Richmond Park Ride

itboffin

lost_in_thought wrote:

Ah, I think I know which you mean.

If you describe it as steep it would definitely be one of the ones I climbed with difficulty! I think I probably crested the last one up to Richmond gate at about 1mph... :oops:

Ah! the hill climbing track stand, I know it well :shock:

itboffin

Sewinman wrote:

anyone for sunday?

I hope to be there this Sunday, that's if my new (old) car is ready in time - I will be sporting the Frankenstein SS

prj45

jashburnham wrote:

TBH they're not exactly hills. Park is good because it's a nice loop with no traffic lights and can be nice and quiet early mornings. Unfortunately cars are allowed in the Park which is annoying as there's a 20mph limit and they can get in the way!!

I wouldn't be overtaking them if I were you, Richmond Park is one of the few areas of the country where the speed limits apply to cyclists too, coppers are often seen stopping speeding racer boys.

prj45

I've been off the bike for a few days due to really bad guts, so I'm gasping to get out tomorrow, but I'm going for an early start, it's a stunning place at sunrise so I'm aiming to be there at 6.30am.

Can I check with somebody int he know, are all the ped gates open at that time or do I have to go to a particular one? Sheen or Richmond gates are the closest for me.

Jen J

Lovely ride this morning - the two laps were 24 and 23, so I've much improved on last weeks 28 minute lap

Had a lovely last lap and ride home - got to the bottom of Wimbledon Hill and it was completely clogged with traffic through town, so took a random left, and discovered it brings me out onto the second half of my 'safe' commute home. Nice.

snooks

Jen J wrote:

Lovely ride this morning - the two laps were 24 and 23, so I've much improved on last weeks 28 minute lap

Had a lovely last lap and ride home - got to the bottom of Wimbledon Hill and it was completely clogged with traffic through town, so took a random left, and discovered it brings me out onto the second half of my 'safe' commute home. Nice.

Good to meet you, After I left you I did a 21:03 with a taste of hot chocolate every now and again! Then up that hill for the 4th time before heading down into Richmond, and overtook almost the whole length of the road by the river....on the right hand side, probably the most satisfying bit of overtaking for ages...I'm still thinking whether to take my Mtb out....hmmm do I? don't I?

beelzebozo

I'll most definitely be there for my weekly 70kms at 28kph average. I've never ridden with anyone at speed so I'm interested in joining someone tomorrow for similar pace or higher as a challenge is most welcome(I can do 30-32kph I reckon).

I go in through roehampton gate and I'm aiming to get there around 10am. I'll be the guy with the enormous helmet (helmets are expensive you know?!) and rabobank jersey+celeste bianchi combo. My name is Jorge (george will do) and I'm a "neat" guy.

Hmm yes, anyone?

snooks

Dunno whether I could keep the 21 min lap up for another one :shock:

This road stuff is all new to me

I might just head south tomorrow morning (after the grand prix)...but if I change my mind I won't be there before 10:30 ish

beelzebozo

I know my figures can be deceiving as I'm sure clockwise laps are much easier, which is what I'm basing that on. I'm gonna have to make due with the highlights of the grand prix instead. It's the last one right?

snooks

beelzebozo wrote:

It's the last one right?

Could be if Lewis wins 6 points ahead of massa!!!!

But no, it finishes in Brazil on 2nd Nov

Oh and my lap was anti-clockwise :?

My average speed is 17mph (well since I put a puter on it) I'm no speedy skinny whippet, more labrador!

itboffin

Did those who went on Sat. or this morning take any photos of "the team"?

Clearly I didn't make it, still watching the very boring F1 race

snooks

itboffin wrote:

Did those who went on Sat. or this morning take any photos of "the team"?

