Using your bike and public transport is a fantastic way of opening up A to B cycle routes as well as being kinder to the planet.

Using Carlisle Train Station as a hub to base your rides from is fantastic as it give you access to so many lines - begin at Carlisle and ride out as far as you wish and then just get the train back.

Some examples I like to do from Carlisle station are:

  • Take the train out to Oxenholme, ride on to Appleby and the get the train back to Carlisle.

  • Ride from Carlisle to Penrith via one of the loveliest roads in the Lakes.

  • Discover the joy of the Eden Valley and return to Carlisle on the famous Carlisle to Settle line.

  • Ride from Dumfries to Sanquhar following the River Nith.

The map below shows the key rail and bus routes that I use regularly and I am happy to provide bespoke route advice and guidance free of charge.

Bikes on trains - what you need to know:

  • From Carlisle you do not need to book your bike on any ScotRail or Northern Services. You will however need to book a bike reservation if using the West Coast mainline (Avanti and Transpennine services). I recommend you download the Trainline App as you can make bike reservations on there.

  • Some services will require you to lift your bike and hang it - e.g. the Scotrail service from Carlisle to Glasgow via Dumfries.

Bikes on buses - what you need to know:

The buses marked on this map operate in the following ways

  • Borders Buses X95 Carlisle to Edinburgh allows for 2 spaces on board the bus. This is a fantastic bike service.

  • The Stagecoach 500 Dumfries to Stranraer bus stores bikes underneath in the luggage compartment. It is worth ringing ahead to the Dumfries or Stranraer depot to confirm that it is a coach service as this is NOT always provided - I would do this at least one day in advance.

  • The Stagecoach X74 Dumfries to Glasgow via Moffat bus stores bikes in the luggage compartment.

  • The West Coast Motors 926 Glasgow to Campbeltown bus stores bikes in the luggage compartment but requires the bike to be covered with something (this can be lightweight -I have used a waterproof bike cover before).

  • The only bus you may need to “book” a bike on is the 926 and this is classed as a piece of luggage as it may depend on how busy the bus is. If in doubt, ring West Coast Motors.

Bike Friendly Public Transport