Route suggestions - Kings Cross to Canary Wharf

[RhythMick]

With the strike and all I figured I might bike across London tomorrow. Not decided whether to try and take my bike on the train or use Boris bike.

Whichever - obviously I can look at the Open Cycle Maps (I use Viewranger on my phone) but I thought I'd ask for suggestions as to the safest routes.

 

[Brains]

Try and take your bike, Boris bike use has gone up by 70% today.
even if you get one, there is then a major problem of re parking it, as whilst the racks at the stations are empty, the ones at the destinations are full, and tfl can't reposition them fast enough as the roads are jammed with cars

 

[Brains]

Routing

Every bike shop in london has the free tfl cycle maps

If you have the time then you could do worse than the regents canal towpath. It's not fast but it will get you much of the way there

 

[RhythMick]

Many thanks. Will try and take my bike.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I was thinking head down to Farringdon and on to Ludgate Circus, left up past St Pauls and on to the CS3. I tried cyclestreets.net and they came up with these other suggestions - http://www.cyclestreets.net/journey/40497042/

 

[Beebo]

Are you thinking of bringing a bike with you on the train from Barnsley to London tomorrow?
If so, you have to consider whether you will be able to get the bike on the train? Then consider where you will lock it up in Canary Wharf.
I wouldnt want to rely on a Boris Bike during a tube strike.

 

[RhythMick]

Thanks all. I've reserved a space for my bike on the train from Wakefield (and back lol).

Will check that suggested route. Looking at open cycle maps on ViewRanger I was thinking of this. Only 6 miles, just want to pick a relatively traffic free route if I can. Just because Open Cycle Map shows a cycle route along a street doesn't mean the locals wouldn't advise me to "stay the hell away"

 

[RhythMick]

This site

http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/

... produced a very nice PDF download. Excellent quality. No idea if the route is safe or not, but I'm going to try it and report back.

 

[Brains]

This site

http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/

... produced a very nice PDF download. Excellent quality. No idea if the route is safe or not, but I'm going to try it and report back.

My experience is this is good for a guide and it will get you where you are going, but it does not always produce good results as it make no consideration for hills as an example

My variation would be on page two hang a left at 'Central market' (Smithfield), (Page 6) Charterhouse st, Little Britain, Gresham St, Lothbury, (Page 5) Cornhill, Leadenhall, then drop down Lloyds avenue, and the follow the cyclists to the old Royal Mint and Cable Street and then follow your original map

 

[RhythMick]

Many thanks.

 

[Beebo]

Many thanks.

How did you get on with the ride?

 

[RhythMick]

Sorry for the delayed reponse, my life just went mental.

OK, firstly the experience of taking my bike on East Coast to Kings Cross was excellent. The guards van has 5 slots for bikes, with a metal slot on the floor to hold the wheels and a metal tube to velcro the bike to. The guards van gets locked and assuming you've booked a slot they check it in and out. You can book a slot online when you book your ticket, or if (like me) the tickets are already booked you can pop in to any mainline station and add the bike booking at no cost. Good service.

The morning route went pretty well and to be honest I found drivers to be careful and courteous. I'd avoid Bank at all costs - I got off and walked but it's very busy. The area around Aldgate also looked a bit scary, until I realised that the cycle crossing was there. I missed the entrance to the CS3, but once on it I thought that was a great route - a few joining side roads where you need to be sure drivers have seen you, but other than that very good and direct to Limehouse where Route 1 took me to Canary Wharf. The 6.4 miles took 1 hour 5 mins including navigating and maneuvering around Bank etc.

Coming back a friend advised me to try the Regents Canal. For a traffic-free route I'd definitely recommend it as long as you are prepared to be patient and give time to pedestrians and other cyclists. Especially going under the bridges. The 6.6 miles took 1 hour 20 mins but I had plenty of time and was quite happy to let walkers and other cyclists pass first.

 

[Brains]

Routing

Every bike shop in london has the free tfl cycle maps

If you have the time then you could do worse than the regents canal towpath. It's not fast but it will get you much of the way there

Ta dah !