London to Brighton - getting back?

[ccr32]

Going to be doing the London to Brighton with my dad this Sunday (fathers day for anyone who has forgot!).

Was wondering what the alternatives are for getting back other than using the coach/lorry bike transport service that they lay on given that the trains won't let you on from Brighton - is there any scope to cycle to another train station within reasonable distance where I will be allowed on? Or is there a blanket ban on the day?

Don't particularly fancy chucking my pride and joy on the back of an artic lorry with hundreds of other bikes personally...

Thanks.

[Mr Will]

It's only the Brighton line that doesn't allow bikes on the trains - cycle east or west to another line and you should be fine.

[ccr32]

Mr Will said:

It's only the Brighton line that doesn't allow bikes on the trains - cycle east or west to another line and you should be fine.

Good stuff, thought as much - will do exactly that. Thank you sir!

[BPC7]

I use the BHF service to get up to London and last year the bikes were well wrapped with bubble wrap for protection and I didn't see any miss treated in the lorry. Doing the same this year but taking my S5. Must confess to not relying on bubble wrap and have cut a load of plumbers pipe insulation up to fit over the frame/forks.

[Davidos]

ccr32 said:

Mr Will said:

It's only the Brighton line that doesn't allow bikes on the trains - cycle east or west to another line and you should be fine.

Good stuff, thought as much - will do exactly that. Thank you sir!

Your going to have to cycle a long way east or west until you get to another line that will take you back to London... (20+ miles...)

Useful map showing restrictions etc here: http://www.southernrailway.com/download/21048.3/cy...

[TwistingMyMelon]

Coaches were OK, well organised, but due to the amount of people there are long waits and then a slow journey back

TBH, I'd just cycle back , or at least as close to the M25 as poss

[CaptainSlow]

Yup cycle back. Weather doesn't look great though.

[ccr32]

Davidos said:

Your going to have to cycle a long way east or west until you get to another line that will take you back to London... (20+ miles...)

Useful map showing restrictions etc here: http://www.southernrailway.com/download/21048.3/cy...

That map is just for normal times though is it not? Are there not further restrictions for the London to Brighton day/weekend too?

[ccr32]

haven't even checked the weather yet come to think of it... may be spending the day on the sofa instead!

[Mr Will]

Think you wanted this link: http://www.southernrailway.com/download/26235.3/cy...

It looks like the no-bikes area has been expanded compared to my memory (I'm sure friends have cycled to Lewes in previous years). Uckfield looks to be closest, ~15 miles away.

[XG332]

I've done it the other way.
I am driving to Brighton and getting the train in on and staying with friends on Saturday.
Means that its beer time on arrival to Brighton!

[Kermit power]

Mr Will said:

Think you wanted this link: http://www.southernrailway.com/download/26235.3/cy...

It looks like the no-bikes area has been expanded compared to my memory (I'm sure friends have cycled to Lewes in previous years). Uckfield looks to be closest, ~15 miles away.

That's absurd! Would it really be all that difficult to stick a couple of goods carriages on the back of some Bike Ride specials to carry people's bikes back?

[Watchman]

Kermit power said:

That's absurd! Would it really be all that difficult to stick a couple of goods carriages on the back of some Bike Ride specials to carry people's bikes back?

It's madness. I simply don't understand why railways reject cycling. They'd have far more custom.

[ccr32]

Mr Will said:

Think you wanted this link: http://www.southernrailway.com/download/26235.3/cy...

It looks like the no-bikes area has been expanded compared to my memory (I'm sure friends have cycled to Lewes in previous years). Uckfield looks to be closest, ~15 miles away.

Bad news is that Uckfield is only being operated by a rail replacement bus service on Sunday.

Next nearest seems to be Horley which is 30 miles away..! Plus it is back the way that everyone else will be coming down, so nigh on impossible to navigate I would assume... what a crock.

[Vipers]

Don't be a wimp, ride back

Seriously, good luck for a good ride down, and hope you get back safe and sound.

[littleandy0410]

I'm doing the L2B on Sunday too. The lack of train support is a bit of a nightmare - Our plan for the weekend is as follows: Sat am- a mate is driving from Nottingham to mine in N. Cambs. Then we're driving to N. London to my brother's flat. Dropping off the bikes and driving to Brighton. Parking somewhere in Brighton, then train back to London.

On the Sunday AM, we're riding from my bro's flat to the start (8 miles) then doing the ride, then loading the car up and driving back (via London to collect overnight bag etc!)

Thankfully, I have Monday off work!

[agentnomad]

Looks like back wind for the ride back to London

[Jayfish]

Knowing these roads, I'd head east to Pevensey and cycle on to St Leonards Warrior Square, you can catch the hastings to charing cross via tunbridge wells service, the ride is pretty flat so you can just amble if suffering

[BPC7]

littleandy0410 said:

I'm doing the L2B on Sunday too. The lack of train support is a bit of a nightmare - Our plan for the weekend is as follows: Sat am- a mate is driving from Nottingham to mine in N. Cambs. Then we're driving to N. London to my brother's flat. Dropping off the bikes and driving to Brighton. Parking somewhere in Brighton, then train back to London.

On the Sunday AM, we're riding from my bro's flat to the start (8 miles) then doing the ride, then loading the car up and driving back (via London to collect overnight bag etc!)

Thankfully, I have Monday off work!

Take care where you park as the seafront is £3.50 an hour and most other streets are £1 an hour. Your better off going out of the centre of Brighton & Hove and riding back to the car once you finish. Parking cost map in link

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/sites/brighton-hov...

[Accelebrate]

I've used the official transport to get back a couple of times, and similar arrangements at other organised rides, always a big roll of bubble wrap and some tape and the volunteers loading and unloading have always been very careful. It's also quite often the cheapest and easiest option for getting back.

I seem to remember that the parking restrictions end on Saxon Road in Hove, it's about two minutes by bike from where you'd catch the official coach back.