CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.

Edinburgh-Glasgow 6 Nov,? IT HAPPENED!!!

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  1. SRD
    Moderator

  2. gembo
    Member

    Not much daylight for the return?

    Posted 3 years ago #
  3. SRD
    Moderator

    Fun on the train? Might be tempted to book a hotel room.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  4. chdot
    Admin

    “Might be tempted to book a hotel room.“

    In Glasgow?

    During COP26??

    Posted 3 years ago #
  5. SRD
    Moderator

    Ha! Good point.

    (Was just thinking „what do we normally do“)

    Posted 3 years ago #
  6. fimm
    Member

    Had thought "Oh yes, I should do this" but had not thought about getting back. Airdrie - Bathgate trains are the best for bike spaces, in my opinion.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  7. gembo
    Member

    Yes airdrie Bathgate trains roomy. Would not want to be on one if a football match just ended.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  8. fimm
    Member

    Ah, good. I will be in the country (had had a thought that I might not be.)

    Posted 3 years ago #
  9. LaidBack
    Member

    Train should be fine via Bathgate. Done a few holidays to West using that to Helensburgh. Was thinking of taking a cargobike but that would negate train. Have the double recliner that has got great lights and folds for train but would need co-pilot.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  10. fimm
    Member

    Oh, that's very tempting... if you would take a random more-or-less stranger, who has never ridden a recumbent and was on the back on an upright tandem once for about 15 minutes...

    Posted 3 years ago #
  11. LaidBack
    Member

    @fimm - it just needs you to pedal and ease off when we change the hub gearing. It's actually easier from co-pilot point of view than an upright as you aren't tempted to put your feet down.

    @SRD @Kim and others have had shot. @Dave and @Min a while back.

    PM or email on it if you like. It's not at shop at moment.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  12. Tulyar
    Member

    Might tip a nod to Scotrail - with managed loading between a start & finish station the door vestibules on side opposite the platform can take 2 bikes, so an 8-coach 385 can carry 40 per train

    After POP2 34 bikes including 1 tandem on 4-coach train via Carstairs

    Bikes also on 900 coaches (with a cover)- but limited space

    Posted 3 years ago #
  13. sallyhinch
    Member

    Hello! Blowing the dust off my CCE account to join in on this and possibly recruit some help. We've been working with Edinburgh Critical Mass to set up the Pedal on COP ride and they've got great plans for what will be a grand day out on the bike, almost like a mini Pedal for Scotland in reverse. However, the problem is that it's unlikely the ride as planned will arrive in Glasgow in time for the big demonstration/march from Kelvingrove Park (departing around 12:30/1pm) to Glasgow Green (where there will be a rally from 3-4pm). So in effect the ride will be the protest, which means they're not in a rush to arrive and it can be pretty accessible to those not used to doing long distances (especially given the prevailing winds ...)

    However, for those that do want to take part in the march and the rally it's not really a feeder ride as we'd originally envisaged so we are now thinking about running a slightly faster (12mph pace) feeder ride explicitly for those wanting to join the march. It might start a little earlier (which would be nicer for getting through Edinburgh traffic), although we did want to try and have a mass assembly at the start.

    Sooo ... would anyone here be interested in helping lead such a ride? We're not expecting massive numbers but we did want to offer the option. If so, let me know!

    Posted 3 years ago #
  14. gembo
    Member

    @sallyhinch makes sense

    As can get back from Glasgow green out the Clyde to Uddingston though goes pear shape at tannochside.

    I mean for getting back

    Critical Mass great but my concern is returning from Glasgow in the dark

    Posted 3 years ago #
  15. algo
    Member

    I have been looking into hiring a luton to leave in Glasgow on the Friday night and then allow folk to go back by train should ScotRail not provide space for all the bikes back.

    In conversation at the moment with CM folks about this but is pricey

    Posted 3 years ago #
  16. fimm
    Member

    Hmmm: although riding Laidback's tandem would be An Experience, I'm also up for getting involved in a faster ride.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  17. Arellcat
    Moderator

    I may bang through in the torpedo and then stay over and go home the following day, depending on hosts.

    @Algo, it's not an entirely undoable idea. My erstwhile friend Charlotte did this for the Dun Run several years ago. She procured a huge van and enormous rolls of bubble wrap.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  18. HankChief
    Member

    For RttS I hired a Luton and packaged up the bikes using a load of pieces of cardboard from Bike boxes.

    Pedals are the main cause of not fitting together snugly.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  19. sallyhinch
    Member

    @arellcat and @Fimm would you be up for doing a spot of ride leading/marshalling for a faster ride? I imagine the red torpedo would make an awesomely visible marker bike

    Posted 3 years ago #
  20. chdot
    Admin

    Seems there’s a climate strike today (inc Holyrood)

    https ://map.fridaysforfuture.org/map?e=TkBAUV73/2021-09-24

    https://fridaysforfuture.org

    Posted 3 years ago #
  21. fimm
    Member

    Hmmm, go on then.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  22. sallyhinch
    Member

    Fab! Still working out a couple of details, but will be in touch...

    Posted 3 years ago #
  23. AIMC
    Member

    Hi. Just wondering what time the faster ride would be leaving?

    Posted 3 years ago #
  24. sallyhinch
    Member

    Not sure yet, it would depend on the route and the average speed the group are able to do. I think the Glasgow POP feeder rides leave around 7am (but the prevailing winds are kinder ...)

    Posted 3 years ago #
  25. Tulyar
    Member

    Discussions are still ongoing with Scotrail on this. All the 'new' electric trains on Cross-Scotland routes have bike spaces 2.4-2.5m long (and wider door vestibules) - officially 4 bikes per unit (normally 8 per train on Falkirk High route and Bathgate line) but there is a safety case for managed use of door vestibules, so that a managed loading of an 8-coach train = 40 bikes.

    Fortunately there are no games at Ibrox or Parkhead (or Hampden Park) that day...... BUT there will be a whole mass of pedestrians marching and also using trains & coaches so also expect queue management for them as happens at Central for a match at Hampden

    It can be done, and I write with experience and research into cycle carriage on trains. On 1956 the second CTC Cyclists Special ran London-Coventry and over 450 bikes were unloaded from special bike vans in under 6 minutes. For the early St Andrews rides, we had 2 ½ 'vans' and got over 200 bikes on at Leuchars in under 5 minutes. More recently 8 special trains have run for the start of the Ride London event, with up to 150 bikes per train Richmond-Stratford - but don't expect this, it takes at least 6 months to plan most special trains, and these are commuter trains - lots of standing space, no toilets, full width connections.

    The Class 380 and 385 also have a generous area next to the accessible toilets, with tip-up seats (11 on on side IIRC) but no official safety case to use this for cycles

    After a previous West>>East ride I monitored trains at GLQ and counted 32 bikes off an incoming 6-coach train. Unofficially - for POP 1, a new train on the new service EDB-CRS-GLC managed 34 bikes on 4 carriages

    Reflecting on the detail, if this works, blocks of cyclists could be marshalled in George Square, tickets can be issued and checked and then each group

    Coaches also carry cycles, typically up to 6 can fit in the hold although on a group charter 35 were packed on to a 49-seat coach (12m x 3.2m) more modern high floor coaches can fit bikes in upright (15m x 3.5-3.7m - 65 seats). The X24 and X26 can offer a faster and direct service to Dunfermline than rail. Officially bikes must be covered (pic) and Hitrans with Citylink is offering covers kept on the coach to use on some coach routes from Inverness.

    Citylink and Stagecoach are being contacted to expect a few folk choosing this option

    Posted 3 years ago #
  26. gembo
    Member

    I feel those expecting to get their bikes on the train might have to wait until the crowds subside?

    There was a thru train from Ayr to Edinburgh at one point, it might still be running in which case cycling to paisley Gillmour st then getting your bike on the Edinburgh train before it gets into Central might work.

    I might cycle back anyway as have a big bright light, canal safest.

    Weather dependent.

    Posted 3 years ago #
  27. chdot
    Admin

  28. SRD
    Moderator

    My work colleagues thinking about organising a ride /joining a ride. Could be a fun team building exercise…

    Posted 3 years ago #
  29. Tulyar
    Member

    Looking at costs for a 50-60% of seats filled/all bikes in hold coach - would look like £15-£20 per person - all on 1 coach would avoid the mismatch in vehicle speeds 90/100 kmh, and all passengers on a coach must be seated

    Would suggest Glasgow Green to Sighthill/Hermiston as this could also enable 2 trips about 2½ hours apart and reduce costs, getting folk back when trains might be rammed (& managing covid risk)

    Would need a minimum number of advance bookings to cover base costs - then price could come down or surplus retained for next POP project?

    Posted 3 years ago #
  30. sallyhinch
    Member

    Quick update on the faster ride. @alexrob is organising something. The plan at the moment is to meet at the same time as the main ride (8am) and set off together, to make the biggest possible splash and some safety in numbers through Edinburgh. Then to split the ride at some point beyond the bypass with the faster group setting a 10-12mph pace, and fewer stops. Hopefully that should mean arriving at Kelvingrove park at 1pm in time to catch the end of the march leaving. The split will come while the ride is at a stop, so it should be abundantly clear which group is which

    More details to follow, including how to sign up. If you want to get involved/help, email hello@pedalonparliament.org or get in touch with Alex directly.

    Posted 3 years ago #

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