While we’re massive lovers of train travel, we’ve got a soft spot for bikes. From seriously lean road bikes to all-the-gears mountain bikes, they’re eco-friendly, healthy and you can bring them on the train. Here are seven things you need to know about taking your bike on the train.
This year between 3rd to 6th May, professional cyclists take part in the Tour de Yorkshire, a range of race stages across the northeast of England. Some routes are pretty intense, with the challenging hill climbs and speedy sprints, spanning over 700KM in four stages!
Spectating is free, pick any route you like and you can watch the riders at the start, the finish or even throughout the race, cheering them on from the sidelines. A lot of villages get involved too, putting on displays and events for Tour de Yorkshire spectators, so it's worth checking out.
If you love being on yer bike, but don’t see yourself as the next Bradley Wiggins, you can still give things a go. Get some friends together and do things at your own pace to see some of England’s prettiest countryside. Here’s our guide to some routes you can take, using the train to get you there of course.
Stage one – Halifax to Leeds
Getting from Halifax to Leeds by train takes less than 40 minutes, but we reckon you could do it in around two hours on your bike. The Tour de Yorkshire’s route takes you up past Skipton, through Middleham and then down through Masham averaging five hours (phew!). But we recommend catching the train to Halifax with your bike in tow and taking a more direct route instead.
Taking your bike on the train won’t cost you a penny, so that’s one thing less you have to think about. Depending on your operator, you may need to . And did you know, with our app you can find whether a station has parking for your bike? Just do a search for your journey, click the Live Tracker and when you tap your station you’ll find a whole bunch of information like if there’s an ATM, the number for Lost Property and accessibility details.
Start location – Halifax
Suggested pit stop – Give your legs a well-earned rest at the West Riding Refreshment Rooms in Dewsbury. This pub is build upon the original waiting room at Platform 2 of the Dewsbury train station!
Finish location – Leeds
Stage two – Middlesbrough to Whitby
Trains from Middlesbrough to Whitby are direct and take around an hour and a half, so depending on how fast you peddle and how many breaks you take, you could do it by bike in around two and a half to three hours.
Take the train to Middlesbrough with some friends and save on your tickets with a GroupSave discount. Read more on the eight stages of booking a group trip.
This route cuts across the North York Moors National Park, a perfect spot for taking in some sea and mountain views. Love a national park? Read our blog for tips on how to get to some of the UK’s best.
Start location – Middlesbrough
Suggested pit stop – Danby
Head up to Danby Beacon for panoramic views of the Moors, an ideal pit stop for a sandwich and a swig of water to refuel before the second leg of your trip.
Finish location – Whitby
Stage three – Ribblehead to Settle
One of the best ways to take in pretty views of the Yorkshire dales is on the Ribblehead circular bike route via Settle. As it’s a loop, it doesn’t matter where you start. You can either catch the train to Ribblehead and head south, or begin at Settle train station and head north.
There are some fair climbs to give your muscles a bit of a workout as well as plenty of pubs and cafes along the way for when you need a break.
Start location – Ribblehead
Suggested pit stop – Horton-in-Ribblesdale has bike storage space, so park up and take one of the walking routes to see Yorkshire on foot. Most people come to try their hand at the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, but there are plenty of lighter options you can choose if you don’t want to over do it. If you do tire yourself out, you can always catch the train back instead of cycling, we won’t tell!
Finish location – Settle
Try something different this weekend and take the train to somewhere new with your bike. Find cheap train tickets today.