Riding to London - Deathwish?
Discussion
Would appreciat a bit of advise, been offered a contract to go back to London, only I would really like to avoid the trains and tubes etc, Im about 16 miles out from town, (Near Epsom) and would think that distance is easily commutable every day.
Im used to riding boris bike around town so am aware it can be a bit hairy, however is it really not worth the risk, has anyone here managed to do it for a few years without being knocked off on a monthly basis...
Ive driven into London for years as a commute so know the better ways to go routewise but dont fancy spending years learning to walk again!
cheers all
Im used to riding boris bike around town so am aware it can be a bit hairy, however is it really not worth the risk, has anyone here managed to do it for a few years without being knocked off on a monthly basis...
Ive driven into London for years as a commute so know the better ways to go routewise but dont fancy spending years learning to walk again!
cheers all
London is fine to ride in, despite all of the publicity abut people getting squashed at junctions.
Drivers on the whole are more aware of cyclists, and the traffic is very slow during rush hour.
I've been commuting from Surrey into various parts of London for nearly ten years and can count the number of incidents on one hand. Not once have I been knocked off.
1) Anticipate. Constantly assume that something bad is about to happen - is that taxi about to chuck a u-turn, is that car door about to open, is that pedestrian about to step out. Ride accordingly, if it does happen you'll be well placed to deal with it.
2) Positioning. Don't ride in the gutter, position yourself so that you have room to maneouver, but likewise don't hog the road
3) Stay calm. Let things go. Get on with enjoying your ride. Easy to say but hard to put into practise.
4) Don't filter or undertake on the left, particularly at junctions.
5) Don't ride like a NYC courier to squeeze through a gap, or through congested bits of road. Pedestrians have a nasty habit of stepping out in front just as you're passing a stopped bus.
6) Stop at red lights.
7) I mean it. Stop at red lights
8) Get on Strava, have some fun but don't take it too seriously
9) Don't try to do 5 days commuting in one go - build up to it gradually.
10) Get some decent kit - this is arguably more important than your choice of bike.
Drivers on the whole are more aware of cyclists, and the traffic is very slow during rush hour.
I've been commuting from Surrey into various parts of London for nearly ten years and can count the number of incidents on one hand. Not once have I been knocked off.
1) Anticipate. Constantly assume that something bad is about to happen - is that taxi about to chuck a u-turn, is that car door about to open, is that pedestrian about to step out. Ride accordingly, if it does happen you'll be well placed to deal with it.
2) Positioning. Don't ride in the gutter, position yourself so that you have room to maneouver, but likewise don't hog the road
3) Stay calm. Let things go. Get on with enjoying your ride. Easy to say but hard to put into practise.
4) Don't filter or undertake on the left, particularly at junctions.
5) Don't ride like a NYC courier to squeeze through a gap, or through congested bits of road. Pedestrians have a nasty habit of stepping out in front just as you're passing a stopped bus.
6) Stop at red lights.
7) I mean it. Stop at red lights
8) Get on Strava, have some fun but don't take it too seriously
9) Don't try to do 5 days commuting in one go - build up to it gradually.
10) Get some decent kit - this is arguably more important than your choice of bike.
Edited by option click on Thursday 25th April 15:32
Edited by option click on Thursday 25th April 15:33
Nearly two years of commuting in London and only 1 off (somebody opened a car door and I went into it)
It's really not as bad as people make out, just pay more attention and obey the traffic laws and you'l be fine.
16 miles each way is also perfectly do-able, although you'll probably want to try a few routes as 16 miles on red lights would get very annoying!
It's really not as bad as people make out, just pay more attention and obey the traffic laws and you'l be fine.
16 miles each way is also perfectly do-able, although you'll probably want to try a few routes as 16 miles on red lights would get very annoying!
I don't know South London that well, however the A24 the goes straight into eeh centre is actually quite a good route, and one i've cycled a few times on my way to Box Hill. All the way from Colliers Wood you're on the CS7 cycle route.
