Boris Bike in Rush Hour - Dockland to Waterloo?
wolfsbane2k
Posts: 3,056
Moved from Commuting general
Hi.
Ive' got a meeting in the docklands next week, and am considering getting a boris bike back from docklands to waterloo, which appears mostly Route 13, at 4pm. However, having never cycled in London before (normaly a mostly rural rider) , think this is probably a rash, bad decision, however I just can't stand the underground, let alone at rush hour.
I'm looking at routes, and considering the TFL's "Easy" route if I can waypoint it into my garmin 705, and will bring some extra lights/reflective bands.
Would you guys who normally ride in London suggest I don't do this?
Ta
Hi.
Ive' got a meeting in the docklands next week, and am considering getting a boris bike back from docklands to waterloo, which appears mostly Route 13, at 4pm. However, having never cycled in London before (normaly a mostly rural rider) , think this is probably a rash, bad decision, however I just can't stand the underground, let alone at rush hour.
I'm looking at routes, and considering the TFL's "Easy" route if I can waypoint it into my garmin 705, and will bring some extra lights/reflective bands.
Would you guys who normally ride in London suggest I don't do this?
Ta
Intent on Cycling Commuting on a budget, but keep on breaking/crashing/finding nice stuff to buy.
Bike 1 (Broken) - Bike 2(Borked) - Bike 3(broken spokes) - Bike 4( Needs Work) - Bike 5 (in bits) - Bike 6* ...
Bike 1 (Broken) - Bike 2(Borked) - Bike 3(broken spokes) - Bike 4( Needs Work) - Bike 5 (in bits) - Bike 6* ...
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Comments
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4pm isn't rush hour, it'll be relatively quiet on the tube.
Roads will be fine too, maybe just busier than you're used to but nothing to be overly concerned about.
Either will be fine...0 -
4pm isn't rush hour, it'll be relatively quiet on the tube.
Roads will be fine too, maybe just busier than you're used to but nothing to be overly concerned about.
Either will be fine...
Cheers for that.
I'm used to School kick-out time rush hour around here, and work my rides to avoid them like the plague.Intent on Cycling Commuting on a budget, but keep on breaking/crashing/finding nice stuff to buy.
Bike 1 (Broken) - Bike 2(Borked) - Bike 3(broken spokes) - Bike 4( Needs Work) - Bike 5 (in bits) - Bike 6* ...0 -
When you say Docklands do you mean Canary Wharf? if so then it is an easy 5 miles. Alternatively the Jubilee line will be empty at that time.
Past The Wharf - such as O2, Excel I would be tempted to say get the Tube0 -
Well it'll still be busy on the roads. But hopefully not gridlock yet0
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[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19747832#p19747832]Surrey Commuter[/url] wrote:When you say Docklands do you mean Canary Wharf? if so then it is an easy 5 miles. Alternatively the Jubilee line will be empty at that time.
Past The Wharf - such as O2, Excel I would be tempted to say get the Tube
It's just outside the Excel Centre, so the Jubilee line is a good opportunity, but I won't have ridden for a few days due to travel, so feel the need to burn off some jet lag.Intent on Cycling Commuting on a budget, but keep on breaking/crashing/finding nice stuff to buy.
Bike 1 (Broken) - Bike 2(Borked) - Bike 3(broken spokes) - Bike 4( Needs Work) - Bike 5 (in bits) - Bike 6* ...0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19747832#p19747832]Surrey Commuter[/url] wrote:When you say Docklands do you mean Canary Wharf? if so then it is an easy 5 miles. Alternatively the Jubilee line will be empty at that time.
Past The Wharf - such as O2, Excel I would be tempted to say get the Tube
It's just outside the Excel Centre, so the Jubilee line is a good opportunity, but I won't have ridden for a few days due to travel, so feel the need to burn off some jet lag.
To be honest, a boris bike over that kind of distance doesn't exactly count as "riding" (better than repeatedly punching yourself in the face, but only just). You'll also want some luck with the wind; the prevailing southwesterly can make that a real slog.0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19747832#p19747832]Surrey Commuter[/url] wrote:When you say Docklands do you mean Canary Wharf? if so then it is an easy 5 miles. Alternatively the Jubilee line will be empty at that time.
Past The Wharf - such as O2, Excel I would be tempted to say get the Tube
It's just outside the Excel Centre, so the Jubilee line is a good opportunity, but I won't have ridden for a few days due to travel, so feel the need to burn off some jet lag.
are you sure they do Boris Bikes down there? you will need DLR back to civilisation (?)0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19747950#p19747950]Surrey Commuter[/url] wrote:[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19747832#p19747832]Surrey Commuter[/url] wrote:When you say Docklands do you mean Canary Wharf? if so then it is an easy 5 miles. Alternatively the Jubilee line will be empty at that time.
Past The Wharf - such as O2, Excel I would be tempted to say get the Tube
It's just outside the Excel Centre, so the Jubilee line is a good opportunity, but I won't have ridden for a few days due to travel, so feel the need to burn off some jet lag.
are you sure they do Boris Bikes down there? you will need DLR back to civilisation (?)
Good call, I hadn't checked that! I swear I've seen one out that way before, but my memory must be a bit off. Closest it a East India DLR, which is still away out. I' won't mind the 1 mile walk to the pick up point, but that will make it a bit later on the roads, but it's mostly CS3 the as far as I can tell.Intent on Cycling Commuting on a budget, but keep on breaking/crashing/finding nice stuff to buy.
Bike 1 (Broken) - Bike 2(Borked) - Bike 3(broken spokes) - Bike 4( Needs Work) - Bike 5 (in bits) - Bike 6* ...0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19747832#p19747832]Surrey Commuter[/url] wrote:When you say Docklands do you mean Canary Wharf? if so then it is an easy 5 miles. Alternatively the Jubilee line will be empty at that time.
Past The Wharf - such as O2, Excel I would be tempted to say get the Tube
It's just outside the Excel Centre, so the Jubilee line is a good opportunity, but I won't have ridden for a few days due to travel, so feel the need to burn off some jet lag.
To be honest, a boris bike over that kind of distance doesn't exactly count as "riding" (better than repeatedly punching yourself in the face, but only just). You'll also want some luck with the wind; the prevailing southwesterly can make that a real slog.
Cheers for the heads up. I've never used them, having left London before they were implemented, but after 6 1/2 hours sat in a meeting I'm going to need some leg stretching before sitting (hopefully!)on a train for 2 hours!Intent on Cycling Commuting on a budget, but keep on breaking/crashing/finding nice stuff to buy.
Bike 1 (Broken) - Bike 2(Borked) - Bike 3(broken spokes) - Bike 4( Needs Work) - Bike 5 (in bits) - Bike 6* ...0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19747950#p19747950]Surrey Commuter[/url] wrote:[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19747832#p19747832]Surrey Commuter[/url] wrote:When you say Docklands do you mean Canary Wharf? if so then it is an easy 5 miles. Alternatively the Jubilee line will be empty at that time.
Past The Wharf - such as O2, Excel I would be tempted to say get the Tube
It's just outside the Excel Centre, so the Jubilee line is a good opportunity, but I won't have ridden for a few days due to travel, so feel the need to burn off some jet lag.
are you sure they do Boris Bikes down there? you will need DLR back to civilisation (?)
Good call, I hadn't checked that! I swear I've seen one out that way before, but my memory must be a bit off. Closest it a East India DLR, which is still away out. I' won't mind the 1 mile walk to the pick up point, but that will make it a bit later on the roads, but it's mostly CS3 the as far as I can tell.
The busier it is the slower the traffic goes and the safer it is... apart from CS3 which is inhabited by loonies0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19747983#p19747983]Surrey Commuter[/url] wrote:[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19747950#p19747950]Surrey Commuter[/url] wrote:[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19747832#p19747832]Surrey Commuter[/url] wrote:When you say Docklands do you mean Canary Wharf? if so then it is an easy 5 miles. Alternatively the Jubilee line will be empty at that time.
