Commuting from Croydon to L Victoria - possible?

Climber_Andy

Got a job in the summer up by London Victoria, and am living in Croydon. Train fares are £9-13 peak travelcard, which all adds up...so I'm considering cycling to work. As someone who has NEVER cycled north of Croydon, preferring to avoid the cars and head for the lanes of Kent/Surrey, is commuting a possibility? Moreover, is it "safe" to do it from Croydon to London V? Anyone know the best route?

I reckon my cycling proficiency is ok, but there may be something psychologically in riding around London. I just need to know that it's safe and ok - and I'm sure it is, providing I ride carefully and to the law,,,

TheBoyBilly

Just did a quick check on the route the TfL website recommends and it takes you, using E.Croydon Stn. as a start, up past Selhurst to Crystal Palace Parade via Whitehorse Lane, then down to Dulwich, Croxted Road and on to Camberwell New Road. Then it's the Oval, Vauxhall Cross & Bridge and finishing off at Victoria Station. It gives a time of 66 minutes. I would give it a dry run early on a weekend morning before doing it at a busier time. If that was too much you could part commute. Is the Wandle Trail an option?

SmellTheGlove

Hope you feel you can join the merry band of London commuters - there is indeed something "psychologically" about riding in London - your mind will be permanently open and stimulated by the experience.
Go for it and good luck.

BentMikey

Of course it's possible, and it should be a bloody awesome ride!

I seem to remember being recommended avoiding the A23 with an alternative route slightly to the west of it, ending up on the A24, Clapham, Chelsea Bridge, Sloane Sq., but can't remember more details than that, sorry.

squired

Your daily peak-time train fare should be £7.50 return from East Croydon to London Victoria.

I cycle from South Croydon - obviously it depends on which part of Croydon you are riding from. My route is to Knightsbridge, but would be fine for Victoria.

Having ridden through Croydon's shopping area I continue straight along past Mayday hospital and Thornton Heath Pond. Through Norbury and Streatham. In Streatham I take a left onto Gleneagle Road, then a quick right. That takes me up to Garrad's Road and then down Bedford Hill. From there onto Clapham Common (over the cycle path that goes through the middle of it). Down Cedars Road all the way to the bridge. From there you can make your way to Victoria. I ride up through Sloane Square and onto Knightsbridge.

If you want some different rides, you could go through to Brixton and left from there. I think you then go over Vauxhall Bridge.

Coming home I sometimes take different routes, through places like Mitcham.

If you want extra details feel free to ask, or even PM me on here.

andrewc3142

Of course it's possible. Looks about 11 miles? I come in from Woking and that's perfectly feasible at almost 30 miles.

Get hold of the London Cycling Maps from tfl, log into bikely and you'll have fun finding the best route. Not necessarily parks and designated cycle routes, but equally major trunk roads aren't great except in small doses. Give yourself some time on the first couple of days to get lost, etc. but shouldn't be more than 45-60 mins once you're sorted, perhaps quicker.

Go for it. You'll save about £60 a week, which you can use to justify a new road bike, gear from Assos and Rapha, better shoes, lube, tubes, Muck-Off, a freshly made smoothie when you get there, etc, etc so you'll be quids in. Or not, as the case may be.

And worry less about the law than what is safe and courteous. Not compatible all the time

nicolath

Andrew C

I've checked out your Woking commute route on Bikely and am keen to give it a go. It looks as if you ride some of it on the A3. Is that correct and how busy is that stretch of the ride?

Thanks,
Nicola

workhard

Did EC to Brixton twice a week for two years (Clapham J to Brixton the other three days) '04 and '05. Try it out one weekend and then give it a go for real.

Bassjunkieuk

nicolath wrote:

Andrew C

I've checked out your Woking commute route on Bikely and am keen to give it a go. It looks as if you ride some of it on the A3. Is that correct and how busy is that stretch of the ride?

Thanks,
Nicola

Just found your route on Bikely to, having a look over it some of it looks familiar from when I used to do IT repairs around that area as a field engineer, but not sure if I'd feel confident riding it!

As for Croydon to Victoria that shouldn't be a problem, my first commute into London was to get to Westminster Town Hall from near the Palace footie ground where I live, and I just headed straight up to Norwood - Brixton - Stockwell and over Vauxhall Bridge! Still remember the feeling of satisfaction as I crossed the Thames for the first time :-) This probably isn't a route for the faint hearted tho as Brixton and the south side of Vauxhall Bridge can both get very busy during the rush hour and could be rather intimidating for a new cyclist, but once you get used to them they provide great fun :-)

oliverb

I have cycled to London many times from the Purley/Kenley area around 5 miles further than Croydon. The journey is not too bad. I used to go straight up
the A23 Croydon Streetham Brixton and then turn off at the Oval and go across I think Vauxhall bridge.

The only problem with this route is comming home through Streatham where the road gets completely blocked with traffic. May be worth finding a way around this bit.

The only thing I found strange was feeling compelled to jump traffic lights to avoid blocking the road for other cyclists. As you get nearer Croydon it seems to happen less and is less tolerated by car drivers. This was a few years back so thngs may have changed.

Bassjunkieuk

oliverb wrote:

The only thing I found strange was feeling compelled to jump traffic lights to avoid blocking the road for other cyclists. As you get nearer Croydon it seems to happen less and is less tolerated by car drivers. This was a few years back so thngs may have changed.

I've always used the A23 through Streatham and Brixton when I'm heading up to that area and have never felt "compelled" to jump traffic lights to let other cyclist's through. If the light it red you stop. If they don't like it then it's tough sh1t basically as they should stop to, don't ever fell you have to put yourself in danger to keep other's happy.

I do have to agree tho that the RLJ is less prevalent the further out of the city you get, but I think this may also have to do with the reduction in cyclist making it less likely your waiting at the lights with another cyclist, and even then it has to be one of those RLJer's.

oliverb

I would never put myself in danger jumping lights. There are many times when it is safe to jump lights and if you watch experianced jumpers they know the exact light and traffic sequence.

The problem is when the people you ride with jump lights and if you don't then you loose your tow and have to fight hard on your own to catch up. When I'm riding solo it's not that important.

I don't agree with jumping lights by the way it's more a case of when in Rome.