New commuter

[joeallpress]

Hi All,

I've finally decided to start cycling into work as I'm getting married in 2015 and need to get into shape for the big day. I think that riding a bike for 5 days a week will be a good way to go about this, plus it's much more enjoyable than having to put up with Southeastern Trains.

I've purchased a Boardman Hybrid Race bike with all the necessary add on's (such as lights, helmet and lock) but was hoping someone could give me some advice on my route.

I'll be coming in from Lee (near Hither Green in SE London) and need to travel to Liverpool Street. The Google Maps bike planner has given me a few routes but, as a new cyclist, I'd like to stay off the main roads as much as possible until I've got a few miles under my belt and more confidence.

Does anyone travel along this route or can anyone recommend a particularway in? Many thanks for your help.

P.S - I've already downloaded the beginners commuter guide that you guys produced which I'm sure will prove to be invaluable.

 

[ianrauk]

Hello @joeallpress and welcome to Cycle Chat.

Cycling in London is really not that bad. There are now many cyclists on the roads commuting which has made London motorists very aware of cyclists and cyclist behaviour.

From Hither Green to Liverpool Street is an easy, flat as a pancake, piece of cake and very straight forward too.

Get to the A21 (Lot's of bus lanes), follow this to Lewisham... stuff it.. give me 5 minutes and I will draw and post a map for you.

 

[Biker Joe]

Hi and
Sorry I can't help you with the route but I'm sure someone will be able to help you.
You've picked a good way to get into shape.
Enjoy.

 

[ianrauk]

Here you go.
Click on THIS link.

It looks daunting because of the main roads. But honestly. It's fine.
At Molesworth Street in Lewisham, use the cycle path that goes under the bridge and through Cornmill Gardens. This will save you having to use Lewisham RAB which can be a horror.

 

[joeallpress]

Hello @joeallpress and welcome to Cycle Chat.

Cycling in London is really not that bad. There are now many cyclists on the roads commuting which has made London motorists very aware of cyclists and cyclist behaviour.

From Hither Green to Liverpool Street is an easy, flat as a pancake, piece of cake and very straight forward too.

Get to the A21 (Lot's of bus lanes), follow this to Lewisham... stuff it.. give me 5 minutes and I will draw and post a map for you.

Thanks mate. What a helpful bunch you lot are.

 

[ianrauk]

Thanks mate. What a helpful bunch you lot are.

No probs.
See post above yours for a route.
What time do you plan on travelling to work.
I would be more then happy to meet you on the A21 and show you part of the route.

 

[joeallpress]

Here you go.
Click on THIS link.

It looks daunting because of the main roads. But honestly. It's fine.
At Molesworth Street in Lewisham, use the cycle path that goes under the bridge and through Cornmill Gardens. This will save you having to use Lewisham RAB which can be a horror.

Brilliant. Thanks a lot for the route and advice. Bearing in mind I'm a bit out of shape at the moment (although I won't start going to work until I've been out a couple of times at the weekend to get back up to speed) how long do you reckon that would take? I need to be in work for about 7:20am and so was thinking that if I left at 6:30am, that should be OK?

 

[ianrauk]

Wow that's early...

I usually go through Lewisham on my commute at 8.30.

I think a good idea would be for you to do a couple of dummy runs on a sunday. Traffic will be light(er) and it will give you a good idea of the route and timings.

Yes an hour would be a good start.
As I said, there are no hills... well apart from London Bridge

Have you some where to store your bike?
Hopefully not on the street. If it is on the street then I would get 2 of the very best locks you can afford. One of them a D-lock. Don't scrimp on getting cheap locks.

 

[HLaB]

Brilliant. Thanks a lot for the route and advice. Bearing in mind I'm a bit out of shape at the moment (although I won't start going to work until I've been out a couple of times at the weekend to get back up to speed) how long do you reckon that would take? I need to be in work for about 7:20am and so was thinking that if I left at 6:30am, that should be OK?

I think the most direct route on cycle streets is that which Iain suggests even at a slow pace (12mph) its saying it'll take under 45mins.

 

[ianrauk]

I think the most direct route on cycle streets is that which Iain suggests even at a slow pace (12mph) its saying it'll take under 45mins.

Blimey, forget that right turn at Tower Hill.. that's not a great turn, that's the reason I chose London Bridge.

 

[ianrauk]

Also note that Tooley Street is one way but has a Cycling ContraFlow.

 

[HLaB]

Blimey, forget that right turn at Tower Hill.. that's not a great turn, that's the reason I chose London Bridge.

@joeallpress Local knowledge is 100% better than the web, take Ian's advice

 

[joeallpress]

Wow that's early...

I usually go through Lewisham on my commute at 8.30.

I think a good idea would be for you to do a couple of dummy runs on a sunday. Traffic will be light(er) and it will give you a good idea of the route and timings.

Yes an hour would be a good start.
As I said, there are no hills... well apart from London Bridge

Have you some where to store your bike?
Hopefully not on the street. If it is on the street then I would get 2 of the very best locks you can afford. One of them a D-lock. Don't scrimp on getting cheap locks.

Thanks again everyone for your help. I was already planning on doing a couple of dummy runs at the weekends to help me get my bearings. We do have an underground car park at work, but it's popular so I'm currently number 4 on the waiting list. There are some split level bike racks outside my building though, which plenty of others use, so I'll use those in the meantime. I have bought a decent lock though.

Oh, and is London Bridge such an elevation? I notice that on your route guide that it jumps up considerably, which I've never noticed when walking over it before.

 

[ianrauk]

Thanks again everyone for your help. I was already planning on doing a couple of dummy runs at the weekends to help me get my bearings. We do have an underground car park at work, but it's popular so I'm currently number 4 on the waiting list. There are some split level bike racks outside my building though, which plenty of others use, so I'll use those in the meantime. I have bought a decent lock though.

Oh, and is London Bridge such an elevation? I notice that on your route guide that it jumps up considerably, which I've never noticed when walking over it before.

London Bridge looks worse then it is. It's not that bad.
There will be a lot of cyclists on your commute, especially heading towards London Bridge, over and to Liverpool Street. So you wont be alone.

 

[Tim Hall]

Thanks again everyone for your help. I was already planning on doing a couple of dummy runs at the weekends to help me get my bearings. We do have an underground car park at work, but it's popular so I'm currently number 4 on the waiting list. There are some split level bike racks outside my building though, which plenty of others use, so I'll use those in the meantime. I have bought a decent lock though.

Oh, and is London Bridge such an elevation? I notice that on your route guide that it jumps up considerably, which I've never noticed when walking over it before.

Good start on the lock front, but ideally, as ianrauk pointed out, you'll need two good locks. If the weight is a bit much, can you leave one at work? (Arrive, lock bike to bike rack, go inside, retrieve second lock, add it to bike).