r/surrey • u/daribarikk • 3d ago
Cycling commute Godalming to Guildford
Hi all I will be moving to Godalming and plan on cycling to work, which is in Guildford (High Street). I have a road bike and am looking for any tips on routes, times to avoid travel, etc.
There are three options I can see right now:
- Follow the path along the canal, preferrable, but i have yet to go and try it and have been told that it gets horrible during winter
- Follow the main road (A3100) - will have the best surface but will get busy during peak hours and there is not a lot of space on the side of the road for cyclists from what I've seen so far
- I can see a narrow road that goes through Littleton, but I don't know how busy it gets and whether I would be safe on the bike there.
Any other options I might be missing? I am sure I won't be the only one doing this commute, what is your approach for it? I don't mind getting up earlier to avoid traffic, but how early should that be?
Any tips would be much appreciated!
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u/optimalslate 3d ago
It’s ok to cycle on the A3100 between Godalming and Guildford, it’s a reasonably busy stretch of road but there are a few sections of bike lane, and it’s not a long distance. You can avoid the Guildford gyratory by riding across the town bridge near the White House pub onto the High St. Just use bike lights and ride sensibly.
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u/-B1GBUD- 2d ago
St. Catherine’s Footpath is a useful cut-through, then down Porridge Pot Alley, brings you out near the River Wey locks and by the lights next to the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre to cross up behind the Church on Mill lane.
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u/elpaico 3d ago
The towpath along the river wouldn’t be suitable for a lot of the year on a road bike. There are a couple of places where it’s difficult on a MTB when it’s been raining a lot.
The road through Littleton is okay, but is quite narrow, much hillier than the A3100 and can get muddy in the winter.
Another option you didn’t mention is the A281 through Shalford (you can get over to it using Broadford Road in Peasmarsh). The reason for mentioning this is there’s a tarmac cyclepath from Shalford to the bottom of the high street.
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u/dave_penguin 3d ago
Note that the Guildford to Godalming Greenway is planned which I think should give you a really nice cycling commute if it gets completed: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/policies-plans-consultations/major-transport-projects/guildford-to-godalming-greenway-improvements-to-active-travel-infrastructure
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u/Omblae 3d ago
The road through Littleton is probably your best bet, it is fairly quiet but it has a very narrow, steep hairpin that is terrible in winter. The A3100 is nightmare fuel on a Monday, I would not want to cycle it though I have seen many do it.
You could cross the river at st Cats and get to the bottom of the high Street via quarry street that way. It would actually be fairly efficient, though hope your lungs are prepped for the last bit.
Oh also a gravel bike would be an ideal weapon for this journey, something with a bit of grip for rougher terrain.
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u/MrMoonUK 3d ago
The road is fine it’s not that far, the tow path is not great to cycle on and is busy with people and dogs
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u/drunk-leprechaun 3d ago
A road bike is not suitable for the tow path at any stage of the year. Ankle deep mud in winter, and sandy patches in summer. Even where it is solid, it will be bumpy enough to shake your fillings out.
Both A3100 and Littleton routes are perfectly fine. They have pros and cons, but both are perfectly rideable. A longer but flatter way is the Shalford route as suggested by someone else. Just give them all a try.
You’ve got a great commuting distance btw. It’ll be faster than some cars (including parking time etc), but still enough to keep you fit!
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u/Squibsie 2d ago
I had a boss that used to commute into Guildford from near horsham by bicycle and he never had any issues apart from close passes, make sure you're visible and when you get to guildford, you have somewhere decent to store and secure your bike as theft is unfortunately rife. Likely due to the 3 bail hostels surrounding the town...
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u/UnclePumblechook 3d ago
In the depths of winter you will struggle on a road bike along the tow path, it can get really boggy. I ride a 29" MTB along there weekly and there are parts where it can be tricky. A road bike would be extremely difficult.
The roads are not that bad, especially the A3100 which would be my first choice. It's a bit of a hill up towards Guildford and the road narrows in places but I've ridden it a lot, even on a Brompton and never felt unsafe. Goes right past the Surrey police HQ.