New City job: showers but no secure parking

[snailracer]

Wot no bike parking? Resign immediately!

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

C) Third option is to rent the secure cycle parking facilities at On Your Bike in London Bridge, and then run about one mile to the work site. (might have to invest in some triathlon shorts in this case!). Anyone tried these facilities? Are there any other similar facilities in the City?

I like cycle commuting the main benefit for me is to combine exercise with commuting thereby saving time. Im leaning towards C). Any advice or suggestions would be most appreciated.

C) sounds positive...though I would tend to cycle in jogging bottoms with no need to get changed for the final mile...depends how far your ride is I suppose

 

[EC2boy]

There's secure cycle parking for about 100 bikes in the car park on Queen Victoria St. Depends which end of Cheapside you're at as it might be a bit of a pain to get to. Also, there's another 100+ secure spaces in the massive car park that runs the entire length under London Wall which is just north of Cheapside. The company that runs the new cycle gym in Soho (h2?) is opening under London Wall as well in about two months' time.

 

[jefmcg]

I've kept a folding bike in several city offices, I'd be shocked if anyone had a problem with it. You really can take them anywhere in London. And I wouldn't worry about them being stolen, if there was a thief in your office, why would he risk being seen with a single folding bike (and probably pass a cctv with it) when there are wallets, ipods, phones, ipads, laptops, desktops etc etc. Bikes are stolen from the streets, because they are the second most valuable things left there.

Last contract I kept mine in a coat cupboard. The cycling distance was only 3 miles so I did it in work clothes. This meant I used a poncho for when the rain fell. It turned out the be brilliant. I'd go to the cupboard, take off the poncho and put it over the bike, dry side out facing, and could then put it in the cupboard without touching any coats

 

[Little yellow Brompton]

Yeah but getting sacked can be liberating

Not half as liberating as slapping your resignation down on the des, I reccomend it as least once in your lifetime.

 

[CopperBrompton]

+1 for a Brompton.

I did a bike-train-bike commute on one for seven years, and kept it under my desk without any problems at all. Did the same with a short-term contract working on client premises, again without issues.

 

[cycleman]

Just started a new job in the City (Cheapside). They have showers, and a cloak room but there are only 90 cycle spaces in a building that I would guess has about 5000 workers! I've been put on a waiting list for a cycle space but basically told not to hold my breath. What's the best plan? There are the options Ive considered:

A) I considered using my "beater" 3-speed instead of my nice bike and parking it on the street, but was told "they will nick anything". The bike doesnt look much but I dont want it nicked.

B) Another option would be to buy a folder (brompton I guess). My commute is 6 miles each way. Apparently I could store this under my desk but Im not so sure this would go down if its been raining and the bike is wet. Ive never riden a folder before so Im finding it difficult to evaluate this one. Its also slightly on the expensive side, although I can afford it.

C) Third option is to rent the secure cycle parking facilities at On Your Bike in London Bridge, and then run about one mile to the work site. (might have to invest in some triathlon shorts in this case!). Anyone tried these facilities? Are there any other similar facilities in the City?

I like cycle commuting the main benefit for me is to combine exercise with commuting thereby saving time. Im leaning towards C). Any advice or suggestions would be most appreciated.

I use 'On Your Bike' after having 2 bikes knicked I decided enough was enough. It's only £20 per month (payment upfront) or £1.50 per day and its good.

I still save £40 in fares a month. Thier wheel trues are only a tenner as well

 

[cycleman]

I use 'On Your Bike' after having 2 bikes knicked I decided enough was enough. It's only £20 per month (payment upfront) or £1.50 per day and its good.

I still save £40 in fares a month. Thier wheel trues are only a tenner as well

Havin read the previous comments just now, I think you have been given better options then mine. I work 1 minute away from the bike park.

Good Luck.

 

[leemo]

Just to follow up on the thread, I have been using my old 3 speed and locking it up at the London Wall car park with two d-locks. I think its secure enough, there are much better pickings in the City for the thieving scoundrels.

I quite like commuting on the three speed too, with its North Road handle bars. Its a little heavy but the route I selected is not hilly and so its just fine; I do like these old bikes and I can overtake most mountain bikes and hybrids if not all the roadies. And all the better for a little more exercise as my previous commute was 1.5 times longer. The engine is the important bit!

I have spent a little on the bike - some new tires albeit low end ones to replace the decades old raleigh records, some kool stop salmon pads as the steel rims are hairy in the wet, and a cheap saddle to replace the hard-as-rock plastic thing. I've kept it down to about £50 in total as I still want it to be the kind of bike Im not too bothered about if it gets nicked, althought Im starting to develop a sentimental attachment to this old thing. Hub gear could do with a service but I think I'll leave that til the spring as that will set me back a little.