I'd imagine, depending on fitness you could break under the hour without too much hassle.
I'd imagine, depending on fitness you could break under the hour without too much hassle.
S10GTA said:
16 miles in London would probably take longer than an hour each way, meaning more than 2hrs a day.
Thats fine, If I train it your looking 1.5hrs door to door if (big if) all the trains are running ok and, combined with fecking about with car park change and traffic jams it would be a well spent 2 hrs!!Im do like excercise and manage to either ride, run or gym nearly every day, so this would be doing my excercise without impacting time with kids etc..
Four Litre said:
S10GTA said:
16 miles in London would probably take longer than an hour each way, meaning more than 2hrs a day.
Thats fine, If I train it your looking 1.5hrs door to door if (big if) all the trains are running ok and, combined with fecking about with car park change and traffic jams it would be a well spent 2 hrs!!Im do like excercise and manage to either ride, run or gym nearly every day, so this would be doing my excercise without impacting time with kids etc..
S10GTA said:
16 miles in London would probably take longer than an hour each way
Depends. Mine is 17 miles and takes between 1 hour and 1 hour ten, its almost unheard of that it takes any longer than that. I go through London and almost out the other side taking in some of the most busy bits.Edited by S10GTA on Thursday 25th April 15:31
And as for 2 hours a day, it again depends how fit you are doesn't it. Its not a lot when you get used to it.
I ride from West Ewell to Waterloo on a regular basis, and it's a perfectly civilised route. Back roads to Colliers Wood, then CS7 to Elephant & Castle (with 30+ cyclists at each major set of lights a very common occurrence, so drivers are at least used to cyclists being around them), then back roads from E&C to Waterloo.
I tend to average around 1h10 to 1h20 in elapsed time. The thing that will slow you down the most (other than being a fat knacker in my case) is the 70+ sets of traffic lights between Colliers Wood and Waterloo! I'm typically stationary for around 10 minutes per ride, and I generally only stop for traffic lights & 2 roundabouts. Being stopped by actual weight of traffic is surprisingly rare.
You didn't say where you're going to in London, but if it's anywhere central and you want a guided run to/from Epsom, give me a shout.
I tend to average around 1h10 to 1h20 in elapsed time. The thing that will slow you down the most (other than being a fat knacker in my case) is the 70+ sets of traffic lights between Colliers Wood and Waterloo! I'm typically stationary for around 10 minutes per ride, and I generally only stop for traffic lights & 2 roundabouts. Being stopped by actual weight of traffic is surprisingly rare.
You didn't say where you're going to in London, but if it's anywhere central and you want a guided run to/from Epsom, give me a shout.
Four Litre said:
Would appreciat a bit of advise, been offered a contract to go back to London, only I would really like to avoid the trains and tubes etc, Im about 16 miles out from town, (Near Epsom) and would think that distance is easily commutable every day.
Im used to riding boris bike around town so am aware it can be a bit hairy, however is it really not worth the risk, has anyone here managed to do it for a few years without being knocked off on a monthly basis...
Ive driven into London for years as a commute so know the better ways to go routewise but dont fancy spending years learning to walk again!
cheers all
Commuted by bike for 20 years in London. Never knocked off. Ride sensibly and you'll be fine. Im used to riding boris bike around town so am aware it can be a bit hairy, however is it really not worth the risk, has anyone here managed to do it for a few years without being knocked off on a monthly basis...
Ive driven into London for years as a commute so know the better ways to go routewise but dont fancy spending years learning to walk again!
cheers all
Cardinal rule: you are safest when your speed matches that of the traffic around you. Surprising as it sounds, it is much more important to observe this rule when the traffic is slow/not moving than it is when it is free flowing.
option click said:
London is fine to ride in, despite all of the publicity abut people getting squashed at junctions.
Drivers on the whole are more aware of cyclists, and the traffic is very slow during rush hour.
