Commute from Plumstead to Pinelands

[lloydkayak]

So I am finally living in Cape Town, at an aweosme place in upper Plumstead close to Main road.

 

The traffic in the mornings is very crap (afternoons way better)

I am trying to work out the best route to commute on the mountain bike...

 

I was advised to look at either going main road or rather milner/belvedere road up around rondebosch common onto raapenberg then into Pinelands...

 

What route is safest, are these two my safest and best bets? These roads are hectic congested in the mornings!!

 

Thanks

[Oltremo]

I have ridden both routes early morning (5.30-6.00) at times and found them to be pleasant enough. They are your safest and best bets. I ride M5, Klipfontein, Jan Smuts, but this route will become increasingly worse after 6.

[thatsme]

I would pick the milner/ belvedere option - roads are wider and there's far less stop start/ dodge the taxi/ pedestrian/ parked car to be done - feels safer to me. Cars are going a bit faster though. - both are fine, depends what you're more comfortable with I guess

[Let's Ride]

I commute daily to Pinelands:

 

I take Campground road (cycle lane), go around the common past that small BP on the left (cycle lane), go over Klipfontein road (robots) and straight, turn right at the robots and under the M5 and go down that road into Pinelands past the hospital on the left (cycle lane), go past the robots and immediately left and then right into central avenue, road goes past the spar, steers, then union avenue and then victory avenue (much safer than forest drive and more direct.

 

I find the M5 worse to be honest.

Edited August 7, 2012 by Let's Ride

[Let's Ride]

When on Raapenburg road be careful as loads of off ramps and on ramps. Put out your hand and indicate that you are going straight, I also look behind me to make sure they slow down and wait or aren't turning.

[Kranswurm]

I commute daily to Pinelands:

 

I take Campground road (cycle lane), go around the common bast that small BP on the left (cycle lane), go over Klipfontein road and straight, turn right at the robots and under the M5 and go down that road into Pinelands past the hospital on the left (cycle lane), go past the robots and immediately left and then right, road goes past the spar, steers and all the way down to Old Mutual.

 

I find the M5 worse to be honest.

 

Thats the way I would go

 

Also from Slumstead go along Rosmead onto Belvedere.Left at Keurboom through Keurboom Park up past Rondebosch Boys High and onto Campground and onto your route

[lloydkayak]

Thanks guys,

Just got to get hold of some bike lights and commuting gear and I will give it a go

 

Will make a massive difference to going by car for sure

[Tubehunter]

What time do you plan to leave Plumstead?? I'm commuting by bike depending on the weather. Only when it absolutely p1sses with rain do I go in the car.I do Tokia to Mowbray, along Main Road to Claremont and then Campground through to Liesbeek Parkway and into work.

[lloydkayak]

Cool, got my bike lights and tomorrow will be my first day commuting in... Unless it absolutely comes down heavy with rain.

What time you reckon I should leave plumstead to make it in by say 07h30 or so?? Work is in central avenue (mowbray side of pinelands)

I am around the corner from the checkers! Will try main road tomorrow...

 

No the fittest but am bargaining on about 40-45 minutes...

 

Google maps says 11.7 km

Edited August 27, 2012 by lloydkayak

[Tubehunter]

How did it go? Should not have taken you more than 40 mins. You were probably on the road at 6:45 eh? I was already past at that time. What a lekka day to be on the bike!

[Let's Ride]

I met a hubber who lives in Pinelands.

 

We gunned it to work while we each took turns pace making, he took a day off and rode to Vida E Palmyra Junction for a good cuppa so he did a tad more pulling.

 

Okay, that was random.

 

I sent you a pm. Keen to meet up. I also do Campground road.

[Let's Ride]

I cycle central avenue every day.

[lloydkayak]

Sooo... perfect day today and I didnt ride in! daminit...

 

I had to pack all my canoe polo gear for my first training out V&A waterfront way this evening...

Reckoned a big dry bag full of kayak crap and work clothes was a bit ambitous!

 

Tomorrow though, let's ride is meeting me to show me how its done! hoping I can keep up hehe

[lloydkayak]

This is awesome as it gives me the opportunity to buy more gear! Commuting bike here I come... now... what to buy hehe

(Selling my motorbike because I worked out going in by bicycle is only marginally slower at peaks times)

 

Basically fastest by car or bike I have made it in is 20 minutes, reckon 30 minutes by bicycle is pretty realistic and very acceptable to me!

[Let's Ride]

What an awesome morning! Nothing beats a good ride in to work.

[lloydkayak]

Super impressed... apart from the mission of lugging a trail bike

Great Morning, shot for personalised navigation Let's ride

 

Time to source a proper commuter!