Improving on commuting time..

[Flyingfox]

Has anyone who commutes in London actually noticibly improved their journey time. I realise it can depend on whether it's school holidays or road works, but I have only once managed to go sub 40 minutes out of school hols.

Usually my average is around 43 minutes for a 8.7 mile journey, and that's on my new Kona Dew Deluxe (previously had a really old GT MTB). Admittedly after reading some of the forums I don't take unnecessary risks like RLJing and trying to squeeze past bendy buses and HGVs. It would just be encouraging to see more sub 40's.

 

[PrettyboyTim]

I'm not sure there's a whole lot you can do, to be honest. There's probably a bit of improvement to be had by going clipless (yeah, yeah, I'll get around to it someday, I promise) with a nice racing bike, but it's probably only in the order of a couple of minutes. I find that my London commute is dominated by traffic lights, junctions, pedestrian crossings etc so any improvement in speed isn't going to make an awful lot of difference to the overall time.

You might be able to find a quicker route, though - even a longer route with less stops might well be quicker.

 

[BentMikey]

Assuming you stop for red lights, you can get a lot faster and yet make very little difference to your commute time.

 

[Origamist]

Have you tried changing your route?

 

[Flyingfox]

Have you tried changing your route?

Thanks for your replies at least I know I'm not alone. I've tried different routes when I have got to London Bridge.

1) Along the southside of the Embankment - too many pedestrians, and then negotiate Waterloo Bridge which is often gridlocked.

2) Along the back roads on the southside, which leaves me again to get over Waterloo Bridge.

3) I've also tried going along the northside of the Embankment, but again the road can be pretty nasty with traffic at a near standstill, and not much room to pass by.

Suprisingly the quickest seems to be over London Bridge, towards Ludgate Hill, Fleet Street, Strand and around Trafalgar Square.

If anyone knows of a secret back route, do tell.

 

[fofo]

Assuming you stop for red lights, you can get a lot faster and yet make very little difference to your commute time.

No matter how fast I cycle or which route I take my commute always takes the same amount of time. Damn those red lights.

 

[Smoothhound]

I thought I was getting well fit when in August my average commute times came down to 32-33 mins instead of the usual 35-36 for 8.5 miles across south London, it was only when it spiked back up in September did the penny drop about holidays

My average commute time stays pretty stuck even though I have got noticeably fitter since I started in terms of heart rate, weight etc. so I guess fitness just isn't that significant a factor in a busy urban commute.

 

[fossyant]

Don't worry about the time - there are things you can't change sometimes. Ride faster where you have the space - if not a faster commute, you'll get loads fitter.....

 

[palinurus]

My commute times are no faster than the ever were, I'm going faster in time trials tho' so presumably i'm fitter.

 

[hackbike 6]

Not me but im getting older by the day.

You guys seem to be getting younger.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

My times improved a lot up to about September. Obviously, there's bits of the journey where I'm at the mercy of traffic and other obstructions, but there's a few sections where it's pretty much down to how fast I can spin my chubby little leggies. And it's in those bits where I made the biggest gains.

I seem to have hit a bit of a peak now though; I keep telling myself it's all this croozin around looking at the trees, but I'm not really sure it is if I'm honest with myself. Will see what happens when I have an incentive to get home quick when the bad weather kicks in.

 

[BentMikey]

Not me but im getting older by the day.

You guys seem to be getting younger.

We need to see a few more of your videos mate, they are great to watch. And your speed was excellent too!

 

[hackbike 6]

We need to see a few more of your videos mate, they are great to watch. And your speed was excellent too!

Yeah like I will fall for that one.

 

[jimboalee]

Seriously, its a BAD idea to time trial through traffic. Of course, every one is pleased to see a PB broken, but eventually it will be a bodypart that gets broken.
I had a commute of 8 miles in and out of Birmingham Centre along the Tyburn Road. I gave up sprinting between traffic lights after being bounced into the kerb by a Cadbury's articulated. M 20 CDM.

Anyway, who rushes TO work? Rush home yes, but not so reckless you never get home.

 

[itchyrider]

Tailgate as much as you can, that'll make you faster.

Just make sure your alert