February 01, 2005
Asymmetric Routing
It’s coming up to a year since my office relocated from Hammersmith to Slough. And it’s taken me a year to finally work out the most optimal way to get to work and back. In the morning I take Route 79 down to Alperton. Then I switch to Route 83 down to Ealing Broadway. Then I get the overground train to Slough. The journey to work is typically 1 hour 45 minutes door-to-door.
Then on the way home I get the overground train back to Ealing Broadway from Slough. And take Route 83 all the way to Wembley Park. And then take the Jubilee Line tube one stop up to Kingsbury - and walk it home 10 minutes from there. This journey home is typically 1 hour 15 minutes door-to-door.
I haven’t quite worked out exactly why it’s usually faster going home than it is going to work. But to be honest - the average half hour difference isn’t really noticeable given the total time that I spend travelling. The more worrying things in my mind are the facts that this “optimal” routing is a) asymmetric and b) doesn’t involve Route 79 on the way home.
The asymmetry just doesn’t “feel” right.
And taking the Jubilee Line tube affords me no opportunity for “reflections on a bus journey home”.
That would drive me insane. So I’ve decided not to practise this configuration very often.
Taking the Jubilee Line tube from Wembley Park to Kingsbury.
It’s just no substitute for the bus journey home.
Posted by jag at February 01, 2005 10:06 PM
Ooh. Mention of Ealing Broadway immediately puts me in mind of Robert Rankin.
Perhaps while the musings in the morning on the bus are about the world outside, the musings in the evening on the tube can be about the people inside.
I've spent entire journeys just looking at people's shoes (and I don't have a thing for shoes, thank you very much).
I was going to say i'm sure driving to slough wouldn't take as long, but i'm starting to remember when i had driven that way in the morning, and it would take that long. Still not bad journey time. I always find it's quicker to get home from wherever. Maybe it's the "i want to get home now" thoughts.
Sivani: I had to look up Robert Rankin on Google. What's the connection with Ealing Broadway? Outside/Inside - I like that. Shoes: yes I know what you mean - I could write an essay on the design of different shoes!
Jaina: you're spot on - driving to/from Slough only takes 45 mins. Kenton Road towards Harrow. Then turn left at Northwick Park roundabout and then up that steep hill up to Sudbury - and then Greenford Road all the way down to the A40. Rutn right (West) and keep going until you get to Slough turn-off. I *do* take the car on those really important ocassions when I absolutely cannot afford to be late for something - but 99% of the time I prefer to schlep it about on the buses, tubes and trains. a) It's a lot less stressful, b) I get some exercise and c) I can think - therefore I am.
Why not take the same route while going to work as you are coming back from work.
You still have a bus journey to reflect about - it would be Route 83 then.
But spending 3 hours a day on travelling is quite a bit too much.
Sat: I have worked out that it's more "optimal" getting to work doing Route79/Route83/train to work than it is doing tube/Route83/train. I think it has a lot do with traffic congestion. Which is why doing Route79/Route83/train is better on the way to work. But on the way back - train/Route83/tube is more "optimal" instead.
Yes - I agree that Route83 would be an alternative "bus journey home" - but the fact is that it is NOT Route79. And Route79 is the reason why I exist here. Hence why it's not desirable - if you know what I mean!
Yes - 3 hours is a lot. But that's what it is. And that what it takes. I have little choice - unless I chaneg my job. Which I could do. But I don't consider at this moment.
Robert Rankin writes absurd surreal sci-fi/fantasy/comedy in the Douglas Adams/Terry Pratchett vein. His books include "Armageddon the Musical," "Raiders of the Lost Car Park" and the (four part) trilogy: "The Antipope," "The Brentford Triangle," "East of Ealing," and "The Sprouts of Wrath."
The main characters in the trilogy live in Ealing, which I had never heard of before I read these books.
Regardles of “reflections on a bus journey home”, I expect we are due "reflections of a year in Slough" (Come, friendly bombs, and fall on Slough and all that).
Sivani: ah - a Sci-Fi author. I haven't read sci-fi in a long time. Since Arthur C Clarke and Asimov when I was a kid actually. Never did get into the Douglas Adams style though.
Ealing Broadway is right in the centre of Ealing. It's a bustling "town centre" style of place. Lots of shops/restuarants/bars etc. It is also a major interchange point for tubes, trains and buses. Probably the most important hub in the West of London. Ealing residential areas are quite pleasant - and are probably best referred to "upmarket" somewhat.
Fritz: I read about those masks. Luckily I don't go underground so much any more - but to be honest - every major city has bad dust.
Steve: A review of a year in Slough seems like a good idea. I shall follow up on that. Thanks!
Ever since seeing a glimpse of your bird i cant stop tossing off ... [some non-child-friendly stuff deleted]
please send some more pics.
Cheers Jag. you PAKI.
Hi "fat" - if by "PAKI" you meant Pakistani - then I have to correct you - I am British.
I had to delete your offensive bits - but I left the funny bit.
Have a nice day!
