Commuting from the west (Chiswick area) to Liverpool St.

Hi guys,

in two weeks time I'll start on a new job which is located right behind Liverpool Street.
Any hints on the best roads from Brentford/Chiswick/Hammersmith area?
I usually ride along the main road via South Kensington, Hyde Park but usually stop in Soho so I crosso Hyde Park and right onto Mayfair into Soho.
I guess it's a tad slow to cross the city center via Soho, so any better way to cross it and reach Barbican and then Liverpool St. from behind?

Any hints welcome!

This might be of help to you.

I would recommend riding alongside Embankment instead of Hyde Park.

so riding via a more southern route...

If you're perfectly comfortable in heavy traffic with multiple lanes, then the Hammersmith Road = A4 - Mall - Fleet - Ludgate - Cannon then up to Liverpool Street.

This would be how I'd do that commute. I used to live in Kew and ride to Piccadilly.

mmm naa I'm comfy with the traffic on the high road and the road from Hammersmith to Hyde Park and on, but won't like that commute either.

I think I'll go as you said along Embankment.

Another question. My commuting workhorse, so far, has been my trusty Holdsworth Mistral (the one on the left in the picture), with VO mudguards and rack.

It will of course bring me there and back everyday, but will it be a bit too heavy for it as I've set it up as a tourer more than commuter (also plan on adding front racks as well).

Will a lighter, stiffer frame really make a difference to my legs?
There's this lovely Serotta Atlanta which is lighter than the Holdsworth and stiffer, but still seems to be comfy enough on which I'd put a more modern groupset, with plastic mudguards and only a big saddle bag for clothings.

You guys reckon it'll make a difference? Consider i'd have to sell the F.Moser (the one on the right) to make space!

it won't make a difference in commenting.

It will still take you similar amount of time to get from A to B.

Plus, you're commenting, bike gonna get trashed, save nice one for nice weather.

If they are both comortable I doubt you will notice a huge amount of difference under commuting conditions.

Edit: Ed got there first!

This is my commute, Isleworth to TCR.

https://www.strava.com/activities/317239716

There's a backroad (Wellesley road) in Chiswick which cuts out the roundabout and ensuing traffic jam going onto the High Road.

yeah, I take Wellesley Road on my way to Chiswick Business Park or when going for grocery / pub in Chiswick/Hammersmith area.

Yup, then I think I'll take the route I had in mind (very similar to yours indeed, except for the last part of course)

And yeah, I think I'll go with the Holdsworth and save the money

No, go with the Holdsworth and spend the money on shiny new bikes.

No logic.

I'd have kept the Holdsworth anyway, I'll never sell it. The choice was between the "new" bike and the F.Moser :)

The one on the right

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