Tomorrow is a big day

essex-commuter
essex-commuter Posts: 2,188
edited September 2010 in Commuting chat
...my girlfirend is commuting to work by bike for the first time in her life!

We live East of London and I commute out Eastwards into Essex. She works in the city so tomorrow I'm taking a day off work and will 'escort' her in to see what the route is like and how long it takes her. I'll go back and ride home with her later in the day.

If it's doable within her time constraints it could become a regular thing, once I've tought her how to fix a puncture! I'm quite excited for her really.

Thinking of uisng the 'Superhighway' route in from Barking, she works near Liverpool Street. Does anyone know if this route as straightforward as it looks (well as far as Tower Gateway anyway)?
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  • rjsterry
    rjsterry Posts: 27,485
    I believe DDD is a recent convert tot he virtues of superhighways, and I think he now uses CS3 on his way out to Ilford.
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  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    My girlfriend commuted into work once as well!
  • mrc1
    mrc1 Posts: 852
    ...We live East of London

    Go on, don't be afraid to say it..... I promise I won't ask if you have white cycling shoes and drive an Escort cabriolet :lol:
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  • mrc1
    mrc1 Posts: 852
    Oh and to answer the actual question, the superhighway pretty much seems to follow the A13 on an extended piece of pavement. There are a couple of bits that I havent seen (where the A13 follows a fly over it looks as though the superhighway has to snake round the roundabout underneath etc) but it looks ok.
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  • I've used bits of it recently. The roundabout to the north of Canning Town station is a bit of a maze of ped/bike shared use road crossings. And after you've crossed the Lee river, coming into town, the route turns south to get to the semi-gated development where all the streets are named after spices and I'm not sure which is the best way round it. Yesterday I went via Sorrell Lane, Coriander Ave, Saffron Ave only to come across a lifting road barrier on Saffron which doesn't seem to lift when bikes try to come through. It's more souperhighway than superhighway at that point. After that, you hit another ''is this cycle-path or pavement?'' section leading to Naval Row. After that, it's clearer where the route goes.
  • mrc1 wrote:
    ...We live East of London

    Go on, don't be afraid to say it..... I promise I won't ask if you have white cycling shoes and drive an Escort cabriolet :lol:

    My racing shoes are white and I do own a Ford. There you go! :oops:
  • Cafewanda
    Cafewanda Posts: 2,788
    @ OP - Yay to the missus joining our world. Hope she decides to join for the duration :)

    Biondino - she no longer riding? What'd you do to put her off? :wink:
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    Cafewanda wrote:
    @ OP - Yay to the missus joining our world. Hope she decides to join for the duration :)

    Biondino - she no longer riding? What'd you do to put her off? :wink:

    I think it was really to see if it was possible rather than any commitment to it, and it was with a colleague who lived locally who she no longer works with. Also she has a knee with only one working ligament in it so pootling's fine but if it gets strenuous is hurts!

    And, of course, she doesn't want to arrive at work sweaty - the cry of pretty much every woman I know who'd ride to work if only she could get there gleamingly fresh.
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    Where in East London? There's a Superhighway in Barking?

    This is Spen666 manor, he may be able to help.

    My route is essentially one road from Liverpool Street to Ilford/Goodmayes. From Liverpool Street make your way to Aldgate train station and follow that toad through Bow until Stratford. From Stratford it's around the one way system onto Romford road straight to Ilford.

    I did the A13, it's not designed for cyclists.

    Bow and Stratford are fine Ilford the road is a little narrow. But far better than high street leytonstone.

    (the OP gave me my route)
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • biondino wrote:
    Cafewanda wrote:
    @ OP - Yay to the missus joining our world. Hope she decides to join for the duration :)

    Biondino - she no longer riding? What'd you do to put her off? :wink:

    I think it was really to see if it was possible rather than any commitment to it, and it was with a colleague who lived locally who she no longer works with. Also she has a knee with only one working ligament in it so pootling's fine but if it gets strenuous is hurts!

    And, of course, she doesn't want to arrive at work sweaty - the cry of pretty much every woman I know who'd ride to work if only she could get there gleamingly fresh.

