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

(Example: Framebuilders:Alberto Masi)

Date: Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:40:57 +0000
From: "Hilary Stone" <hilary.stone@blueyonder.co.uk>
To: Simon P-J <simonpj@mac.com>
Subject: Re: [CR] Bike bag on a train (French TGV): advice on transporting a precious bike??
References: <C3D11E20.47D56%simonpj@mac.com>
In-Reply-To:
cc: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>

This is a gorgeous bike. I would not attempt under any circumstances to bag this bike up. Its best shipped as a complete bike in a full sized bike box with the front wheel out (with fork spacer). The front guard can then be carefully stacked to one side of the frame. It needs very careful packing with lots of bubble wrap so as to make certain that the frame and guard cannot move. With some airlines - not BA but certainly Easyjet you could bring it back this way but not on the TGV. Your box will be at least 1.5m long...

Hilary Stone, Bristol, England

Simon P-J wrote:
> 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.