Commuting from W London to Bromley

[Jezston]

Will hopefully be doing some work in Bromley for a few months and looking into commute options.

15 miles by bike each is potentially do-able, although possibly not every day, however I don't know the area that well - I've already made some tweaks to the route based on what I know, would anyone be able to suggest any more changes?

Plotted Google Maps Cycle Route

Any areas I should be wary of due to difficult roads or notorious traffic?

Ta!

 

[jonny jeez]

Orrid Journey You'd be mad to try it.

catch the train fella.

 

[rb58]

This looks like a case for Arallsop and Ianrauk......

 

[jonny jeez]

http://app.strava.com/activities/41364807


Old kent road across from Westminster bridge is both faster, and more rewarding. Vaxhaul/kennington is slower and feels less bike friendly to me. OKR is one massive bus lane with plenty of riders making it very bike aware. Plus the views are much better as you cross the river in both directions. People avoid the OKR as they consider it fast and dangerous. I feel the opposite, its the back streets that are a danger.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

From Nunhead you might find it simpler to track SE down Ivydale Road, Athelnay Road and then Brockley Way to get over the railway line. It seems better than going E through Brockley Cross and then South. There's a footbridge over a different railway railway line at Bellingham Play Park - it'll mean a carry the bike job which might be awkward if you're carrying a load in panniers. Otherwise the SE bit makes sense to me.

 

[BentMikey]

I'd stick with the A21/A2/A202, and otherwise ride much as your route, personally. I'm less keen on OKR than Jonny, it just feels more risky to my perception. I might be entirely wrong of course.

If you're going against rush hour, you can always do a bit of train relief via Victoria-Bromley South, that's a good fast route. I say against rush hour, as then you can use your bike as much as you want without the restrictions affecting you.

 

[Jezston]

If you're going against rush hour, you can always do a bit of train relief via Victoria-Bromley South, that's a good fast route. I say against rush hour, as then you can use your bike as much as you want without the restrictions affecting you.

I was going to look into riding to somewhere zone 2 south of the river which should save a significant amount on the train fair if that were practical ...

 

[ianrauk]

I'm with Mikey. Stick with the a202/a2/a20/a21 rather then the OKR.
Forget all the backstreets and waterlink way through Nunhead, Catford and Lewisham. Nice for a pootle but not if you want to get somewhere fast. Keep on the A202 until it hits the A2, then the A20, then the A21 at Lewisham. The A21 to Bromley is an easy, safe, quick ride with plenty of bus lanes for the first part. The climb/drag from Maccy'D's at Old Bromley Road to Tweedy Road Bromley is a mile long. Be tough on a fixed if you not up to fitness. Not the widest of roads so you have to be careful with the road islands.

 

[BentMikey]

Plus Waterlink way has the not insignificant risk of assault and/or robbery.

Bromley Hill is narrow and can be scary, I've had a fair few incidents there that are on my channel. Most recent is this one:


They don't happen very often, but they will happen.

 

[ianrauk]

Plus Waterlink way has the not insignificant risk of assault and/or robbery.


They don't happen very often, but they will happen.

Not wanting to worry Jezston.

But yep. Friend got attacked on the Waterlink Way a few years back.

And have been knocked off myself on the hill by an arctic bullying his way past me.

But these type of incidents are rare.

 

[womblechops]

The proposed route really doesn't take gradient into account - you will need serious legs to get up the hill from the a2. If riding in bus lane hours the OKR isn't a bad option at all as you will pretty much have a dedicated lane.

I commute in the opposite direction but on the way home will go all the way to Lewisham - although I might cut the a21/a20 roundabout by going through Algernon Rd then possibly through Ladywell fields and up to Catfood Bridge station.

I'd then not take the Waterlink as, although you'd be at the better time of day (on the way in) it is so twisty and turny that you will go too slow. Get on to the a21 and spin your way up Bromley Hill. I'll wave at you as I go down in the morning!

 

[John90]

I go Victoria/Vauxhall/Stockwell/Brixton/Herne Hill/Crystal Palace/Beckenham/Bromley. Bit of a climb up Croxted Road to Crystal Palace, and then the last bit up to Bromley.

 

[Jezston]

Work has now begun, and despite a slight hiccup with discovering there are no showers at the company I have err 'aquired' gym membership and the name of someone at the office who never goes so now have access to secure bike parking and shower facilities. Going to give it a go possibly monday although the forecast is currently saying snow so may hold off.

Certainly want to get riding at least some of the way as £50+ a week 1-5 travel card is a hefty burden to bear.

 

[Jezston]

New route based on suggestions:

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?sadd...6&sz=15&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8&t=m&z=13&lci=bike

Any thoughts?

 

[Jezston]

Or,

Option B:

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?sadd...sz=14&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9&t=m&z=14&lci=bike