    I know it doesn't work for Mrs Biondino, but seriously, other ladies, shower at work!
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Assuming they have access to a shower........
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Assuming they have access to a shower........

    yup, My wife hates the getting to work swetty...no showers so change and a spray.
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    Whoa..... ^^That be gangsta!!!!^^

    Looking at a girl all sweaty on a bike in lycra is one thing

    Working alongside a sweaty woman in the office is another....
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • DonDaddyD wrote:
    Where in East London? There's a Superhighway in Barking?

    Yep all the way to Barking and that's the route I used to take her in this morning and come back. Must admit I was quite impressed. Superhighway all the way from Barking to Tower Hill and then we headed towards Liverpool Street and 1/2 a mile from there she was at work. It took us 50 minutes to get there and I came back in 38 minutes.

    DDD, why not try that route to Barking and from there it is less than 10 minutes to Goodmayes along Longbridge Road and Goodmayes Lane.

    I'll be leaving at 4pm to head back up to EC1 to collect her. Can't wait!!!
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    Will give it a go!
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • CXXC
    CXXC Posts: 237
    how did she find it? a better experience than she was expecting?
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  • MonkeyMonster
    MonkeyMonster Posts: 4,628
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    Whoa..... ^^That be gangsta!!!!^^

    Looking at a girl all sweaty on a bike in lycra is one thing

    Working alongside a sweaty woman in the office is another....

    Sometimes DDD you make me smile :D
    Le Cannon [98 Cannondale M400] [FCN: 8]
    The Mad Monkey [2013 Hoy 003] [FCN: 4]
  • essex-commuter
    essex-commuter Posts: 2,188
    edited August 2010
    CXXC wrote:
    how did she find it? a better experience than she was expecting?

    We go out at weekends on the bike so she is used to up to 20 mile rides so the distance wasn't an issue. We got a bit lost going from Tower to EC1 (I didn't know where her office was so couldn't help, and despite me saying last night to look at a map she didn't!) but apart from that it was pretty good. Little bit hairy for her around Liverpool Street but now I know the area I will see if I can work out something better on the map.

    Only one shower at her office which was being used when she got there so she a bit late but nothing to worry about. Think she really enjoyed to be honest, she moans every day about the District and Central line (waiting for 4 trains before she can squeeze in and then being pressed up against someone for the whole journey) so maybe this will de-stress her a little when she arrives home...we will see.

    I benefit so much in every way from cycling to work, I really want her to experience the same thing.
  • DonDaddyD wrote:
    Will give it a go!

    Goodmayes Station, across Green Lane into Goodmayes Lane, right at the bottom into Longbridge Road, left at the lights into Upney Lane...over Upney Station, left at the bottom into Ripple Road...cross the A13 at the Lodge Avenue RB and head West along the A13...green cycle paths for about 2 miles and then your on the Super Highway.

    Try it tonight, I will be leaving EC1 and coming back at 5pm...if that's the sort of time you leave work we'll cross paths.
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    We already have crossed paths, I was going so fast your eyes may not have detected it.... :shock:
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • Cafewanda
    Cafewanda Posts: 2,788
    biondino wrote:
    Cafewanda wrote:
    @ OP - Yay to the missus joining our world. Hope she decides to join for the duration :)

    Biondino - she no longer riding? What'd you do to put her off? :wink:

    I think it was really to see if it was possible rather than any commitment to it, and it was with a colleague who lived locally who she no longer works with. Also she has a knee with only one working ligament in it so pootling's fine but if it gets strenuous is hurts!

    And, of course, she doesn't want to arrive at work sweaty - the cry of pretty much every woman I know who'd ride to work if only she could get there gleamingly fresh.

    I know it doesn't work for Mrs Biondino, but seriously, other ladies, shower at work!

    Or alternatively, wet towel with a drop of shower gel over the body, finish off with deodorant. Don't see what the problem is myself.
  • Cafewanda
    Cafewanda Posts: 2,788
    [Only one shower at her office which was being used when she got there so she a bit late but nothing to worry about. I benefit so much in every way from cycling to work, I really want her to experience the same thing.

    I hope she does too and she can always use the ladies if the shower is busy. Disabled loo perhaps? More space.
  • DonDaddyD
    DonDaddyD Posts: 12,689
    DonDaddyD wrote:
    Will give it a go!

    Goodmayes Station, across Green Lane into Goodmayes Lane, right at the bottom into Longbridge Road, left at the lights into Upney Lane...over Upney Station, left at the bottom into Ripple Road...cross the A13 at the Lodge Avenue RB and head West along the A13...green cycle paths for about 2 miles and then your on the Super Highway.

