Santander Bikes in London

[Cathryn]

I'm travelling through London tomorrow and am not keen to go on the tube, given the pandemic. I need to get from Paddington to Kings Cross and was thinking about taking a Santander bike. I've plotted the route and am pretty comfy with it. Any thoughts on how long it would take and any hints and tips for Santander bikes?

 

[vickster]

What time of day? Although that said rush hours are nothing like they were in terms of demand.

info here https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles

tfl reckons around 20 mins from Paddington to KGX at a moderate pace on a Boris bike
https://tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/r...iModalCall=false&isEarlierLaterAjaxCall=false

 

[cougie uk]

28 mins according to Google. It even gives you where the docking stations are and how many bikes / slots available.

Have you hired before ? Do you have the app set up ?


https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles/how-it-works

 

[Cathryn]

It would be late morning so rush hour will be over. I've just set the app up and I THINK it's all set with my card details etc.

I have 90 mins to do the trip so in principle, assuming there are bikes at the docking station, it SHOULD be fine. You just never know.

 

[T4tomo]

They are heavy old beasts, and low geared, but cruise fine once you get them rolling.

Don't ride down the Euston road (A501) pick a parallel road to the south. A couple have dedicated segregated cycle routes on them - google street view is your friend to route plan!

 

[Cathryn]

They are heavy old beasts, and low geared, but cruise fine once you get them rolling.

Don't ride down the Euston road (A501) pick a parallel road to the south. A couple have dedicated segregated cycle routes on them - google street view is your friend to route plan!

Thanks. That's what i've done - planned it out then done it on streetview every day this week so I know it by heart. I'm a bit excited. Haven't ridden in London since I was young and cute!

 

[T4tomo]

Thanks. That's what i've done - planned it out then done it on streetview every day this week so I know it by heart. I'm a bit excited. Haven't ridden in London since I was young and cute!

I used to do the London commute every day, it was a nice way to bookend the day, particularly riding up the Mall towards Buck house of a morning etc. In lockdown 1 we took the bikes in and did a friday night around the city and west end ride on virtually empty roads, which was a great experience. Enjoy!

 

[vickster]

It should be a broadly flat route. Not one I know but if you get taken into one of the parks? Be aware that some paths are closed to cycles

i think BBs are free for 30 mins if you put the hammer down

 

[Drago]

Ive done it a few times on foot. Its about 2.5 miles, barely half an hour to walk if you crack on, hardly worth putting any money in Ant and Dec's pocket.

 

[cougie uk]

Ive done it a few times on foot. Its about 2.5 miles, barely half an hour to walk if you crack on, hardly worth putting any money in Ant and Dec's pocket.

That is a heck of a pace - especially for London with crossing roads and people in the way. I'm sure it is a fair bit longer to walk than that.

 

[PeteXXX]

It is, I believe £2 for the day and free for any amount of hires of 30 minutes or less,then £2 per ½ hour (I think)
With the app, find where you want to hire from and book it. You get a code via text to unlock it and off you go.
To finish the hire, just slam/push the bike into a docking station.

 

[Drago]

That is a heck of a pace - especially for London with crossing roads and people in the way. I'm sure it is a fair bit longer to walk than that.

Its a brisk walk, most of it along the Euston Road which it a pretty straight slog and not terribly busy woth pedestrians. Its a mile or so out of any part of the centre that gets chocks with peds.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I rarely cycle in London and I don't know anything about the hire bikes (I keep meaning to figure them out but have never got round to it) But if I was walking it I'd drop South of the Euston Rd and wiggle through the London University area, Fitzrovia, cross Portland Place, and pop out on the Edgware Rd slightly S of Paddington then wiggle up to Paddington via the Sussex Gdns area.

Sorry I don't know road names, as I just follow my nose and navigate from memory. Tavistock Sq and New Cavendish St being two things that pop to mind.

If I was in a hurry I might walk straight down the Euston Rd, but that's a crap walk and, I imagine, a much crapper cycle. If I was in a massive hurry and jogged rather than walking I might just match @Drago 's 30 mins, but I doubt it. It's an hour's saunter including some slack at each end.

Best of luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Cathryn]

Frustrated - my train got cancelled this morning so I'm going to have to drive instead. The alternative involved several changes and a convoluted journey. Disappointed not to be doing my trans-London trip which I was all prepared for and excited about but also really frustrated at the state of public transport in this country!

 

[vickster]

It’s pretty rainy in London so it may be a blessing in disguise.
Nothing to stop you coming again, cycling is pleasant on a sunny Sunday. Might even be a CC London ride to join