Anyone use the superhighway 13?

brianonyx

Now it is summer (?) thinking of driving in from southend to the beginning of the a13 Boris superhighway and cycling in to get some more miles in.

I normally park at Upminster and just cycle in to London on the a124. Is the a13 superhighway easy/safer/better than the a124 to cycle into the city on??

Crouching Peeky

I'd be interested to hear what it's like. I currently use the A118 from Romford, picking up the superhighway from Bow into the city. The condition of the road in places is shocking. The superhighway is being extended out to Ilford so I'm hoping that will bring an improvement in the road surface

cookeeemonster

I use it almost everyday.

It's ok...bit windy as you're next to a 6 lane dual carriageway. It can be pretty bumpy compared to the road...it occasionally has junk and road signs deposited on it (and the odd broken down car) and you are constantly giving way to side roads and the like.

I only really start to enjoy my commute once i hit tower hill and get on the roads to be honest, but its not a bad thing - you need to try it as it may be an awful lot better and faster than the roads you're used to.

Once you get past the canning town flyover you get a totally unsignposted diversion round the tower hamlets council hq then on to the backstreets of limehouse - once you figure out the route it's a real nice (but slow) section. This is where you really start to see a lot of cyclists, especially on narrow street. I normally cut that bit out and go via east india dock road/commercial road instead then rejoin it at cable st to tower hill. East india dock road/commercial road isn't nice at all but its saves about 5 mins.

As I say, definately try it and let me know what you think. If it wasn't for that I'd never have got the cycling bug as it enabled me to train on a car free cyclepath but...it's a bit boring/desolate in places and as I say, even if you ignore the bumps and get into a rythim you then have to slow down to give way to a side road.

But I'm probably being picky and/or spoilt. There are an awful lot worse roads out there, I'm pretty lucky I have it near to me.

cookeeemonster

ps. Its actually named the 'CS3'

special11

I use it a few times a week and i can reccomend it..... its never going to be the most scenic route youve ever done, and as cookee says you do have to slow down at road junctions to make sure cars arent turning off the A13....however its safe, its off the road and its a great way of building the miles up... to me it starts getting a little less featureless once you are near canary wharf... and going up narrow st , with a nice glimpse of the thames.
Downsides are it can be windy , but as a commute its perfect , the sun is behind you in the mornings on the way in , and on your back when you are pedalling home.

cookeeemonster

special11 wrote:

but as a commute its perfect , the sun is behind you in the mornings on the way in , and on your back when you are pedalling home.

I'd prefer a suntan on my face than on my neck to be honest

Mr_Cellophane

I used to go that way from Upminster. I found the best way was via Elm Park; Hacton Lane, Suttons Avenue, Rosewood Avenue, Rainham Road, Ballards Road, Orchard Road, Marsh Green Road. Then join the A13 as the traffic is usually slower than me (and that's saying something) until halfway up the railway bridge. Then the only place to really keep you eye open for cars is when you cross the up ramp from Jenkins Lane at the North Circ roundabout. Drop back on to the A13 for most of the large junctions as the ped/bike light sequences aren't synced between the 4 steps.

brianonyx

thanks folks.