> Well I ride no matter the weather as being a courier toughens you up to
> the
> elements.  But yeah even though she rides everyday its nice to have the
> option to use on the occasions its not so nice out there etc.

> And the new rules are different for every trainline.  Its not a starting
> time for your journey,  its what time the train gets into Flinders st in
> the
> city.  Any train that gets into town by 7am-9am is out of bounds.  Same
> too
> any train that leaves town from 4pm-7pm.

> Basically anyone wanting to work 9-5 and use a bike is excluded.

> As for the darkness I was mainly referring to winter where here it can get
> black and dark at 3pm in the arvo LOL

> And locking bikes up here is like Snake on the Simpsons,  no matter what
> it
> is if its chained up they'll try to take it.

> I've got mates that get the train in after riding from South Morang to
> Epping station for instance so they can ride all day in town for work.
> These new rules mean a LONG day in the saddle with them HAVING to commute
> from South Morang into town,  ride all day and THEN ride home most likely
> into a northerly at this time of the year pretty buggered.

>> >I can understand the issues on both sides, it's the same here in Sydney
> as
>> >it's always been regarding bikes in peak hour.I guess it's more in the
> case
>> >of trying to cater for the majority of passengers when the patronage is
>> >growing especially now in times of rising fuel costs.
>> I know it's frustrating about not allowing you to take your bike on the
>> train but i gather that in most cases, judging by your post, you only use
>> the train when the weather turns shit but most times your wife and
>> perhaps
>> yourself would be commuting on the bike instead of using the train.I
>> guess
>> it's hard to please all concerned.
>> Jeez, when does peak time finish in Melb? You stated it's dark and wet so
>> that tells me at this time of the year it'd have to be around 7.30 to 8pm
> so
>> usually peak time in the cities finish at around 7pm so I can't see why
> you
>> can't take the bike on at this time of the evening.

>> Regarding bike parking stations, some stations have got them and some
>> not,
>> but it might be worth considering at times when the weather is bad to
>> just
>> have a crappy cheap bike to chain up at the station near home and if it
> does
>> get pinched or vandalised, it's not such a big deal and leave the good
>> one
>> at home for the good days of commuting.

>> cheers
>> DJ