Southend to Kensington

mmuk

Later this year I have to get from Southend to central London - can anyone advise on the best route? Obviously I would like to avoid the A13/127 etc!!

many thanks

Mike

spursn17

I'd use the old A13 until it becomes dual carriageway, then use the road to Pitsea/Vange/Basildon.

Then cross over A13 to Stanford le Hope and on to Grays.

From there use the old A13 again (A1306) to Rainham, turn right at Dovers corner roundabout and follow the road to the Bull roundabout, turn right to Dagenham East stn and take the 3rd left after it (Reede Rd).

Follow the road to Martins corner and turn left onto Wood lane/Longbridge road to Barking, Go around the bypass and onto the Barking rd to Canning Town.

From there your on the A13 again to Tower Hill.

I've cycled all of this route (not all at once!) and found it to be ok. It's not the most direct but seems to be the easiest and least hilly

Have a look at the route here
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/gb/south ... 7464105166

mmuk

thanks for your help - appreciate the map

COYS!

spursn17

COYS!

_Brun_

I did the London to Southend BHF run last summer and managed to do the return leg on my own initiative.

I took a right just after waypoint 11 on spursn17's route, then (you'll have to zoom in to see the road names) on Dry St, Old Church Hill, Doesgate Ln, Fen Ln and Ockenden Rd. All really nice quiet county roads with a couple of short climbs in there to keep it interesting.

My route then took me onto the A124 which wasn't as much fun, but to be honest I can't imagine you'll find a much better way through East London unless someone with more intimate knowledge of it has any suggestions.

Mr_Cellophane

The ride from Grays/Thurrock has been discussed on several forums. There has been much debate between the route SpursN17 suggested through Barking and staying on the A13. Both have their good and bad points.
A13 + good cycle lane from Lodge Lane (not done the section east of there)
- Long waits at the junctions (but fewer of them)
- The underpass at the A406 can be a place for the local lowlife
- You have to stay on the south side to cross the A406

Via Barking + Flatter
- On road cycle lane
- More junctions
- More pedestrians

spursn17

Brun

I did that route on Saturday, nice ride but the roads are very gritty, and during commuter times you can get some motorists driving like loony's.

Different map via the lanes
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/gb/south ... 1516374626

Going up through Hornchurch is very stop/start, but you can avoid the worst of it (another map!)
http://www.mapmyride.com/route/gb/south ... 5169281844

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Mr Cellophane

Why I'd use the first route is that it's a bit more 'flowing' and less hilly. You don't go down any underpasses as you go through Barking and then down the Barking rd to Canning Town. After that you take the East India Dock rd, don't use Aspen Way. As you can see, the mileage only varies by a couple of mile over all 3 routes.