    Try it tonight, I will be leaving EC1 and coming back at 5pm...if that's the sort of time you leave work we'll cross paths.
    Mate, I just wanted to tell you that that was one of the worst journeys I've ever had to endure!

    First I couldn't find the A13 (I need Sat Nav). I ended up In Barking Town centre and got was left thinking 'Salt of the Earth'. Then when I found it I got a p'nct're via drawing pin (2nd one this week). The people who stopped and asked of I had everything I needed was nice. Then the route seemed to go on forever and because it followed the open space of a dual carriage way there was nothing to shield me from the wind. Then I got lost a couple more times because at junctions there was nothing to suggest whether to go left, right or straight. I nearly ended up at the blackwall tunnel until I turned round. The route is longer than following the one I did before!

    However, thank you for the route it is safer than the one I normally take. I also got to ride both existing Superhighways in one day. It did tip my miles to 186 for the week.

    I can understand why you want your with to do that route, it is safer overall.
    Food Chain number = 4

    A true scalp is not only overtaking someone but leaving them stopped at a set of lights. As you, who have clearly beaten the lights, pummels nothing but the open air ahead. ~ 'DondaddyD'. Player of the Unspoken Game
  • DonDaddyD wrote:
    The people who stopped and asked of I had everything I needed was nice. .

    So we have met then, because that was me, with the girlfriend just behind! First person I meet off here...and their bike is upside down! It wasn't until a mile or so later that it dawned on me it could have been you, we were on a bit of a mission trying to do the whole journey in under 60 minutes which we did...just.

    I thought you had got the puncture from glass, just after we passed you I saw quite a bit across the path, I jumped across to the pavement side but my GF rode straight through it...I thought I'd be giving her puncture repair lesson sooner than I thought!
  • ...my girlfirend is commuting to work by bike for the first time in her life!

    Well yesterday was the 2nd commute for her and today the 3rd, all going well...

    ...except her Dad phones her yesterday at work to ask if she got in OK. Then he said to her "I don't really want you doing this but it's up to you. I see too many near misses every day and I don't want xxxx being without a Mummy". Her Dad is a black cab driver.

    Mmm, not sure what this will do to the longevity of her bike commuting. Didn't stop her today though.
  • Her Dad is a black cab driver.

    Aren't we meant to say 'cab driver of colour' :lol: Honestly though, she's suffered enough of the conditions on the underground as the alternative. I think it will take a lot to disuade anyone from the cycle commute once they have found out that they can do it in a reasonable fashion.
    To err is human, but to make a real balls up takes a super computer.
  • Since the original post Ms Essex-Commuter has been making the 21 mile return journey to the city 4 times per week, pretty muched as hooked as I am. Seeing a cyclist knocked off by a cab this morning put her a bit on edge, but apart from that...all good. I think it might come to a halt as Winter comes though.

    Less stress, fitter, and nearly 30 quid a week better off. Job done. It's also increased my mileage a bit too, a couple of times a week I arrive home from my 16.5 mile journey, have a quick cuppa, then head off up town to meet her coming the other way..really look forward to that!
  • davis
    davis Posts: 2,506
    Less stress, fitter, and nearly 30 quid a week better off.

    Cool! Great news.

    If the motivation starts to flag perhaps a little reminder that, accounting for tax, she's just given herself ~2k GBP pay rise.
    Sometimes parts break. Sometimes you crash. Sometimes it’s your fault.
  • PBo
    PBo Posts: 2,493
    davis wrote:
    Less stress, fitter, and nearly 30 quid a week better off.

    Cool! Great news.

    If the motivation starts to flag perhaps a little reminder that, accounting for tax, she's just given herself ~2k GBP pay rise.

    ....but given how much most of us end up spending on cycling paraphanelia, she'll actually be worse of!! :lol:
  • PBo
    PBo Posts: 2,493

    ...except her Dad phones her yesterday at work to ask if she got in OK. Then he said to her "I don't really want you doing this but it's up to you. I see too many near misses every day and I don't want xxxx being without a Mummy". Her Dad is a black cab driver.
    Seeing a cyclist knocked off by a cab this morning put her a bit on edge, but apart from that.

    Some people just go too far to try and make a point don't they!!!!! :lol: