Post by: yoav on 04 April, 2019, 01:49:03 pm
I just spoke to Eurodespatch to try to book 2 bikes on this journey but they said you couldn’t book bikes from Lille, it is just a ‘walk on service’ and they couldn’t tell me availability. I’m not sure I fully understand what this means in practice so can anyone help?
Thanks.
Post by: bikepacker on 04 April, 2019, 04:04:07 pm
Post by: Tim Hall on 04 April, 2019, 04:27:10 pm
* we also watched a drunk man piss over the edge of the balcony, fortunately missing the OLE cables.
Post by: yoav on 08 April, 2019, 12:25:53 pm
Post by: bikepacker on 08 April, 2019, 01:35:23 pm
Post by: quixoticgeek on 08 April, 2019, 03:19:27 pm
Thanks all. In the end, we couldn’t be arsed to deal with the hassle so we are going to cycle to Dunkirk or maybe Calais and just rock up and buy a ticket. I’m pretty sure you don’t have to book if just a foot passenger with a bike.
The ticket office for the Dunkirk sailing is inside the port. You'll have to follow the traffic route through passport control, then keep following the line to a small booth/barrier, tell the person there that you need to buy a dfds ticket, and they open the barrier, and point you to a small hut.
At least, that's what it was last time I used it, it may have changed, YMMV etc...
J
Post by: yoav on 09 April, 2019, 03:38:29 pm
Post by: bludger on 10 April, 2019, 03:40:53 pm
Dropped the SNCF an email asking about it but predictably they've ignored it. Oh well can always watch the highlights at home...
Post by: grams on 10 April, 2019, 04:14:13 pm
https://www.ter.sncf.com/hauts-de-france/gares/ter-intermodalite/combinez-vos-deplacements/train-et-velo
It says bikes allowed on all TER trains but avoid rush hours if you're not using a folded/disassembled bike.
Post by: Captain Offensive on 10 April, 2019, 05:45:44 pm
Just found out something odd: DFDS from Dunkirk or Calais to Dover is for vehicles only, no foot passengers, but a cyclist counts as a vehicle, so that’s all right then.They load the bikes on the same way as cars etc so guess there is just no passenger only gangway. Did Dunkirk to Dover with the bike last year, was good and easy, except food facilities in Dunkirk terminal were terrible. I was in need of post ride snacks. They only had snack machines and none of them were working. Food on the boat was good though
Post by: bludger on 10 April, 2019, 10:05:03 pm
Why wouldn't you? Apart from TGVs, French trains are very bike friendly. Here's the page for TER trains in the relevant region:
https://www.ter.sncf.com/hauts-de-france/gares/ter-intermodalite/combinez-vos-deplacements/train-et-velo
It says bikes allowed on all TER trains but avoid rush hours if you're not using a folded/disassembled bike.
Problem is I don't know what the demand will be like. It's the evening of Paris Roubaix, the train might be packed with people who've done the sportive the day before and I might not be able to get a spot for the bike on a train that permits arrival at Dunkirk in time for the ferry
Post by: Regulator on 10 April, 2019, 10:27:30 pm
That's right, the train only makes a brief stop at Lille with no time to load bikes.
Not quite true. You can book bikes on to Eurostar from Lille - I’ve done it myself (as has Tim’s chum).
The real pain in the arse can be if you rock up for the ‘walk up’ option, where you may find yourself having to partially dismantle the bike to get it through the x-ray machine.
Post by: Regulator on 10 April, 2019, 10:29:50 pm
Why wouldn't you? Apart from TGVs, French trains are very bike friendly. Here's the page for TER trains in the relevant region:
https://www.ter.sncf.com/hauts-de-france/gares/ter-intermodalite/combinez-vos-deplacements/train-et-velo
It says bikes allowed on all TER trains but avoid rush hours if you're not using a folded/disassembled bike.
The TGVs are getting better as well. There’s now bike spaces on the newer models - although booking them is a bit hit and miss.
Post by: mcshroom on 10 April, 2019, 10:42:05 pm
Just found out something odd: DFDS from Dunkirk or Calais to Dover is for vehicles only, no foot passengers, but a cyclist counts as a vehicle, so that’s all right then.They load the bikes on the same way as cars etc so guess there is just no passenger only gangway. Did Dunkirk to Dover with the bike last year, was good and easy, except food facilities in Dunkirk terminal were terrible. I was in need of post ride snacks. They only had snack machines and none of them were working. Food on the boat was good though
On the Cairnryan-Larne ferry, foot passengers jump on a bus which then drives them on the ferry, and off the other side.
Post by: yoav on 11 April, 2019, 08:18:23 pm
Not quite true. You can book bikes on to Eurostar from Lille - I’ve done it myself (as has Tim’s chum).
That’s not what Eurodespatch told me, they refused to take my booking- unless there is some other way to book a bike onto Eurostar.
Post by: Regulator on 11 April, 2019, 09:22:31 pm
Not quite true. You can book bikes on to Eurostar from Lille - I’ve done it myself (as has Tim’s chum).
That’s not what Eurodespatch told me, they refused to take my booking- unless there is some other way to book a bike onto Eurostar.
You can book it as registered luggage between London - Lille - London, via EuroDespatch. (https://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel-info/travel-planning/luggage/luggage-services)
I’ve not found EuroDespatch that good on the phone/online. They’re best in the flesh if you can get to one of their offices. The guys in Lille were really helpful.
Post by: yoav on 12 April, 2019, 10:18:12 pm