Once a week London commute

[WheresTheEngine]

Hi,

I work in Canary Wharf and live in Reigate, Surrey and I'm considering, just once a week, cycling to work (28 miles each way). I currently ride a motorbike to work, so I'm used to the craziness of the traffic.

My reasons for this are two-fold; I love cycling but it's very rare that I get out on the weekend and even then it is with the (young) kids who can't do any distance/speed; reason 2 - I'm getting fat and badly need some more exercise than one 5-a-side football session a week is providing.

OK, I've read a few old threads on similar topics and I'll just say, I only want to do this once a week (maybe twice if it works OK), I'm used to the dangers of London's roads and I don't want to use the train part of the way (it's hard enough getting on rush hour trains solo, never mind with a bike).

My real question is about the possible routes. I just noticed that Google Maps has a 'bike' option when route planning and it's come up with an interesting route which actually looks quite fun. It has suggested a time of 3 hours but I wouldn't follow the route exactly as it has shown (it goes through a few off-road bits which would be stupid on my planned road bike) - does anyone know how accurate Google Maps is for timings? I'm not quite clear on it's criteria for doing the calculation.

Is there a better site for planning a route?

Does anyone do anything similar and can suggest bits to take/avoid? The route roughly goes up through Croydon, Beckenham, Lewisham, Greenwich.

 

[Beebo]

Can you show us your route?
Your main consideration is where to cross the Thames. This will have the main bearing on the route
Greenwich would be via the foot tunnel, which can be a pain, or the ski lift which will cost you money.
Your other options would be the Rotherhithe tunnel, which is not recommended for cyclists, or Tower bridge / London Bridge.

 

[wilkotom]

Cyclestreets.net is the usual answer for a route planner, I think, though even that isn't brilliant to my mind. In my experience the Google route planner's worse than terrible.

 

[Twelve Spokes]

Hi,

I currently ride a motorbike to work, so I'm used to the craziness of the traffic.

 

[musa]

I'd favour for tower bridge reigate into london is easy could take the a23 all the way then naviagte via central

 

[KneesUp]

I like flattestroute.com - it does what it says, and sends you down cycle paths when it can.

 

[gaz]

I would do one of these routes - http://www.strava.com/routes/18588 or http://www.strava.com/routes/18593

 

[Kookas]

Google Maps assumes an average speed of 10mph, which is probably somewhat lower than most people on here's average speeds.

I usually give myself the time Google says, though, for 'puncture/food/etc time'.

Google Maps actually worked out my main commute route quite well. Mostly residential roads and the like. I wish I could turn off towpaths, though, for the roadbike's sake.

 

[Mile195]

From Just south of Lewisham in Ladywell, you can pick up cycle route 21, which runs down Masala Road, crosses the A20, takes you under a bridge behind lewisham station, then along the river quaggy.

Follow that to Deptford bridge station, cross the road, follow the cycle track up past lewisham college, and turn right by the pub with the bus on the side. Follow that road until you see a path off to the right. Follow that, takes you over deptford creek, turn left at the end. Follow that and you'll find yourself on the main road that leads down to Greenwich. Straight across, and follow the road up to the river, cycling along that until you get to the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. That'll take you across to the Isle of Dogs. You can now make your way to Canary Wharf.

That route gives you about 3 miles of traffic free cycling at the end of your ride, and is much nicer than the road alternatives (in fact it's also more direct).

As for the other 25 miles... well I'll leave that with you.

 

[WheresTheEngine]

Thank you all - some useful ideas

 

[Kies]

I do 22 each way once a week, sometimes twice. Use a bike with panniers as long distances are murder with a rucksack on your shoulders.

 

[Markymark]

You could think about splitting the commute over 2 days?

 

[MichaelO]

I would do one of these routes - http://www.strava.com/routes/18588 or http://www.strava.com/routes/18593

http://www.strava.com/routes/18593[/quote I'd agree with that - they're roughly my two routes into London (from Redhill) - over the north downs on the A23 is flatter, but the route via Chipstead is far more pleasant/quieter, although slightly lumpier. Personally, on the first route, I tend to try & get off the A23 as soon as possible - usually at Coulsdon (via Wallington to Mitcham) - it's not the worst road in the world, but is obviously busy.

 

[MichaelO]

I do 22 each way once a week, sometimes twice. Use a bike with panniers as long distances are murder with a rucksack on your shoulders.

I only use a rucksack (20 miles each way), with no problems. Granted, it only has a shirt & underwear in it, as everything else sits in a locker at work.

 

[Kies]

I only use a rucksack (20 miles each way), with no problems. Granted, it only has a shirt & underwear in it, as everything else sits in a locker at work.

Lucky man. I have to lug a laptop, charger and basic tools for my job. Rucksack hurts my shoulders after 5 miles and I sweat like crazy