Last year for Cloud Cuckoo Land and this year for Shambala, I’ve taken the train most of the way, and covered the final leg by bike. Often the most difficult bit of festival transport is the bit near the site itself, as country lanes groan under the weight of traffic they were never designed for. Even public transport, where available, struggles as it competes with cars.
Travelling by bike means you can get in and out of the festival gates quickly and leave the crowds behind. I think it improves your festival experience, as you are already in tune with the outdoors when you get to site. It also encourages you to bring less paraphernalia from home.
So, my top tips for getting to a festival by train and bike are:
- Check if the festival has any organised rides planned. They may have a meet at a certain station. It’s a great way to meet other festival goers.
- If you have a smart phone, buy a handlebar holster (£15) and download the amazing free app Bike Hub. It’s a sat nav for your bicycle that has cycle path as well as road data. As long as you know the postcode of where you are going, it is brilliant, freeing you up to reach any destination
- Some train companies will let you reserve a place on a particular train, but it is not always easy. If you can get one early enough so that it is affordable, buy an open return ticket, so that if there is no space on the first train that comes for your bike, you can take the next one.
- Remember to smile at the people in the traffic jams!
Train and bike, from London to Shambala
I took the train in the morning from St Pancras to Market Harborough. There’s a Halfords right by the train station if you need any spare parts (as I did). Then it’s straight down a disused railway line which takes you most of the way to the site. Along the way there’s Oxenden Tunnel (pictured), a disused train tunnel, which is fine to cycle down as long as you have a good light (check out this great site about the Oxenden Tunnel – what a gem). It all adds to the sense of adventure.
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