Having moved house and changed jobs I've still not quite got my commute down properly.
I need to work in Shipley two days a week, and live in North Leeds. I want to try commuting without my car, and using the very speedy and convenient trains.
I am by no means a super fit cyclist but I have a largeish heavyish step over bike, which has always suited me fine and I can comfortably cope with distance and hills, and can make it from my door to the train station in 15 mins - but I'm trying to work out how viable it is taking my bike on the train at rush hour to use when I get to the other side.
- Is there usually space on the 7.30am-8.30am trains for bikes? Northern's website says it has space for two bikes per train which sounds... insufficient.
- Does anyone leave their bike at Leeds station and what's the security aspect of that like - is there anywhere that is a safer bet to lock it for the full work day? I could walk the short distance on the Shipley side and leave my bike at Leeds station.
- Should I be looking at a more portable solution eg. a folding bike? I've never found them too comfortable as a taller person with longer legs but I feel like there should be an option for me in this day and age.
Any thoughts welcomed!