[CR] Bike bag on a train (French TGV): advice on transporting a precious bike??

Date: Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:44:16 +0000
From: "Simon P-J" <simonpj@mac.com>
To: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
In-Reply-To: <117268.29159.qm@web55903.mail.re3.yahoo.com>
Subject: [CR] Bike bag on a train (French TGV): advice on transporting a precious bike??

I'd appreciate any tips or advice on how best to transport a 1950's French randonneur with large mudguards/fenders in a bike bag on a train.

Here's the situation. I recently purchased a 1950's French randonneur from a seller located in the south of France. Here's a link to some pictures taken by the seller:

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/simonpj/Louis+Pitard++randonneur+1950s/

I believe the bike may be a Louis Pitard.

I am planning to collect the bike from the seller and bring it back to the UK via the train (TGV) from Avignon.

Only folding or dis-assembled bikes are allowed on the TGV, and they have to be carried in a bike bag no more than 1.2 metres long.

I would welcome any advice:

First off - is it not a good idea to try to get this large, precious bike, with its big mudguards / fenders, into a bike bag?

Are there particular types or makes of bike bag that you would recommend?

Any tips about how to pack and protect a bike in a bike bag?

Many thanks,

Wyndham Pulman-Jones
Girton, Cambs., UK.