London commuters - talk to me
Discussion
I'm considering a job in central London (Monument) and am interested in realistic journey times as well as typical times when you need to be in and out before the journey times become unrealistic.
I'd be coming from J3 of the M3 and in from there, either M4 or M3, I don't know what would be easiest/quickest.
I was hoping that it would be about an hour and ten in from there but would appreciate real world experience and whether it's worth doing it vs the train drudgery.
I'd be coming from J3 of the M3 and in from there, either M4 or M3, I don't know what would be easiest/quickest.
I was hoping that it would be about an hour and ten in from there but would appreciate real world experience and whether it's worth doing it vs the train drudgery.
I think you're being a little pessimistic with journey times.
I do M3 J7 to Southwark in an hour and a bit. Can be a teeny bit longer due to seasonal variation but generally I leave home at no later than 05:30/17:30 and am ready at my desk for a 07:00/19:00 hand over, so that includes parking the bike and getting out of my gear.
The M3 also has good route options in that if the M25/M4 are borked you can scoot down the virtually deserted bit of the M3 and pick up the A316 and still make reasonable progress until picking up the A4 again at Talgarth.
I work longer than average shifts so tend to travel outside the peak, but when I do travel in during the more traditional 7-9am slot it can be f
king murder....or maybe I'm just spoilt coming in at 6am usually?
But does it beat the train? Hell yeah. Despite the risks (different thread needed) it still beats sitting in a tin box inhaling the bad breath, farts and BO of 99 other mongs. It's also much, much cheaper and even on a bad day it's still quicker.
There are a couple of good burger van stops on the 316 just West of the elevated bit by Kempton Waterworks by the way.
I do M3 J7 to Southwark in an hour and a bit. Can be a teeny bit longer due to seasonal variation but generally I leave home at no later than 05:30/17:30 and am ready at my desk for a 07:00/19:00 hand over, so that includes parking the bike and getting out of my gear.
The M3 also has good route options in that if the M25/M4 are borked you can scoot down the virtually deserted bit of the M3 and pick up the A316 and still make reasonable progress until picking up the A4 again at Talgarth.
I work longer than average shifts so tend to travel outside the peak, but when I do travel in during the more traditional 7-9am slot it can be f
king murder....or maybe I'm just spoilt coming in at 6am usually?But does it beat the train? Hell yeah. Despite the risks (different thread needed) it still beats sitting in a tin box inhaling the bad breath, farts and BO of 99 other mongs. It's also much, much cheaper and even on a bad day it's still quicker.
There are a couple of good burger van stops on the 316 just West of the elevated bit by Kempton Waterworks by the way.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 14th May 20:32
Thanks guys. Yes parking is another story but I wanted to try and understand what the likely times and issues were.
Also agreed re-risks. I have enough issues with a 20 mile journey to Slough every day!
So if an hour to and hour and ten is do-able and I can find parking in the area then I have a shot at it.
Also agreed re-risks. I have enough issues with a 20 mile journey to Slough every day!
So if an hour to and hour and ten is do-able and I can find parking in the area then I have a shot at it.
I come from between the M4 and M3 further west, and only on the bike every now and then. Very rarely in fact. Journey time is 1h 15ish for me to get to Upper Thames St for 7.15 - parking if you don't mind a small fee (relative to cars!) is 5.20 in the NCP between Southwark and Cannon St bridges.
If you don't mind a 10 minute walk every day, there's a great car park just on the end of tower bridge called Minories car park.
Free for bikes, has it's own secure area (vans are too wide to fit in). I park there every day and walk up to liverpool street. I usually get in about 9.20am to the car park and there's still space for my bike.
Address is 1 Shorter Street, London, E1 8LP
Free for bikes, has it's own secure area (vans are too wide to fit in). I park there every day and walk up to liverpool street. I usually get in about 9.20am to the car park and there's still space for my bike.
Address is 1 Shorter Street, London, E1 8LP
I do North Oxford to Tower Hill in 1h 20m which includes stopping for petrol.
My advice would be to get the train if you have the option. It's way safer. In the last 4 years i have been...
- Run into the back of by a tw*t on a CG125 in the wet (knackered my back)
- Knocked off by a retard on a pushbike who decided to pull out into me
- Clipped and narrowly avoided a retard in a BMW pulling out on me from stationary traffic.
If your a very experienced rider, try it for a few weeks. If you're not - take the train.
My advice would be to get the train if you have the option. It's way safer. In the last 4 years i have been...
- Run into the back of by a tw*t on a CG125 in the wet (knackered my back)
- Knocked off by a retard on a pushbike who decided to pull out into me
- Clipped and narrowly avoided a retard in a BMW pulling out on me from stationary traffic.
If your a very experienced rider, try it for a few weeks. If you're not - take the train.
I do Reading to Farringdon daily, usually leave home about 7.15 and get on the M4 at J8/9, its a filter'tastic journey that takes between 1hr 10 and 1hr 30 mins depending on traffic, traffic light luck, cyclists, peoples inability to drive in a straight line and lobbing their cars at the scenery etc.
M25 / M4 into town will be a solid filter all the way to Monument.
M25 / M4 into town will be a solid filter all the way to Monument.
Bizzle said:
I do North Oxford to Tower Hill in 1h 20m which includes stopping for petrol.
My advice would be to get the train if you have the option. It's way safer. In the last 4 years i have been...
- Run into the back of by a tw*t on a CG125 in the wet (knackered my back)
- Knocked off by a retard on a pushbike who decided to pull out into me
- Clipped and narrowly avoided a retard in a BMW pulling out on me from stationary traffic.
If your a very experienced rider, try it for a few weeks. If you're not - take the train.
How do you manage that in 80 mins?!My advice would be to get the train if you have the option. It's way safer. In the last 4 years i have been...
- Run into the back of by a tw*t on a CG125 in the wet (knackered my back)
- Knocked off by a retard on a pushbike who decided to pull out into me
- Clipped and narrowly avoided a retard in a BMW pulling out on me from stationary traffic.
If your a very experienced rider, try it for a few weeks. If you're not - take the train.
I assume down the M40/A40 etc but that's still incredibly quick including fuel stop. Do you fuel up every day?
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/51.4359992,-0.49...
Takes about 35 mins (some parts of the A4 don't allow for much safe filtering imo)
Takes about 35 mins (some parts of the A4 don't allow for much safe filtering imo)
I commute from Wimbledon to Monument. If I leave home at 06.45 I'm in the office by 07.30, I'd estimate the average journey time excluding locking the bike up and walking to the office is 35 - 40 mins.
There is a Corporation of London car park under the Marsh building (very near the Tower of London) which is on Lower Thames Street and a short walk from Monument, it's free has cctv and is patrolled.
Going home can be a mixed bag, usually OK though but it is worth working out some alternative routes through town for the days when it all goes t*** up.
There is a Corporation of London car park under the Marsh building (very near the Tower of London) which is on Lower Thames Street and a short walk from Monument, it's free has cctv and is patrolled.
Going home can be a mixed bag, usually OK though but it is worth working out some alternative routes through town for the days when it all goes t*** up.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff