M4/M40 commuting on a bike?

[natefz6]

Does anyone do it? how far? how long?

I am needing to move from central London due to my expanding family. Well I have a baby and cant afford to buy a house where I live, the wife will be returning to work in Maidenhead so looking in that direction.

I have seen some nice places in Burnham Village and Google is telling me its about 50 mins down the M4 or M40 but I don't know what its like during rush hour. Can you still cut though it on a bike or am I likely to be held up for a long period.

I am used to a London commute so am not a nervous filterer, if that's a word.

I will be doing a couple of test rides but any advice appreciated.
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"no I didn't steal it that's just the way I ride"

[mic]

I live in maidenhead. Don't do the M4, go up the A404 (off m4 j8/9) up to the M40 that way. M4 around Heathrow usually crap at peak times.
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zzr600

[David072]

I live in wraysbury and do the M4 every morning into Central London. Can filter through easily, there's plenty of room.

[natefz6]

Thanks guys,

I always preferred the M40 as a motor way for getting in to town from out west.

David072, what junction do you get on at and how long does it take to get to the bottom of the M4 on a normal morning?

Just interested to know what I can expect, I think under an hour commute will be liveable, too much over that and I will start looking at Windsor or further in.

Thanks again!
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"no I didn't steal it that's just the way I ride"

[mic]

Just a thought but if your relocating then have you considered high Wycombe? Sure it's a bit cheaper for housing and it's on the M40 doorstep
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zzr600

[gorillaonabik...]

Used to do North London to Reading every day. It's fine and my only hate was filling up with petrol all the time.

Have a 21 litre tank, now.
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FZR400 (blown engine), ZXR750 (blown engine), ZX6R (accident), CBR600 which had engine issues after which I learned to change gear..., CBR900, CBR924 (stolen), CB600, CB1300 (everything blew up), BMW K1300GT (written off, hit from rear while stationary), Bandit 1250 for a couple of months, Triumph Sprint ST 1050 (nicked) and somewhere in there, I wrote off a Ducati 748 at Cadwell.

[Sable]

always felt the M4 was an easier filter, but both are lovely wide slow traffic roads. the only thing that will slow you down is the odd tight bridge such as greenford flyover and slower motorcyclists than you

You will also be joining the BCF un- official A40 massive yo.

[Bendy]

Do the M4 in from Reading fairly regularly, it's never a problem. Even if it has snarled up completely there's plenty room and so many bikes filtering that people generally seem to leave decent space. Just watch the bit where it merges down to 2 lanes for the flyover, folk can get a bit twatty there.

[natefz6]

Cheers guys!

Makes me feel much better about it, I didn't want to commit and then find my commute was unbearable but it sounds do-able.

I have not looked at High Wycombe but will check it out. I liked the Village feeling of Burnham or places on the cards were Maidenhead itself, Windsor and Royal Farnham.

I am hoping that there will be some funds left over from the move for a new bike, something with a bit of protection. I have always had a soft spot for VFR's so now might be the time..
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"no I didn't steal it that's just the way I ride"

[David072]

[Serendipity]

I’m in between High Wycombe and Beaconsfield. I jump on the M40 at J3 (or J2 if I take the lanes for the first bit) and burn it into St Pauls. Normally takes about 45 mins.

Quickest I’ve managed was 29 minutes. This morning with the Tube strike traffic and wobbly Sunday riders taking the bike option for the first time since last summer it took 1hr 10min.

I much prefer the M40/A40 to the M4/A4 if I’m going deeper into The Smoke than Hammersmith. There’re are no real pinch points on the A40 and its feet up all the way. The A4 can be a bit of a pain in the narrower bits and you can get left with absolutely no filtering options.

I worked in High Wycombe for 4 years and it’s cheaper for a reason. It’s starting to make Slough look good. Spend some quality time there before buying. But get a few miles out and it’s all good.
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2007 CBF1000 & 2016 CBF1000F - Commuter heaven | 1994 CBR600FR - Awaiting defibrillation

[natefz6]

Update...... We are still in the process of buying in Burnham (Santander taking forever, buyer pulling out, etc..) but I have moved out to a mates place in Windsor as the little one is off to nursery and the Wife is returning to work. Her commute is down from 1:30-2h to 17 mins door to desk

So now I am two days in to my M4 commuting and its great! It takes me about 25-30 mins to get from Windsor to the Hammersmith flyover and then about 15-20 from there to Piccadilly. I am thinking Burnham will be another 10 mins or so on top of that so completely do'able. The motorway bit was much easier than I thought it would be, I was concerned about the filtering at speed to be honest but its fine. As others have said the wide lanes on the M4 make it a doddle, its more difficult when you get in to town but I am used to that after commuting in central London for 7 years.

That said I am not looking forward to the wet days as my Goretex just about managed to keep the wet out on my 30 min commute.
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"no I didn't steal it that's just the way I ride"

[davebike]

I a customer lives High Wickham
Comes into town most days or Gatwick / Heath Row

He finds it a easy run on a ST1300 but moans about slow sports bikes! but he dose ride 40K + miles a year
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Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
[email protected]

[woo]

get a water proof overcat from a camping shop like millets or blacks or an army shop, i tend to find motorbike shop stuff a fail in real rain
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Elen sila lummen omentielvo!