Travelling by train with the Princess (my Pashley Princess Sovereign bicycle) has not been much fun of late. I travel an hour each-way every day on trains in the South West, not always at the same time, and there seem to be three varieties of bicycle provision:
- A separate carriage at the front or rear of the train with space for six bicycles (my favourite of the tree options – although it does often require running from one end of the platform to another).
- A ‘cubicle’ arrangement in between carriages – (see top photo below) – bikes are hung up by front wheel; there is space for one bike or two in each (my second choice, though it requires some strength and dexterity to get the Princess up on the hanging rail, and she will only fit in the space for one bike – if there is already a bike in the space for two the Princess won’t fit in as well. These cubicles are also often used by train staff as a place to deposit bags of rubbish, or by passengers to store luggage)
- An area of fold-up seats (see bottom photo below), where bicycles can be placed, but no way of securing the bicycle and priority is given to passengers, not to bikes (even if you have reserved a bicycle space it seems – needless to say my least favourite option).
I was travelling on a train providing the third option the other week, when a jolt of the train sent the Princess crashing to the ground, breaking her basket and throwing the mudguards out of alignment.
Just look at my poor Princess:
I complained (by tweet) to the train provider (First Great Western) but its response was that passengers are their priority – well I am a passenger, but a passenger with a bicycle!
We all know it is much more environmentally friendly to ‘let the train take the strain’ and cycle, but combining the two is not a pleasant task, and my poor Princess has been the one taking the strain while the train chugs along without any care whatsoever for her or any other bike.
Please train companies, rethink your policy for bicycles – the current provision is just not good enough.
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Who am I?
My real name is Mary, but have been called Moll since childhood, and Molly since starting this blog - I answer to all three! The Princess is my lovely bike - a Pashley Princess Sovereign.
This blog is about what we get up to in the South West of England and beyond - the Princess pedals; I blog, craft, cook, thrift, sew (and sow), and amass far too many pairs of shoes, beauty products, and items of stationery.
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My real name is Mary, but have been called Moll since childhood, and Molly since starting this blog - I answer to all three! The Princess is my lovely bike - a Pashley Princess Sovereign.
This blog is about what we get up to in the South West of England and beyond - I pedal the Princess, craft, cook, thrift, sew (and sow). Fuelled by tea.
German local trains frequently provide the third option, but there is a sprung loop of seatbelt strap with a hook on it that you can use to secure the bike. That must have been a mighty jolt to do that to the top of the basket though, I’m surprised the passengers survived it. The Princess’ first basket is also getting rather tatty here so we are going to head up to the basket making town of Lichtenfels in the spring to look for a replacement. Let us know if you want one too.
Maybe the basket makers of Lichtenfels could repair your basket rather than you having to buy a new one? I’m going down the pannier route for now :)
I don’t know the first thing about basketmaking, but several of the vertical sticks that bend over and make the rim, retaining the horizontal weave, have broken off at the top. I’m guessing that’s hard to fix.
Poor Princess, she’s such a beauty :( x
she’s definitely looking a sorry state in this photo :(
Oh M :( that is so sad! I think the reply from the train company is very rude! They do need to put proper provision in. What if the Princes, came away and hit someone….who’s fault would it be then! Hope you find a resolution xx
Thanks A, I did make a proper complaint via the website, but according to them the bike is entirely my responsibility and I should have stood by it for the journey. If it had hit someone, it would have been my fault.
Oh no! Your beautiful bike! You two have certainly been on a journey over the years. When I used to take my bike on the train, I had to stand in an empty carriage with it as there was nowhere for it to stand properly – that was over 10 years ago so I thought it would have been better now (on all trains)! I hope that you’re fit & well xx
Lovely to hear from you Emma! I don’t think much has improved – and I guess the train companies would prefer if they didn’t have to carry bikes at all, or if people carried on fold-up bikes. Up to now I have continued to bring the Princess almost as way of protest – thinking ‘I will not be beaten into riding a fold-up bike’ – but now I am leaving her at home or at the station most days. I submit!