Biting the bullet and starting the commute

[GJ1982]

Hey guys,

Been reading round the forum and looks informative and interesting.

I will be starting my commute from Erith to London Bridge for the first time on Monday, it's about 14 miles so allowing about an hour for the journey to get into work.

Just wanted to see if anyone has or currently comes in from that direction and if there are any good routes?

Regards

G

 

[jonny jeez]

Hi GJ, and welcome.

good luck with the ride, i dont come in from Erith but go through London from Chislehurst so i probably have a similar terrain. an hour is probably spot on although you will want extra time to de-frock and chill...plus your first 5 rides will be slower.

This is a great time of year to start commuting, let us know how it goes.

Jonny

 

[jonny jeez]

PS, if you want to check routes and examine the climbs and stuff, check out bikehike
www.bikehike.co.uk

the button on the right will show elevation when clicked (really usefull for designing the perfect route) to avoid hills, stick to areas with rivers.

also check out our handy guide for people just like you
here

 

[mcshroom]

I seem to remember there was a cycle track all along the river from Erith Pier (with comedy gradient bridge round the back of a factory) to the Thames barrier. I only used a few small sections of it though.

 

[GJ1982]

thanks guys,

Looked at the cycle route by the Thames as I live right on the Thames and so could jump on it but it looks like a higher mileage journey, do you reckon that would be negated by there being less traffic so equaling a higher avg speed?

Cheers

G

 

[mcshroom]

I really couldn't tell because I didn't cycle when I lived down there (other than a couple miles on a £50 Toys'R'Us special). It might be a good idea to get a feel for both of them, if nothing else it would give you some options.

The route round the river will be longer, and probably less well surfaced, but have maythe advantages of being flat and not having traffic lights.

 

[jefmcg]

River routes can be dubious. Around Barnes (west London) there's a section that goes under water twice a day, and is muddy the rest of the day. And in west London, following the Thames will pretty well double your journey time.

You may be right estimating an hour: I'm much slower than that + have about 10 minutes stopped at red in 16 miles.

Can I suggest on your first day, you allow an extra hour? If you are right, then when you get to London Bridge an hour early, grab a newspaper and a fab breakfast at Borough Market and chill. The hour allows you to be cool, to regroup if you lose your way or if you find that part of the route is not suitable and need to seek an alternative. Plus (assuming you are starting 8-9am) the traffic will be lighter earlier, so you don't have to contend with it so much when you are sorting out your route.

Good luck!

 

[jonny jeez]

thanks guys,

Looked at the cycle route by the Thames as I live right on the Thames and so could jump on it but it looks like a higher mileage journey, do you reckon that would be negated by there being less traffic so equaling a higher avg speed?

Cheers

G

Yes.

Flat roads, even with higher mileage, make for better riding (unless you are in training in which case you will be hunting for hills). I ride a longer circuit (by around 5 miles) as it avoids major hills.

You don’t have to take it too literally though (and cycle along the side of the river) what i mean is take a road that runs in the same location/elevation as a river ...like the road through Thamesmead, Woolwich arsenal and then lower Charlton to Greenwhich, Deptford and then evelyn steet (not sure of its name)...is it the 206?. where as if you went south a little you'd end up climbing through charlton village and blackheath

riding on a riverbank is pleasant but can be windy (a head wind is a mare), so often taking a road to the side is far easier. I've done a quick bike hike check and the ride is 14 miles and almost dead flat with only a 97 ft climb over the tower bridge....looks good. Unfortunatley I cant upload the route as CC wont let me...grrr

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Yes.

Flat roads, even with higher mileage, make for better riding (unless you are in training in which case you will be hunting for hills). I ride a longer circuit (by around 5 miles) as it avoids major hills.

You don’t have to take it too literally though (and cycle along the side of the river) what i mean is take a road that runs in the same location/elevation as a river ...like the road through Thamesmead, Woolwich arsenal and then lower Charlton to Greenwhich, Deptford and then evelyn steet (not sure of its name)...is it the 206?. where as if you went south a little you'd end up climbing through charlton village and blackheath

riding on a riverbank is pleasant but can be windy (a head wind is a mare), so often taking a road to the side is far easier. I've done a quick bike hike check and the ride is 14 miles and almost dead flat with only a 97 ft climb over the tower bridge....looks good. Unfortunatley I cant upload the route as CC wont let me...grrr

That looks like the right kind of route - well, if you leave out the unnecessary Tower Bridge crossing bit. The Thames-clinging route is for when you have an extra half hour of meandering time to spare or you fancy a change/sense of space. The quick roads through Thamesmead aren't particularly friendly (and have odd names like ''Bronze Age Way...) but they are flat and straight with few lights, at least until you hit the borough of Greenwich.

Just give yourself a little extra time to vary your route as you're learning it.