Rush hour in London on a bike

[Lord Percy]

What's it like? I have an exam at my college in Waterloo at 930am tomorrow. I've never been into London at this time before. I'll be coming from Reading on the M4. Is it any worse than normal?

I've been into London at 5pm-ish, which is also rush hour time, but I presume rush hour is worse in the mornings because everyone is come into London.

Anyone know? I think I'll be leaving the house at about 730, so that's 2 hours to get to Waterloo from Reading. Yay or nay?

[shereen]

I dont know about commuting on a bike for that journey but surely train would be easier? Its like an hour!
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[Scootaloo]

Hazards Everywhere

People, Cyclists, Buses, Motorcycles, minicabs, blackcabs.. etc etc

Dense Dense place.. Just keep your speed below 20 (like you can go much faster enyway) and be on point. Otherwise it's pretty cool.
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[Moo.]

Your gunna have to do some rapid filtering all the way.. Starts getting busy from like 8-10:30 here in Kingston, i live on one of the main roads in :o
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A2 Passed 18/6/10

[Lord Percy]

I don't mind the journey, I do it almost weekly for college, but ususally I go in the afternoon as it's an evening course. So I'll be doing the same old route that I know very well, but I was just wondering if the traffic is diabolically worse in the morning.

I thought about getting the train, but I trust my bike more than I trust public transport - tree fell onto the line last time I took that train. Obviously slim chance of it happening again, but my bike has been bomb-proof so far, so I trust it, and the journey is actually faster too.

Hmmm, if it's bad from 8:00-10:30, I think I'll leave the house at 7am on the dot. Then I'll be into London for 8 and that gives me an hour and a half to cross over to Waterloo.

Cheers all

[darkhorizon]

Watch out for the bus lanes - & the Met!
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2006 CG125 - Was SORN'd, now back on road - sold Nov '16

[barrkel]

It shouldn't take you any more than 20% more time, unless there are diversions for some reason and you get lost.

The cyclists are out in force because of the weather. There were masses of them this morning. Watch out for them coming out between gaps in stopped traffic; don't filter quickly past stopped traffic, and pass gaps you can't see into with some safety distance.

And watch out for the u-turners if there are queues where there usually aren't.

Just generally dial it back a little compared to midday traffic.
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[ws4936]

I done the same ride (tues) this morning. It was ok, took about an hour...no major road works, just watch the first couple of bus lanes - they are not motorcycle permitted. If your bike is big and the gap is small, pull in behind a car, let the 5 scooters pass you, they'll make an opening for you. they have their uses.

Good luck.
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If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.

[c_dug]

For me going from East to West traffic can add anything up to 50% to my commute time compared to the quietest time (Bank Holiday Monday 6am) but I would estimate only about 20% compared to early afternoon. It still never takes me more than an hour to do the 22 miles unless something really drastic happens!
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[darkhorizon]

One thing riding in London during the summer months at rush hour is it sharpens every skill for the better. So many oddballs & clueless nutters out there.
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2009 CBF600 - London hack - stolen then recovered - still going!
2006 CG125 - Was SORN'd, now back on road - sold Nov '16

[esullivan]

I have 17 mile commute in the morning -- different route from you, coming in via the A40, but might give you a rough estimate. It takes me 30-35 minutes to come in at 6, but about an hour on the way back at 5-ish. I filter, but it's the average speed over the distance that kills you. I'm flying through the bus lanes at 6, but filtering at 10-15mph at the end of the day. Allow plenty of time.

If it's a familiar route, just different hours, you won't have any trouble. After about 8 in the morning, London traffic doesn't vary that much until around 7 at night.
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[P.]

I rode round London for work, didn't find it as busy or mad as people say... but that is all dependant on what you are used to

[Doovy]

Remember that first scene from Saving Private Ryan ?

It's like that. But worse.
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[Pete.]

You'll do Reading to Waterloo easily inside of 2 hrs. The M4/A4 is tight for filtering in places but it's pretty safe. If you're nervous, stick behind another bike then they will do the hazard spotting and alert queuing drivers. Just don't be too close that you plough into them if they have to stop quick.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Lord Percy]

Thanks all for the advice, but I did say I've done the journey many times, on a weekly basis, so I already know what's it's like to ride in London! Just wasn't sure about morning rush hour. I certainly did make full use of the mopeds .

Anyway it's over now, was a lot busier coming in on the M4, had to filter at sluggish parts where normally the traffic flows at 70, but after getting into the A4 Hammersmith flyover bit, it was all the same as any other day, so no dramas .

[G]

Worst thing I find tends to be the other bikes - especially post-congestion charging, when all sorts of numpties got bikes and especially on nice days.

Just noticed it was a question about today, but...

If you've gone around Reading in rush hour, it's no worse really, there's just more of it. Few more people idly crossing the street without looking etc in London.

If you lived near the main Reading station and could time it to get a fast train straight to Paddington, that may well be as quick - but probably not cheaper.