Bikes on Virgin Trains

[didnothingfatal]

I've not used a train with my bike in years! I've booked tickets, reserved space on Virgin trains, but was wondering, what security is there when the bike is loaded, can I lock the bike up?

[Ray Young]

Don't know about virgin trains specifically but I have come across two types of racks on trains. One has 2 horizontal bars at waist height that you hang the bike on like a car rack and they have adjustable straps to secure the bike. I don't recall this type having any place to lock the bike to. The other one you hang the bike vertically by a wheel from a hook. Below the bikes is space to put pushcairs etc and there are sometimes bars here that you could put a lock through.
Depending on how the bike is loaded you should be able to store the bike without removing gear especially on the vertically hanging ones but sometimes a jobs worth will tell you to take gear off. If you can store the bike with all the gear on and put a lock through the wheels this should be enough of a deterrent. I don't usually carry a lock and just put as many straps around it as possible.
I generally have not had a problem getting a seat near to the bike so that I can keep an eye on it.
On your return journey both you and your bike will be so filthy that no one will go near either of you, .

[timothy.doran]

The best method would be to lock your bike to something. However I travel on First Great Western every day and never lock it. I do try to sit so I can either see the bike or the corridor with bike in it.

Well done for getting a reservation, make sure that if you turn up and there is no space then you make the guard create some for you.

[adjustablewench]

There are a few different types of bike storage areas but the newer trains now tend to have a space near the toilets to put your bike (some have a slot to put the wheel in like a cheap bike rack on the wall but i find it best to lean them up on the side of the carriage). I would chuck a lock through if i wasn't sat near my bike or i was going on a longer journey and didn't want to be on the look out.

I haven't had anything go missing from bikes on trains but passing through manc once a load of lads were near our bikes and they all 'fell over', i don't think the boys reaalised i was sat so close and they all lokked rather sheepish when i went to sought the bikes out.

One handy thing to look out for is the bicycle signs on the end of the carriages which show you where the spaces are located on the train - just look out for the one nearest you booked seat. although you can only book on two bikes be warned that other people will get on and pile bikes on top of yours on busy commuter routes - worth considering if you have a gucci bike

I am surprised sustrans have not pulled their finger out and stopped the demise of the old guard garriages where you could book four bikes on and had a proper rack to lock them too - ahhh the good old days

[didnothingfatal]

Well the bike has it's own ticket and had to be booked on, I assumed it would be in a special area. Speaking to virgin trains, costs 10p a minute for a call centre moron

[adjustablewench]

Yes in the available bike areas - but they are not reserved like seats so you can put in in any. they will only allow two bikes to be booked the rest are on a first come first served basis.

the whole system is rubbish but ususally without a problem.

we did the coast to coast once and on the train from newcastle to carlisle we were told we can't book bikes at all and they can only officially carry two but they would do all they could to fit more on - luckily we were the first two but they turned the two guys after us away so they had to wait and extra hour for the next one - so much for trying their hardest!

but the normal trains are fine just put you bike (with bike reservation ticket attached) in the nearest bike space to your seat and you wont have a problem

[didnothingfatal]

Excellent, bit happier that the bike isn't out of sight! At least booking in advance has saved £300 on ticket prices!!