Google maps route planning.

[Salty seadog]

I'm planning a short 3 mile route between Kings cross and Marylebone stations to cycle between trains. Trouble is the routes google maps throws up send me the wrong way down some one way streets.
Seeing as they know which streets are one way this is a massive failing and I may have to cycle on the pavement. The direct alternative where I know I will not get lost is straight down the Euston road but that looks scarily busy.

What's it like to cycle down there? I've walked it and seen people cycling but my word it's busy.

 

[jefmcg]

What's it like to cycle down there?

It's ok. Get in the bus lane and hold primary no matter how aggro the taxis get.

What time are you doing it?

 

[Salty seadog]

It's ok. Get in the bus lane and hold primary no matter how aggro the taxis get.

What time are you doing it?

Saturday about 7-8 in the morning and coming back about 6-7 in the evening.

 

[DaveReading]

I'm planning a short 3 mile route between Kings cross and Marylebone stations to cycle between trains.

I can't believe Google is recommending that you cycle between trains, sounds a bit hairy to me.

 

[Ian H]

I've cycled the Marylebone Road on a few occasions (used to have meetings near Euston). Even the underpass is often okay, when the tradffic is slow moving or queued.

Tip: 2 to 3 feet to the left of primary accomplishes the same thing but gets far less aggro.

 

[MontyVeda]

Are you sure those one-way streets don't have a contraflow for cyclists?

 

[jefmcg]

Saturday about 7-8 in the morning and coming back about 6-7 in the evening.

You should be fine. The judgement call is to whether to take the underpass. If you are comfortable with how the traffic is moving, it's a perfectly fine ride, but if you feel you'd rather not, you can navigate the junction above ground easily enough.

 

[jefmcg]

Tip: 2 to 3 feet to the left of primary accomplishes the same thing but gets far less aggro.

My experience is that 2 or 3 feet to the left of primary on Euston Road gets close passes. YMMV.

 

[Pale Rider]

I've cycled the Marylebone Road on a few occasions (used to have meetings near Euston). Even the underpass is often okay, when the traffic is slow moving or queued.

Tip: 2 to 3 feet to the left of primary accomplishes the same thing but gets far less aggro.

I wondered about the underpass, presumably it would be a bit hairy if the traffic was free flowing.

Not sure which way I'd go, Euston/Marylebone road probably.

Going south of Euston Road and hacking through Fitzrovia and Marylebone would mean lots of lefts and rights and one-way streets to negotiate.

Going north towards Mornington Crescent and joining the outer circle of Regent's Park is a bit more straightforward, and not quite as far as first appears.

 

[Salty seadog]

You should be fine. The judgement call is to whether to take the underpass. If you are comfortable with how the traffic is moving, it's a perfectly fine ride, but if you feel you'd rather not, you can navigate the junction above ground easily enough.

Blimy, I took a street view trip of the route and didn't see the underpass. Mind you it does skip around a bit.

It doesn't look too long only a hundred meters or so probably 300 with the entrance and exit. Is there plenty of time to see it and if so can I just hop onto pavement and plan a way round?


Thanks for the advice so far.

 

[Salty seadog]

Are you sure those one-way streets don't have a contraflow for cyclists?

I've not looked at them all but street view sugests not on the couple I did look at.

 

[the snail]

Cycled a similar route a while back, S of Euston Rd, pretty quiet roads or cycle lanes, Quite pleasant really. Best check on street view.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/K....1628979!2d51.522624!3e1!5i2!6m3!1i0!2i0!3i15

 

[Lavender Rose]

I can't think of anything worse than cycling in London...please don't get hurt Google Maps is usually pretty good at differentiating cycle paths and roads etc.

@Salty seadog - when are we gonna go out next!!?

 

[MontyVeda]

I've not looked at them all but street view sugests not on the couple I did look at.

was gonna mention... photo data on GG maps may not be up to date. The only way to really find out is to go and have a look yourself, or maybe look at Sustrans or TFL maps.

 

[jefmcg]

It doesn't look too long only a hundred meters or so probably 300 with the entrance and exit. Is there plenty of time to see it and if so can I just hop onto pavement and plan a way round?

Yeah, plenty of time. Bikes can travel through above ground legally, so only take the underpass if you feel really comfortable doing it. IE not if it's jam packed and not if there are 2 lanes moving at 40mph. But if it's quiet (eg 7am on a Saturday) then it's a slightly better route.

I used to commute through this area, so I could show you the east-west routes in both directions south of Euston Road, but honestly, it is not worth it at the times you are travelling. Less than 2 miles, and well used by cyclists eg underpass nearly 12,000 different strava users have done it at least once. https://www.strava.com/segments/3273027