Commute from Essex to London help

[SteveBM]

Hi guys

I've done a web search and also searched the forum here but can't seem to find what I need so I hope you can help

I live in Rayleigh, Essex and I'm after a cycle commuting route to Canary Wharf.

I'm worried about riding alongside the A127 so I'm after some inside knowledge on quieter back roads which are still relatively direct and good for cycling

So, do any of you do a similar commute and what are your favourite routes?

Thanks folks

 

[HLaB]

I know noting about the route but try cyclestreets for a good one.

 

[gaz]

Dude, that's a 30mile one way trip. That is some serious millage. Perhaps look at doing a bit of it on the train.

 

[Lee_M]

are you talking about a daily cycling route? I ask because its a long way for a commute - and also given that no matter what you do you'll hit the london traffic at some point which will kill you mentally as well as potentially physically.

Ive done it at weekends quite often (I have a weekend place in leigh on sea and my main home is in wanstead) but wouldnt consider it as a commute

If you really want to do it your best choices are either up through brentwood and head towards ongar, chigwell and into wanstead and leytonstone, or down from rayleigh to benfleet and through laindon, towards hornchurch and romford and ilford etc.

Either way you still have to get into london from there, I have a place in wanstead and from there take victoria park and the canal until I get to the CS3 then follow that into the city, but even that takes 40 odd minutes,and you'll already have done 27 odd miles and from there your choices all include nasty horrible london traffic

 

[Lee_M]

btw if you do insist, the A127 has a separate cycle lane for big chunks of it, but youll still have to deal with the roundabouts where it just stops

 

[SteveBM]

Thanks for the advice Lee. I intend to do it once or twice a week just to break up the commute. Appreciate that it would be too much 5 days a week but appreciate you pointing it out.

I might do a test run at the weekend and see how I get on. Thanks for the advice mate

 

[Lee_M]

Thanks for the advice Lee. I intend to do it once or twice a week just to break up the commute. Appreciate that it would be too much 5 days a week but appreciate you pointing it out.

I might do a test run at the weekend and see how I get on. Thanks for the advice mate

no problem, if you have the time the run is nice through brentwood ongar abridge etc , the run through to rmford and ilford is more direct but busier and you go through the shitty commuter belt

 

[Lee_M]

and if you are out and about saturday and see someone on a red and white trek domane, say hi, it will probably be me!

 

[SteveBM]

Will do thanks again mate!

 

[mr_cellophane]

I don't know all the route, but the path by the side of the A127 between Basildon and the M25 is awful. I only go along it on a mountain bike it is so full of ruts, holes and crap.
Basildon is a bit of a cyclists paradise.
I would head towards Doesgate Lane, Fen Lane, past Stubbers, Warwick Lane and Upminster Road North to Rainham. Then A1306 (old A13) which I think has a good cycle lane on the west bound side (oddly I have only been eastwards along here by bike or car), Ripple Road to Alfreds Way is normally a crawl so in with the traffic is fine, then CS3 starts all the way to Canary Wharf.
That's about 34 miles, but includes Laindon Hills which might prove a challenge either way.

 

[SteveBM]

Cool

Gonna check the weather tomorrow and do a trial run on Saturday. I'll plan a route using your advice above and report back..... If I do it!

Cheers

Steve

 

[danjanoob]

Hi guys

I've done a web search and also searched the forum here but can't seem to find what I need so I hope you can help

I live in Rayleigh, Essex and I'm after a cycle commuting route to Canary Wharf.

I'm worried about riding alongside the A127 so I'm after some inside knowledge on quieter back roads which are still relatively direct and good for cycling

So, do any of you do a similar commute and what are your favourite routes?

Thanks folks

I've been doing Romford to London Bridge. Approx 16 miles each way. I wouldn't do any more than that to be honest. It's the upper limit of how far i'm prepared to cycle to work. Great mixture of road types and good balance of distance/energy.

Rayleigh to London is too far IMO.

 

[danjanoob]

Oops just seen it wont be daily! Good luck with the trial ride. Will certainly break up the week nicely. If you'd like a buddy from Romford give me a shout. I'm still quite new but doing any activity with someone else helps you improve quicker.

 

[Crankarm]

Too far IMHO expecially through Greater London. Cycle one way or part of the way, get the train in opposite direction. No benefit doing it once a week. Better to do a shorter distance regularly than one long distance infrequently to get any real physical benefit as you will just end up knackered the day after your once weekly round trip. Ride and train in equal measure would be my advice say ride in first 15 miles then jump on train for the rest. Train then bike for your ride home. Simples.

 

[danjanoob]

The problem is you cant just jump on a train in rush hour with your bike.