On your Bike

[mickthemaverick]

Just confirms to me that cyclists are just like motorists.

Not all by any means.

I have to agree Jim, not all. Only those that drive automatics - the rest have three pedals!!

[NewcastleFalcon]

Somewhere near Shrewsbury
Cycling by/in the River Severn
The river is just on the left and always floods this path after very heavy rain.
The cyclist found the water too deep and turned back to dry ground.
geograph stamped image by Dave Croker

Regards Neil

[CitroJim]

The problem of riding through water like that is wet feet! I hate getting my feet wet....

[mickthemaverick]

Ever tried riding in your wellies Jim?

[CitroJim]

Ever tried riding in your wellies Jim?

[Dormouse]

A well-known Practical Classics staffer is dotty about them and has done much to enthuse all and sundry, even members of the Citroen Car Club...

I've been tempted with one a few times but in all honesty, they're just a bit big for me and my current needs...

They'd be right up your street Jim - ideal for throwing dirty bikes in the back without dismantling them. Handy if it's raining! Also, pretty much "wipe clean" in the back. I wish I'd kept Bertie. Rob did offer to let me buy him back, and I would have done if I'd had the cash at the time, about six months ago!

Had exactly this discussion with Sandra ( Triathlete ). Bikes won't go in lengthwise without removing the front wheel. Two bikes are even more difficult if at an angle. That is why I am trying to persuade her to get a L2 version of the Berlingo or preferably (sacrilege ) a Doblo L2.
There are lots of videos out there about getting bikes into Berlingos but my experience shows that the LWB versions ( Crew Cabs usually ) are better and swifter to load bikes into.

[Michel]

A well-known Practical Classics staffer is dotty about them and has done much to enthuse all and sundry, even members of the Citroen Car Club...

I've been tempted with one a few times but in all honesty, they're just a bit big for me and my current needs...

They'd be right up your street Jim - ideal for throwing dirty bikes in the back without dismantling them. Handy if it's raining! Also, pretty much "wipe clean" in the back. I wish I'd kept Bertie. Rob did offer to let me buy him back, and I would have done if I'd had the cash at the time, about six months ago!

Had exactly this discussion with Sandra ( Triathlete ). Bikes won't go in lengthwise without removing the front wheel. Two bikes are even more difficult if at an angle. That is why I am trying to persuade her to get a L2 version of the Berlingo or preferably (sacrilege ) a Doblo L2.
There are lots of videos out there about getting bikes into Berlingos but my experience shows that the LWB versions ( Crew Cabs usually ) are better and swifter to load bikes into.

Are you talking about the 2009-onwards Berlingo? I'm talking about the earlier M59 versions. I could get two adults 27.5" mountain bikes in the back without removing wheels.

[CitroJim]

If a bike won't fit into a Berlingo without removing the front wheel then I'm no better off... Honestly, it's not hard to pop the wheel out.. It's QD and there's no need to even open the brake caliper on my duathlon bike...

[Dormouse]

This is the early Berlingo. Note that all the front wheels are removed because they won't fit from seat back to rear door if placed straight in with wheels inline.
Othrewise they have to be at an angle in the van and take up a lot more space.

[Dormouse]

This is a Kangoo but it shows precisely the issue for a full length bike to clear from the seat to rear door.

[Dormouse]

Bikes will fit in these vans but only if the wheels are turned and /or the bikes are put in at an angle. Therefore they take up a lot of the available space. Fine as long as you have no spares, tools and personal belongings to carry as well as trying to provide some seating/bed.

[Dormouse]

This is the simplest, quickest and effective Removable Bike Storage Frame I have come across. It is shown inside a VW van ( T5 ?)
This shows clearly how much extra length you need if you leave the wheels on.

[Dormouse]

This video perfectly shows what goes on when you put a bike in the back of a Berlingo

[CitroJim]

For a big chunky mountain bike Dave, that makes sense but for my little lightweight racers it's much more than I need... When I can find one I'll pop up a photo of just how snugly and easily my entire duathlon kit slips into the back of my Saxo. I've made it easier by removing the rear seats and putting a flat foam-lined floor in it, converting it (reversibly) into a little van...

I have once had all the kit in an AX by just folding down the rear seats... Remarkably, the AX has more room in the back than a Saxo with the seats folded down despite it being a slightly smaller car overall.

[Zelandeth]

I guess that's one area where my Caddy probably wins - having been designed for a wheelchair to sit between the rear seats there's plenty of room for something like a bike to go straight in through the middle.