Does anyone commute into central london
Discussion
Crossflow Kid said:
Bit melodramatic isn't it?
Plenty of room to get through here and the cab and the Polo are actually diverging at this moment:
As opposed to this a couple of seconds later when the Polo starts moving back to the middle of his/her lane making th filtering gap smaller.
If you think filtering between converging vehicles beats filtering between diverging vehicles I'm more than happy to do it differently.
Mmm, the diverging vehicles are only diverging because the black cab is changing lanes to the left and the Polo is moving to the right to use the lane just occupied by the black cab and which the rear end of the black cab is in. As the black cab is leaving Polo's lane, there is no reason for it continue to diverge - the reason for the divergence is so that Polo does't run into the black cab's backside as it is still in Polo's lane. So if Polo haven't seen Mr Pan, the Polo driver could just as well have closed the gap, which would have been a tricky situation for Mr Pan. Seems to me like accelerating into that gap would put your safety into the hands of somebody who may or may not know you are there, and bring you no time savings because the gap closed up ahead anyway. But if you want to take every single filtering opportunity even if it puts you at risk and doesn't save you any time, then as they say "ride your own ride". Plenty of room to get through here and the cab and the Polo are actually diverging at this moment:
As opposed to this a couple of seconds later when the Polo starts moving back to the middle of his/her lane making th filtering gap smaller.
If you think filtering between converging vehicles beats filtering between diverging vehicles I'm more than happy to do it differently.
Reardy Mister said:
mitzy said:
Reardy Mister said:
Whilst the commuters are looking at this thread, can I ask if anyone knows of a good spot to park in or near Canada Square at the Wharf? I have to be there 3 days this week and permanently from about June. Which is arse.
Hello I work in Canary Wharf
There is a car park at Waitrose which is underground and that has bike parking and camera's and i think its £2 a day.
Not sure there is anywhere else round there that does bike parking , think there is a canary wharf estate car park for the shops but never been in there tbh as I have secure underground parking for bikes where I work.
If you need any other advice about the area let me know
Mitzy
creampuff said:
Crossflow Kid said:
Bit melodramatic isn't it?
Plenty of room to get through here and the cab and the Polo are actually diverging at this moment:
As opposed to this a couple of seconds later when the Polo starts moving back to the middle of his/her lane making th filtering gap smaller.
If you think filtering between converging vehicles beats filtering between diverging vehicles I'm more than happy to do it differently.
Mmm, the diverging vehicles are only diverging because the black cab is changing lanes to the left and the Polo is moving to the right to use the lane just occupied by the black cab and which the rear end of the black cab is in. As the black cab is leaving Polo's lane, there is no reason for it continue to diverge - the reason for the divergence is so that Polo does't run into the black cab's backside as it is still in Polo's lane. So if Polo haven't seen Mr Pan, the Polo driver could just as well have closed the gap, which would have been a tricky situation for Mr Pan. Seems to me like accelerating into that gap would put your safety into the hands of somebody who may or may not know you are there, and bring you no time savings because the gap closed up ahead anyway. But if you want to take every single filtering opportunity even if it puts you at risk and doesn't save you any time, then as they say "ride your own ride". Plenty of room to get through here and the cab and the Polo are actually diverging at this moment:
As opposed to this a couple of seconds later when the Polo starts moving back to the middle of his/her lane making th filtering gap smaller.
If you think filtering between converging vehicles beats filtering between diverging vehicles I'm more than happy to do it differently.
The cab isn't holding up the Polo to the extent that it needed to steer round it.
That Polo clearly budged right a bit to let the bike through, he just didn't use the opportunity (because his massive panniers were in the way)
Crossflow Kid said:
creampuff said:
Crossflow Kid said:
Bit melodramatic isn't it?
Plenty of room to get through here and the cab and the Polo are actually diverging at this moment:
As opposed to this a couple of seconds later when the Polo starts moving back to the middle of his/her lane making th filtering gap smaller.
If you think filtering between converging vehicles beats filtering between diverging vehicles I'm more than happy to do it differently.
Mmm, the diverging vehicles are only diverging because the black cab is changing lanes to the left and the Polo is moving to the right to use the lane just occupied by the black cab and which the rear end of the black cab is in. As the black cab is leaving Polo's lane, there is no reason for it continue to diverge - the reason for the divergence is so that Polo does't run into the black cab's backside as it is still in Polo's lane. So if Polo haven't seen Mr Pan, the Polo driver could just as well have closed the gap, which would have been a tricky situation for Mr Pan. Seems to me like accelerating into that gap would put your safety into the hands of somebody who may or may not know you are there, and bring you no time savings because the gap closed up ahead anyway. But if you want to take every single filtering opportunity even if it puts you at risk and doesn't save you any time, then as they say "ride your own ride". Plenty of room to get through here and the cab and the Polo are actually diverging at this moment:
As opposed to this a couple of seconds later when the Polo starts moving back to the middle of his/her lane making th filtering gap smaller.
If you think filtering between converging vehicles beats filtering between diverging vehicles I'm more than happy to do it differently.
The cab isn't holding up the Polo to the extent that it needed to steer round it.
That Polo clearly budged right a bit to let the bike through, he just didn't use the opportunity (because his massive panniers were in the way)
A couple more places to park, the one on Hopton Street is small, but quite often spaces up to 8:45, has a rail to chain your bike too. Directly outside my office. ;-)
The one marked at bear lane to Southwark St is not a parking bay, it's outside an architects office on the pavement, they own about 3-4ft of the pavement and don't worry if one or two bikes park up on it.
The final one is a bit cheeky as its tucked around the back of the houses and office building, private land and a few bikes are parked up around there.
HTH
Tim
The one marked at bear lane to Southwark St is not a parking bay, it's outside an architects office on the pavement, they own about 3-4ft of the pavement and don't worry if one or two bikes park up on it.
The final one is a bit cheeky as its tucked around the back of the houses and office building, private land and a few bikes are parked up around there.
HTH
Tim
Edited by TT Tim on Friday 22 April 09:20
Alex@POD said:
Crossflow Kid said:
creampuff said:
Crossflow Kid said:
Bit melodramatic isn't it?
Plenty of room to get through here and the cab and the Polo are actually diverging at this moment:
As opposed to this a couple of seconds later when the Polo starts moving back to the middle of his/her lane making th filtering gap smaller.
If you think filtering between converging vehicles beats filtering between diverging vehicles I'm more than happy to do it differently.
Mmm, the diverging vehicles are only diverging because the black cab is changing lanes to the left and the Polo is moving to the right to use the lane just occupied by the black cab and which the rear end of the black cab is in. As the black cab is leaving Polo's lane, there is no reason for it continue to diverge - the reason for the divergence is so that Polo does't run into the black cab's backside as it is still in Polo's lane. So if Polo haven't seen Mr Pan, the Polo driver could just as well have closed the gap, which would have been a tricky situation for Mr Pan. Seems to me like accelerating into that gap would put your safety into the hands of somebody who may or may not know you are there, and bring you no time savings because the gap closed up ahead anyway. But if you want to take every single filtering opportunity even if it puts you at risk and doesn't save you any time, then as they say "ride your own ride". Plenty of room to get through here and the cab and the Polo are actually diverging at this moment:
As opposed to this a couple of seconds later when the Polo starts moving back to the middle of his/her lane making th filtering gap smaller.
If you think filtering between converging vehicles beats filtering between diverging vehicles I'm more than happy to do it differently.
The cab isn't holding up the Polo to the extent that it needed to steer round it.
That Polo clearly budged right a bit to let the bike through, he just didn't use the opportunity (because his massive panniers were in the way)
Crossflow Kid said:
Got an Oyster card? You might need that if you want to get across town in decent time.
To be fair, the traffic we get in the North is enough for me and I wouldn't want to live in London, but saying that I might change my views if I had to do it.My point still stands though, I don't think the Polo is moving over for the bike, but only because the driver doesn't know how wide is car is.
TT Tim said:
A couple more places to park, the one on Hopton Street is small, but quite often spaces up to 8:45, has a rail to chain your bike too. Directly outside my office. ;-)
The one marked at bear lane to Southwark St is not a parking bay, it's outside an architects office on the pavement, they own about 3-4ft of the pavement and don't worry if one or two bikes park up on it.
HTH
Tim
Thanks Tim! Every little helps - Appreciate everyones advice The one marked at bear lane to Southwark St is not a parking bay, it's outside an architects office on the pavement, they own about 3-4ft of the pavement and don't worry if one or two bikes park up on it.
HTH
Tim
Edited by TT Tim on Friday 22 April 09:20
Today was a very expensive day!!
I went down to my local bike shop in my lunch and bought nearly everything I need.
I bought a Richa Infinity Jacket - The matching trousers were good, although they didn't have an appropriate size for me so I've had to order that in. Nice and waterproof.
Also some Richa gloves which are supposed to be waterproof also.
A nod to some sensibility I also got a big over-coat thing which is green and nice and high-vis.
In addition-
A big Oxford Stormex cover, a big Fk off chain for home, a couple of disc locks for London.
TCX S-Speed GoreTex boots - I have some older race type TCX Boots which were awesome but obviously not waterproof.
Nice new visor for my old helmet.
Also regarding tyres I got a quote of £282 fitted for some Pilot Road 3 tyres , is this a good price?
I went down to my local bike shop in my lunch and bought nearly everything I need.
I bought a Richa Infinity Jacket - The matching trousers were good, although they didn't have an appropriate size for me so I've had to order that in. Nice and waterproof.
Also some Richa gloves which are supposed to be waterproof also.
A nod to some sensibility I also got a big over-coat thing which is green and nice and high-vis.
In addition-
A big Oxford Stormex cover, a big Fk off chain for home, a couple of disc locks for London.
