Commuting from Woking area to The City of London...

[Ston]

Hi,

I used to ride from Farnborough to Hammersmith everyday down the M3/M4 and it took about 50 mins depending on the traffic. Both routes were pretty busy and even on the motorways the traffic rarely reached 30MPH (when filtering I usually keep my closing speed about <10 MPH more than the traffic I am passing).

For one reason or another I have been 'between bikes' for about 3 years and am looking to get back in the saddle. My current commute is from Woking Station into Waterloo then on the buses to Ludgate Hill. This takes about 55 mins door to door. Plus all the pain of using public transport in hot (especially in the summer) and crowded conditions.

I was wondering if anyone does a similar commute and can tell me roughly how long it takes?
I was thinking about keeping off the motorways and going up from Woking through Kingston upon Thames (A3?) up through Wandsworth, Lambeth and over the Blackfriars bridge. Its about 35 miles and I think it could be done in about 50 mins. Factor in all the other benefits, such as saving me £250 on the Travelcard etc. etc. I think its worth a punt.

I am thinking about hiring a bike for a week and trying it, but if someone does a similar route here, it would be great to have your input.

Thanks in advance!

[Carrera2]

I ride in from Weybridge to the south side of Blackfriars Bridge.

30 minutes on a good day - 40 on a bad.

Dead easy - A316 from Sunbury up through Richmond onto the A4 at Chiswick.

Through Hammersmith turning right into Earls Court - follow all the way onto Millbank/Embankment and upto either Blackfriars Bridge or go over Vauxhall bridge and along to Waterloo.

[Ston]

Have you tried keeping south of The Thames, I guess you have and the A4 is the quicker route? I remember the A4 just being chocka and wanted to avoid Parliment Square as you probably have more chance of surviving a game of Russian Roulette.

I would be interested to know what the times was for you say A309/A308 -> A3 /A24 something like that.

Cheers

>> Edited by Ston on Tuesday 16th May 09:21

[Carrera2]

Ston said:

Have you tried keeping south of The Thames, I guess you have and the A4 is the quicker route? I remember the A4 just being chocka and wanted to avoid Parliment Square as you probably have more chance of surviving a game of Russian Roulette. Cheers

If you follow my route you avoid Parliament Sq. I have gone A3 Wandsworth, Clapham, Stockwell, etc before but it's quicker the other way. If you stay south the roads are narrower and you can't get through the traffic as quickly.

What time are you commuting?

[Ston]

Okay thanks bud, I had a feeling the roads would be too narrow.

Commuting at 07:30ish and coming back at about 18:00ish

[jvaughan]

I occasionally bike it into the city from Andover. Takes me 90 minutes to get to HOlborn.
M3, M25, A3 then south of the river, over Blackfriars, Holborn Circus, Holborn Viaduct

[Steve_T]

I'm in Surbiton, so travel up A3, but I go via Battersea and stay south of the river, because it's less hassle than going in via Clapham. I quite fancy trying Carerra2's route, but it'll probably cost me more time getting to the A4 than the rest of the route saves.

Steve.

[Ston]

Thanks jvaughan and Steve_T.

Any chance you could take a quick timing from say when you reach the A3 too when you park up next time you do the trip?

Cheers

[Carrera2]

Steve_T said:

I'm in Surbiton, so travel up A3, but I go via Battersea and stay south of the river, because it's less hassle than going in via Clapham. I quite fancy trying Carerra2's route, but it'll probably cost me more time getting to the A4 than the rest of the route saves. Steve.

You're probably right but if you were to cut through Richmond Park to the A316 it might be worth it.

[Steve_T]

Went home via the A4/A316 last night, it's very empty after 7 in the evening going that way. Once on the A4 you can make excellent progress. Made a bit of a horlicks of getting from Richmond Park to the A3, so will have another go this evening. It seems the gate off the A3 is closed in the morning, so will have to find another way to make this route work in the morning. All in all, top suggestions from Carerra2!

Steve.

[Carrera2]

Steve_T said:

Went home via the A4/A316 last night, it's very empty after 7 in the evening going that way. Once on the A4 you can make excellent progress. Made a bit of a horlicks of getting from Richmond Park to the A3, so will have another go this evening. It seems the gate off the A3 is closed in the morning, so will have to find another way to make this route work in the morning. All in all, top suggestions from Carerra2! Steve.

Glad to be of service.

[jvaughan]

Timed the other day ..... 40 - 45 minutes from M25/A3 Junction Traffic was light and I managed to bully / force my way through. (with crashbars and a little bit of attitude its suprising how cage drivers will avoid you)

[Ston]

great, thanks for that