New commute, which route?
Discussion
I start a new commute tomorrow, from Kent, gongi in to Minories car park at Tower Bridge. I'll be coming up the A20 to start with.
I need to work out the best route in from there, taking into account the availability of useable bus lanes.
From, say, Cliftons roundabout, I could:
- go up to Kidbrooke, dive up towards Blackheath, then across Blackheath. But from previous commute memory, I think there's little room to filter across the heath?
- go down to Lee, then right towards Blackheath, cut across the heath, come out near the top of Blackheath Hill
then
do I turn right in Deptford and head up towards Surrey Quays and over Tower Bridge that way?
or
press on through New Cross and up the Old Kent Rd to the Bricklayers Arms, then TB that way? More bus lane usage this route?
Will probably have to try all but if anyone has a preferred route, would be good to know.
I could of course go through the Blackwall and up The Highway, but I've tried that before and filtering options on The Highway can be nil at points, with all the lights and islands and narrow lanes.
Cheers.
I need to work out the best route in from there, taking into account the availability of useable bus lanes.
From, say, Cliftons roundabout, I could:
- go up to Kidbrooke, dive up towards Blackheath, then across Blackheath. But from previous commute memory, I think there's little room to filter across the heath?
- go down to Lee, then right towards Blackheath, cut across the heath, come out near the top of Blackheath Hill
then
do I turn right in Deptford and head up towards Surrey Quays and over Tower Bridge that way?
or
press on through New Cross and up the Old Kent Rd to the Bricklayers Arms, then TB that way? More bus lane usage this route?
Will probably have to try all but if anyone has a preferred route, would be good to know.
I could of course go through the Blackwall and up The Highway, but I've tried that before and filtering options on The Highway can be nil at points, with all the lights and islands and narrow lanes.
Cheers.
Edited by CAPP0 on Sunday 22 January 18:29
CAPP0 said:
I start a new commute tomorrow, from Kent, gong in to Minors car park at Tower Bridge. I'll be coming up the A20 to start with.
I need to work out the best route in from there, taking into account the availability of useable bus lanes.
From, say, Cliftons roundabout, I could:
- go up to Kidbrooke, dive up towards Blackheath, then across Blackheath. But from previous commute memory, I think there's little room to filter across the heath?
- go down to Lee, then right towards Blackheath, cut across the heath, come out near the top of Blackheath Hill
then
do I turn right in Deptford and head up towards Surrey Quays and over Tower Bridge that way?
or
press on through New Cross and up the Old Kent Rd to the Bricklayers Arms, then TB that way? More bus lane usage this route?
Will probably have to try all but if anyone has a preferred route, would be good to know.
I could of course go through the Blackwall and up the Highway, but I've tried that before and filtering options on The Highway can be nil at points, with all the lights and islands and narrow lanes.
Cheers.
The only advise i can offer is to try all possible logical routes and then you'll see which works best. I need to work out the best route in from there, taking into account the availability of useable bus lanes.
From, say, Cliftons roundabout, I could:
- go up to Kidbrooke, dive up towards Blackheath, then across Blackheath. But from previous commute memory, I think there's little room to filter across the heath?
- go down to Lee, then right towards Blackheath, cut across the heath, come out near the top of Blackheath Hill
then
do I turn right in Deptford and head up towards Surrey Quays and over Tower Bridge that way?
or
press on through New Cross and up the Old Kent Rd to the Bricklayers Arms, then TB that way? More bus lane usage this route?
Will probably have to try all but if anyone has a preferred route, would be good to know.
I could of course go through the Blackwall and up the Highway, but I've tried that before and filtering options on The Highway can be nil at points, with all the lights and islands and narrow lanes.
Cheers.
I go from CW through limehouse link West towards and past tower bridge over southwalk bridge to the Waterloo area. You are right the tunnel + highway it's filtering all the way. Still quicker for me than my other route rotherhithe tunnel Jamaica road avoiding and crossing South of tower bridge and then London bridge cross borough high street and linking back on the south side of Southwark bridge road.
I've tried each and every option including back streets overs the years so have a number of bike special cut throughs too depending on which route.
A20 > Sidcup > Lewisham > New Cross > Old Kent Road. All A20.
You can use the bus lanes. New Cross is easy in the morning but worse on the way out. Im not a fan of Lompit Vale just before.
Only problem is that on a dry sunny day its like the tour de France.
Dont mess about on Blackheath. There is a route that takes you over but I only ised that when the road is closed. Adds 5 mins or so and bottlenecks at the bottom of the hill.
You can use the bus lanes. New Cross is easy in the morning but worse on the way out. Im not a fan of Lompit Vale just before.
Only problem is that on a dry sunny day its like the tour de France.
Dont mess about on Blackheath. There is a route that takes you over but I only ised that when the road is closed. Adds 5 mins or so and bottlenecks at the bottom of the hill.
