Car commuting tomorrow through Central London!

[thefollen]

Driving up to Peterborough straight after work tomorrow so will be doing the usual cycle route from Tooting Bec to Camden... in the car.

I'm an experienced driver but haven't yet had the pleasures of driving through London in rush hour. Hopefully I won't inadvertently hit up the bus lane, go for the ASL, jump on the pavement to filter past traffic (only joking, I don't do this ;-)) or hear my number plate shouted out by anyone!

Looking forward to it actually... will be interesting to see how much longer the journey takes.

 

[mr_cellophane]

Good luck. You will need eyes everywhere. Make sure your mirrors are adjusted for cycles (not the same adjustment for motorways). Otherwise, it isn't too difficult, just don't do sudden moves.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Traffic shouldn't be too bad going into town on a Friday unless it pitheth down. I don't often drive so I find driving in London exhausting. I think it's mostly the effort of keeping that degree of alertness you get on the bike without any of the stimulation.

 

[Markymark]

I used to commute by car to central London daily but I hate it now. Its a constant fight with people pushing for every inch, little courtesy and yes......plenty of bad cyclists! There's an addage when I now cycle about assuming car drivers will do the worst possible thing, but driving, I have to constabntly watch for cyclists doing the same - dangerous undertakes when I'm indicating/turning, rlj, pulling out in front without warning. It really is a constant worry that I'll end up knocking someone off through no fault of my own. It doesn't stop me driving but it does make it rather stressful.

It's alos frustrating that on occasion I do I have to swap to bike fpr teh car that when I'm stuck in traffic I'd much prefer to be on my bike!

 

[thefollen]

Should be fine- reckon it'll be a crawl for most of it. As you say, it's all about being predictable, driving smoothly and keeping a cool head. Especially if I'm on pole at a large crossroad junction. Can't accelerate quickly in case someone decides to jump the lights or cut across heading right. Almost t-boned a couple on my bike before! Aware of all the tricks us cyclists can conjure and am ready for them :-D

 

[Davidsw8]

Driving up to Peterborough straight after work tomorrow so will be doing the usual cycle route from Tooting Bec to Camden... in the car.

I'm an experienced driver but haven't yet had the pleasures of driving through London in rush hour. Hopefully I won't inadvertently hit up the bus lane, go for the ASL, jump on the pavement to filter past traffic (only joking, I don't do this ;-)) or hear my number plate shouted out by anyone!

Looking forward to it actually... will be interesting to see how much longer the journey takes.

Avoid Westminster if you can , road closures round Parliament today and yesterday made it pretty much gridlocked in the morning rush hour. It's bad enough on a pushbike, must be awful in a vehicle. Maybe everything will be clear by tomorrow though...

 

[thefollen]

Avoid Westminster if you can , road closures round Parliament today and yesterday made it pretty much gridlocked in the morning rush hour. It's bad enough on a pushbike, must be awful in a vehicle. Maybe everything will be clear by tomorrow though...

Cool, thanks! Will avoid it. This is my normal route:

http://app.strava.com/activities/52825073

 

[thefollen]

It's £16 for the congestion charge too! Hell of a toll.

 

[Linford]

I rode (motorbiked) to St Pancras last week, and can understand now why the term lycra lout gets used.
That said, there were plenty of people riding motorcycles and mopeds who ride very aggressively between lights.
It just makes me want to stay well out of London on 2 wheels. It isn't a pleasant experience

 

[Buddfox]

Avoid Westminster if you can , road closures round Parliament today and yesterday made it pretty much gridlocked in the morning rush hour. It's bad enough on a pushbike, must be awful in a vehicle. Maybe everything will be clear by tomorrow though...

This should be clear by this afternoon as they were dismantling the security arrangements for the Queen's Speech

 

[Davidsw8]

This should be clear by this afternoon as they were dismantling the security arrangements for the Queen's Speech

I hope so, it's been really horrible cycling in this week

 

[thefatcyclist]

It's £16 for the congestion charge too! Hell of a toll.

No its still only £10 unless you pay through a third party (who come up first when you put a search into google) as they charge a commision for doing it. Go straight to TFL website. I got caught out this way to​

 

[thefollen]

It's £16 for the congestion charge too! Hell of a toll.​

​

No its still only £10 unless you pay through a third party (who come up first when you put a search into google) as they charge a commision for doing it. Go straight to TFL website. I got caught out this way to​

The gits! Oh well- next time.

 

[Black Country Ste]

Why not leave a bit earlier, park at Finchley Central and tube it back into Camden?

 

[jonny jeez]

thing with driving in London during the rush hour is, well, there's not a lot of driving...its more waiting to be honest.

I rode (motorbiked) to St Pancras last week, and can understand now why the term lycra lout gets used.
That said, there were plenty of people riding motorcycles and mopeds who ride very aggressively between lights.
It just makes me want to stay well out of London on 2 wheels. It isn't a pleasant experience

what?

is this London in the UK...not some other London.The London I ride through (on the motorcycle, pushbike or vespa) every day, ..is a awesome place to ride. Very cycle aware, pretty peaceful and full of the best sights you@ll see in any city.

shame about the bleeding potholes but we cant have everything I guess.