Route-finding in London

Mike Causer said:

Does anyone know a decent route from Tottenham Hale (a stop on the
Cambridge to London Choo-choo) to South Woodford? They appear to be
quite close together on a map, but is there a usable cycleable
connection?
For a Franklin-esque "assertive" cyclist, not a pavement merchant....

I've had a quick look at multimap, and it looks like there is a short
stretch of north circular which could cause problems, as it seems to have
limited junctions, and from my distant memories of cycling in that area it
one of those "psuedo-motorways" with some parts that actually have cycling
bans. I'd have a look at multimap and perhaps find a "rat run" which
avoids that last bit of north circular.

Mike Causer said:

Does anyone know a decent route from Tottenham Hale (a stop on the
Cambridge to London Choo-choo) to South Woodford? They appear to be quite
close together on a map, but is there a usable cycleable connection?
For a Franklin-esque "assertive" cyclist, not a pavement merchant....

Don't know whether they go out that far but I find
http://www.cyclemaps.com good for route planning by bicycle in London.

Tony

Mike Causer said:

Does anyone know a decent route from Tottenham Hale (a stop on the
Cambridge to London Choo-choo) to South Woodford? They appear to be
quite close together on a map, but is there a usable cycleable
connection?
For a Franklin-esque "assertive" cyclist, not a pavement merchant....

Mike

I can tell you that the A503 (Forest Road) which takes you from Tottenham
Hale to Waterworks Corner should be rideable by any assertive cyclist.
Unfortunately, I don't know about Waterworks Corner itself - if you can get
past that without any problems, then I think it should be a matter of [going
onto the A104, turning first right, turning right at the end of that road
onto the A1199 then turning left just after passing over the
pseudomotorway].*

* I don't have direct experience of this section of the route, but I think
it should be OK.

--
Akin

aknak at aksoto dot idps dot co dot uk

"Mike Causer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Does anyone know a decent route from Tottenham Hale (a stop on the
Cambridge to London Choo-choo) to South Woodford? They appear to be quite
close together on a map, but is there a usable cycleable connection?
For a Franklin-esque "assertive" cyclist, not a pavement merchant....

Tottenham Hale is just up the road from me. From Tottenham Hale east towards
Woodford is easy - just follow Forest Road straight out from the station,
continue right to the end, at the roundabout over the A406. There's no
problem cycling that road at all. You cannot take
the A406 but according to the TFL cycle map there is _supposed_ to be a
cycle route signposted from the roundabout above the A406 that will take you
neatly into Grove End/Grove Hill and the South Woodford area.

I never done it and never seen that cycle route, but I've never had a need
to go into South Woodford. If it's on the TFL map it must be there!

Rich

Adrian Boliston said:

Mike Causer said:

Does anyone know a decent route from Tottenham Hale (a stop on the
Cambridge to London Choo-choo) to South Woodford? They appear to be
quite close together on a map, but is there a usable cycleable
connection?
For a Franklin-esque "assertive" cyclist, not a pavement merchant....

I would simply use the most direct route via main road to the area: A503,
then turn up/down the A104.

Quoted message said:

I've had a quick look at multimap, and it looks like there is a short
stretch of north circular which could cause problems, as it seems to
have limited junctions, and from my distant memories of cycling in
that area it one of those "psuedo-motorways" with some parts that
actually have cycling bans. I'd have a look at multimap and perhaps
find a "rat run" which avoids that last bit of north circular.

The only bits of the North Circ (A406) with cycling bans are certain
under/overpasses, and you don't have to use those. However, cycling it is
nasty through South Woodford because of the speed, number of lanes and
slip roads. It's the only bit of the A406 I really don't like. The
stretch before is okay but that'll be of the way from Tottenham Hale.

~PB

Pete Biggs said:

The only bits of the North Circ (A406) with cycling bans are certain
under/overpasses, and you don't have to use those...

I seem to remember that the more recently "improved" part of the NCR known
as "South Woodford to Barking Relief Road" had a ban which google reveals
the following page:

http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19892010_en_1.htm#fnf002

"5. No person shall cause or permit any horse-drawn vehicle, cycle or
moped to proceed on the Relief Road and the slip and link roads specified in
Schedule 2 to this Order."

Adrian Boliston said:

Pete Biggs said:

The only bits of the North Circ (A406) with cycling bans are certain
under/overpasses, and you don't have to use those...

I seem to remember that the more recently "improved" part of the NCR
known as "South Woodford to Barking Relief Road" had a ban which
google reveals the following page:

Quoted message said:

http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19892010_en_1.htm#fnf002

Quoted message said:

"5. No person shall cause or permit any horse-drawn vehicle, cycle
or moped to proceed on the Relief Road and the slip and link roads
specified in Schedule 2 to this Order."