TCX S-Speed GoreTex boots - I have some older race type TCX Boots which were awesome but obviously not waterproof.
Nice new visor for my old helmet.
Also regarding tyres I got a quote of £282 fitted for some Pilot Road 3 tyres , is this a good price?
No.
Try http://www.oponeo.co.uk/moto-tyre/michelin-pilot-r... - if it's a standard size then you should be able to buy the tyres for £175. Fitting to loose wheels varies but locally to me it's £10 per wheel. Ride in and out costs more but either way I'd hope to get that done for £200 all in and a little bit of work with the spanners.
Try http://www.oponeo.co.uk/moto-tyre/michelin-pilot-r... - if it's a standard size then you should be able to buy the tyres for £175. Fitting to loose wheels varies but locally to me it's £10 per wheel. Ride in and out costs more but either way I'd hope to get that done for £200 all in and a little bit of work with the spanners.
John D. said:
dibblecorse said:
Hi
I was doing Caversham to Smithfield Market in 1hr to 1hr10 depending on light sequences and the slow'ish filtering speeds once you hit the A4, you can make decent progress but it won't be quick.
Is that any quicker than the train? I can do Caversham to Aldgate in that on a good run (fastest train in morning and tube is quick, always takes longer on return journey). I was doing Caversham to Smithfield Market in 1hr to 1hr10 depending on light sequences and the slow'ish filtering speeds once you hit the A4, you can make decent progress but it won't be quick.
Realise you may do it as you can't stand the train.
We are a 20-25 minute walk from the station so when you factor that in the bike is a lot quicker, did the train thing a couple of times and in my head all I could think was 'i'd be nearly halfway there by now' also coming home was often carnage and I'd end up paying the £8-9 for a cab home from the station .... plus a travelcard is so expensive these days from Reading .... even now a peak travelcard for the days I need to go in is £52 !!! Luckily its expenseble now
dibblecorse said:
I was doing Caversham to Smithfield Market in 1hr to 1hr10 depending on light sequences and the slow'ish filtering speeds once you hit the A4, you can make decent progress but it won't be quick.
I expect we've played filter chase a few times Dibble as that's pretty much my commute! J8/9 to Farringdon Rd (just up from Clerkenwell road junction).What are you riding - the Hyperstrada? I recall one with loud pipes (Termis?) that I've seen a few times round here. I'm on a black TDM 900 (full commuter spec. with barmuffs etc.) with carbon cans for filtering clearance
Edited by Stig on Monday 25th April 14:52
Stig said:
dibblecorse said:
I was doing Caversham to Smithfield Market in 1hr to 1hr10 depending on light sequences and the slow'ish filtering speeds once you hit the A4, you can make decent progress but it won't be quick.
I expect we've played filter chase a few times Dibble as that's pretty much my commute! J8/9 to Farringdon Rd (just up from Clerkenwell road junction).What are you riding - the Hyperstrada? I recall one with loud pipes (Termis?) that I've seen a few times round here. I'm on a black TDM 900 (full commuter spec. with barmuffs etc.) with carbon cans for filtering clearance
Edited by Stig on Monday 25th April 14:52
I was commuting on a black Multistrada with CF Termis, heated grips, top box and bar muffs ...
Nowadays I commute into London occasionally but can still be seen on the A4 heading to Maidenhead
that would be on the Hyperstrada with top box and EL10 as the first line of the plate ... will keep an eye out for you xjay1337 said:
Sounds like fun haha.
My start would be 8-9am. I would be looking at arriving at about 8:30 which is obviously peak time.
The motorcycle bay in question is this one on Google Maps - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5028199,-0.10128...
There is also this area underneath but I am not sure what the situation is regarding the parking here , whether it's private only (I suspect a simple "can I park my motorcycle here" would go a long way).
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5033275,-0.10134...
Would parking on this road / around this area be problematic?
In addition, can anyone else think of a better bike for around £1300-£1500 than an old FZS600 Fazer ? Open to suggestions. I've been out of bikes for so long.
I work a couple of hundred metres from this bike bay and have regularly commuted in the past.My start would be 8-9am. I would be looking at arriving at about 8:30 which is obviously peak time.
The motorcycle bay in question is this one on Google Maps - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5028199,-0.10128...
There is also this area underneath but I am not sure what the situation is regarding the parking here , whether it's private only (I suspect a simple "can I park my motorcycle here" would go a long way).
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.5033275,-0.10134...
Would parking on this road / around this area be problematic?
In addition, can anyone else think of a better bike for around £1300-£1500 than an old FZS600 Fazer ? Open to suggestions. I've been out of bikes for so long.
Edited by xjay1337 on Monday 18th April 10:22
Not a cat in hells chance of getting a space at 830 within a mile of there in a bike bay. I know people do just stick bikes anywhere but I have no idea of consequences. Ill have a look at a few and see if there are any tickets or anything.
However, pm me and Ill tell you a sneaky place I know of if you decide to do it.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff