Commuting by bike in to london

[dern]

I don't where to put this but it strikes me this is the best place.

Is commuting in to london by bike doable? I've been offered the chance of a job in Canary Wharf and I live in Newbury. Basically this means heading east along the M4 and then across town. Does anyone have any idea how long this would take?

Thanks,

Mark

[stig]

I'd reckon a good hour and a half depending on how long it takes you to get on the M4.

I ride from just north of Henley to Chelsea and that's a good hour in traffic.

[dern]

stig said:

I'd reckon a good hour and a half depending on how long it takes you to get on the M4.

I ride from just north of Henley to Chelsea and that's a good hour in traffic.

What time do you set off?

[andy tims]

Newbury to Canary Wharf is nearly 70 miles each way, with a substantial cross town section.

My commute is 50 miles. 42 on the A3, then 8 miles between Wandsworth & Euston. Setting off at approx 7:00am this takes about 1 hour 15mins. The last 8 miles takes just over half an hour, so I reckon you're in for closer to 2 hours unless you ride VERY fast on the M4 and / or leave very early, but why not try it a few times if you can.

Do also think about the costs. I frightened myself the other day, when I actually worked out what 500 miles a week cost me each year. The train is actually cheaper!!!

[eliminator]

My commute is shorter - A3/M25 through to Strand. 24 miles, first half average speed 50mph. By the time I reach work my average has dropped to 23. All based on the GPS unit.

[chilli]

Caon't help with your route, but mine is about 65 miles round trip from either Chelmsford or Billericay to the city. I leave home at 06:00 and leave the office at around 16:30. Usually takes me just under the hour, but therecord is 37 mins inthe morning!!

It helps massively if you can start and leave that little bit earlier.

Cheers.

[Mon Ami Mate]

dern said:

I don't where to put this but it strikes me this is the best place.

Is commuting in to london by bike doable? I've been offered the chance of a job in Canary Wharf and I live in Newbury. Basically this means heading east along the M4 and then across town. Does anyone have any idea how long this would take?

Thanks,

Mark

I used to commute from High Wycombe to Covent Garden every day by ZZR1100. Half an hour door to door at peak time.

[ballon]

I do 11m each way from SW19 to the City. My average speed is 17 - 25mph and can take anything between 40 and 25 mins. To do it any faster would be mean nuking the speed limit and the there are plenty of cameras to negotiate, also 30+ sets of traffic lights. As Chilli says it really helps to leave early but there always seems to be a window in the traffic at about 08.15.

I think you are probably on the limit of commuting by bike not the distance per se but the fact you have to traverse London.

Not wishing to put you off, Iv'e been doing it for 17 years, but I reckon you are going to have a 2hr+/- commute each way

I am going to commit herasy here but for a commute like that I would think one of the larger scooters (400cc) would make be a good choice.

I will go now

[rsvmilly]

Mon Ami Mate said:

dern said:

I don't where to put this but it strikes me this is the best place.

Is commuting in to london by bike doable? I've been offered the chance of a job in Canary Wharf and I live in Newbury. Basically this means heading east along the M4 and then across town. Does anyone have any idea how long this would take?

Thanks,

Mark

I used to commute from High Wycombe to Covent Garden every day by ZZR1100. Half an hour door to door at peak time.

Good Work!!

A friend of mine had a very ratty GSXR1100 as his first bike. He reduced his 2.5 hour commute from Luton to Kew to 30 minutes.

[aeropilot]

stig said:

I'd reckon a good hour and a half depending on how long it takes you to get on the M4.

Easy 1.5 hrs on a good day. I'm a few miles north of J3 of the M4, and it'd take me a good 45-50mins at least to get to Canary Wharf, so add that 40mins to what ever it would take you to get from home to J3/M4.

[dern]

Thanks for the advice.

I think I may well wait until the spring and then get a contract in london to see how it goes. It would only be for 6 months and the money makes up for the extra couple of hours commute each way and then some. It may even work out better to get a flat near where I work or get a b&b.

Thanks,

Mark