How to get to John O’Groats with a Bike: Train vs Courier vs Car Hire

It’s suddenly feeling a lot more real, now that I have booked my way to the start line for my John O Groats to Lands End bike packing tour.

Planning getting to the start of my solo, self-supported trip, from Manchester, took more effort than I expected! By sharing what I’ve picked up I hope it helps others.

TRAIN WITH BIKE:
What I expected to be straightforward, was to book my train tickets in advance, from Marple to Wick, reserving a bike space for the route. However tickets in Scotland get released before England, so by the time the full route was bookable (Marple > Manchester > Haymarket > Inverness > Wick), there were no bike spaces available – and I made sure to get notified and check tickets immediately upon release 12 weeks in advance.

From what I have gathered from the biking community, it’s too risky to attempt it without a bike reservation – it can be up to the train company, or even the individual train guard. Taking the wheels off doesn’t go down well with train guards either, so I’m told! For me, I like leaving as little to chance as possible.

However, even if I did manage to get a bike reservation, I’ve also heard horror stories of cyclists still being refused onto a train because all bike spaces are taken, even by those who haven’t reserved. It is clear that British trains and bike accessibility do not go hand in hand, and I can’t afford the time it would take to sort if I’m not lucky.

TRAIN, AND COURIER BIKE:
Since I can’t rely on getting my bike on the trains, I therefore considered taking the train whilst having my bike couriered up. On the train front, I had two options. First, to do the journey in one day, leaving Marple around 9am, and arriving in Wick 14 hours later. However, this involved a risky 10 minute transfer window at Haymarket, after a 3 hour journey on the UK’s most unreliable network. If I missed it, I’d have to wait until the next day – no thanks!

The more enticing option is the overnight Caledonian Sleeper Train, a wonderfully fitting way to arrive, and would allow me to be well rested too! (I’m unable to take my bike on the Calendonian, because the platform at Preston is too short for the bike carriage?!).

Separately, I would arrange to have my bike couriered to Wick. BikeDelivery.co.uk seem to be the best at offering this service. They quoted £39.99 for delivery in 2-5 days to Wick. Packing materials cost an extra £20, with optional insurance at tiered prices.

Also a special shout out to Brian at The Spot Cycle Shop, and Wick Bicycle Repairs and Servicing, who both very kindly have offered to receive and look after my bike, for me to collect.

Although this is a great option, it still requires me to risk an extremely long journey on Britain’s unreliable train network, where time is against me. If the journey wasn’t as far and time less tight, I may have considered this option.

I’m also apprehensive about shipping my bike a week in advance, as it risks being delayed or discovering it damaged on arrival, and a week without my bike! Furthermore, I would have to carry all my gear by hand too.

CAR HIRE:
Given the risks of both the train and bike courier options, I started looking at hiring a car instead. Hertz perfectly have a drop off location at Wick, and a collection point only 8 miles from me at Manchester Airport, that accepts one way journeys.

Although perhaps £50 more expensive (taking into account fuel) than the train/courier option, this allows me to keep in control of my journey and reduce the risk. I can hire for just 24 hours and take my time driving the 500 miles to Wick.

Testing out my new storage gear.

CONCLUSION:
I therefore have hired a car with Hertz. For those in groups, or on a larger budget, there are other courier/taxi options available, but hiring a car appeals the most to me.

– Hire car 4pm Wed 15th May
– Travel overnight to Wick to drop car off before 4pm Thur 16th May.
– I am undecided whether to get a B&B on route, or sleep in the car.
– Cycle the 16 miles to John O Groats, where I’ve booked a night at the start line at Hamnavoe John o Groats Hostel. My aim is to camp most of the journey, but feel a good night’s sleep after the long journey and before I start, will be a welcome move!

Now that my start day is set, I can focus on planning the route and remaining details, and share with others. It’s all starting to feel real!

Simon x