Cheers both. I used the A20 route above this morning. My previous commute in was A20/Kidbrooke/Blackwall/CW. I was looking forward to not having to use the tunnel but now I'm not so sure! Bit manic coming up the new route and it took a lot longer than the old commute. I'm sure I'll shave some time off that once I learn where the pinch points and gaps are.
Have also now gone from a private underground car park to to a public car park so I imagine the bike will pick up a few war wounds
Have also now gone from a private underground car park to to a public car park so I imagine the bike will pick up a few war wounds
I did this route for a good while and still do when working weekends, but I join A20 at Crittles corner A224, having come from Sevenoaks way.
There is the best route and the safest route.
I've been knocked off twice on Blackheath over the years - it just seems to be bad for U turns and general f
kwittery.
However, best route is A20, joining A2 briefly or cutting up left just before A2, to join Blackheath. Across Blackheath, down the hill and then turn right just after going under Deptford Bridge, onto A2209. This junctions onto A200 where you turn left. Run right the way along A200/Lower road until roundabout by Rotherhithe tunnel where you bear left onto A200/Jamaica road. All of the bus lanes along here are fine for motorbikes which helps and the volume of road lice/cyclists does not get really bad until Jamaica road. There are also not a lot of turn on this road outside of traffic lights so less chance of Smidsy's. This will take you via the arches to Tower Bridge. If problems there, you also have the option of going further to London bridge easily or if you have an early heads up, using Rotherhithe tunnel.
The safest route in my view is still to get north of river at A20, A2, Blackwall, then Commercial road it all the way in.
Either way, I'd avoid Lewisham/New Cross etc.
There is the best route and the safest route.
I've been knocked off twice on Blackheath over the years - it just seems to be bad for U turns and general f
kwittery.However, best route is A20, joining A2 briefly or cutting up left just before A2, to join Blackheath. Across Blackheath, down the hill and then turn right just after going under Deptford Bridge, onto A2209. This junctions onto A200 where you turn left. Run right the way along A200/Lower road until roundabout by Rotherhithe tunnel where you bear left onto A200/Jamaica road. All of the bus lanes along here are fine for motorbikes which helps and the volume of road lice/cyclists does not get really bad until Jamaica road. There are also not a lot of turn on this road outside of traffic lights so less chance of Smidsy's. This will take you via the arches to Tower Bridge. If problems there, you also have the option of going further to London bridge easily or if you have an early heads up, using Rotherhithe tunnel.
The safest route in my view is still to get north of river at A20, A2, Blackwall, then Commercial road it all the way in.
Either way, I'd avoid Lewisham/New Cross etc.
Thanks Pete. Your turn-right-at-Deptford route was my other choice, I used to use that to get to Tooley St many years ago. I'll try it tomorrow. Might go Lee Green > Blackheath village > Blackheath Hill to avoid the Blackheath u-turners then.
Having so many side turnings for possible SMIDSYs is *really* noticeable compared to the old commute. I'll have to see, maybe I will even go back to the tunnel option, it's just that the Limehouse Link/Highway route very much reduces filtering options. I'll have to try and time the options on the same days of the week and see how it goes. I certainly don't want to be adding 20-25 mins each way to my commute .
Having so many side turnings for possible SMIDSYs is *really* noticeable compared to the old commute. I'll have to see, maybe I will even go back to the tunnel option, it's just that the Limehouse Link/Highway route very much reduces filtering options. I'll have to try and time the options on the same days of the week and see how it goes. I certainly don't want to be adding 20-25 mins each way to my commute .
HairyMaclary said:
A20 > Sidcup > Lewisham > New Cross > Old Kent Road
I currently do this but only because I go to Moorgate and tooley street has roadworks.I prefer:
A20 - Lee High Road -Lewisham - the right just after the station to Deptford - Jamaica Road - Tooley Street
Although not multi-lane it doesn't queue/block with buses as easily and the lanes are wider, with few central reservations, making filtering far easier (and safer!)
kiethton said:
HairyMaclary said:
A20 > Sidcup > Lewisham > New Cross > Old Kent Road
I currently do this but only because I go to Moorgate and tooley street has roadworks.I prefer:
A20 - Lee High Road -Lewisham - the right just after the station to Deptford - Jamaica Road - Tooley Street
Although not multi-lane it doesn't queue/block with buses as easily and the lanes are wider, with few central reservations, making filtering far easier (and safer!)
CAPP0 said:
I did that in reverse home tonight. No bike lane usage east of Rotherhithe Tunnel until Deptford and a 20mph limit all the way! Fortunately the traffic was light.
