Route advice - Amersham/Gerrards Cross area to London

markruss

Hi all

Can anyone suggest a route for cycle commuting from Amersham / Gerrards Cross area in to West End of London?

Suitable for a road bike but avoiding major roads like the A40.

Grateful if anyone knows of a cunning plan!

Thanks very much

Kafka\'s Doll

Harrow Rd (A404) works for me. At least, it does between Harrow and town, and Harrow and Amersham.

markruss

Well, I tried it this morning!

I had a nice quiet country lane amble before joining the A404 at Rickmansworth and then I just followed the signs all the way into the West End. The roads weren't as busy as I expected or have experienced when trying other routes - maybe some of the schools are still on holiday or maybe I was too early for a lot of the traffic. Worst bit was around Wembley where the roads are busy and there is no bus lane. Most of the rest of the route though is either fairly quiet suburban roads or bus laned.

I don't plan on doing it everyday but we'll see how it goes.

Good advice - cheers.

wai

Can I ask where you start?

I do the reverse commute since I work in Gerrards Cross and live near Kilburn in London.

I find that cycling next to the A40 is okay most of the way (have to use a couple of underpasses to get through the roundabouts near Greenford and Hangar Lane).

I also have to go all the way down to Uxbridge since the the short section between Denham and Ickenham has no cycle path - yet. There's some work being done on that stretch which I'm hoping will remedy that. But most of the rest of the way is doable on bike.

It's roughly 19 miles this way and takes about 1hr 20mins.

If I try and head up to the A404 I think that adds another 5 miles and probably another 20mins.

Cheers!

markruss

I started near Beaconsfield and headed north through Chalfont St Giles then across under the M25 towards Rickmansworth where I pick up the A404.

It is a bit further - my journey was about 27 miles this morning and took 1hr 40, but i wouldn't cycle along the A40 for love nor money!

Kafka\'s Doll

markruss wrote:

Well, I tried it this morning!

I had a nice quiet country lane amble before joining the A404 at Rickmansworth and then I just followed the signs all the way into the West End. The roads weren't as busy as I expected or have experienced when trying other routes - maybe some of the schools are still on holiday or maybe I was too early for a lot of the traffic. Worst bit was around Wembley where the roads are busy and there is no bus lane. Most of the rest of the route though is either fairly quiet suburban roads or bus laned.

I don't plan on doing it everyday but we'll see how it goes.

Good advice - cheers.

There's a workaround I use to bypass Wembley. You turn off the Watford Rd just past the golf centre and it brings you out on Empire Way to rejoin the 404 (where it becomes bus laned again). Can't remember the road names just now so I'll try to post them up tomorrow.

markruss

That would be great, thanks. I can try it out when I cycle home tonight.

Kafka\'s Doll

markruss wrote:

That would be great, thanks. I can try it out when I cycle home tonight.

Okay, try this. Wembley Hill Rd, East Lane, The Fairway, Carlton Ave.

SmellTheGlove

If you can make it to just past The Target (Greenford) there's always the canal towpath - or am I being dense here? I know you said you'd like to avoid A40 if poss but it might be an option. Off the towpath near Lord's and down to Baker St, you're home free. Admittedly there were one or two of those daft gates on the path last time I rode it.

wai

I used to go onto the canal from around Northolt. The idea is good and as long as you don't go much over 10mph it's quite pleasant.

However, the only major accidents I've had have been around the canal, what with pedestrians, dogs running around, uneven paving (bike ended up in the canal due to going too fast over some jutty-out concrete slabs and losing control), avoiding the ever abundant nettles, bugs in teeth during summer and other cyclists with whom you end up playing chicken with, I thought I'd try a less crowded, though less scenic route.

Much happier riding on cycle paths next to the A40 :oops:

joebe

When I had to do the City to Amersham I used the 404 as the traffic wasn't as heavy and it took me back down memory lane and visits to my Grandparents in Harrow.

How was Batchworth Hill (sp)

secretsam

Respect for doing that trip, how long did it take? I'm in Aylesbury, a little further!!!!

markruss

It took 1hr 40 on the way in, but 2hrs back out again.

The morning route was fine, not too busy (Batchworth was a wake up call!) but in the evening its not so much fun. Seemed to be more red lights wwhich are pretty energy-sapping, certainly more cars and lots of fumes.

Its was a good idea but i'm not sure i'll be a daily commuter by bike. Perhaps I'll cycle in and train home....?

secretsam

markruss wrote:

Its was a good idea but i'm not sure i'll be a daily commuter by bike. Perhaps I'll cycle in and train home....?

You'd better be going home after midnight then if you want chiltern trains to carry you home...otherwise NO BIKES unless they are HORRIBLE FOLDIES (inlcuding those ridiculous full size ones that break in the middle)

Kafka\'s Doll

SecretSam wrote:

markruss wrote:

Its was a good idea but i'm not sure i'll be a daily commuter by bike. Perhaps I'll cycle in and train home....?

You'd better be going home after midnight then if you want chiltern trains to carry you home...otherwise NO BIKES unless they are HORRIBLE FOLDIES (inlcuding those ridiculous full size ones that break in the middle)

They've taken me home a few times so long as it's after 19.30.