Clearly I didn't make it, still watching the very boring F1 race

*yawn* Sorry, didn't take any pics, I'm only a photographer after all

*yawn* [sarcasm] I'm SO glad I got up to watch that [/sarcasm]

Just as well I managed to get some sleep during the race

*yawn*

itboffin

I salute your dedication for getting up so early, I used to before Sky+

So how many went Sat & today and what epic stories/battles were had, come on people spill the beans, we need details...

snooks

Just three of us yesterday Jen J, Biondino and myself

No real scalping, although I thought Biondino was giving me a run for my money, as I went off, they followed, I checked behind, white arms, black helmet still behind, and keeping up, drafting like a good un, I keep going into the wind up sawyers hill with matie still on my wheel..."He's keen" I think, so I give it a bit more...yep still behind me, I can just see their white arms, but hang on...Where's Jen?

She's back down the hill with Biondino :shock:

Hang on, if that's Biondino with Jen, who the donald duck is that 6 inches behind me??? :shock: :?

I slow down and let them pass, then wait for the J and B to catch up :roll:

Jay dubbleU

Jen - did you say you ran the West Highland Way - seriously impressed 8)

The Chingford Skinhead

Not to be outdone by you south west Lundanors and your big green spaces I left the commuting hybrid at home and took the ribble out today to get used to it. Wow, much as I loved the Ridgeback the speed of the ribble and the way it eats inclines for breakfast was truly impressive.

I went from Chingford to Finsbury Park, did a couple of laps of that and then headed (for the first time) down the Parkland Walk (a disused railway line that is now part of the Capital Ring of London walks) to Highgate. Back to Finsbury Park for another lap and a sit down to watch the boats. I was then approached by a care in the community guy (they seem to be able to spot me from 100 yards) who told me his life history for 10 minutes. I then headed home.

Really glad I got off my rear end and went out. It was really great and hard to believe that I was in the middle of London. I even took the Lee Valley canal path home to extend the green feel to the day.

I do feel a bit guilty though as I now know that as soon as I get some reflectors and lights on that ribble the ridgeback is going to be relegated to only being used if I have to lug the laptop home :? :?

Jen J

Jay dubbleU wrote:

Jen - did you say you ran the West Highland Way - seriously impressed 8)

I'm doing the race next June. I've been along there twice so far, over 5 days and then 4.I'm planning 3 days in March, 2 in April and the hopefully all in one go in June...

linsen

Jen J wrote:

Jay dubbleU wrote:

Jen - did you say you ran the West Highland Way - seriously impressed 8)

I'm doing the race next June. I've been along there twice so far, over 5 days and then 4.I'm planning 3 days in March, 2 in April and the hopefully all in one go in June...

I'm beginning to think you might not actually be human, Jen!

Jen J

linsen wrote:

Jen J wrote:

Jay dubbleU wrote:

Jen - did you say you ran the West Highland Way - seriously impressed 8)

I'm doing the race next June. I've been along there twice so far, over 5 days and then 4.I'm planning 3 days in March, 2 in April and the hopefully all in one go in June...

I'm beginning to think you might not actually be human, Jen!

But I still can't ride a bike uphill properly...:(

linsen

Jen J wrote:

linsen wrote:

Jen J wrote:

Jay dubbleU wrote:

Jen - did you say you ran the West Highland Way - seriously impressed 8)

I'm doing the race next June. I've been along there twice so far, over 5 days and then 4.I'm planning 3 days in March, 2 in April and the hopefully all in one go in June...

I'm beginning to think you might not actually be human, Jen!

But I still can't ride a bike uphill properly...:(

Glad to hear it

I got up a 17% one today - the descent was terrifying!!

itboffin

Jen don't worry about it, you will. Have you tried hill training yet?

if not here's what helped me;
First find a local hill that's not to big in fact smaller than you'd usually have problems climbing, ideally it should be near enough that you're not tired by the time you get there and it needs to be a gradual incline.

Starting in a nice low but not spinning gear proceed at a steady pace towards the hill, lowering your gears as you climb but trying to keep the cadence the same all the way to the top, if you run out of gears to early or find it too hard find a smaller hill.

Once at the top freewheel back down, rest and repeat several times, say x5, it's just the same as doing reps in the gym, keep this routine up until your comfortable climbing that hill and barely have to change gears, you can continue with the same hill picking a bigger gear or higher cadence until eventually you'll find you roll over the hill without even noticing.

Stay seated during these exercises, don't shift gears too late and if possible do these before your normal ride or on there own.
Enjoy to summits

cjcp

Jen J wrote:

linsen wrote:

Jen J wrote:

Jay dubbleU wrote:

Jen - did you say you ran the West Highland Way - seriously impressed 8)

I'm doing the race next June. I've been along there twice so far, over 5 days and then 4.I'm planning 3 days in March, 2 in April and the hopefully all in one go in June...

I'm beginning to think you might not actually be human, Jen!

But I still can't ride a bike uphill properly...:(

Jen - more you ride them, better and faster you get. Anyway, unless there are hills in these truly mad races of yours ( ), you just need to focus on distance.

il_principe

I was out Sunday morning. Caught a glimpse of Johnginge (like your cap mate, I have it in white!)

Anyway was out with my brother. His first attempt at cycling in a long time (so I took him clockwise :twisted: )he did pretty well actually - he plays a lot of sport and is v fit but was still slow. It just goes to show how different sports place such different demands on muscles. I reckon he'll be up to speed fairly quickly, although he's really not mastered clipless yet. He did a slo-mo topple by Albert Bridge to the amusement of many and despite me shouting "unclip unclip UNCLIIIIP!!"

Great morning on the bike anyway, topped out at 35.9 mph chasing an SUV along the embankment on the way home, totally forgot about my bro and dropped him silly!

:oops:

lost_in_thought

jashburnham wrote:

I was out Sunday morning. Caught a glimpse of Johnginge (like your cap mate, I have it in white!)

Anyway was out with my brother. His first attempt at cycling in a long time (so I took him clockwise :twisted: )he did pretty well actually - he plays a lot of sport and is v fit but was still slow. It just goes to show how different sports place such different demands on muscles. I reckon he'll be up to speed fairly quickly, although he's really not mastered clipless yet. He did a slo-mo topple by Albert Bridge to the amusement of many and despite me shouting "unclip unclip UNCLIIIIP!!"

Great morning on the bike anyway, topped out at 35.9 mph chasing an SUV along the embankment on the way home, totally forgot about my bro and dropped him silly!

:oops:

I saw a guy today who had clearly taken his Missus/Sister/Female friend out with SPDs for the first time, sat behind her yelling 'UNCLIIIIIIIP' as we all slowed for the lights. She was frantically pulling on the shoe, no joy, and he made a manly move to grab her before she fell, pulled out the wrong foot himself, and they landed in a heap on the floor, very slowly.

I asked if they were OK, and managed to stifle my giggles... :oops:

And yes, it is interesting how people who are very fit are not necessarily fast on bikes. Same applies for swimming.

If I come round the park with you guys I'm going to bring a bike with gears... Won't be able to keep up on the fixed, I don't think.

il_principe

It's funny how clipless falls always happen in slow motion...

jonginge

jashburnham wrote:

I was out Sunday morning. Caught a glimpse of Johnginge (like your cap mate, I have it in white!)

Spotted you, too. But, as usual, my reaction times are way too slow for a greeting

Quite a nice day in the park, really. Traffic is calming down a bit now the weather's not so good

stage_fright

linsen wrote:

I got up a 17% one today - the descent was terrifying!!

Hi Linsen - a 17% hill around Southampton?

which little tinker was that?

linsen

Stage Fright wrote:

linsen wrote:

I got up a 17% one today - the descent was terrifying!!

Hi Linsen - a 17% hill around Southampton?

which little tinker was that?

I was in Dorset at the weekend, it was the climb outside Abbotsbury along Chesil beach. Similar to Golf Course Road if you know it - but about 50 times longer!

cjcp

jashburnham wrote:

Great morning on the bike anyway, topped out at 35.9 mph chasing an SUV along the embankment on the way home, totally forgot about my bro and dropped him silly!

:oops:

That's shifting some. Were you drafting the SUV?

biondino

He was holding on to it.