Yeah I only go this was mainly because of the light traffic - like that most days. Despite the non-useable bus lanes and the new (widely ignored) 20mph limits I find it just as quick (if not quicker) than the OKR but feel far safer doing it. Also favoured by cyclists which can give a nice sight in the summer, oh and a good looking female exhibitionist that likes standing/changing in front of the window at the junction near deptford (new flats in plan view as you wait at the traffic to turn right heading out of town).3DP said:
I...volume of road lice/cyclists
What a dim witted term. No wonder its so st on London's roads with this constant aggravated view of other forms of transport. No one has a greater right to use the highway then anyone else.Car drivers hate bikers and cyclists, bikers hate car drivers and cyclists, Cyclists hate all other road users.
You stuck me as more intelligent.
Yes I am being old lady. I am going to lie down now.
Edited by Renn Sport on Tuesday 24th January 12:53
I work next to Tower Bridge & take the M20/A20, Old Kent Road route - going home though I go via Deptford, Greenwich, Blackheath, A2/Kidbrooke A20/M20 as the OKR/Lewisham is a lot busier in the evenings & there's too much start/stop for me. The route home is pretty clear up til Greenwich/Blackheath but its not too bad really, just seems easier - takes 1h10mins to get home to Maidstone (3 miles off Jct 7).
Sea Demon said:
I work next to Tower Bridge & take the M20/A20, Old Kent Road route - going home though I go via Deptford, Greenwich, Blackheath, A2/Kidbrooke A20/M20 as the OKR/Lewisham is a lot busier in the evenings & there's too much start/stop for me. The route home is pretty clear up til Greenwich/Blackheath but its not too bad really, just seems easier - takes 1h10mins to get home to Maidstone (3 miles off Jct 7).
Ah, very similar, I'm just off J4 of the M20. Have you tried the Blackwall Tunnel/Commercial Rd option?
I hopped up to Blackheath from Deptford last night rather than go into Greenwich........
kiethton said:
a good looking female exhibitionist that likes standing/changing in front of the window at the junction near deptford (new flats in plan view as you wait at the traffic to turn right heading out of town).
.......and I think I'll go that way tonight too!! 
CAPP0 said:
Sea Demon said:
I work next to Tower Bridge & take the M20/A20, Old Kent Road route - going home though I go via Deptford, Greenwich, Blackheath, A2/Kidbrooke A20/M20 as the OKR/Lewisham is a lot busier in the evenings & there's too much start/stop for me. The route home is pretty clear up til Greenwich/Blackheath but its not too bad really, just seems easier - takes 1h10mins to get home to Maidstone (3 miles off Jct 7).
Ah, very similar, I'm just off J4 of the M20. Have you tried the Blackwall Tunnel/Commercial Rd option?
I hopped up to Blackheath from Deptford last night rather than go into Greenwich........
kiethton said:
a good looking female exhibitionist that likes standing/changing in front of the window at the junction near deptford (new flats in plan view as you wait at the traffic to turn right heading out of town).
.......and I think I'll go that way tonight too!! 
I'll give it a go though, you never know.So these new flats, where abouts are they exactly near Deptford?
Sea Demon said:
Not tried the Blackwall for a while, always seemed to take forever - A20/Old Kent road is just bus lanes so seems like I'm going somewhere quicker I'll give it a go though, you never know.
So these new flats, where abouts are they exactly near Deptford?
Haha, it's in the big square block here, just over half way up and fairly central: I'll give it a go though, you never know.So these new flats, where abouts are they exactly near Deptford?
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.480834,-0.023318...
kiethton said:
Haha, it's in the big square block here, just over half way up and fairly central:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.480834,-0.023318...
Thanks very much https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.480834,-0.023318...
kiethton said:
Haha, it's in the big square block here, just over half way up and fairly central:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.480834,-0.023318...
Obviously I didn't go home that way and obviously even if I had have, I wouldn't have been looking, and obviously the lights went green just as I got to them so obviously I didn't ride around the corner not paying attention or looking where I was going.https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.480834,-0.023318...
But if I had been, I might have seen a woman in a window about halfway up the block but to the left side, who might have appeared to be bouncing up and down in a very regular/rhythmic manner, and I might have briefly wondered whether there was someone else in the flat with her and I might have briefly wondered whether she was doing that thing which a mummy and a daddy do when they love each other very much indeed.
Good job I wasn't there, of course.
CAPP0 said:
kiethton said:
Haha, it's in the big square block here, just over half way up and fairly central:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.480834,-0.023318...
Obviously I didn't go home that way and obviously even if I had have, I wouldn't have been looking, and obviously the lights went green just as I got to them so obviously I didn't ride around the corner not paying attention or looking where I was going.https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.480834,-0.023318...
But if I had been, I might have seen a woman in a window about halfway up the block but to the left side, who might have appeared to be bouncing up and down in a very regular/rhythmic manner, and I might have briefly wondered whether there was someone else in the flat with her and I might have briefly wondered whether she was doing that thing which a mummy and a daddy do when they love each other very much indeed.
Good job I wasn't there, of course.
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