First go with Barclays Cycle Hire
Discussion
... and first go cycling in London 
releasing the bike was easy enough, just needed a debit card (not sure when that changed) choose a bike, and you're off.
The bike was quite comfy and easy to ride. With the wide handles and big basket on the front I felt like I was on a pedal-powered moped. Brakes not as good as the V-brakes on my mtb. Gripshift 3 gears, worked well left in 3rd. Much more suited to cyclepaths than weaving in and out of traffic. Surprised it didn't have a bell.
For someone who's used to quiet country lanes and tracks, cycling in London is certainly an experience. All those barriers, one-ways, angry taxis, crazy pedestrians .. it's very tiring as you keep stopping/starting at give ways and traffic lights and always having to keep an eye on what's going on around you. Especially when you're not 100% sure where you are going. Cycling in London is just like walking or driving in London - everyone is going somewhere FAST and if you can't keep up, get out of the way
No messenger job for me though, did the 2.5 miles from near Victoria to Marylebone in about 25 minutes (included an accidental stray onto Hyde Park Corner roundabout then down to Kensington as I tried to find my way into the park..) although admittedly I was wearing a suit.
I'd probably use it when time wasn't an issue and I didn't fancy squeezing onto the underground - if I was going to commute on a bike daily I would prefer a singlespeed instead.
Well worth it for a pound, and bonus of no sweating on the underground. Can't wait to try it again
releasing the bike was easy enough, just needed a debit card (not sure when that changed) choose a bike, and you're off.
The bike was quite comfy and easy to ride. With the wide handles and big basket on the front I felt like I was on a pedal-powered moped. Brakes not as good as the V-brakes on my mtb. Gripshift 3 gears, worked well left in 3rd. Much more suited to cyclepaths than weaving in and out of traffic. Surprised it didn't have a bell.
For someone who's used to quiet country lanes and tracks, cycling in London is certainly an experience. All those barriers, one-ways, angry taxis, crazy pedestrians .. it's very tiring as you keep stopping/starting at give ways and traffic lights and always having to keep an eye on what's going on around you. Especially when you're not 100% sure where you are going. Cycling in London is just like walking or driving in London - everyone is going somewhere FAST and if you can't keep up, get out of the way
No messenger job for me though, did the 2.5 miles from near Victoria to Marylebone in about 25 minutes (included an accidental stray onto Hyde Park Corner roundabout then down to Kensington as I tried to find my way into the park..) although admittedly I was wearing a suit.
I'd probably use it when time wasn't an issue and I didn't fancy squeezing onto the underground - if I was going to commute on a bike daily I would prefer a singlespeed instead.
Well worth it for a pound, and bonus of no sweating on the underground. Can't wait to try it again
Interesting.
I am often in London on business, and have thought about a using a Boris bike, but was never quite sure how one pays for it (thought I'd need an Oyster card or some such London-transport-specific token.)
I might risk it next time I am travelling to the City.
My other concern though, would be finding a Boris bike parking place for it near my destination.....
I am often in London on business, and have thought about a using a Boris bike, but was never quite sure how one pays for it (thought I'd need an Oyster card or some such London-transport-specific token.)
I might risk it next time I am travelling to the City.
My other concern though, would be finding a Boris bike parking place for it near my destination.....
Once you put the card in, you pay £1 for 24 hours access, then the bikes are charged as on the website (eg. free up to 30 mins). You just put your card back in, and it recognises you have access and lets you release a bike with a 5-digit code.
The rack was full at Marylebone when I got there (6.30pm) but someone was just leaving so I waited. If your chosen rack is full you can press a button and it gives you 15 extra minutes to find an alternative..
also, the TFL map is quite good, it shows the racks and the spaces available
https://web.barclayscyclehire.tfl.gov.uk/maps
The rack was full at Marylebone when I got there (6.30pm) but someone was just leaving so I waited. If your chosen rack is full you can press a button and it gives you 15 extra minutes to find an alternative..
also, the TFL map is quite good, it shows the racks and the spaces available
https://web.barclayscyclehire.tfl.gov.uk/maps
I'm a big fan of them, and use them 2 or 3 times a day. They're big and heavy things, but ride the bumps well and nicely balanced for going through small gaps.
I find that for most journeys I can beat the tube, mainly due to the many docking stations close to where you want to go. Getting lost is a bit of a problem to start with, but after a few goes you soon get your bearings. One of the biggest problems with them is full/empty stations, so you need to know where the other ones are in the vacinity. Got caught out once or twice, but for the most part I can get a cycle when I want and get rid of it as well.
They do have bells (and you need them in London!), lhs, sometimes on the top, sometimes under the handle bar.
(And I much prefer the term Boris Bike than mentioning the sponsors
)
I find that for most journeys I can beat the tube, mainly due to the many docking stations close to where you want to go. Getting lost is a bit of a problem to start with, but after a few goes you soon get your bearings. One of the biggest problems with them is full/empty stations, so you need to know where the other ones are in the vacinity. Got caught out once or twice, but for the most part I can get a cycle when I want and get rid of it as well.
They do have bells (and you need them in London!), lhs, sometimes on the top, sometimes under the handle bar.
(And I much prefer the term Boris Bike than mentioning the sponsors
)Have to agree with the sentiments on this thread. I tried a Boris Bike yesterday and it was great. There is a docking station at the end of the road where I live, and it was easy to get set up there and then with a debit card.
I had not been on a bike for a while and the thing felt quite heavy at first, but then I guess they need to be robust to survive being hire bikes. Soon got used to it, cycled to a nice pub in central London with the Sunday papers on the front, a very pleasant way to travel. I'm not sure I'd feel the same commuting on them in winter weather though!
I had not been on a bike for a while and the thing felt quite heavy at first, but then I guess they need to be robust to survive being hire bikes. Soon got used to it, cycled to a nice pub in central London with the Sunday papers on the front, a very pleasant way to travel. I'm not sure I'd feel the same commuting on them in winter weather though!
My Mrs has a new job in town and thinks a Boris bike from Waterloo to her office is the best option on the commute. Foolishly I suggested we try the route this weekend and hire a couple of Boris steeds, to which she replied yes with a 
I'm now regretting it and have suggested I ride to Waterloo and meet her at the station so I can ride my own bike. After reading this I might give it a go, reluctantly.
I'm now regretting it and have suggested I ride to Waterloo and meet her at the station so I can ride my own bike. After reading this I might give it a go, reluctantly.
Garlick said:
My Mrs has a new job in town and thinks a Boris bike from Waterloo to her office is the best option on the commute. Foolishly I suggested we try the route this weekend and hire a couple of Boris steeds, to which she replied yes with a
I'm now regretting it and have suggested I ride to Waterloo and meet her at the station so I can ride my own bike. After reading this I might give it a go, reluctantly.
Don't hesitate to give them a go! They are actually quite fun.I'm now regretting it and have suggested I ride to Waterloo and meet her at the station so I can ride my own bike. After reading this I might give it a go, reluctantly.
There is no chance of you trying to grind out a fast time PB on them. You will just sit back and enjoy the unusual riding position and the whole fun of the idea.
I was in fact pi55ed off today when I couldnt find a station easily (phone was playing up) and had to walk back to the office. Weather was too pleasant for a cab
HTH?
ps - And report back when you do!
I hired some Boris bikes to explore London on a Sunday morning recently. I wasn't expecting much, and I couldn't work out how much it would cost at all. The charging system is complicated.
As it was, it turned out to be monster fun. They encourage extremely bad behaviour - wheelies, skids etc. My brother and I took great pleasure in trying to bounce a skidding back wheel off of kerbs and each other. We nearly fell off laughing it was so much fun.
After about 10 short trips, I was expecting a big bill, but get this... only £1 showed up on my account. I couldn't believe it!
Garlick - be aware that the bikes at Waterloo disappear on weekday mornings quite quickly. You will need to monitor the situation depending on your ETA.
Also, the Green Party mayoral candidate had something interesting to say ref Boris Bikes. She said that if the same amount of money was spent on installing a proper cycle path infrastructure in London as was spend on the Boris Bikes, cycling in London would be the best in Europe. Interesting thought. But still, where's the fun in that?!
As it was, it turned out to be monster fun. They encourage extremely bad behaviour - wheelies, skids etc. My brother and I took great pleasure in trying to bounce a skidding back wheel off of kerbs and each other. We nearly fell off laughing it was so much fun.
After about 10 short trips, I was expecting a big bill, but get this... only £1 showed up on my account. I couldn't believe it!
Garlick - be aware that the bikes at Waterloo disappear on weekday mornings quite quickly. You will need to monitor the situation depending on your ETA.
Also, the Green Party mayoral candidate had something interesting to say ref Boris Bikes. She said that if the same amount of money was spent on installing a proper cycle path infrastructure in London as was spend on the Boris Bikes, cycling in London would be the best in Europe. Interesting thought. But still, where's the fun in that?!
Garlick said:
My Mrs has a new job in town and thinks a Boris bike from Waterloo to her office is the best option on the commute. Foolishly I suggested we try the route this weekend and hire a couple of Boris steeds, to which she replied yes with a
I'm now regretting it and have suggested I ride to Waterloo and meet her at the station so I can ride my own bike. After reading this I might give it a go, reluctantly.
The buses are usually the quickest from waterloo to central.I'm now regretting it and have suggested I ride to Waterloo and meet her at the station so I can ride my own bike. After reading this I might give it a go, reluctantly.
On another note, seems like they're dropping like flies over there!
Mr Gear said:
Also, the Green Party mayoral candidate had something interesting to say ref Boris Bikes. She said that if the same amount of money was spent on installing a proper cycle path infrastructure in London as was spend on the Boris Bikes, cycling in London would be the best in Europe.
But 99% of commuter cyclists do not want a cycle path infrastructure because then it takes you twice as long to get to work.Cycle paths for commuters would be used only by people who don't or rarely commute by bike.
oyster said:
But 99% of commuter cyclists do not want a cycle path infrastructure because then it takes you twice as long to get to work.
Cycle paths for commuters would be used only by people who don't or rarely commute by bike.
I agree, because most cycle paths are sCycle paths for commuters would be used only by people who don't or rarely commute by bike.
t. I use very few on my route to work even when they are present. But cycle superhighways were supposed to be fast routes into London away from traffic. Unfortunately, they were st too.Where are the cycle lanes next to railway lines and in streets closed to traffic? Where is the integrated approach?
thegavster said:
I use this iPhone app to locate bike docking stations with bikes/spaces etc:
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/london-cycle-free-m...
Ok if you have an iphone http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/london-cycle-free-m...
Not found anything for a blackberry since cyclehi seemed to stop working
Very handy to have something like this, just wish they could identify duff bikes as wel
Nigel H said:
Ok if you have an iphone
Not found anything for a blackberry since cyclehi seemed to stop working
Very handy to have something like this, just wish they could identify duff bikes as wel
My limited understanding is that the data for bikes available is Net of the duff or Out of Order ones. My local station said none; I stepped outside and saw two - but both would not be released to me as OOO....Not found anything for a blackberry since cyclehi seemed to stop working
Very handy to have something like this, just wish they could identify duff bikes as wel
Or Boris has black balled me
Mr Gear said:
Also, the Green Party mayoral candidate had something interesting to say ref Boris Bikes. She said that if the same amount of money was spent on installing a proper cycle path infrastructure in London as was spend on the Boris Bikes, cycling in London would be the best in Europe.
You cannot run these schemes cheaply. There are so many hidden costs, paid out of tax. Which is why no private company has tried it.grumbledoak said:
Mr Gear said:
Also, the Green Party mayoral candidate had something interesting to say ref Boris Bikes. She said that if the same amount of money was spent on installing a proper cycle path infrastructure in London as was spend on the Boris Bikes, cycling in London would be the best in Europe.
You cannot run these schemes cheaply. There are so many hidden costs, paid out of tax. Which is why no private company has tried it.Me and my missus used them for the first time today and had a great laugh.
We only went from Angel down to Smithfield (breakfast at Smiths, lovely!)
We were was just walking past the rack and thought why not?
Thought the bikes were quite good, bit heavy but very easy to ride and very stable.
My other half is not a cyclist but the grin on her face was huge.
Pootled around a bit by Old Bailey and St Pauls before parking up and sitting down to eat.
After food, she went off to Oxford St by bus and I took a Boris Bike back to the Angel.
Perfect.
I will definitely use them again.
We only went from Angel down to Smithfield (breakfast at Smiths, lovely!)
We were was just walking past the rack and thought why not?
Thought the bikes were quite good, bit heavy but very easy to ride and very stable.
My other half is not a cyclist but the grin on her face was huge.
Pootled around a bit by Old Bailey and St Pauls before parking up and sitting down to eat.
After food, she went off to Oxford St by bus and I took a Boris Bike back to the Angel.
Perfect.
I will definitely use them again.
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