Route advice for beginner

redjedi

Hello, newbie here.

I need some advice on which way to finish off my commute home. I've only been cycling for a few months, so still not entirely confident on the roads.

The problem is that I live near the north circular and my route home means I have pass under it.
The rest of the journey is fine and I use a combination of cycle paths and road, (although I did use some quiet pavements when I first started out ). Leading up to this point there is a cycle path which takes you through a pedestrian underpath, and I come out on the other side of the N.Circ.

Now my dilemma starts, the cycle path ends here. Up until now I have just cycled on the pavement (at a nice slow pace, giving peds right of way) until I get to the end of my street.

I know I should be on the road, but this section of road is 3 lanes of heavy, almost stationary traffic, and I'm a little nervous of this bit. I have seen cyclist ride down there, in between the traffic, but I haven't worked up the courage to try it yet.

Below is a map of said route

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1399843

What should I do? Carry on taking my time on the pavement (which isn't very busy), get off and push my bike, or bite the bullet and squeeze between the traffic?

jon208

I was a bit worried about this sort of stuff when I started commuting in heavy traffic but soon realised that heavy stationary traffic is much safer than fast moving traffic!

Be confident and get filtering!

TheFoolio888

jon208 wrote:

I was a bit worried about this sort of stuff when I started commuting in heavy traffic but soon realised that heavy stationary traffic is much safer than fast moving traffic!

Be confident and get filtering!

I totally agree with that...The way I see it...when the traffic is stationary or moving slowly then you are in charge!

The main problem appears to be that because the tin can drivers sit in traffic for most of their trip as soon as they see a bit of road where they can actually move they go bonkers...if the speed wasn;t bad enough then the old hopping from lane to lane to get one car ahead begins... :roll:

When the road clears a bit and the traffic gets moving to 30/40mph then thats when I hop up onto the (wide ped-free) pavement. Give me nose-to-nose traffic any day

spasypaddy

i occasionally play with the north circular, when i come to a set of traffic lights which i normally go straight over i have to decide whether the traffic opposite is too dense for me to carry straight on or turn left onto the north circular. this morning i turned onto the north circular (not for the first time mind) but i love it, the road was completely empty and i stroke along it at 25mph which gets me to the next junction (where i turn off) before any cars catch me up.

In your case (the map doesnt load for me), you'll only get the confidence to do it by trying. If the traffic is stationary what have you got to worry about? I wouldnt recommend it if it was rushing past you but its barely moving! I say give it a go but be careful, take out earphones and stuff and concentrate

RufusA

You probably already know the answer!

Personally I don't like cyclists who ride on pedestrian pavements - it IMHO creates the wrong impression of cyclists in the eyes of pedestrians and drivers!

If you prefer cycling on dedicated routes, it wouldn't do any harm to ask the local council (and possibly TFL) if there are plans to provide a "cycle path" to run paralled with the main road. If the pavement is wide enough a simple line painting exercise would suffice - though there are many (me included) who hate half @rsed cyclepavementpaths with a passion!

So your two legal options are:

1) Get off and walk - it's only 1/4 mile, and you normally cycle it slowly (and are on foot for the underpass) walking the last bit won't add considerably to your journey. Also walking allows you to cool down and stretch the muscles, switch off and stow lights etv. Not so good if you have road shoes though!

2) Learn to deal with the dual carriageway, it's a useful skill. Read Cycle craft, cycle confidentally and decisively and be uber aware of potential hazards.

Whether option (2) is right for you depends a lot on the road / traffic. If the lanes are wide, and the traffic goes at cycling speed or less, and tends to stick in lane there should be a clear safe path between the LH and middle lane. The hardest part will be joining and exiting the road, but if motorists attention isn't elsewhere they should see you and make room if you take an assertive stance.

Also watch out for traffic stopping to let cars out of side roads, many cars don't also check for filtering cyclists before swinging out in to their path. And mopeds may be an additional hazard due to their IMHO erratic filtering.

I'd recommend waiting until it's a good traffic day, and give it a try, slip stream a passing regular if you want an extra pair of eyes and a bit of confidence!

If however traffic is likely to be changing lanes, the lanes are narrow etc. then I'd walk.

There's a stretch of dualcarriage way near me and it's 50/50 as to whether I cycle or walk it depending on how the traffic is behaving, it's only a few hundred yards long but sometimes I'm a wimp!

Good luck!

Rufus.