One door closes and another opens

Pub industry hit by rising costs.


These headlines are seen daily among the mass coverage of the 'credit crunch'. Further evidence is seen here on my route to work.
I've probably mentioned the Brownhill Arms is the first pub to be reached on the way from the Blackburn town centre. All the pubs that used to exist along that route have closed (six in my living memory).
The Plane Tree is one slightly off that route being on the boundary of Little Harwood and Bastwell. It's probably a victim of the worsening economy and the change in local demographics. It's always looked a nice pub, nestling under the railway arches by the river Blakewater. Shame to see it go.

Retail conglomerate takes on convenience locals.


Whilst the local Thwaites brewery hasn't got confidence in some pubs' future, Tesco, the supermarket grocer, is demonstating faith in capturing market from the local Londis, Cooperative and Bargain Booze stores. They are opening an Express shop on Whalley New Road at Roe Lee - very handy to a sizeable residential area.

Autumn term

I can hardly believe it's been nearly a month since I last wrote here. It's been a busy period with many demands on my time resulting in little time for the cycle blog. Rest assured, commuting by bike continues, despite the damp and dismal August we've had. One of the major changes to the commute over the last couple of weeks is the dramatic increase in road traffic each day.

The relaxed commuting of summer drew to an end with the return of students and teachers to their schools after their long summer holiday. The difference is more noticeable in the morning when traffic queues have appeared where there weren't any for the last six weeks. The evening is also slightly busier as people are gathering their families and getting involved with after school clubs.

I'm hoping with the 'credit crunch' (don't you hate that phrase?) and the price of fuel, that more folk will be cycling. There isn't much evidence yet but there are one or two cyclists each way most days. They're not always the same because I, like them, cycle at different times.

There was a guy on the radio from Blackpool this morning. He was describing all the initiatives that will result from the near £6m investment from the town becoming a Cycling Demonstration Town. I also hope that, like Lancaster, this can improve awareness of not just the benefits of cycling but some of the fun and enjoyment that being liberated from cars can bring. A portion of the money is earmarked for training 10 year olds to pass their Cycling Proficiency. Maybe there should also be something to coax the middle aged back onto two wheels as well. The more normal cycling appears, the greater acceptance it will get. Then we can start emulating continental towns where cycling is so normal, folk happily go for a night out by bike - something pretty much unheard of round here.

What I like about the queue in the photograph is the space I have available to pass all the cars on the way to Brownhill. Very satisfying on a bike but very frustrating in a car.

Notes on a Dirty Island

Bill Bryson featured on BBC Panorama tonight in a program about Britain's litter problem.


I don't think you could argue with him. We do have a litter problem. Blackburn has a litter problem. Bastwell, where I pass through each day, is particularly challenged when it comes to dealing with its litter problem.


Every day the council cleaners pick up the litter.


And every day it returns. It's like a windy town from a western movie, except the brushwood is replaced by fast food wrappers.


Some people have civic pride and want to be proud of their neighbourhoods. Unfortunately it is spoiled by those who don't.


Panorama highlighted that the litter problem can be cured, restoring civic pride and lowering crime.

Temporary lights 2

Second in a series showing the temporary traffic lights that have recently appeared on my route to work. This second set is less temporary, being another culvert repair. The signs went up in early June warning of another year's delay.


I'll not bore you with weekly updates as I think this one is going to take even longer than the Blakewater repairs on Philips Road. The principle appears to be very much the same. The culvert houses the streams from a number of tributaries in the Roe Lee area of Blackburn.


On the way to work these lights are not much of an impedance as there is a temporary walk way along the side of the works which I can zip down without any problems as there are usually any pedestrians around. It doesn't always work out trying to use it on the way home since it's on the wrong side of the road then.

Taking bikes on Eurostar

Part 1 - The booking process

I mentioned previously I was planning a cycling tour and reported news of Eurostar's policy on bikes when it changed in April. In May I had the opportunity to travel by Eurostar (without the bike) and was heartily impressed. Whilst I was there I asked the staff about taking bikes and found the 'official' procedure was less than clear, hence the reason for this post.

Eurostar bike carrying options improved on the 7th April by adding a third option, but not all the staff there are aware of it. I asked at security, where the scanners are, and was told the bike had to be in a bag to go through the scanner. The chap didn't know of other options. He pointed out the extra large scanning machines they have installed. I don't know the exact size but a number of other sites/forums seem to indicate 120cm x 90cm is about the maximum. I have also read of bikes being passed round outside the scanner - a possibility but a risky one in case there are problems.

I asked at the information desk and the lady there indicated there were two options.

The first was as carry on luggage using the method the security guy described. I pointed out that if going on tour, a cyclist doesn't want to carry a an airling style bike bag and asked if there was a way round it. She indicated that as long as it fits through the scanner and was wrapped up it should be Ok. For this it to work it seems possible to use some lightweight polythene sheeting wrapped around the bike and wheels and fastened with tape or one of the CTC shop's transparent bike bags. The wheels should be removed, but the advantage here is the process is mostly in your control, so, unlike the airlines, you carry the 'package' to the train and look after it. No drama of looking out of the airport window to see your precious frame under a ton of baggage. I've read reports of this method being used quite successfully by a number of cyclists. It seems there are some extra large luggage racks in which to put a bike bag/package at the end of some of the carriages.

The second option was using checked baggage, for which a bike ticket has to be purchased. The lady on information stated bikes have to be with Esprit the baggage handlers for Eurostar, 24 hours before departure to be guaranteed to be on the same train as the passenger. This is only an option if you live in London or are breaking your journey by staying in London overnight. The cost for this is £20 per bike per journey.

The information desk in the departure hall could only tell me about these two options and were unaware of the new third option available from April 7th. This option is basically option 2, checked baggage, without the 24 hour restriction. As long as you turn up to the Esprit depot at least an hour before you depart, then you can book your bikes in and travel on the same train. Collection of the bike is done on arrival from the baggage handling depot.

If you only have a lightweight bike, or one without mudguards and racks, option 1 would seem the best. If you are touring and have panniers and other equipment to worry about, then breaking down your rig and packaging it at security isn't so attractive, so option 3 will be your best bet if you can stand the cost. Panniers still need to be removed, but the rest of the bike can remain intact.

The only downside is the booking procedure, which isn't seamless but can be straightforward, given a little knowledge of how it works.

The procedure goes as follows:

1. Identify when you want to travel and use the Eurostar website to do a dry run of the booking to check prices and times. Note: Esprit Europe is a parcels service, have limited space and timetable parcel carriage at times most convenient to their needs. This doesn't necessarily coincide with the cheapest train tickets. I wanted to go on the lunchtime train where the ticket was only £29.50 to Paris, but had to choose an earlier train at £59 because there was no room for the bikes. One train to avoid, according to the very helpful man at Esprit, is the 9042.


2. Having identified which trains you want, ring Esprit (08705 850850, or 02079 023528) and check availability. If there is room you can go on to book your Eurostar tickets, if not ask Esprit what other trains have space for bikes - this is best done whilst being able to play with the Eurostar on-line booking to compare times and prices. At the end of this step you should know which train to book.


3. Book the train tickets for the passengers using the Eurostar online booking and get a booking reference number.


4. Ring Esprit again to book your bikes onto the train you just booked seats on. They need to know the train number, days and times of travel etc. They will take payment for the carriage of the bikes and give you a reference number for each leg of the journey. This is to be used at booking in, when they will issue labels for outward and return journeys. If the procedure is taking a lot of time ask them to ring back - unlike a lot of train reservation services, this one is user friendly and involves helpful humans. Having paid and got all your reference numbers, you're done.


5. Take a deep breath, relax and have a cup of tea. Told you it wasn't easy, but having a bit of knowledge of how it works helps take away some of the difficulty.

Part 2 will describe the process of travelling on Eurostar with a bike using option 3.

photo : lewishamdreamer