 June 2004
11/05/2004

Southern will be unable to provide transport for participants in the Brighton Bike Ride on Sunday 20 June due to the arrival of the new electric trains on the network. The new trains are not suitable for carrying a large number of bicycles: they do not have a guard?s van and the seats cannot be moved to create space for bikes.

Thameslink has also taken the decision not to carry participants and their bikes.

The event organiser, the British Heart Foundation, says the event is now fully booked. It has made alternative arrangements for cyclists wishing to use trains to take them to south London for the start of the event,and from Brighton back to London after the ride has taken place. Cyclists taking part have received full details of those arrangements.

[JayneToyne]

well, i wasnt allowed on a tram because i had a bike, ( my front wheel was buggred so couldnt ride it) so i took the wheels off, put the fram eover my shoulder and carried it on as hand luggage. a bike isnt a bike when it doesnt work. its just a pile of components...

so if they argue about us taking our bikes on the train, just whip the wheels off and carry them on instead.

[JayneToyne]

thats if i make it that far

[Will]

Hang on, are you saying that you're doing both our Croydon-to-Coast on the Saturday, and then the official London-to-Brighton on the following day???

The Southern restriction only applies to the Sunday, so we'll be ok for our Croydon-to-Coast on the Saturday.

[Will]

I think the "bike ban" is more widespread...

There has, for example, been talk of the train companies not letting people take bikes on trains to Dorking on the Sunday.

So if you are planning trying to use alternative train services, it would be worth checking that out.

[JayneToyne]

i thought maybe they might try enforcing the rule on saturday as practice for the following day.

im definitely not doing both days... im not completely stupid... the saturday is about as much, if not more than i can manage.

[Dom]

Just checked with them and apparently Sat is fine, but apparently only a limited number of bikes are allowed on any train and its down to the discretion of the guard.

Nothing like a friendly transport system and this is nothing like one!

[tomahawk]

I did the London to Brighton and pre-booked a coach to go back. And I'm glad I did because I was ill prepared for the rain and got totally soaked!

I really felt for those who weren't allowed to take the train back. Ruins an otherwise fantastic day.