Getting a bike across London

[HollowTalk]

Just wondering whether anyone can help. In a few days, my daughter will be getting into Euston and needs to get over to Victoria to get the train to Brighton.

She won't be able to take the bike on the underground as she'll be travelling in rush hour.

She won't be able to take the bike to pieces.

We've heard about taxis that will carry bikes. Will a black cab do this? Online some people say yes, others no. Others say yes if the wheel is off, but she won't be able to do that.

Any ideas?

At the risk of stating the obvious, can’t she cycle?

Or get a train from Kings X Thameslink to Brighton? Easier to schlep Euston to Kings X than to Victoria.

She wouldn't know the way and she's not used to cycling in city centres, especially cities as busy as London. I don't think I'd survive, thinking of her doing it, either! No helmet, no reflective clothing etc.

Ring some taxi companies and ask.

Yeah I think that'll probably be best. I just wondered if anyone had regularly used black cabs with a bike.

Second the suggestion of simply walking the bike the 15/20 min walk (this includes getting to the thameslink platforms) from Euston to kings cross thameslink for train to Brighton. Simply walk along Euston road. No need at all to cross London to Victoria. Unless non refundable Victoria tickets already purchased etc.

Oh that's a good idea. Does a train go from Kings Cross to Brighton? She thought she'd have to go to Victoria.

Sorry didn't see that a pp had recommended this, too.

no no she doesn't have to get to Victoria, haven't had to do that for at least 10 years (I think)
She will just need to wheel it down to St Pancras, and get to the Brighton line by going right through to the end of the station.

If it's at rush hour you'll need to check the Brighton train will take a non folded bike. Many don't.

have you checked she can take the bike on both lots of trains? Some rail companies won't allow this now, regardless of time.

Thanks very much for this. She gets in at 3 (I thought it was later) so as long as she's on a train from Kings Cross by 4 then she'll be OK.

Yes of course - she’ll need to check bike arrangements on thameslink trains. I’m not a cyclist and don’t know.

Also - booking an Addison Lee is almost always cheaper than black cab. If for any reason she does need to get to Victoria she can book one to pick her and bike up at Euston. They have ‘cycle cabs option’ big enough cab for bike. Once pick up and destination have been entered you then choose type of cab.

She might have problems

Yes but in that link there it says you have to be on the train before 4 pm, which she can do.

Check where else it calls. It may stop at another central London station after 4

Arrive at 3 pm it s 10 minutes wheeling bike to kings x st Pancras thameslink
So no issue to get on a train before 4 and out of central.london before 4 pm

Tell her to go down to the Euston Road, turn left, walk past the British Library and turn left up between the British Library and St Pancras. The entrance to St Pancras up there (it's about a 5 minute walk, past the taxi rank) takes her right to where the Thameslink trains go from. There's a lift down to the platform.

Direct trains go every half hour

Black cans reeeeaaaalllly don’t like but you might be ok.

It would be better to get the Thames link from kings x to Brighton as it’s a short push between Euston and Kings X.

Buy her a helmet and a hairbrush please