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

(Example: Framebuilders:Doug Fattic)

Date: Thu, 07 Feb 2008 23:15:33 +0000
Subject: Re: [CR] Bike bag on a train (French TGV): advice on transporting a precious bike??
From: "Simon P-J" <simonpj@mac.com>
To: Hilary Stone <hilary.stone@blueyonder.co.uk>
In-Reply-To: <47AB88F9.5090309@blueyonder.co.uk>
cc: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>

Thanks Hilary. You've confirmed my unease about using a bike bag. I'll look into alternatives.

Wyndham Pulman-Jones Girton, Cambs., UK.

On 7/2/08 22:40, "Hilary Stone" <hilary.stone@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:
> 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.