Does anyone commute to Canary Wharf from the South?

[ChrisMCoupe]

Just on the off-chance, does anyone commute into CW from the South, coming through the Croydon Area?

I'm looking to start cycling in once or twice a week (great time of year to start I know), but not sure of the best route. My route up to Croydon is simple, but then most routes suggest I go up through Streatham/Tooting, which I can't say I fancy much. Is the better route to go up through Beckenham, then into CW from the East side?

Suggestions welcome

[itsnotarace]

Have a look on BikeRouteToaster and change the map type to "Cycle" to show the NCN routes and quiet roads

[okgo]

Register on bikeradar, and post in the commuter section for a route.

[oyster]

ChrisMCoupe said:

Just on the off-chance, does anyone commute into CW from the South, coming through the Croydon Area?

I'm looking to start cycling in once or twice a week (great time of year to start I know), but not sure of the best route. My route up to Croydon is simple, but then most routes suggest I go up through Streatham/Tooting, which I can't say I fancy much. Is the better route to go up through Beckenham, then into CW from the East side?

Suggestions welcome

I'd do Croydon to Beckenham then onto the A21 to go via Catford and Lewisham and on to Greenwich. It's 10 miles to the Cutty Sark. Then go through the foot tunnel to the Isle of Dogs where you've only got 5 mins or so to the Wharf.

[JPJ]

I did it a while ago when I was working on a project there.

Like Oyster suggests, head through Croydon to the A213 past Selhurst through to Penge, then on to the A212 Sydenham Road, Catford, A21 through Lewisham and then up to Greenwich and under Thames via the foot tunnel at the Cutty Sark.

Generally I found it easier going than heading north into central London and it's usually a lot quieter for cars. The one bit that I didn't like was the roundabout near to Lewisham DLR station (A21/A20 junction) which doesn't have any yellow boxes or enough traffic light control so getting across can be a bit interesting.

[Mr Will]

I used to do pretty much the exact route you are considering and it wasn't too bad. Streatham high road was a little busy but not terrible and there were plenty of other cyclists on the road. Streatham Hill to Brixton was fine (bus lane all the way) but then Brixton Centre was probably the most dodgy bit - static traffic with lots of pedestrians rushing to cross without looking. From there on it was plain sailing to the cycle superhighway at Kennington, across Tower Bridge and down CS3 to Canary Wharf.

I did try the Greenwich route and it's definitely quieter but was quite a bit slower. The foot tunnel in particular adds a chunk of time to any journey involving it.

Ultimately it comes down to your personal feelings about cycling in traffic - I'd try both a few times and see which you prefer.

[ccr32]

Hmmm, you've got me thinking now...

My normal route from Balham to Canary Wharf is up through Clapham, Stockwell, Elephant and Castle etc., over London Bridge and then along through Tower Hill, Limehouse etc., as here: http://www.strava.com/activities/90702976

I have never tried a more south-of-the-river route before, so may give this a go at some point this/next week...
http://goo.gl/maps/5pgVT

[JPJ]

One thing I did notice was the reduction in traffic lights/pedestrian crossing staying south of the river. My commute in to near Tottenham Court Road used to involve around 100 sets of traffic lights and 100 pedestrian crossings each way, meaning lots of stop start partcilarly from Streatham inwards. The route via Lewisham to Canary Wharf has considerably less, which keeps the average speed a bit higher assuming you do stop when the lights are on red.

I found the other with regard route times - my 24.5 mile commute to CW was the same time it took do 21.5 to Tottenham Court Road. I must admit that that foot tunnel would be slow if you walked it, but I realised quickly enough that I would be the only one doing that if I followed the rules.

[nookiemon]

I found cycle streets pretty good for some alternative and quiet routes.

http://www.cyclestreets.net/journey/

Brought me down some really nice quiet stretches.

However, my tried and trusted route is A3 > Elephant & Castle, similar to cc32, but then through Rotherhide tunnel.

Most of my route is through bus lanes and the cycle superhighway and the roads are pretty smooth. E&C roundabout can be a bit daunting, but the lights seem to been phased recently to be a bit bike friendlier.

If someone does the A2217/A2 be interested to know how they found it.