Unless I've been missing them all this time, it's possible to use the A406
to cycle from the A104 to the A13 junctions and back again without going
"through" any no-cycling signs.

Unfortunately I can't pop down there myself again any time soon. I'd be
fascinated if anyone could go along and check exactly where the signs are,
if there are any.

~PB

Quoted message said:

http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si1989/Uksi_19892010_en_1.htm#fnf002

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"5. No person shall cause or permit any horse-drawn vehicle, cycle
or moped to proceed on the Relief Road and the slip and link roads
specified in Schedule 2 to this Order."

Unless I've been missing them all this time, it's possible to use the
A406 to cycle from the A104 to the A13 junctions and back again
without going "through" any no-cycling signs.

ps. For instance, there is no sign prohibiting cycling on the eastbound
sliproad to the A406 at the Woodford (A104) roundabout, then none once
down on the main carriageway which I assume is the "Relief Road". Nor any
sign when joining, either direction, from Redbridge or Ilford. I could go
on. In fact I'm struggling to recall one no-cycling sign east of the A104
underpass, exluding motorway sliproads. And the only ones the other way
for miles (or at all?) are at the Edmonton tunnel and and overpass.

~PB

Mike Causer said:

Does anyone know a decent route from Tottenham Hale (a stop on the
Cambridge to London Choo-choo) to South Woodford? They appear to be quite
close together on a map, but is there a usable cycleable connection?

Reaches to the shelves with folder of London cycling maps.
Aha - sheet No.5

Route is A503 Forest Road, eastbound.
At the big roundabout at Waterworks Corner there are underpasses
(I remember cycling through these once)
On the East side, follow the cycle route to a sidestreet called
Grove End which runs off the Southend Road.
Then Byron Avenue, left into Broadway and you are in South Woodford.

Distance looks about three miles,
and on the map South Woodford is the area to the east of the big
Waterworks Corner junction, so all you really need to
do is cycle along the A503 and follow your nose

John Hearns said:

Mike Causer said:

Does anyone know a decent route from Tottenham Hale (a stop on the
Cambridge to London Choo-choo) to South Woodford? They appear to be quite
close together on a map, but is there a usable cycleable connection?

Reaches to the shelves with folder of London cycling maps.
Aha - sheet No.5

Route is A503 Forest Road, eastbound.
At the big roundabout at Waterworks Corner there are underpasses
(I remember cycling through these once)
On the East side, follow the cycle route to a sidestreet called
Grove End which runs off the Southend Road.
Then Byron Avenue, left into Broadway and you are in South Woodford.

Distance looks about three miles,
and on the map South Woodford is the area to the east of the big
Waterworks Corner junction, so all you really need to
do is cycle along the A503 and follow your nose

About 5 miles from cyclemaps.com. Selecting a couple of arbitrary start
and end points this is the route it gives:

Distance: 7,511(m) 7.51(Km) 4.67(Miles)

Entire route
START [HALE ROAD, N17 9]
HALE GARDENS for 88 meters
Turn left onto CYCLE PATH for 38 meters
Go straight on TOUCAN CROSSING A1055 for 19 meters
Turn left onto THE HALE CROSSING A1055 for 46 meters
Turn right onto FERRY LANE CYCLE PATH A503 for 72 meters
Turn right onto TOUCAN CROSSING A503 for 25 meters
Turn left onto FERRY LANE CYCLE PATH A503 for 111 meters
Turn left onto TOUCAN CROSSING A503 for 10 meters
Turn right onto FERRY LANE A503 for 473 meters
Go straight on FOREST ROAD A503 for 4,630 meters
Turn left onto WOODFORD NEW ROAD A104 for 423 meters
Turn left onto SOUTHEND ROAD (NORTH CIRCULAR ROAD) A406(T) for 684
meters
Turn right onto HIGH ROAD A11 for 109 meters
Turn left onto GEORGE LANE B168 for 113 meters
Go straight on THE SHRUBBERIES B168
Turn left onto EASTWOOD ROAD B168 for 24 meters
Turn right onto THE VIADUCT B168 for 318 meters
Turn left onto MULBERRY WAY B168 for 80 meters
END [MULBERRY WAY, E18 1]

Tony

Pete Biggs said:

Unless I've been missing them all this time, it's possible to use the
A406 to cycle from the A104 to the A13 junctions and back again
without going "through" any no-cycling signs.

From memory bikes are banned from the flyover between the M11 and the A12.
And if one diverts down the slip road to the roundabout (Charlie Brown's?),
there's no route back onto the A406. I suspect the same applies going the
other way only you'd end up on the Redbridge roundabout instead. Further
round westbound bikes are supposed to divert through a hole in the fence
before the slip road onto the Crooked Billet roundabout.

