New commuter, Surbiton to Wimbledon.

[HelmetPig]

Hi there,

I'm new here and quite new to commuting by bike. I hope I'm not repeating any existing threads and I'm posting this one in the right place . I'm planning on cycling from Surbiton to Wimbledon but I'm not familiar with the roads around. I tried to find my own route on a map but haven't found anything detailed enough (no cycling paths, park cuts etc). Can anyone recommend a safe route? I'd appreciate any help, many thanks

 

[Twizit]

Welcome

Try the first part of the route on here http://www.bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=112445

I've shamelessly pinched the route from one of my cycle club mates as the one he uses to get into London from Berrylands. The important bit for you though will be how to get through to New Maldena and then Wimbledon. Not obvious from a map but there are a few nice little cut throughs that you can't do by car, but get your through towards Wimbledon in a straight line. All very quiet too from a traffic perspective. Hope it helps.

 

[Sittingduck]

Hi

Depends on your own definition of safe, I suppose. I cycled from Surbiton to Raynes Park on Friday evening and the route I took was...

Down Surbiton Hill Road, right at the lights by the Assembly Halls (Maple Rd), along Lingfield Avenue, left at the mini roundabout by the dodgy looking pub, down to the bottom of Villiers Rd, right at the end and follow the road round to the lights, right onto Cambridge Rd, left onto Gloucester Rd, right at the crossroads by the hospital, onto Coombe Lane West, follow this all the way into Raynes Park, follow the one-way system round and onto Worple Rd, then keep on going into Wimbledon.

That's probably less busy than going through the middle of Kingston. perfectly safe imho

 

[jonny jeez]

Hi Helmetpig and welcome.

Sorry I cant help with the route stuff as I live a little more to the east than you. But I would echo SD's comment...and add that often the "safe" routes can deliver surprises, such as drivers not being aware, lots of junctions to negotiate, lots of parked cars to block views, tons of schools, shops, pedestirians, dogs, canals, yobs, potholes, bears and vampires.

...ok, not so many bears and vampires!

But do take a look at the alternative routes that take on "busier" roads. On these the drivers will be more cycle aware, the roads will be better condition, have dedicated cycle (or better still bus) lanes and there will doubltless be many more cyclists to keep you company and support you (safety in numbers)

Check out our handy guide for new city commuters.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12757785/revamped 3.pdf

Have fun.

 

[Lurker]

Hi there,

I'm new here and quite new to commuting by bike. I hope I'm not repeating any existing threads and I'm posting this one in the right place . I'm planning on cycling from Surbiton to Wimbledon but I'm not familiar with the roads around. I tried to find my own route on a map but haven't found anything detailed enough (no cycling paths, park cuts etc). Can anyone recommend a safe route? I'd appreciate any help, many thanks

Hi and welcome,

You can get free maps from TfL - order form is at https://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/11682.aspx
Map nos. 9 and 10 should cover your route.

 

[HelmetPig]

Hi all

Thank you for your kind messages and sorry for a late reply. I've tried a few different routes over the past couple of Sundays with my partner (I thought it would be best to test some before cycling on a busy Monday morning) but I'm not confident enough to cycle it by myself. The main issues for me are re-joining the traffic, switching lanes or crossing very busy roads (there are a few multiple lane roads in each route with no traffic lights that seem impossible to cross, would it be safe to wait for a car to start crossing it and follow behind it?). I don't drive so that probably doesn't help my confidence on the road, I am getting more comfortable but simply don't want to put myself or others in danger. I've read the guide and tried to apply the tips which helped but I think I will try to find a cycling buddy for weekdays for a week or 2 perhaps so I can get comfortable with the route on a busy morning. I am obviously not as fast as experienced cyclists on road bikes but I cycle at a decent paste (I hope) so if anyone is patient enough to help out, let me know. It's probably a lot to ask, but I really want to make it work so if you've got any other suggestions please let me know

Thanks, Helmet Pig.

 

[BentMikey]

What about contacting your council? Most councils offer free or cheap cycling lessons, and hopefully the trainer can provide some level three type training, riding those difficult junctions and bits of road with you to show you how to do it?

Otherwise your idea of getting a ride buddy is tops. I'd offer, but like Jonny I'm too far to the east. Hopefully someone on here will be able to help. You could also try posting your request on http://yacf.co.uk/ as I'm fairly sure at least a couple of members there live out your way and are either ride leaders or trained cycling instructors.

 

[HelmetPig]

I have contacted Kingston council, but haven't heard from them yet, I will follow up with them as I know they have classes that I could benefit from. Thanks for the link, I will post there as well.

 

[lit]

What are the busy roads? I cycle around this area a hell of a lot and can advise you how to deal with them, switching lanes etc.

 

[PK99]

I have contacted Kingston council, but haven't heard from them yet, I will follow up with them as I know they have classes that I could benefit from. Thanks for the link, I will post there as well.

go to the tfl cycling website and request cycling map #10 that give you more than enough info