West Kensington to Swanley

[Scruffmonster]

Hey,

I'm bored with my commute. It's grown to 20 miles. I don't knock out 10 a week as I can't manage it week on week, but just over an hour door to door on the same roads is getting very boring.

http://goo.gl/maps/Gyfbs

I ride these roads as they're generally fast moving but I think if I ride through Lewisham every day of my life I'll probably die of boredom.

I know I could experiment using the map and a bit of experimentation but I often get lost on guesswork and my last experiment involved Streatham which was gridlocked, so suggested alternative routes would be most welcome.

Cheers if anyone can be bothered.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

On my rides up to my daughter in Welling I sometimes vary my route just to the north of the A20, ie continue towards Eltham, at the Yorkshire Grey roundabout take Middle Park Avenue, then a quick right-left dogleg takes you to onto Crossmead, through Fairy Hill park, where there's a cycle path, and then thread my way back to Footscray Road, which will take you on to Sidcup/Swanley. It's a little slower but it's quieter and more varied. It won't cut out Lewisham though.

There is a way round Lewisham to the south via Nunhead, Brockley, Hither Green, Lee and then pick up your normal route via the South Circular. While it avoids the despond of Lewisham, it is a bit fiddly though.

 

[trampyjoe]

Why not go round the south circular from world of leather (do they still call it that?), cuts out lewisham and it's exciting!

 

[jonny jeez]

I start in shepherds bush and end in Bickley (with a lap of hyde park to keep the ride to 20 miles) Sometimes I'll go straight south over clapaham and crystal palace but most times I do the A21 through Lewisham. I don't find it that boring really. its pretty fast and the traffic is slow so you really feel the progress
you run the same part of lewisham that I do up untill the bottom of armpit hill, so you know the score there

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0BUZQAMEZI

but once you get past lewisham it gets a little dull as the roads get straight and the cars speed up. That said you know the score there too as your route through lee and then up onto the sidcup bypass must be pretty dull too. I guess its the last 5 mile for you that are the worst.

I'm afriad I cant really think of a better route without sending you over the 25 mile mark.

 

[Beebo]

To avoid Lewisham you could go right at Kidbrook Park Road, following it all the way past Kidbrooke station, then up the hill, left into Kidbrooke gradens to admine the £million mansions, then on to Blackheath Common, over the common, which is traffic free, then back down the hill into New Cross. It adds a few miles but aviods Lewisham town centre and gives you a bit of peace on the Common.