I’ve been ‘made an offer I can’t refuse’ to return to central london.
Thinking I’ll keep the bike and use for commuting, the job is based in russell square and there’s a bike parking bay outside the office.
Can I pay for the parking monthly or something rather than every day?
Not used to parking in the same spot every day out in the open I was thinking, disc lock one end, chain the other and perhaps a cover as I have a spare just to help keep it safe… It’s not a crazy expensive bike, just an 09 Hornet. I don’t want to go overboard with the old security but would rather not have to get the train home.
Coming into town from Eltham, are there any routes any of you would recommend over others as easier going? I’ve quite enjoyed my south circular commute, even got some nice bends on it.
If you can afford it, it’s worth getting an old commuter you don’t care about to park up in London. The bays are always cramped, you may have to get to know a few so you can move on if your usual bay is full. Bikes get nudged and scratched by bloody scooter club trying to squeeze in and out of little spaces.
Get an annual permit for Westminster. It’s easily tramsferrable if you get another bike…
Just shoot up the A2 you’ll be fine…
A cover is a good idea as it keeps the rain off, discourages people from touching or moving your bike etc. disk lock and chain also won’t do any harm.
Selling my 99 Fazer if you want a dirt cheap commuter
i commute daily from bexleyheath, i leave my bike outside on the pavement down blackfriars road. I use one disk lock, and a chain thats all. I go along the A2 then over blackheath then old kent road. Its been pretty chaotic with the olympics ensuing
Conrad, 09 hornet is the cheap commuter… i mean, it’s not a blade is it! seriously though if i sold it, i probably couldn’t justify the expense of a big bike any more and would end up with a scooter of some description and i really don’t want to go back there.
I don’t get time for leisure riding, i’ve got a couple of kids under 4 and a running habit to attend to when not earning the pennies.
I expect to just run the bike into the ground over the years and stick big mileage on it.
Oh, one more question, any decent mechanics round that way for servicing? handy to be able to drop the bike in, walk to work and pick up at the end of the day rather than mess about on a saturday.
Russell square is in Camden, so no parking charges, YET, as Guiliano pointed out that may be about to change. But if it does it is likely to cost £100 annually. Lots of extra bike bays around there, I think there are 3 on Russell square and if you head round the corner to Malet St you will find another 2 which have ground anchors fitted. I park nearby and use a disc lock and chain, but no cover (coz I cant be arsed with it) and have had no problems so far,
the scrotes you have to watch are usually hooning around on stolen pushbikes in groups of 10 or 12, but they are opportunists, just don’t go near your bike if you see them coming, and sit on it while it’s warming up so you can be away if you need.
