My commute in pictures

Inspired by Treadly and Me, this is my 15km ride in to work. It usually takes me around 45 minutes.

Ellison Road

The start of my run in from Streatham to Soho.

London’s shortest cycle path

This is at the end of my road and I can’t resist a wry smile every time I go past.

Crossing Greyhound Lane

This is the most unpredictable part of my route as it is always busy and although traffic lights have been installed, they aren’t active yet.

Estreham Road

Normally quiet once you get past Streatham Common station.

Railway tunnel

This links Estreham Road to Potter’s Lane.

Conyer’s Road

The continuation of Potter’s Lane past the historic water pumping station.

Crossing Mitcham Lane

Can be busy. You’re crossing into Riggindale Road which is one way (against you) for cars.

Riggindale Road

Usually this quiet.

Bedford Hill

Runs through Tooting Beck Common towards Balham.

Balham

Traffic starts to build up as you approach Balham.

Clapham South

Quite a busy intersection at the southern tip of Clapham Common.

Clapham High Street

Cycling in bus lanes is great until a bus comes along.

Stockwell

Bit of a choke point for cyclists before they split up for routes into the City and West End. Notice all the cycle racks on the left outside Stockwell station.

Vauxhall

Clubbers still coming out of Fire at 8am on a Tuesday morning.

Vauxhall Tunnel

A nice short cut through the bus station that avoids the crazy traffic at this notorious black spot for cyclists.
[Please excuse the poor quality]

Albert Embankment

First view of the Thames and Big Ben.

Lambeth Bridge

Tiny cycle lane that often gets ignored by trucks and taxis.

Tufton Street

A quick , almost traffic free run behind Westminster Magistrates’ Court. It was swarming with armed police when the people charged with plotting to blow up US-bound airliners were brought to court last year. It’s often full of prison vans waiting near the loading bay at the rear of the court.

Great Smith Street

Usually quiet despite leading to Westminster Abbey.

Broad Sanctuary

Suddenly you pop out into a bit of space and see Westminster Abbey in front of you, Big Ben a bit further on and the London Eye in the distance.

Little George Street

A short cobbled section past the Methodist General Hall Conference Center (and cafe).

Horse Guards Road

Runs along the eastern edge of St James Park past the memorial to the Bali bombing victims and the rear entrance to Downing Street. You regularly get delayed here as motorcades with outriders sweep in or out. Also, this must be one of the darkest streets in Central London at night. Maybe they dim the street lights due to the security cameras.

The Mall

A nice wide stretch of road running down to Buckingham Palace.

Crossing into St James’ Street

This can be busy as its funneling a lot of traffic from Pall Mall out of the West End onto Piccadilly towards the A4 and west London.

Crossing Piccadilly

From St James’ Street into Albemarle Street (past the notorious Albemarle Club).

New Bond Street

Past Cartier, Chanel, Tiffany, Ralph Lauren and the like.

Burlington Gardens

Where drivers like to cut in front of you at the last minute.

Crossing Regent Street

Notice one of our 18 metre long bendy-busses speeding up towards Oxford Circus.

Golden Square

My home away from home at work in Soho.