Richmond Park?

NWLondoner

I am finally going to head down to Richmond Park next weekend.

Are there any good routes to ride and any to avoid??

Also, what is this speed limit i keep hearing about? Is it confined to cycle paths only??

chuckcork

Speed limit on roads around the park is 20mph, speed limit is posted on the footpaths as being 15mph which is probably too fast for safety of pedestrians etc using the path.

mwo

Don't know where the mtb'ers go to, but roadies do laps round the perimeter road. Some prefer clockwise (it's a form of madness I believe). Sensible, right-minded folk do anti-clockwise.

A lap is just under 7 miles, 3 laps in 60 minutes is considered good. I can't do it. Anti-clockwise seems to be faster.

There's a nice map here: http://www.royalparks.org.uk/docs/park_ ... ondMAP.pdf

So, an anti-clockwise lap starting at Roehampton gate would be: Roehampton gate across to Richmond Gate, down to Kingston Gate, up the evil that is Dark Hill and on to Robin Hood Gate, than back up to Roehampton Gate.

The park tends to be busiest (with cyclists) on Saturday morning. I like to go nice and early or in the evening, during the day there's too much traffic. If you've heard the horror stories and want to avoid the London Dynamo, they are there about 08:30 to 10:00ish on Saturday going anti-clockwise. There's no need to avoid them, I've never had any problem, some of them will even say "Good morning".

The speed limit is 20mph, everybody - cyclists and motorists - ignores it unless the police are there with speed cameras.

The road gates are opening at 7:30 and closing at 16:00 at the moment. You can get in and out after 16:00 using the pedestrian gates. Though it's the deer cull for the next couple of weeks, so the pedestrian gates are locked at 20:00.

NWLondoner

ooops i must be mad then. I have just plotted a clockwise route :shock:

Considering i will hit the park at the same time of the London Dynamo it looks like that may be the safest route.


This is my planned ride after quite a few weeks off so if you see a nearly dead cyclist give us a wave 8) http://bikeroutetoaster.com/Course.aspx?course=24088

mwo

ooops i must be mad then

Afraid so. The advantage of anti-clockwise is that despite having to go up the evil that is Dark Hill, and avoid marauding gangs of London Dynamos, you get to go down Broomfield Hill. This, as you will find, is a much better option than going up Broomfield Hill.

chuckcork

Going anti-clockwise also means you are turning left at the roundabouts not right across the traffic....

NWLondoner

Thanks for the tips. I will re plot my course.

Voodoo Juice

Going Clockwise means you get to get to do nasty intervals on the steep climb.

It's good both ways. Mix it up

Do 3or4 one way then 3or4 the other plus a few trips through the middle ;-)

chuckcork

Voodoo Juice wrote:

Going Clockwise means you get to get to do nasty intervals on the steep climb.

It's good both ways. Mix it up

Do 3or4 one way then 3or4 the other plus a few trips through the middle ;-)

Watch out for the rollerbladers then!