Accomodation Near Blackheath Common

redjeepǃ

Hi,

I'm planning to cycle from London to Paris this September as part of my celebrations for my 50'th birthday. I've found an organised tour that leaves Blackheath Common on the 4'th September and get's back on the 8'th.

My only problem now is the logistics of getting to Blackheath together with my bike, as I live in Ireland and don't know London very well.

I don't particularly want to rent a bike as I'd rather take one of my own, but am having trouble working out how to get to the start line.

I could fly with the bike in a bike box, but then will have problems storing the bike box for the time I'm away and so I'm thinking that the best way is to get it shipped via DHL and pick it up when I get there and then arrange for them to collect it when I finish (my company has big contract with them).

I've still got the problem of what to do with the bike box, and was wondering about asking a local hotel if they'll store it (providing I stay with them the night before and the night after). The only problem now is the cost of hotels as they all seem very expensive around that area and the 2 nights will end up costing half as much as the rest of the trip.

Alternatively I could stay with relatives near Heathrow, but then would have the problem of getting to the start line early on the 4'th. I also don't really want to rent a car because I'll have the hassle of parking it for 5 days, but don't know if I can take a bike on the tube or in a taxi.

I know that somebody will say 'why not ride it' but I don't know London and it'll probably be dark when we start.

Does anybody have any advice for either cheaper hotels (say around £100 per night or less) or how to store a bike box near Blackheath for a week?

tyred&weary

Care! there are two Blackheath Commons. One is in Surrey and one near Greenwich.

If it is the one in Surrey then the Villager's pub in Blackheath Lane, near Wonersh, Surrey, used to do accommodation.

tetley10

Hotel called the Clarendon on Blackheath common (Greenwich one)

redjeepǃ

Tyred&weary wrote:

Care! there are two Blackheath Commons. One is in Surrey and one near Greenwich.

If it is the one in Surrey then the Villager's pub in Blackheath Lane, near Wonersh, Surrey, used to do accommodation.

Wow. Thanks, that could have ruined my week if I turned up at the wrong one. I'm assuming it's the one near Greenwich, but I'd better check.

The secret seems to be to fly to London City Airport and the Travel Lodge there is fairly cheap and within easy reach (of Greenwich).

tetley10

May be the one you are talking about.. but there is a travelodge near the O2 arena. Thats not too far from Blackheath.

sungod

Redjeep! wrote:

<...>
The secret seems to be to fly to London City Airport and the Travel Lodge there is fairly cheap and within easy reach (of Greenwich).

if you use lcy, check before booking that the airline will a) accept a bikebox and b) guarantee the bikebox gets on your flight, it's a small airport for small aircraft, hold space is limited

though lcy is close to greenwich, there is a slight obstacle: the river thames

to cross from lcy, the woolwich ferry is probably the best option, but there's also a pedestrian tunnel (you are required to dismount) at woolwich and a longer one at greenwich, cycling is not allowed in the blackwall road tunnel and it'd be suicidal on a weekday

from woolwich take a206 west, then turn left and go up maze hill to blackheath

redjeepǃ

sungod wrote:

Redjeep! wrote:

<...>
The secret seems to be to fly to London City Airport and the Travel Lodge there is fairly cheap and within easy reach (of Greenwich).

if you use lcy, check before booking that the airline will a) accept a bikebox and b) guarantee the bikebox gets on your flight, it's a small airport for small aircraft, hold space is limited

though lcy is close to greenwich, there is a slight obstacle: the river thames

to cross from lcy, the woolwich ferry is probably the best option, but there's also a pedestrian tunnel (you are required to dismount) at woolwich and a longer one at greenwich, cycling is not allowed in the blackwall road tunnel and it'd be suicidal on a weekday

from woolwich take a206 west, then turn left and go up maze hill to blackheath

Thanks sungod.

I'm planning to ship the bike separately as I can get it done very cheaply through work and I'd trust a shipping company more than baggage handlers. My only problems now are arranging to pick it up and drop it off, but I'm planning to use a combination of public transport and taxis. I'll be taking my bike in a softbag so that I can carry it and just box it up for shipping.