Commute Advice

[Mailman7412]

Howzit

 

With me moving down to CT very soon , I thought i would push on the locals buttton.

i am really thinking about doing the commuting thing, since we have all the facilities at the office. So please look at the Pic. Any advise welcome

 

Best regards

Paul

 

 

[ChrisF]

Hi Paul

 

Welcome to the Cape.

 

We will be sharing part of the commute route. 

 

From Brackenfell to the N1 - This is a BUSY section for cars during peak hour !!!

 

Getting onto the R300 with a bike is NOT an option !

 

The 11,4km detour makes most sense, in terms of cars, road width, extra shoulder for bikes etc.

 

 

Going over the N1 - They are still working on that bridge, and some days it is okay, other less so ....  I used to take this route over the N1 before the construction started.  I now cycle along Suikerbossie - where the 11,4km line joins the blue, just keep going straight.  You have a short grade 9 hill, drop down to Bill Bezuidenhout, and then maybe a 100m of grade 8 over the N1.

 

 

The last section I would not join join Durban road, but rather turn up at  Twist street.  Makes more sense, but you would have to check it for cycling safety ... dont think it is ideal, still believe it to be better than Durban road.

 

 

PS - UP hill in the mornings.  Short climb in the afternoon, then a nice long downhill against the typical wind.

 

 

PPS - my longer weekend rides covers a long section of your commute route (during the weekends I risk it over the bridge while construction is ongoing) :

 

 

 

 

My typical weekday commute along the Suikerbossie route :

 

If you took the Suikerbossie route, you would probably take the Twist\Ridgeworth road route from Bill Bezuidenhout.

 

 

 

 

[Mailman7412]

Hi Chris

Thanks for the response, but its all a bit greek to me still

[Eugene]

I know nothing of the route, but if you are going to cycle to work, please make use of the cycle paths.

 

Visiting CT a few years back showed me 2 things.

 

1. How lucky you are to have so many cycle paths.

 

2. How few people use them

[ChrisF]

Hi Chris

Thanks for the response, but its all a bit greek to me still

 

Hehehe .... sorry.

 

Give me a shout when you get to the Cape.  I will come pick you up in the car and drive the various routes with you.  Only real way to SEE what the practical options are .... some routes look good on a computer screen, but surely dont work in real life.

 

 

If you have a MTB I can even show you in the direction of the many trails in the area.  

[ChrisF]

I know nothing of the route, but if you are going to cycle to work, please make use of the cycle paths.

 

Visiting CT a few years back showed me 2 things.

 

1. How lucky you are to have so many cycle paths.

 

2. How few people use them

 

Sadly almost none between his home and work.

 

Thus my attempt to point out those roads that do have a yellow shoulder along his route.

 

 

 

Some very nice ones in Somerset West area, around Cape Town, and now a few in Durbanville.

[Mailman7412]

Ok

So this is the planning phase just about done, been in CT since sunday. Feel in the mood to hit this in the morning tommorrow. Any ideas for less traffic even if increases distance. Although I feel traffic is rather manageable at 6 in the morning. Afternoons there is one stretch down Brackenfell blvd i am not that "comfortable" with but doable.

 

https://www.relive.cc/view/2243652449

 

Regards

Paul

 

 

 

  

[ChrisF]

OOOhhlalalaaaaa ....

 

Now THAT route has some DECENT hills !!!

 

 

Paul, the offer stands.  I can pop through and show you the routes ... drop me a PM

[Mailman7412]

OOOhhlalalaaaaa ....

 

Now THAT route has some DECENT hills !!!

 

 

Paul, the offer stands.  I can pop through and show you the routes ... drop me a PM

 

 

Lol I know that now. Seems down hill home tonight, I like the route though started at 6, Minimal traffic.

 

   

[Trek man]

Welcome to Cape Town pesronly I found that your normally work out route as you go along. You can always adjust your route.

[Ronniek]

Think I can count on one hand the amount of times I haven’t had the wind from front going down Brackenfell Boulevard. Also the section on my rides where I have to keep my eyes peeled for the Mommy’s doing make up while driving, drivers on cellphones and generally clue less people drifting towards the pavement. Add on some construction sites where their warning boards placed very inconveniently and it can get quite interesting in some sections. The construction won’t affect you at least.

[ChrisF]

Welcome to Cape Town pesronly I found that your normally work out route as you go along. You can always adjust your route.

 

I often take a different route ... "a change is as good as a holiday" .... 

 

 

life is too short to ride the same route each day .... especially when you DO have a so many options as Mailman

[Mailman7412]

Back Home was FUUUUUNNNNN!!!!!. I love passing 20-30 cars at a time. and Overall only 3 minutes slower than with the car. Did a small calculation this will turn in an approximate saving of 1.2K a month without bringing any wear and tear into the equation!!!

[Mamil]

Take chrisf up on his offer.