About to undertake my first commute by cycle

[Twizit]

... well ok I will when it's not quite so windy and wet

Currently commuting daily from Surbiton to Oxford Street by motorcycle (don't all hate me, I promise I'm as considerate a rider as I can be and am definitely not in nature!). Leaving home at 6am to get to the gym pre-work is a bit of a bore, so time to get some exercise out of my commute as well I think, and if I can start now, summer on the cycle should be a breeze. Security at work not great, so it will be on the MTB, as now fitted out with some Continental slicks.

Enough waffle - my question? Route really.

From a search on site, the most sensible seems to be urban cross country to Richmond Park, out of Roehampton gate, Priory Lane, Queens Ride, Lower Richmond Road, Putney Bridge, Kings Road, then....

I'm thinking left onto Sydney Street, past South Ken tube, then Exhibition Road through Hyde Park, then round through the Park and along Oxford Street or possibly along Wigmore St / Mortimer Street.

Any better ideas for the latter part? Also, is Richmond Park closed to cyclists during the hours of darkness or is this just for cars? If the former, then which route?

I'm sure I'll have other questions, but I'd better leave it at that for now!

Thanks

 

[skudupnorth]

Welcome to the commuters ! Cannot help with your route but motorcycles have the same problem as cycles when it comes to our four wheeled friends......only faster ! My work mate hit a car when someone pulled across him on his motorbike,thankfully he was ok but the Daewoo/Chevy thingy was written off along with his bike.

 

[jonny jeez]

Twizit, you're gonna love how light and twitchy a cycle feels (compared to a motorbike) its a whole new world.

Plus you can pull up on the pavement for a coffee and danish whenever you want...try doing that on a motorbike!!

Cant help with the route but I know a few guys come in from there and complain about the smell from the brewery at kew/richmond. (all malty... like Horlicks in the wind!).

Enjoy the ride. Starting is the hardest part.

 

[jonny jeez]

Oh and welcome...sorry I forgot that!!

 

[ttcycle]

Welcome!! Hope the commute goes well...my only suggestion would be erring towards wigmore street - that used to be very quiet in the mornings and overall when I worked in Oxford Street years ago but that may have changed now.

 

[Dan B]

You don't say where on Oxford St, but if it's sufficiently far along to make the detour via Wigmore St sensible, do it. It's infinitely preferable to the pedlemming hell of Oxford St itself. [ edit: yeah, what ttcycle said ]

Through Hyde Park I'd go up then right (West Carriage Drive/North Carriage Drive) in preference to right then up, just because I think there's less (pedestrian and other) traffic on North Carriage Drive than the rest of the park. I rarely do it at typical commute times though, I could be wrong there.

 

[Twizit]

Cheers for the replies so far. I'm on Gt Titchfield Street, so sounds like the Wigmore St option is best - it's the way I go on the bike at present.

jonny - I already know about the beer smell in Wandsworth - worse for me is the smell of fresh doughnuts as I pass the big Tesco on the A3 each morning!! I'm sure they pump the smell out towards the A3 to entice people in...

 

[Tollers]

Personally i'd turn right off kings road and head along the river as far as westminster, then head into the west end. Much more peacefull and picturesque taking the river route.

Tollers

 

[The Jogger]

What about, out of the park at Roehampton, down past the priory, straight on, over the two level crossings, left to Barns, right at the pond by the sun pub, left to hammersmith , over the bridge, use cycle path on the right of the road after the bridge , negotiate the broadway, high st ken, then park and oxo st!

 

[jonny jeez]

Personally i'd turn right off kings road and head along the river as far as westminster, then head into the west end. Much more peacefull and picturesque taking the river route.

Tollers

+1

...plus; as I was told when I planned my first route (I think by Karlos..where is he now?) Rivers dont do hills...so the river route is always flat and often attracts a good tail wind heading in your direction (east along the embankment)...with the wind as it is now, you will be tripping along there at over 20mph with no effort at all

I sometines travel in the opposite direction so can vouch for the scenery ...and headwind!!

Have you checked out http://www.bikehike.co.uk/ it has a cool course creator that will (when clicked on) show inclines and gradient.

 

[Twizit]

Thanks for the further replies. I'll definitely try out the embankment at some point - less traffic lights too from what I've read elsewhere?

Haven't tried bikehike, but I've seen something similar in bike toaster (or something like that). All really useful stuff.

Also does anyone know the answer to my question on cycling in Richmond park out of hours?

ta

 

[Bman]

Just dont "undertake" any left turning HGV's

 

[redjedi]

Thanks for the further replies. I'll definitely try out the embankment at some point - less traffic lights too from what I've read elsewhere?

Haven't tried bikehike, but I've seen something similar in bike toaster (or something like that). All really useful stuff.

Also does anyone know the answer to my question on cycling in Richmond park out of hours?

ta

Hi Twizit

Welcome to the world of cycle commuting. Don't wait until the better weather, start now, it's really not that bad.

I can't help with planning routes, but I can say that Richmond park is open to cycles after dark. Just watch out for the deer jumping out of the darkness, and use a good light as there's obviously not much light in the park.

 

[Twizit]

Magic, cheers redjedi - I've got a Fenix LED torch thingy and a couple of 1/2 watt Smarts for the rear which should do me fine.

I'm only hanging on for slightly better weather as wet weather kit and mudguards are on the Xmas list!!

 

[jonredhornet]

Hi Twizit, welcome to the forum. There are a few of us on here who ride motorbikes as well - I currently have an R1 in the shed which I'm putting back together after some repairs.

Anyway, can't help with the route but all I'll say is it would be best to ride the bicycle in the same manner you ride the motorbike. e.g. lifesavers, never jump red lights, ride defensively and occupy your lane when it's not safe for people to pass etc.

Welcome to the fold