Commuting alternative to High Street Ken?

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Eckinspain

Regular
Location
London
It's been a nightmare recently. I've recently moved house so only have a few weeks of it under my belt, so not sure if it's always that bad.
Does anyone go from Hammersmith area to Waterloo-ish? Is the route along the river any good? From google it doesn't look all that bike friendly.
Ta
Eck
 

Twizit

CS8 lead out specialist
Location
Surrey
I can't advise on the best route to get to it, but the Chelsea Embankment is definitely the way to go. Nice big wide Cycle Superhighway (one of the better ones I think), lots of other cyclists and cars that are used to them (in my experience). I've commuted along there for the last three years and it's definitely my preferred route. Just hop South across Lambeth Bridge and along to Waterloo, unless you fancy Parliament Square and Westminster Bridge.
 

Davidsw8

Senior Member
Location
London
I can't advise on the best route to get to it, but the Chelsea Embankment is definitely the way to go. Nice big wide Cycle Superhighway (one of the better ones I think), lots of other cyclists and cars that are used to them (in my experience). I've commuted along there for the last three years and it's definitely my preferred route. Just hop South across Lambeth Bridge and along to Waterloo, unless you fancy Parliament Square and Westminster Bridge.

I wouldn't fancy going south from the west over Lambeth Bridge in the mornings... Google maps has the quickest cycle route going along Hyde Park, down the Mall and crossing Waterloo Bridge, that seems like it might be a nice ride but not sure about the traffic up to Hyde Park.
 

Twizit

CS8 lead out specialist
Location
Surrey
I wouldn't fancy going south from the west over Lambeth Bridge in the mornings....

Bridge itself is usually clear going South, so assume you mean turning right at the roundabout to get onto the bridge? Never had a problem myself, but I guess it depends how confident you are with your positioning. You do have to watch for people pulling out on you (those heading West directly along the Embankment) but I find making strong eye contact usually helps :smile:
 

Davidsw8

Senior Member
Location
London
Bridge itself is usually clear going South, so assume you mean turning right at the roundabout to get onto the bridge? Never had a problem myself, but I guess it depends how confident you are with your positioning. You do have to watch for people pulling out on you (those heading West directly along the Embankment) but I find making strong eye contact usually helps :smile:

Yeh, it's the roundabouts either side that are the problem - carnage first thing in the morning :ohmy: Not sure confidence helps too much when you've got a huge truck bearing coming at you from the side. I do it myself every day and it's the single worst bit of my journey.
 

idlecyclist

Well-Known Member
I cycle Ken High Street every day. Its usually not so bad.
Then once you are up to Albert Hall, you can go into the Park. Which is nice.
 
OP
OP
Eckinspain

Eckinspain

Regular
Location
London
Yeah I turn into Hyde Park as soon as I can, it's the stretch from Olympia to the Albert Hall that s the worst.
The morning's are generally ok actually, it's coming home (heading West). Obviously the days of the tube strikes last week were bad but last night was awful - took me ages to do about a mile - constantly filtering through traffic, looking out for cars changing lanes, motorbikes, pedestrians, cyclists...

I will give Chelsea Embankment a try - especially if we have any more strikes.

Current weather is gonna make tonight's ride fun :sad:
 
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