I've been commuting from Surrey into various parts of London for nearly ten years and can count the number of incidents on one hand. Not once have I been knocked off.
1) Anticipate. Constantly assume that something bad is about to happen - is that taxi about to chuck a u-turn, is that car door about to open, is that pedestrian about to step out. Ride accordingly, if it does happen you'll be well placed to deal with it.
2) Positioning. Don't ride in the gutter, position yourself so that you have room to maneouver, but likewise don't hog the road
3) Stay calm. Let things go. Get on with enjoying your ride. Easy to say but hard to put into practise.
4) Don't filter or undertake on the left, particularly at junctions.
5) Don't ride like a NYC courier to squeeze through a gap, or through congested bits of road. Pedestrians have a nasty habit of stepping out in front just as you're passing a stopped bus.
6) Stop at red lights.
7) I mean it. Stop at red lights
8) Get on Strava, have some fun but don't take it too seriously
9) Don't try to do 5 days commuting in one go - build up to it gradually.
10) Get some decent kit - this is arguably more important than your choice of bike.
Some of the best advice I've read for riding in London. Drivers on the whole are more aware of cyclists, and the traffic is very slow during rush hour.
I've been commuting from Surrey into various parts of London for nearly ten years and can count the number of incidents on one hand. Not once have I been knocked off.
1) Anticipate. Constantly assume that something bad is about to happen - is that taxi about to chuck a u-turn, is that car door about to open, is that pedestrian about to step out. Ride accordingly, if it does happen you'll be well placed to deal with it.
2) Positioning. Don't ride in the gutter, position yourself so that you have room to maneouver, but likewise don't hog the road
3) Stay calm. Let things go. Get on with enjoying your ride. Easy to say but hard to put into practise.
4) Don't filter or undertake on the left, particularly at junctions.
5) Don't ride like a NYC courier to squeeze through a gap, or through congested bits of road. Pedestrians have a nasty habit of stepping out in front just as you're passing a stopped bus.
6) Stop at red lights.
7) I mean it. Stop at red lights
8) Get on Strava, have some fun but don't take it too seriously
9) Don't try to do 5 days commuting in one go - build up to it gradually.
10) Get some decent kit - this is arguably more important than your choice of bike.
Edited by option click on Thursday 25th April 15:32
Edited by option click on Thursday 25th April 15:33
Fozziebear said:
option click said:
London is fine to ride in, despite all of the publicity abut people getting squashed at junctions.
Drivers on the whole are more aware of cyclists, and the traffic is very slow during rush hour.
I've been commuting from Surrey into various parts of London for nearly ten years and can count the number of incidents on one hand. Not once have I been knocked off.
1) Anticipate. Constantly assume that something bad is about to happen - is that taxi about to chuck a u-turn, is that car door about to open, is that pedestrian about to step out. Ride accordingly, if it does happen you'll be well placed to deal with it.
2) Positioning. Don't ride in the gutter, position yourself so that you have room to maneouver, but likewise don't hog the road
3) Stay calm. Let things go. Get on with enjoying your ride. Easy to say but hard to put into practise.
4) Don't filter or undertake on the left, particularly at junctions.
5) Don't ride like a NYC courier to squeeze through a gap, or through congested bits of road. Pedestrians have a nasty habit of stepping out in front just as you're passing a stopped bus.
6) Stop at red lights.
7) I mean it. Stop at red lights
8) Get on Strava, have some fun but don't take it too seriously
9) Don't try to do 5 days commuting in one go - build up to it gradually.
10) Get some decent kit - this is arguably more important than your choice of bike.
Some of the best advice I've read for riding in London. Drivers on the whole are more aware of cyclists, and the traffic is very slow during rush hour.
I've been commuting from Surrey into various parts of London for nearly ten years and can count the number of incidents on one hand. Not once have I been knocked off.
1) Anticipate. Constantly assume that something bad is about to happen - is that taxi about to chuck a u-turn, is that car door about to open, is that pedestrian about to step out. Ride accordingly, if it does happen you'll be well placed to deal with it.
2) Positioning. Don't ride in the gutter, position yourself so that you have room to maneouver, but likewise don't hog the road
3) Stay calm. Let things go. Get on with enjoying your ride. Easy to say but hard to put into practise.
4) Don't filter or undertake on the left, particularly at junctions.
5) Don't ride like a NYC courier to squeeze through a gap, or through congested bits of road. Pedestrians have a nasty habit of stepping out in front just as you're passing a stopped bus.
6) Stop at red lights.
7) I mean it. Stop at red lights
8) Get on Strava, have some fun but don't take it too seriously
9) Don't try to do 5 days commuting in one go - build up to it gradually.
10) Get some decent kit - this is arguably more important than your choice of bike.
. 4 in particular is probably the most important single thing you can do to keep yourself safe - and it's pretty easy. And don't forget 11)enjoy your godlike physique and lording it over people who think 2 miles to the shops is too far 
Edited by paranoid airbag on Thursday 25th April 17:08
option click said:
London is fine to ride in, despite all of the publicity abut people getting squashed at junctions.
Drivers on the whole are more aware of cyclists, and the traffic is very slow during rush hour.
I've been commuting from Surrey into various parts of London for nearly ten years and can count the number of incidents on one hand. Not once have I been knocked off.
1) Anticipate. Constantly assume that something bad is about to happen - is that taxi about to chuck a u-turn, is that car door about to open, is that pedestrian about to step out. Ride accordingly, if it does happen you'll be well placed to deal with it.
2) Positioning. Don't ride in the gutter, position yourself so that you have room to maneouver, but likewise don't hog the road
3) Stay calm. Let things go. Get on with enjoying your ride. Easy to say but hard to put into practise.
4) Don't filter or undertake on the left, particularly at junctions.
5) Don't ride like a NYC courier to squeeze through a gap, or through congested bits of road. Pedestrians have a nasty habit of stepping out in front just as you're passing a stopped bus.
6) Stop at red lights.
7) I mean it. Stop at red lights
8) Get on Strava, have some fun but don't take it too seriously
9) Don't try to do 5 days commuting in one go - build up to it gradually.
10) Get some decent kit - this is arguably more important than your choice of bike.
Good advice, set yourself rules and stick to them, you got to remember that it is a war not a battle! Drivers on the whole are more aware of cyclists, and the traffic is very slow during rush hour.
I've been commuting from Surrey into various parts of London for nearly ten years and can count the number of incidents on one hand. Not once have I been knocked off.
1) Anticipate. Constantly assume that something bad is about to happen - is that taxi about to chuck a u-turn, is that car door about to open, is that pedestrian about to step out. Ride accordingly, if it does happen you'll be well placed to deal with it.
2) Positioning. Don't ride in the gutter, position yourself so that you have room to maneouver, but likewise don't hog the road
3) Stay calm. Let things go. Get on with enjoying your ride. Easy to say but hard to put into practise.
4) Don't filter or undertake on the left, particularly at junctions.
5) Don't ride like a NYC courier to squeeze through a gap, or through congested bits of road. Pedestrians have a nasty habit of stepping out in front just as you're passing a stopped bus.
6) Stop at red lights.
7) I mean it. Stop at red lights
8) Get on Strava, have some fun but don't take it too seriously
9) Don't try to do 5 days commuting in one go - build up to it gradually.
10) Get some decent kit - this is arguably more important than your choice of bike.
Edited by option click on Thursday 25th April 15:32
Edited by option click on Thursday 25th April 15:33
Also whilst you might be "right" try not to antagonize car drivers, for example, often a driver would wait behind me for 3-600 meters, pass safely and then come to a red light half a mile on, I'd usually just wait behind them, instead of always being in a rush to get to the front.
I have moved now from London to the sticks and on long rides we pass through busy market towns, some of my mates cant understand why I dont always filter on the left by default.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff