Communting into Central London
Discussion
I'm getting a little fed up of the train, bus, walk commute I currently have from Baldock to Fleet Street. As a bike sped past me today I wondered how long it would take to commute by bike, and also if it would offer a cost saving. For the price of my annual ticket I could get trained, geared and biked up; stuff that would hopefully last many years.
The distance is ~40 miles, how long would this take by bike. By car, on the weekend it can be a hour.
Ben
The distance is ~40 miles, how long would this take by bike. By car, on the weekend it can be a hour.
Ben
I used to commute from Wimbledon to the City on my bike and it took around 20 minutes each way. There's no way I could've done that on public transport. I don't know if it was any cheaper on the bike, a little I'd guess, but saved me around 1.5 to 2 hours commuting and a load of stress each day. That's gotta be worth it in itself.
No idea where Baldock is - but I have done a 40 mile communte for the last 4 years. 30 miles to the traffic on the London borders, and then 10 through the traffic. Never more than an hour commute.
Also if you are going to Fleet Street - there is some off street parking, but there is also a free secure underground corporation of London parking on Queen Victoria Street - depending on which end of Fleet street you are - about 5 mins walk.
Also if you are going to Fleet Street - there is some off street parking, but there is also a free secure underground corporation of London parking on Queen Victoria Street - depending on which end of Fleet street you are - about 5 mins walk.
The one thing to remember is that the journey time advantage on a bike comes from the fact that the bike can filter past the stationary traffic. This is something that can be hard work, pretty dangerous and requires a good deal of concentration and bike control, especially when you get the tw@ts who are determined that because they are in a queue, they’re not going to let you through. A lot of new riders are not keen to do this so initially the journey can take almost as long as it does in a car.
black-k1 said:
The one thing to remember is that the journey time advantage on a bike comes from the fact that the bike can filter past the stationary traffic. This is something that can be hard work, pretty dangerous and requires a good deal of concentration and bike control, especially when you get the tw@ts who are determined that because they are in a queue, they’re not going to let you through. A lot of new riders are not keen to do this so initially the journey can take almost as long as it does in a car.
Added to this is the 'dressing up' time at each end of your journey, warming your bike up on a cold morning, and the 10 mins it takes to extract your bike out the bay after the effing scooterboys have shoe-horned 3 bikes into 1 space.I've got 32 miles each morning, filtering through South West London then the M3 for ten mins. I do it in all weathers but ice and snow, and love it. Takes me 35 mins on the bike. Driving it gives my body and brain a dull ache for the hour it takes. Public transport would be more expensive, and double the bike time. So, cheaper and quicker.
Now, forget all that... You have a motorbike. Traffic means nothing. You'll have a sense of freedom twice each work day, and as long as you want on weekends. You finish each day by climbing off your bike with a clear head and the office (or whatever) way, way behind you. Girls look at you differently, in a good way, and people are secretly envious. You're doing something so few of us do these day, which is to step outside the bubble, to be reliant solely on yourself, and to have a hell of a good time, unfettered and with a grin like a kid with ice cream.
Yeah, it'll knock twenty minutes off your commute, or as much as it does mine but take it from me, that won't be the only reason you do it.
Now, forget all that... You have a motorbike. Traffic means nothing. You'll have a sense of freedom twice each work day, and as long as you want on weekends. You finish each day by climbing off your bike with a clear head and the office (or whatever) way, way behind you. Girls look at you differently, in a good way, and people are secretly envious. You're doing something so few of us do these day, which is to step outside the bubble, to be reliant solely on yourself, and to have a hell of a good time, unfettered and with a grin like a kid with ice cream.
Yeah, it'll knock twenty minutes off your commute, or as much as it does mine but take it from me, that won't be the only reason you do it.
ywouldi said:
I'm getting a little fed up of the train, bus, walk commute I currently have from Baldock to Fleet Street. As a bike sped past me today I wondered how long it would take to commute by bike, and also if it would offer a cost saving. For the price of my annual ticket I could get trained, geared and biked up; stuff that would hopefully last many years.
The distance is ~40 miles, how long would this take by bike. By car, on the weekend it can be a hour.
Ben
Unless you have a 1st class train ticket you won't get trained, kitted up & a bike for the cost of your season ticket, it will cost you a little more, but the advantages are you spend a lot less time getting to work.The distance is ~40 miles, how long would this take by bike. By car, on the weekend it can be a hour.
Ben
I commute into the City from Bishops Stortford everyday (70 mile return trip)unless there's snow or ice. It cost's me £15 every two days in fuel and I'm getting about 42 mpg (bike is a 2005 R1) so that's about £150 a month in fuel.
Obviously the bike is the biggest cost but the choice is wide and varying. I would say do not skimp on your clothing as you will end up buying twice, you will easily spend up to £1,000 on helmet, boots, gloves, jacket & trousers if you want the gear to last.
I'm not trying to put you off but you will have to set aside a realistic budget if you want to get rid of the train ticket for good and use a bike.
I wouldn't go back to the trains unless I couldn't physically ride a bike into work.
Good luck.
Edited cos I can't spell
Edited by Andy OH on Thursday 18th October 15:25
I used to commute in on an R6 from Hatfield, to the west End and i agree that the dressing up is a pain, but that the worst thing was doing the run through the traffic queing from Stirling Corner to Apex and then through Mill Hill and it was one of the most nerve wracking things you can do. Yes it's quicker, but you can't have a spontaneous trip down the pub if you feel like it and as for the scooters - they cram in, move your bike out of a bay,....
!
!I go from Harlow to Battersea every day. It takes about 45 mins each way plus 5 minutes to kit up and another 5 to changed at the other end. If I left at the same time in the car it would take about 2 hours. If I leave an hour earlier at 6:00am I can do it in an hour in the car and about 1.5 hours home.
I'm not sure what training costs but I imagine about £600 should cover it.
Lid = £200+
Jacket = £100+
Leather/textile trousers = £100+
Boots = £75+
Gloves = £50+
I paid £1500 for my bike ('93 TDM 850 with 17k miles) but I recon you can get a reliable, cosmetically challenged commuter for about £900+
In the summer it's too hot with all the gear on. In the rain it's slippery and in the cold it's too cold, but you get used to that. It's a small price to pay to avoid sitting in traffic or on the train.
As mentioned above, the main factor you need to consider is the traffic. Everyone loves the idea of hacking through the traffic on a bike, but the reality is a different thing altogether. You have to contend with all kinds of car/van/lorry/bus driver who either hate you or just don't see you.
You have to be one the ball and 100% focussed all the time. For me that's part of the buzz, but it's not for everyone. I know seasoned riders of road and track who refuse to ride in the London rush hour because it's too dangerous. In reality though, if you're sensible and can read the road and have quick reactions you'll be fine 99% of the time.
My biggest gripe in London is the bikers though
I'd say at least 50% are a bloody liabilty and really shouldn't be allowed on 2 wheels. These are the rush hour commuters that I find the most dangerous.
If you know someone who commutes by bike, get them to take you in one day so you get an idea of what to expect before you spend any of your hard-earned.
I'm not sure what training costs but I imagine about £600 should cover it.
Lid = £200+
Jacket = £100+
Leather/textile trousers = £100+
Boots = £75+
Gloves = £50+
I paid £1500 for my bike ('93 TDM 850 with 17k miles) but I recon you can get a reliable, cosmetically challenged commuter for about £900+
In the summer it's too hot with all the gear on. In the rain it's slippery and in the cold it's too cold, but you get used to that. It's a small price to pay to avoid sitting in traffic or on the train.
As mentioned above, the main factor you need to consider is the traffic. Everyone loves the idea of hacking through the traffic on a bike, but the reality is a different thing altogether. You have to contend with all kinds of car/van/lorry/bus driver who either hate you or just don't see you.
You have to be one the ball and 100% focussed all the time. For me that's part of the buzz, but it's not for everyone. I know seasoned riders of road and track who refuse to ride in the London rush hour because it's too dangerous. In reality though, if you're sensible and can read the road and have quick reactions you'll be fine 99% of the time.
My biggest gripe in London is the bikers though
I'd say at least 50% are a bloody liabilty and really shouldn't be allowed on 2 wheels. These are the rush hour commuters that I find the most dangerous.If you know someone who commutes by bike, get them to take you in one day so you get an idea of what to expect before you spend any of your hard-earned.
Well I don't commute (or "communt", even 
) into London, but I do ride the bike to work every day (bit touch and go this morning with the frost...)
My journey's only 6.8 miles each way in the car, and a three minute walk at the other end from where I park (for free, on the street!!!) to the nick. ABout fifteen minutes each way all in I guess.
My bike commute normally takes me at least 20 minutes each way (not including getting kitted/dekitted x 2 at each end). And it's a lot more than 6.8 miles each way now! I have my own little GP every day!
) into London, but I do ride the bike to work every day (bit touch and go this morning with the frost...)My journey's only 6.8 miles each way in the car, and a three minute walk at the other end from where I park (for free, on the street!!!) to the nick. ABout fifteen minutes each way all in I guess.
My bike commute normally takes me at least 20 minutes each way (not including getting kitted/dekitted x 2 at each end). And it's a lot more than 6.8 miles each way now! I have my own little GP every day!
trumpet600 said:
Added to this is the 'dressing up' time at each end of your journey, warming your bike up on a cold morning, and the 10 mins it takes to extract your bike out the bay after the effing scooterboys have shoe-horned 3 bikes into 1 space.
The dressing up bit, and getting out of the kit definitely makes a difference, but what on earth do you mean about warming up the bike?Unless yours is a wood-burning steam powered velocopede, you simply start it, get on, and ride. There is zero reason to sit warming it first.
NorthernBoy said:
Unless yours is a wood-burning steam powered velocopede, you simply start it, get on, and ride. There is zero reason to sit warming it first.
Just following the manufacturers recommendations. Thats perhaps why it has £20K on the clock without missing a beat.I take it you use a specially developed perceptive oil that starts warming up before you even get the key in the ignition.
trumpet600 said:
NorthernBoy said:
Unless yours is a wood-burning steam powered velocopede, you simply start it, get on, and ride. There is zero reason to sit warming it first.
Just following the manufacturers recommendations. Thats perhaps why it has £20K on the clock without missing a beat.I take it you use a specially developed perceptive oil that starts warming up before you even get the key in the ignition.
The best way to warm an engine is to use it. Running it on idle is utterly pointless.
Edited by NorthernBoy on Friday 19th October 22:49
NorthernBoy said:
trumpet600 said:
NorthernBoy said:
Unless yours is a wood-burning steam powered velocopede, you simply start it, get on, and ride. There is zero reason to sit warming it first.
Just following the manufacturers recommendations. Thats perhaps why it has £20K on the clock without missing a beat.I take it you use a specially developed perceptive oil that starts warming up before you even get the key in the ignition.
The best way to warm an engine is to use it. Running it on idle is utterly pointless.
Edited by NorthernBoy on Friday 19th October 22:49
The few times I have ridden it without warming it up, the auto choke has made it behave erratically. Added to that, the most damage to an engine happens in the first 5 mins. Oil has, like most things, an optimum operating temperature. Ask your missus, or do you just jump on that and ride it without warming her up??
trumpet600 said:
NorthernBoy said:
trumpet600 said:
NorthernBoy said:
Unless yours is a wood-burning steam powered velocopede, you simply start it, get on, and ride. There is zero reason to sit warming it first.
Just following the manufacturers recommendations. Thats perhaps why it has £20K on the clock without missing a beat.I take it you use a specially developed perceptive oil that starts warming up before you even get the key in the ignition.
The best way to warm an engine is to use it. Running it on idle is utterly pointless.
Edited by NorthernBoy on Friday 19th October 22:49
The few times I have ridden it without warming it up, the auto choke has made it behave erratically. Added to that, the most damage to an engine happens in the first 5 mins. Oil has, like most things, an optimum operating temperature. Ask your missus, or do you just jump on that and ride it without warming her up??
it warms up quicker if you're actually using a few revs, no point wasting that fuel, get going
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