Bike or Train?

[Craggles]

Hi,

Right - I'm in Southampton at the mo...

I need to go to Coventry tmz, originally I was planning to take the train - but now I've got a bigger bike, I'm considering using that. I've done about 130 miles on it since I got it - 60 miles worth of that was in the pouring rain this afternoon, with about 30 motorway miles. I'm fairly comfortable riding the bike, but obviously don't know it really well yet.

Should I ride up to Coventry tmz? Bearing in mind I have to return on Monday, and will be quite tired (going to see a band, won't be back to friend's house till about 3 am).

On the plus side of riding - It'll cost me about £17 max. on Fuel.... compared to £35 train ticket. Plus it's from one door to another, and it'll allow me to really get used to the bike. It also proves (to me) that I can do that distance, which could lead to more regular trips.

On the down side - I need to be there by 1, This means riding to a deadline, but can leave with plenty of time to spare! It's quite a long way, I don't want to get tired and have an off etc... obviously I'll take a few breaks thou...

Opinions? Suggestions?

Craig
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If this signature is blue, you're riding too fast

[Laura]

Go on the bike I sued to do about 230 - 240 miles every weekend more reliable than the train just make sure you are wrapped up warm oil and petrol in the bike. A well lubed chain and properly inflated tyres and you are sorted.
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Good girls ride motorcycles bad girls thrash them.

[Mantzy]

Best way to learn a bike is to do a long trip, preferably soon after you get it. You'll be able to learn how far you can go before numb bum, how far a tank gets you, how sore you can really get. All good things to know.

Enjoy! Remember to stop for tea along the way...better to be warm and awake then cold and dead
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Current Bikes: 2010 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous Bikes: 2002 Sachs XTC, 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R, 2004 GSX-R 600 K4, 2006 Yamaha XT660X

[nick.h]

depends do you have a safe place to store the bike once your there?

If so do, extra experiance, it will be alot more fun that the train.
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[Italjet MM5A] ll [Rieju RS1 Evolution] ll [Suzuki GS500e] ll [Suzuki GSX600F] ll [Honda CG125] ll [Pug Elyseo 125] ll [Yamaha YZF750R] ll [Yamaha Thunderace] ll [Yamaha R6] ll [Triumph 955i] ll [Hayabusa RZK3] ll [Suzuki RGV250] ll

[jamie192]

Things you should think about

Are the road conditions that safe, if its icy dont do it.
If you feel confident enough
how much fun you will have
if you have somewhere safe to park it
which is more convenient

I would ride the bike if its not raining too hard and isnt icy, otherwise id take the train + train would be quicker but more boring! Get up early enough to see what the weather is like tomorrow and that you have enough time to ride.

Remember ride safe. And have a good time!
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Ride Fast, Brake hard, don't fall off!

[Mantzy]

[Craggles]

[acydbyrn]

[Ste]

Trains are late, unreliable, full of annoying kids, if it's rush hour you're lucky to get a chair, expensive, always taking ages.

Take your bike.

Can you tell I don't like trains? Might be something to do with spending eight hours using them on Thursday for journeys which according to timetables should have taken about five.

[marcia2005]

take the train, its too cold by bike

[mr.z]

Trains suck goats!

My girlfriend is 250miles away at university, two trains away, costing about £30 on the bike (with nibbles and drinks on the way included) and £45 on the train..
The train, never get to sit down, cant put luggage anywhere, they are allways late, often just dont turn up, dont stop where supposed to, hillarious 20minute stops in the middle of nowhere for no apparent reason..
I was on my way back by train once and they stopped at sheffield, 11pm.. told to get off, ok, fair enough, i ask when the next train to derby was, "there arent any" so i ask "what am i supposed to do then?" to which the crosseyed ticket dispenser shugged.. getting pretty p*ssed off now i tell them to get the manager, eventually make them pay for a taxi home, but if i hadn't unleashed arm flaily anger they would have jut left me to sit outside all night

Go on the bike, you will feel far better for it, wear several layers of tshirts, if you get to hot take some off... leave quite a bit earlyer, take a cdplayer and listen to it on your left ear, stops motorways being so boreing, take a bottle of water, dont get carried away with the caffine, its a dialative, worstened by the cold so you will need to pish every 15minutes, not good.

If your not going home till 3am thats the perfect time for rideing, you can be home an hour quicker than when the roads are full

Obviously if its snowing... you'll need more layers

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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[Gracie Jones]

Take the bike. No question.

[Ninja]

Bike.

Good or bad trip you'll be glad you did when you look back on it ...

haha - and looking at the date of the original post I now feel a right tit - bin and gone innit? ...
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James
4 wheels transport the Body ... 2 wheels transport the SOUL

[buddha]

Bike it, good for experience, take breaks every 75miles, or depending on how you feel, should be fine. Enjoy

[Craggles]

Took the train in the end, for fear of ice on Monday (weather forcast said freezing overnight)... and to please parents. Cost £48

Fucking regret it - weather was fine both ways, would have got to spend more time with people, and would have proven that its not _really_ that far!

Possibly may have been a bit tired to ride back, but perhaps I would have taken sleeping more seriously had I needed to ride back.

Might be doing it next week, in which case it'll definately be bike!

Craig
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If this signature is blue, you're riding too fast