London route request

[g00se]

Hi there,

I've got quite a short London commute and I'm looking for alternative routes. Particularly for the route back as I've usually got loads of time between leaving the office and getting to the station (usually spent window shopping in the bike shops around Spitafields).

The route I take is across Norwich to the train station - train down into Liverpool Street - and then cycle across to the office near Victoria Embankment Gardens. The route back is similar but varies for the one-way streets:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie...d=117101885674102599936.00047801915437be06966

Now, I can easily vary it around the same route - or I often tear around Holborn/Old Street/Shoreditch so I can nip into Condor Cycles. But I was looking for suggestions for a bit of scenic pootling - though avoiding the usual London nasties - when I've got time to kill?

Cheers folks.

 

[dellzeqq]

I'm surprise that's the route you take. I'd come out of Liverpool Street on the Bishopsgte side, cycle down to Monument station, turn left just after the station to the Monument itself (be careful of the paviors when it's wet) and take a right on to Lower Thames Street. You can achieve mach 1.5 going through the tunnel, then sweep under Blackfriars Bridge before rising to get one of the best views in London - even Sea Containers House has its good points when the morning sun is shining on the river and your lungs are full of ozone.

The reverse trip isn't quite so much fun because the tunnel slopes slightly upward, but it's a safer route than the one you're using.

 

[g00se]

Yes - but I have been known to pootle, so parts of the route in is reasonable quiet (for London rush hour that is). I've always avoided Upper Thames Street like the plague - when I've been down that way by taxi, all I've seen are scooters tearing up the cycle lane, taxi's diving about... I'll give it a go though.

To be honest - I've never found my route back to be that bad.

 

[hackbike 666]

Agreed I now no longer use Upper/Lower Thames Street for that reason plus the fact there are many big vehicles there/Southwark Bridge was crap when I used it and I find London Bridge better although not wonderful.

 

[Tollers]

Goose. I go down upper thames street every morning from Tower Hill. You're right the scooters are annoying, but its a quick, simple and relatively safe route. Just be carefull of cars turning left onto southwark bridge,

Shout if you see a guy riding a Ribble about 8:30-8:45

Tollers

 

[neslon]

Take any of the minor roads heading North until you pass the Sage on your right - you will cross a distinctive bridge a few seconds later. Stay on that side of the river. End.

 

[jonny jeez]

Hi g00se.

As an alternative (just thinking outside the box a little).. if you fancy some really scenic "pootling" would you consider dropping Sarf over London Bridge and taking the South Bank route ...either through borough market or along the river front at London bridge. There are cycle paths (plus a lot of peds in the summer) and on a good day this is a fabulous route.

It takes in the market, the Globe theatre, the Millennium bridge (the wobbly one), Tate modern, Imax, National theatre, The London eye, Big Ben and city hall all without any traffic at all.

I would guess you could ride all the way at a conservative pace without trying to break any land speed records. Have a Google and see what cycle paths exists on that route....PS, I've walked this route maaaany times and can highly recommend it.

Good luck finding a neat route

Jonny

 

[g00se]

That sounds cool when I've time to pootle! I've walked the south bank but can't recall any cycle lanes across along the embankment. I'll check google.

 

[Alan Whicker]

+1 on Johnny Jeez's suggestion. I use to do that quite often as part of a route to Barnes.

It's a braver man than I who cycles down Lower/Upper Thames Street. It scares the bejayzus out of me.

 

[g00se]

Cheers - I'm having problems finding details of the cycle route along the south bank. There seems to be conflicting info on whether it's a cycle route or just riding on a ped only walkway. Do you have any links?

 

[jonny jeez]

Cheers - I'm having problems finding details of the cycle route along the south bank. There seems to be conflicting info on whether it's a cycle route or just riding on a ped only walkway. Do you have any links?

I see what you mean, I've found the same.

I have certainly seen bikes on the routre (many of them like this) but cant see an advertised route.

perhaps this site can help

http://realcycling.blogspot.com/2009/05/thames-crossings-24-london-bridge.html

At the end of the day, if you plan to ride on the wide open sections (as all the tourists do) then I dont see a problem, just be respectful of all the pedestrians and take it easy.

If you ride at an "eclesiastical pace" (there you go Nelson, I knew I'd use that one again!!) then you will still complete the south bank section in under 30 mins

 

[HobbesChoice]

How's your new route shaping up this week Jonny?

 

[jonny jeez]

How's your new route shaping up this week Jonny?

Frustrating...I picked up a puncture on the Loud bike and "had" to bring that in today to get it fixed. Shall take Chitty home tonight and look forward to the run in tomorrow..Hope the weather is fine as the parky bit is gorgeous when its sunny.

I'm such a tourist

 

[hackbike 666]

+1 on Johnny Jeez's suggestion. I use to do that quite often as part of a route to Barnes.

It's a braver man than I who cycles down Lower/Upper Thames Street. It scares the bejayzus out of me.

It's an awful road and thats before you mix it with motorcycles in cycle lanes and lorries.I even got cut up by a "Pre Booked" there when I was cycling in the snow and ice.

Southwark Bridge a lot of the time seemed to have "works" going on,on it and temporary lights...Don't know what it's like now.

 

[Tollers]

I just wrote an email to Boris asking what proposals there are to deal with cycle lane abuse by motorists. Will let you know in the strange event that i get a reply

Tollers