Secure bike parking in Woking

[SaTTaN]

Looking at some options for commute to new job which is about 10 miles from Woking - I can get fast trains to Woking then I think the 2x10 mile ride to/from the office would be good exercise and would mean I don't have to do the M25/M3 crawl in the car (most un-PH like, but it does mean I can use my car allowance to fund something more interesting than a diesel/auto )

I have recently acquired a 2nd hand Brompton which does work ok, if a little heavy to lug between stations at Waterloo (have ordered a bag with shoulder strap... but will see if that makes it better) some of the roads are NSL, and are a little bit slow on the Brommie whilst a road-bike would be great.

One option I am looking at is parking up an old/cheaper bike at Woking station over night/weekends (during the day it would be at the office)

I see mentions on the web of secure parking in Woking and it being invested in as a showcase cycling town - kind of a long-shot but does anyone do this or know how risky it is?, I would expect these parking places would be regularly policed... by bike thieves, I have a reasonably nice hybrid but would be annoyed if it was stolen but am not adverse to buying something crappy from eBay and using that.

[sjg]

Does your Brompton have a rack? The eazy-wheels (or some inline skate wheels) on there rather than the little OE ones make it very easy to roll along. Have you got 100psi in the tyres too? They feel pretty sluggish with less but zip along nicely otherwise - only limit is gearing and air resistance.

If you're leaving something crappy at the station (and I wouldn't leave anything decent) then that will be at least as slow as a Brompton over the distance.

[princeperch]

Bromptons are very fast in the right hands, although I have only ever ridden the 6 speed one..

[SaTTaN]

Mmm, interesting point about tyre pressure - didn't think they'd go as high as 100psi, prob only on about 70 so I'll crank it up some more and try again

bag has arrived, it's nicely disguised on the train and has a shoulder strap so easy enough to carry and keeps grease off the clothes

did about 15 miles on it yesterday and I'm impressed, it's the 3 speed model and wasn't too bad with hills - bit more regular use and I'll prob be sorted ("we can rebuild him.." )

[sjg]

The b-bag? They always seemed really bulky. The fold is designed so that the oily bits stay inside, so as long as you keep the rest fairly clean it shouldn't get clothes dirty when you fold or carry it.

Mine either goes in the luggage rack, or on the southern & FCC trains I use there's often seats back-to-back and it will slide nicely in there out of the way.

[SaTTaN]

No it was a Carradice bag, isn't as sturdy as the B-bag but was 1/2 the price and folds down very small.

fold is clever to keep most of the mucky bits out of the way, but it still seems to pick up cack from the road - plus shoulder strap makes it much easier to carry (for me anyway)

Edited by SaTTaN on Saturday 21st August 10:37

[smack]

OP, you are looking to ride from Woking Station to your workplace? I have a cyclist mate who lives less than 5 min walk from the station that you might be able to make an arrangement with (for beer/wine fee - too him, not me!)

[Rich_W]

Having worked in Woking for getting on for 4 years previously, I'd be wary of leaving a half eaten baguette there!* Properly Pikey town these days.

I recommend Lickety Split Pricey, but good
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&a...

[PintOfKittens]

Rich_W said:

Having worked in Woking for getting on for 4 years previously, I'd be wary of leaving a half eaten baguette there!* Properly Pikey town these days.

I recommend Lickety Split Pricey, but good
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&a...

Lickety split is damn good!

On the parking front - id say park it infront of boots or along the highstreet, its the safest bet. I parked mine in the underground parking bays in the big FO building next to the station when I worked there tho