Gatwick Express, the direct train service from central London to Gatwick Airport, is keen to tell the world that it can carry any type of bike on its trains. The Gatwick Express trains include luggage cars, so unlike some train services you’re not limited to strange folding devices if you want to take a bike on them.

Andrew Conroy, Head of Customer Services at Gatwick Express, comments: “Unlike many of our competitors we transport cycles of all types at all times. Over the years we have welcomed a variety of cycles including choppers, BMXs, mountain bikes, road racing bikes and even vintage bikes for the London to Brighton Bike Ride.”

All well and good, but what relevance does this have for us? Well, as well as being a major international airport, Gatwick is also in the middle of a respectable bit of Sussex countryside and within striking distance of a bunch of popular North Downs riding spots. So it might turn out to be a sensible way for London-based riders to access the countryside. A standard class day return ticket is £14.20. If anyone would like to try it and see, we’d love to hear how you get on…