Past The Wharf - such as O2, Excel I would be tempted to say get the Tube
It's just outside the Excel Centre, so the Jubilee line is a good opportunity, but I won't have ridden for a few days due to travel, so feel the need to burn off some jet lag.
are you sure they do Boris Bikes down there? you will need DLR back to civilisation (?)
Good call, I hadn't checked that! I swear I've seen one out that way before, but my memory must be a bit off. Closest it a East India DLR, which is still away out. I' won't mind the 1 mile walk to the pick up point, but that will make it a bit later on the roads, but it's mostly CS3 the as far as I can tell.
The busier it is the slower the traffic goes and the safer it is... apart from CS3 which is inhabited by loonies
Hey - I use CS3 everyday ... ok fair point0 -
I usually ride my own bike from CW to Tower Bridge and then south to home. CS3 is fine but will be a lot busier than you expect. also, don't trust anyone not to do anything unexpected from walking/driving into the bike lanes without looking or the latest is to stroll up to a pedestrian crossing and just stroll out without looking to see if anyone is even stopping (yes I know bikes/cars should stop but I would never just walk out blindly like many do).
I did hire a Boris bike to do Tower Bridge to CW one morning when the trains were screwed and i happened to be taking a rest on PT. It was slow, heavy and painful but it's an experience.FCN = 40 -
Not necessarily the advice you have asked for, but having done several longer journeys on Boris Bikes myself, I would prepare yourself for some soreness downstairs... work trousers/jeans, boxer shorts and those massively wide saddles are a nightmare combo :shock:
It can be good fun though and for me it beats the tube every day of the week unless raining. Just prepare yourself for brakes that barely work (keeping in mind the mindless peds mentioned above) and gears that have a bit of a mind of their own!
It's definitely worth checking out docking options as certain places obviously see more bike arrivals than departures at certain times, meaning you might find the dock full. I'm guessing Waterloo at that time is one of those places. They give you a grace period to find another dock but if you are on a tight timetable that can be a killer.http://www.ledomestiquetours.co.uk
Le Domestique Tours - Bespoke cycling experiences with unrivalled supported riding, knowledge and expertise.
Ciocc Extro - FCN 10 -
Thanks for all that contributed to this.
Due to a very last minute change of plans, I did this last night with a suit bag on my back.
Man the gearing on the boris bikes suck. I was up into 3rd and spinning out in seconds. Built for average people, not cyclists
And now I've got a better understanding of what you Londoner commuters put up with each day - wow. Give me my local traffic and occasional chopper any day of the week.Intent on Cycling Commuting on a budget, but keep on breaking/crashing/finding nice stuff to buy.
Bike 1 (Broken) - Bike 2(Borked) - Bike 3(broken spokes) - Bike 4( Needs Work) - Bike 5 (in bits) - Bike 6* ...0 -
Thanks for all that contributed to this.
Due to a very last minute change of plans, I did this last night with a suit bag on my back.
Man the gearing on the boris bikes suck. I was up into 3rd and spinning out in seconds. Built for average people, not cyclists
And now I've got a better understanding of what you Londoner commuters put up with each day - wow. Give me my local traffic and occasional chopper any day of the week.
Pleased to hear that you lived to tell the tale0 -
Thanks for all that contributed to this.
Due to a very last minute change of plans, I did this last night with a suit bag on my back.
Man the gearing on the boris bikes suck. I was up into 3rd and spinning out in seconds. Built for average people, not cyclists
And now I've got a better understanding of what you Londoner commuters put up with each day - wow. Give me my local traffic and occasional chopper any day of the week.
The most terrifying bit of Boris bikes I found was there braking, they are heavy slow but you kinda expect that, but the brakes reminded me of old bikes of old, Needing a firm tug, yet little action.0
