Help stranger to london

[rugbyluke]

Hi everyone I have lived in gosport Hampshire my whole life and never been to London. So me and a friend came up with the idea of catching the train with our bikes and cycle around and see the sights. After watching YouTube clips of people cycling around London my only concern is my clip in shoes, I don't have normal pedals will this be ok?

 

[Tynan]

absolutely, as long as you used to unclipping and clipping in every 100 yrads for red lights

amd pedestrians wandering out in front of you

 

[slowmotion]

If you are used to cycling in traffic, you will be fine. You just have to clip in and out more frequently.....or trackstand.

Thus speaks a clipless novice of about five weeks who has commuted in London for a couple of years. I'm no expert.

 

[gaz]

I use SPD-SL's in my london commute, no issues.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Hi everyone I have lived in gosport Hampshire my whole life and never been to London. So me and a friend came up with the idea of catching the train with our bikes and cycle around and see the sights. After watching YouTube clips of people cycling around London my only concern is my clip in shoes, I don't have normal pedals will this be ok?

London's a surprisingly ''human'' place considering its size and most drivers are as used to cyclists as they are to not indicating. On the positive side, there are very few really fast roads so bikes are very often close to traffic speed. Councils do appear to have got a bulk-buy discount for traffic lights so you will probably have to be prepared to be a little snappier than usual with the clippiness - they're all over the place, those traffic lights, and they're slow and stupid.

 

[Arfcollins]

Have been thinking of doing similar with some mates, but trying to do it on the cheap have been looking at Greyhound buses. They will carry a bike as luggage, so return fares of £2 are possible. Has anyone done this and have any idea of how feasible it is for the bike to travel undamaged?

 

[ufkacbln]

If you cycle in Gosport then London will be no problem.

I regularly cross London from Waterloo to Kings Cross and thetraffic is no worse and often better than locally.

Take your time and ride cautiously, but defensively

Slightly OT, but TfL do some excellent free maps that point out quieter routes and plan your trip. There are a lot of excellent places to visit away from the main hotspots..... The bicycle is an excellent tool for exploring.

 

[jefmcg]

I know it's not your original plan, but have you considered leaving the bikes at home and going for the full London experience on Boris bikes? Then you don't have to worry about them getting stolen, and it's pretty cheap. £1/day if all rides are less than half an hour. Though I suggest paying £3 and getting a key sent to you before hand, as it saves a lot of pfaffing.

 

[Red Light]

Have been thinking of doing similar with some mates, but trying to do it on the cheap have been looking at Greyhound buses. They will carry a bike as luggage, so return fares of £2 are possible. Has anyone done this and have any idea of how feasible it is for the bike to travel undamaged?

Or take the Megatrain from Southampton Central or Portsmouth Harbour into Waterloo. Bikes no problem.

 

[Lurker]

Sure about Megatrain carrying bikes? I thought they didn't - maybe they've changed their rules.

 

[JonnyBlade]

Hi everyone I have lived in gosport Hampshire my whole life and never been to London. So me and a friend came up with the idea of catching the train with our bikes and cycle around and see the sights. After watching YouTube clips of people cycling around London my only concern is my clip in shoes, I don't have normal pedals will this be ok?

Luke,

Where abouts in Gosport?
Why would you want all that smog and crowd when we have the Meon Valley, New Forest and all the rides up to Petersfield, Hambledon, Clanfield etc?

Jonny

 

[StuAff]

South West Trains are pretty good about bikes...if you get a 442 service (white trains) they have three dedicated bike spaces (racks) in one or two carriages, the blue 450s have room for a similar number, no racks but a bit more flexibility. If you have a Network Railcard and enough bods, you could do a groupsave and not have to bother with the Megatrain offers (specific services only on those) let alone the coach......
+1 to all the points about riding in London. It's no worse than this neck of the woods!

 

[StuAff]

Luke,

Where abouts in Gosport?
Why would you want all that smog and crowd when we have the Meon Valley, New Forest and all the rides up to Petersfield, Hambledon, Clanfield etc?

Jonny

+1. And along the coast either way, too...

 

[vickster]

Do it on a Sunday, more tourists but less traffic...cycle sightseeing on a Sunday is great fun

 

[dellzeqq]

seconded.

And if you go on to Informal Rides and ask for a guide, someone will volunteer