Clapham to Canary Wharf

Does anyone have any favoured routes for this, or some definite no go's?

Have only driven it, and then involved, broadly, stockwell, oval, E&C (Scary enough in a bloody car), tower bridge then some long dual carriadge way thing then a tunnel (limehouse?)

Which doesnt seem an ideal cycle route in some parts really... so whats the concensus?

Use google maps and select "walking"

i'd recommend heading over to tower bridge as through camberwell maybe and up east st. If you want to go via stockwell and oval and avoiding E&C, try going through kennington to waterloo then east along the cut/union street to londonbridge and onto tower bridge.

Once over tower bridge make sure you get onto Cable Street from there on its bike friendly all the way to towers of E14. I'll also been down the highway and thru the tunnel, and that is no fun at all on a bike.

Good luck, its quite a way but definitely do-able on two wheels.

Only know the route from TB onwards....

That dual carriageway is The Highway and its some of the worst riding in London.

I head over tower bridge, around Aldgate and on to Commercial rd. Its a little bit of a round-about route to get through, but the ride on Commercial is much better and there are some nice fast bends round Aldgate. Turn right into the Wharf at Westferry.

The other option between the Highway and Commercial is Cable Street which has a cycle lane. I find this to be an exceedingly shite option.

Probably the best option to be almost totally separated from traffic is to get to Vaughan way off the highway, ride to kennett st. This takes you to the little canals that run through Wapping/Shadwell basin and onto the Thames path. Its a really nice route, but I find that I cant ride it nearly as fast as I could on Commercial so only do it on sunny days when I feel like pootling.

stockwell, oval, E&C,New Kent road, Tower bridge road, abby street, Jamaica road, Greenwich, foot tunnel CW. Would be my route
or
similar route tot tower bridge then commercial road / A13

Here's a barmy notion;

why don't you find out?

it's much more enjoyable to find your own route that way.

agree with edscoble, I used the tfl maps, ingenuity and a sunday afternoon to scope my routes to work. This one has proved the most pleasant from stockwell to london bridge. I would take landor road from clapham then use this

http://cyclemaps.tfl.gov.uk/?rid=373

cross over tower bridge and duck by st katherines and follow the canals or something. probably not the quickest but by far the most pleasant. The canals will also be mostly traffic free until wapping (?) area.

but i've never seen another fixzie skidderz on my route so sod off.

Appreciate the advice guys. And yes ed, I will eventually scope my own route but surely its ok to ask for a bit of a heads up on go/no go roads in advance?

Does anyone have any favoured routes for this, or some definite no go's?

Have only driven it, and then involved, broadly, stockwell, oval,** E&C (Scary enough in a bloody car)**, tower bridge then some long dual carriadge way thing then a tunnel (limehouse?)

Which doesnt seem an ideal cycle route in some parts really... so whats the concensus?

Decide whether you want the most direct/quickest route or you'd rather quieter roads - given the distance could take a while. If you have doubts about your safety then I'd look into some cycle training. With it, E&C becomes a doddle. If you're interested send me a PM.

I will eventually scope my own route but surely its ok to ask for a bit of a heads up on go/no go roads in advance?

it is but it's really down to you on what's considered safe or not, choosing your own route is a good way to find out which's which direction you find more enjoyable/safer for you.

the multi of grooves' recommendation of cycle training is a good one, they're actually a lots more helpful than you'd think, and don't think it's like cycle proficiency at all, it teach you how to work with the traffic, choosing the best line, communicating with other vehicles, etc. of which you'll find Elephant and Castle a doodle once you go through it.

That's my commute, agree with old blue eddy... However, Cable Street is fucked at the moment, avoid... The Highway is your best alternative...

My fave route from Brixton is Brixton Road, Kennington Park Road, E&C roundabout, New Kent Road, Tower Bridge Road, The Highway, Narrow Road, Thames Path to the Wharf... Really quick way in, 30 mins if the lights are in your favour...

And ignore Ed... ;]

EDIT: Reading the OP again if you're after a gentler route I'd suggest old Blue eddy's route up Kennington Road, The Cut, Union Street, Borough High St, Tooley St, Tower Bridge... That's really quiet 'til you get to Borough High St... North of the river is a bit of a problem though as the new cycle lanes are being put in all along Cable Street which make is unusable so Commercial Road/The Highway are your only options unless you do the back route through Wapping along the river/canals... Which is pretty lovely if you want a picturesque ride in...

Again, cheers for the help

I'm not necessarily after a quiter route in, its just that having only driven their (along the highway) I quickly decided I had no desire to use that option - up to london bridge/tower bridge way is fine and I have done the round the houses option to avoid E&C before but similarly have cycled through their before (personally I prefer it when its early and a bit quieter on the road)

It was really that final leg from the bridge to the wharf as the highway also led me into the limehouse link which clearly isnt an option on the bike

Cheers guys, really appreciated

The highway is fucked, teens... I fucking rode it again this morning as I was late and its horrible.

bermyandy, you can turn right onto narrow street just before the limehouse link at the ped lights if you must use the highway.

But you are hardcore.

I found the lift lobby this morning to be harder work if Im honest. Saw you in there, but I was too busy dodging fuckwits to say hello.

i think that e&C is worse in a car, first up you have the bus lane to keep you relatively safe then the second round-about, using the buses/big vehicles as blockers its quite easy to negotiate.

I'd then go borough high street, long lane and tower bridge.

Went through E&C last night, and they have started making the changes. There was a car parked in the middle of one of the lanes while a woman was looking confused and pointing upstream. It was 11.30pm.

it is but it's really down to you on what's considered safe or not, choosing your own route is a good way to find out which's which direction you find more enjoyable/safer for you.

My commute to work was passed on to me by a colleague and I passed it on to another colleague and so on. If I had relied on the maps I would have not seen a cycle path on the common and other shortcuts in the one-way streets maze that is Pimlico.

I don't mind The Highway anymore, used to avoid it going east but quite enjoy using it now... As long as you keep your speed up it's fine...

Remember kids, Joe's speed is akin to walking pace. :P

He will soon have gears, so it may improve to a slow jog.

I don't mind The Highway anymore, used to avoid it going east but quite enjoy using it now... As long as you keep your speed up it's fine...

Fair point actually.... Peak hour running west is one of the most fun rides in London. Theres a nice gap between the lanes that runs almost the whole way up so you can practice your MASH impressions.

I'm not allowed to skid anymore... Doctor's orders... :[

It wasn't that fucking guy that shaves his armpits in front of the mirror, was it?