--

Dave Larrington - http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/
World Domination?
Just find a world that's into that kind of thing, then chain to the
floor and walk up and down on it in high heels. (Mr. Sunshine)

Mike Causer said:

Does anyone know a decent route from Tottenham Hale (a stop on the
Cambridge to London Choo-choo) to South Woodford? They appear to be
quite close together on a map, but is there a usable cycleable
connection?
For a Franklin-esque "assertive" cyclist, not a pavement merchant....

Ferry Lane - Forest Road - Woodford New Road - Chelmsford Road would be my
choice. Just take care on the cattle grids at the Waterworks roundabout.

--

Dave Larrington - http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/
World Domination?
Just find a world that's into that kind of thing, then chain to the
floor and walk up and down on it in high heels. (Mr. Sunshine)

Dave Larrington said:

Pete Biggs said:

Unless I've been missing them all this time, it's possible to use the
A406 to cycle from the A104 to the A13 junctions and back again
without going "through" any no-cycling signs.

From memory bikes are banned from the flyover between the M11 and the
A12. And if one diverts down the slip road to the roundabout (Charlie
Brown's?), there's no route back onto the A406. I suspect the same
applies going the other way only you'd end up on the Redbridge
roundabout instead. Further round westbound bikes are supposed to
divert through a hole in the fence before the slip road onto the
Crooked Billet roundabout.

Presumably the "hole in the fence" would have to legally accommodate all moped and
horsedrawn vehicle traffic as well?

John Hearns said:

Route is A503 Forest Road, eastbound. At the big roundabout at Waterworks
Corner there are underpasses (I remember cycling through these once) On
the East side, follow the cycle route to a sidestreet called Grove End
which runs off the Southend Road.

It's that bit that's missing from the normal road maps. If I can get
easily from A503 into Grove Hill then I'm sorted. Thanks.

Mike

Tony Raven said:

Don't know whether they go out that far but I find
http://www.cyclemaps.com good for route planning by bicycle in London.

It may well be, but at 10 quid minimum subscription it's a bit steep for
just one trip. The freebee version (which only knows about public
roads?) suggests going onto the North Circular, then leaping 20metres into
the air onto a bridge that crosses it! Doesn't fill me with confidence
that the rest of the route is actually joined up :-/

As several pople have said that the A503 Forest Road is OK, I'll use that
and navigate the back streets of Woodford for the last section.

Mike

Dave Larrington said:

Pete Biggs said:

Unless I've been missing them all this time, it's possible to use the
A406 to cycle from the A104 to the A13 junctions and back again
without going "through" any no-cycling signs.

From memory bikes are banned from the flyover between the M11 and the
A12. And if one diverts down the slip road to the roundabout (Charlie
Brown's?), there's no route back onto the A406.

I don't remember seeing any no-cycling signs at that point. Not that I've
never cycled where I'm not supposed to, but I tend to remember the guilty
feeling :-)

~PB

Mike Causer said:

Tony Raven said:

Don't know whether they go out that far but I find
http://www.cyclemaps.com good for route planning by bicycle in London.

It may well be, but at 10 quid minimum subscription it's a bit steep for
just one trip. The freebee version (which only knows about public
roads?) suggests going onto the North Circular, then leaping 20metres into
the air onto a bridge that crosses it! Doesn't fill me with confidence
that the rest of the route is actually joined up :-/

As several pople have said that the A503 Forest Road is OK, I'll use that
and navigate the back streets of Woodford for the last section.

I've never subscribed but don't seem to have any restrictions on the
routes it gives me, including cycle paths and cut throughs. In fact the
route it gave me (see earlier post) used Forest Road for most of the way.

Tony

"Mike Causer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

As several pople have said that the A503 Forest Road is OK, I'll use that
and navigate the back streets of Woodford for the last section.

Good choice.

Depends exactly where in SW you want to go but the Grove End Grove Hill link
used to be fine (a little pavement cycling may be required there).

Don't go down the A406 east of the Waterworks Roundabout. Its lethal and
the next exit is east of China!!

T

Tony Raven said:

I've never subscribed but don't seem to have any restrictions on the
routes it gives me, including cycle paths and cut throughs. In fact the
route it gave me (see earlier post) used Forest Road for most of the way.

From the route you posted earlier:
Turn left onto SOUTHEND ROAD (NORTH CIRCULAR ROAD) A406(T) for 684 meters
Turn right onto HIGH ROAD A11 for 109 meters

Now look at how the roads are laid out:
<http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=539737&y=190316>

and tell me how you are going to get from the A406 to the A11 without a
rather long ladder to scale the side of the concrete canyon that the A406
runs in at that point.

Mike