New commuter

[Jas]

All - I have just purchased my bike and am looking to commute from orpington into Canary Wharf.

I have not cylced for >10 years and trying to get back into it. The routes are currently showing circa 1hr 30 mins. Is this for the average cyclist of general fitness?

I am hoping to start setting off for about 6.30. Would appreciate some advice/best suited routes.


Thanks

 

[I like Skol]

Welcome to the forum and the world of cycle commuting How far are the routes you are looking at?

 

[Jas]

having checked the Tfl website the fatest route is 1hr 36 and is 31km.

the easy route is 25km however it takes >2hours taking in footpaths etc.

 

[mark st1]

@ianrauk is a fountain of knowledge on all things commuting around that area im sure he will drop you some good routes.

 

[Jas]

thanks guys, nothing like the old concept of trial and error. Ideally I am hoping to make the commute to 1 hr, which is approximately what it takes me now. (15min walk, 25mins on the train and 15mins on the DLR)

I will await the fountain of knowledge to advise on some suitable routes.

 

[ianrauk]

@Jas
Welcome to Cycle Chat from another Opringtonite.
I commute daily into Greenwich.

1 Hour 30? What part of Orpington are you in? I would say that is about right. As you will have to use the Greenwich Foot Tunnel.

The most direct and easiest route is the A21. It can be busy, but rush hour motorists are used to cyclists. It also has a lot of bus lanes which are very handy. On the way in it's all down hill or on the flat,

However on the way back, It's not so nice as you will have to climb Bromley Hill which is a mile long grind bottom to top.

The other option is the much slower Waterlink Way through the parks but this does take an age is it's a bit higgledy piggledy. So it depend on how much of a rush you are in. .

So just follow the A21 all the way into Lewisham, Then Greenwich.
You will then need to cross the Thames by the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. They will be soon letting bikes on the DLR, but outside of rush hours only.

If you want a specific mapped route just let me know and I will be happy to do a couple for you to show you the best options.

 

[Jas]

Hi Ian - Thanks for coming back on this. I'll be commuting from Cloonmore Avenue just off Warren Road. Yes the plan was to make it to Greenwich and use the foot tunnel. I'd be looking to do the ride as quick as possible to and out of the wharf. As The return journey does not look too appealing however if it's teh quickest route then it will have to be done. However, an easier alternative would be good in case I am not up for the challenge. It's a long stretch but hopefully it will get better as I cycle more and more. Although I will try and start off a few times a week to begin with ( I won't ditch the oyster card just yet)

What is the A21 like at 7am? On the retrun journey are the roads quite clear at 7pm (the A21)

Also would a face mask be worth investing in?

Thanks again

 

[ianrauk]

ha.. very close to me. I'm on the Davis Estate, Southlands Ave behind the Crescent.

So yes the A21 would be the best and quickest route.

So what I suggest is, Sevenoaks Road, Right at the roundabout by the bus garage. (bit of a climb here). Then the A21, up to Locksbottom (another little drag), then down hill into Bromley.
Kentish Way, then right to go down the (very fast) Bromley Hill (you can get to 40mph if you push ) ...keep going, past Downham, Catford (being careful of cars wanting to turn left into Canadian Avenue) towards Lewisham, over the large roundabout, cross the A21 and that will take you straight into Cutty Sark.

Click this link for a mapped route

Points to note for the return.
As I said previous. It's a bit of a drag the return as not only do you have to climb Bromley Hill, you will also have to climb up to Locksbottom. But it does leave you with a nice and fast last stretch to home.

In both the mornings and evenings Bromley is probably the most congested part of the route.

At Catford/Rushey Green. You have the option of either going round the one way systems or through the bus lane. It's half dozen of one etc as to which one is fastest. Though the Bus lane is the safest.

Climbing Bromley Hill, it can seem intimidating as the road has islands, so be careful not to let yourself be squeezed by cars, buses or lorries. Once in Bromley, be a bit mindful of Kentish Way, it's a nice bit of road to cycle but cars do treat it like a race track.

Personally, I think it's a perfect commute distance. 12 miles to Greenwich. Once you are up to speed you will be able to do it in 45 minutes, but a bit longer on the way back.

ps forget the facemask. You don't wear one when walking the streets do you? They just get all hot and sweaty and yucky...and don't really work.

 

[Jas]

Hi Ian - really appreciate the advice and routes. I wish the difficult stretch was on the way in and lighter on the way home!
The reason why I was reluctant to cycle in London previously was because of teh mad drivers. The roads seem a little more cycle friendly these days as teh volumer of riders on the road has increased. Hopefully drivers of autmobiles are a little more mindful.

Thanks again

 

[ianrauk]

No probs.
I leave home at 7.30am so if you fancy a companion to see you through the route, then I am more then happy to do so.

What bike have you got?
Make sure it's all lubed up, tyres pumped up and ready to go...

 

[Jas]

Thanks having some company would be great. Only that I am usually in at my desk for 8. So am planning to leave at about 6.15-30. I may take you up on the offer heading in the opposite direction though! Judging by the steep climb up Bromley hill. I will probably leave the Wharf at 6.30 / 7.

Really not looking forward to climibing that hill as fitness levels having plummetted in the last several months.

I purchased a Fuji 1.3 2013 Hybrid Bike.

 

[ianrauk]

That's far too late for me evening-wise I'm afraid. That's a long old day you have there bud.

Nice bike too.

So as I said, make sure the tyres are pumped up - somewhere between the recommended PSI on the tyre walls. Carry a spare inner tube, pump and repair kit.
Check the tyres before and after every commute. Anything you see in the tyre, dig it out. get in the habit and you will have very few punctures. (I have had only 1 so far this year)
Got a water bottle. Use it. Water will do. If you are new to cycling then you will need the rehydration. Especially on the route back.

Give it a couple of months and you will be flying, you would have lost some weight and you will have regained your fitness.

 

[Jas]

Thanks Ian. I'll have to master the art of changing a wheel. I purchased my bike last week through the cycle to work scheme. I did purchase two inner tubes simultaneoulsy. Is it worth investing in some shoes too. I was hoping not too but it may enhance efficiency over time.

I'll have to meet you locally at some point. I am trying to get my daughter into cycling too

 

[biggs682]

jas you must be brave coming back to cycling after a few years off and then starting off by commuting in and out of london ....... you must be mad

 

[ianrauk]

jas you must be brave coming back to cycling after a few years off and then starting off by commuting in and out of london ....... you must be mad

It's no problem the route he's going to take. Wide roads, plenty of bus lanes and motorists who are used to cycling commuters, Very safe.