| Title: | Bicycling |
| Notice: | Bicycling for Fun |
| Moderator: | JAMIN::WASSER |
| Created: | Mon Apr 14 1986 |
| Last Modified: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 3214 |
| Total number of notes: | 31946 |
I plan to go to by bike+train from England to Le Mans in June. Does anyone have recent experience of this mode of transport in France? E.g. I believe that the system for bikes on trains is, unlike the UK, that you don't travel with your bike in the same train but register it in advance, picking it up at your destination a day or so later. Is this true? Also, in some ways I like the idea of using a cross-country train route to Le Mans from a port such as Le Havre or Dieppe, avoiding Paris. On these more minor routes is the ruling more relaxed - i.e. can one simple put one's bike in the luggage van? Finally - it's a trike, not a bike. Plus a tandem maybe. Can I expect this to cause complications? All information/experiences appreciated. Richard
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1891.1 | you've got it sussed | MOVIES::WIDDOWSON | Tue Apr 02 1991 21:26 | 28 | |
Sounds like you have got it sorted out. The basic rule last time I
used it (about 6 months ago) is to send the bike ahead unless its a
local train (notable by the bike sign on the timetable) there is a
charge but I cannot remember how much it is. I have on at
least one ocassion managed to get my bike transported on a train where
I should have sent it in advance but you need to be able to talk
fast...
If you are sending ahead it's a good idea to check out the timetables;
the guaranteed time tends to be on the pessimistic espeically if you
choose a route served by a direct (ie Calais Marseille, which is served
by one direct per day is much faster than l'Harve Marseile which isn't),
however do not make plans based on this...
I cannot comment for trikes or tandems but carrying baggage by train is
done much more over there so you should be OK.
As a general rule they do tend to look after the bikes as well (I
normally go into a cold sweat at the idea of giving my bike to someone
else to look after) although I once had to take a couple of links out a
mangled chain before I could cycle away from the station.
All in all its a service which I used a lot and like.
Rod
PS. It works internationally within continental Europe + London
Victoria (although I've never used the latter)
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| 1891.2 | Thanks! | DOOZER::PENNEY | Richard Penney 830 4114 @RKA 1/19 | Wed Apr 10 1991 06:51 | 0 |