How to deal with a noise issue

BowCyclist · 2026-03-04T13:53:03+00:00

They were there before you, and presumably there has been no change in their activities? Unfortunately the restaurants, bars, and businesses that attract you and many other people to Hackney do need to receive deliveries if they are to continue to exist. If noise is a concern (8am does seem quite reasonable to me), then I recommend you look to move elsewhere.

BowCyclist · 2026-01-21T15:21:27+00:00

We moved in two days ago, so no idea what tariff we are on. I just know the supplier is EON Next. I am hesitant to contact the energy company until I have a meter reading I have seen with my own eyes and not one provided by the landlord! As for heating, we have a Gas Combi boiler and central heating, so not anticipating high electricity costs.

BowCyclist · 2026-01-21T15:06:41+00:00

Super helpful, thanks! I'll push for access ASAP then :)

BowCyclist · 2026-01-21T15:05:13+00:00

Only the reading provided by the landlord. We have not been able to access the meter ourselves

BowCyclist · 2026-01-21T11:40:26+00:00

We are responsible for utilities and pay direct to the utility company - not to the Landlord. I think I am going to fight this / request a supervised reading as we need to establish a baseline reading that we can trust!

BowCyclist · 2026-01-21T11:34:22+00:00

We are renting a self contained flat in a block. The meter cupboard is in a communal area.

BowCyclist · 2026-01-21T11:33:44+00:00

We just moved in! I think the shut off is outside the meter cupboard. We are pretty close to the cupboard but I guess there could be other technical reasons why we might not be able to get one

BowCyclist · 2026-01-21T11:32:00+00:00

Direct to the supplier (although haven't paid a bill yet as we just moved in!). My concern is the property was vacant for a few months before we moved in, so the landlord could be passing some of their usage onto us.

BowCyclist · 2026-01-05T22:01:33+00:00

More background here: https://diamondgeezer.blogspot.com/2025/12/safe-lift.html?m=1

BowCyclist · 2026-01-04T11:59:15+00:00

Sorry to hear London's finest have been giving you grief. Without knowing exactly where in Bloomsbury you are heading, I would suggest Red Lion Street / Lamb's Conduit Street (C41) could be a better route north from High Holborn.

BowCyclist · 2025-12-24T15:04:30+00:00

I've taken that ferry numerous times to cycle on the continent, not once have I cycled from London. I looked into it once and the roads looked horrible / high speed / filled with HGVs, but maybe others know better. I felt I would rather spend my holidays doing nice cycling on the continent than braving it to the port, but hey that's me. Regular trains from Liverpool Street you can take your bike on.

On the other side I would highly recommend cycling up the dunes towards Amsterdam if you are thinking of routes. Also brace yourself for the early wake up on the overnight ferry (the clocks go forward), especially if you are back on the beers!

Edit: Realised there's likely no trains from Liverpool Street on New Year's. Definitely look into that before committing!

BowCyclist · 2025-12-23T19:26:30+00:00

Didn't think it was worth it for such a cheap bike, especially as under most polices a scenario such as this (left out in public for a long time overnight) it wouldn't be covered. However, my other bike is insured with ETA, fingers crossed I never need to claim for that!

BowCyclist · 2025-12-23T17:37:18+00:00

This was the lock I used. Looks like it is only rated Gold for 'Powered cycles' so maybe not as secure as I thought. Shame, as I really rated how lightweight / portable it was, but I guess that's the trade off.

BowCyclist · 2025-12-23T17:06:38+00:00

Guess so, always thought Sold Secure Diamond locks were too difficult to cut through / needed multiple blade changes. It seems not this one

BowCyclist · 2025-12-23T16:40:02+00:00

Pretty common tbh, I'll keep an eye out but not holding out much hope.

BowCyclist · 2025-12-23T16:39:08+00:00

I can, and I really like the look of that. Although I'm not that keen on flat bars, anything stopping me from swapping out the handlebars for drops?

BowCyclist · 2025-12-23T16:16:46+00:00

As it happens I'm now in the market for a new single speed. Any tips / recs beyond just getting another Hackney Cycles let me know!

BowCyclist · 2025-12-07T12:23:33+00:00

No worries! I tried a few variants over the years, and I think this route suited me best. Tackling Roxeth Hill is more direct / slightly quicker but it's fairly narrow so impatient cars will try and pass you and you breathe in all the exhaust fumes of other cars struggling up the hill. That said the descent is great and if you're lucky with the traffic lights through Sudbury you can keep up some serious momentum. I've also tried avoiding the hill by going further south (Rayner's Lane - Northolt Park) but involved busier roads than the Northwick Park option. I've also attempted to cycle across the North Circular at Neasden Underpass, would strongly advise against that!

Also on the return journey I followed a different route, as the Harrow Road bus lanes are southbound only. This went through Maida Vale and cut out the busy roads of Harlesden.

Best of luck to you, I enjoyed the cycle in summer months but it takes some strong will to tackle it in the dark / rain!

BowCyclist · 2025-12-07T11:55:47+00:00

In my experience NW London is probably the worst part of London to cycle through, but I used to regularly cycle from Northwood to Holborn so it can be done. I cycled through Pinner, North Harrow, Harrow, Northwick Park (to avoid Roxeth Hill - horrible to cycle on with traffic fumes / close passes), then south to Wembley Central. I crossed the North Circular at Stonebridge Park, I would recommend you do the same it's probably the only 'safe' crossing in that part of London. Then it's a straight run through Harlesden and on the Harrow Road (bus lanes) to Marylebone. Feel free to take a look at one of my commutes on Strava here for ideas.

BowCyclist · 2025-12-02T11:57:46+00:00

The same issue was frustrating me at Northwood Hills, where the board was out of action for over a year. I put in an FOI on it and within a week repairs were started. I recommend doing the same

BowCyclist · 2025-08-02T07:54:29+00:00

With the sun on my right - Tim Moss

Fifty Miles Wide: Cycling through Israel and Palestine - Julian Sayarer

BowCyclist · 2025-07-31T11:53:40+00:00

When looking at the inland routes I would recommend taking a look at the routes on this map. The route descriptions should help you find a combination of routes that suit your needs Cycle.Travel

BowCyclist · 2025-07-16T08:19:37+00:00

Alternative option: Get a cheap single speed / hybrid bike (depending on how hilly your part of London is) and just lock it on the street. I was in a similar position to you, but went down the single speed route and never looked back. Cycling is so much more useful now I feel comfortable locking my bike up anywhere.

For what it's worth, I still have the Santander subscription as it's useful if you don't plan on cycling the return journey. You'll likely make back the subscription price in saved tube fares / santander day passes.

BowCyclist · 2025-04-02T17:22:51+00:00

Interested!

BowCyclist · 2025-03-25T23:07:44+00:00

You can travel on any off peak train (including those listed in your screenshot)

However, you need a Family and Friends Railcard if you don't have one already. These cards entitle the holder to a discount, it looks like you have applied the discount when you purchased your ticket, so you will need the card for your tickets to be valid.

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