First time riding my bike in London, and the challenge was to transport a week’s worth of luggage 30km across the city. I thought I’d make a video to share what it was like!
My Instagram, come say hi — https://www.instagram.com/grantritchie/
My Strava — https://www.strava.com/athletes/6460943
My Design Studio’s Website — https://www.studioyoke.co.uk/
The small camera I use: https://geni.us/small-onbike-camera
The big camera I use: https://geni.us/big-camera
The mount I use for cycling: https://geni.us/bike-mount
Road Bike: Canyon Endurace CF SL 8.0
Gravel Bike: Canondale Topstone 2
GPS Cycling Computer: Wahoo Element Bolt
Road Shoes: Lake CX332
Gravel Shoes: Quoc Gran Tourer
Helmet: POC Omne Air Spin
Clothes: Maap / Rapha
Turbo Trainer: Wahoo Kickr Core
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Music from https://www.musicbed.com/
#cycling #bikes #london
16 Comments
Cracking video once again Granty Boy! (ps. I also vaseline my armpits whenever I travel through London but probably for very different reasons <3)
I ride a lot in and around London and it's definitely better than the Tube. The only real risk in riding there is not taxis, buses etc but other cyclists with no awareness of other riders, especially those on e-bikes! Ride safe and enjoy.
I was living in Cricklewood ,and used to get the tube ,I borrowed a bike one day and couldn't believe how close Central London was ,
Always better than the tube 😀
Having cycled all over London during my many and frequent visits, I think the cycling facilities in terms of segregated lanes, Cycle Super Highway etc are excellent. I’ve always felt safe, even during busy weekdays. I’m in agreement with you that the biggest liability to the London cyclist is.. the London cyclist. Some of them are just pure kamikaze , inviting carnage .
I can honestly say that cycling is so much better than using the underground and amongst issues we face everyday are other cyclists, rickshaw riders and those pesky pedestrians who don't bother looking when they cross the road. Most of my issues seem to involve tourists on the Embankment (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pQAjA7aV_c) and I have had many a close shave cycling London and am now recording them to show how cycling is not always for the faint hearted. Still, feeling the wind or rain on your face is so much better than being crammed face to armpit in a hot underground carriage.
hi its not obvious but… at 3 minutes 23 you enter pavement widening for covid. the cyclist is supposed to take primary position on the carriageways where there shouldn't be much traffic but on a weekday the pavements are heaving. hopefully the pavement widening will get permanent materials in due course.
I SEE MILE END
This is not remotely like Amsterdam. Children and the elderly would never cycle on those roads. There's nothing like enough segregation, you are riding a high speed bike in crouched position with low handlebars instead of Dutch sit up straight design, and you have to wear helmet and special clothing. There needs to be much more traffic restriction in London.
As a London cyclist myself it's "on the whole" very good. There's a LOT of really good cycle infrastructure around. Unfortunately when you're not in the main hub of the city and in the suburbs then "infrastructure" consists of a thin paint line that's barely wider than than the drains! But on the most part it's decent especially in the centre of London.
I do need to address some of the comments below. Saying "eBike nutters" is like saying "all red cars are dangerous drivers" I am an eBike cyclist. It's legal, restricted to 15.5 mph and no more dangerous than other bikes. I have lights, I dress like a fluorescent psychedelic lemon, complete with polystyrene egg box on the head 😉 I stop at lights, give way to pedestrians and let cars pass if i'm holding them up. There's a few cyclists on unrestricted ebikes (more like mopeds really) that seem to disregard traffic lights and I hate to say it a few MAMILS that do the same too. But I've found the majority of cyclists, pedestrians and drivers decent and considerate. Like most things there's a few in every group that spoil it for the others.
So if you're "Looking out for eBikes" give me a wave as you pass me. (and no, not as I pass you!) and I'll wave back 😉
On the whole a cracking video, nice to see it not showing London in a bad light. I love cycling around and when there's good infrastructure around it's an absolute joy,, when you're jockeying for position on a narrow road with some impatient truck driver behind you trying to pass between you and the pedestrian island? not so much. Thankfully those moments are few and far between.
Look forward to seeing more of your london cycling vids.
Two backpacks that just change everything for me 👍
I have just bought a bicycle yesterday to commute in London, thx for the sharing.
🤙🏼⚡🤙🏼
lucky he didnt get his bike stolen
There's a pub @ 4:17 on the left which is fantastic. The Old Red Lion – Kennington.
Infrastructure here is on the whole pretty good! Enjoying these vids