Richmond Park x3: sub-60min hopefuls' thread

poacherjake
poacherjake Posts: 45
edited November 2010 in Training, fitness and health
So I've just started riding and my prime objective is to get under 60 mins for three laps of RP. I'm guessing there must be a few others on here with that as their target?

Anyhow, I managed 65.30 today on my third attempt in as many weeks - 4.30 faster than my last one. Not really ridden at all before this so pretty pleased so far...

Last lap was quickest too and felt like I had a bit more in the tank.

Be good to hear of others' efforts (or expert advice ...)
Specialized Allez 24

Comments

  • furrag
    furrag Posts: 481
    Do you go clockwise or anti-clockwise? Anti-clockwise is so much easier if there's an Easterly wind as Roehampton to Richmond gate no longer becomes a slog. Headwind + Sawyers hill I've never been able to record a good time.

    I first did it earlier in the year in February or March when I started in something like 83 minutes. By September, I had got that down to 58:35. Riding on my clubs chaingangs around the park helped me most. I suppose you could mix it up - try hard for 1 lap - aim for sub-20 minutes. Take it easy the next lap, and then try the third lap in under 20 minutes. You're essentially getting a 2x20 workout at target pace.

    4:30 quicker than last week is a tremendous gain, but is that influenced by conditions such as wind or car hold-ups? If not, I'd still recommend - if possible - trying to ride it other than a Saturday when the park is traffic-saturated. You'll gain a chunk of time through clearer roads.
  • birdy247
    birdy247 Posts: 454
    good conditions today. Tailwind up sawyers hill.
    www.turbotraining.co.uk
  • poacherjake
    poacherjake Posts: 45
    furrag: I go anti, though as birdy247 says the wind was not in its typical direction this morning. In terms of my gain - I had a pretty clear run last week, but the weather was awful (Sunday). Weather better today but traffic not so great.

    I will probably try your suggestion but am happy with my progress so far, and felt like I could have given it more today. I think one or two hard 30-40 min sessions on the exercise bike in the gym midweek wil be key to dropping my times further.

    But I realise there will come a point where gains suddenly become harder to come by, and some weekends you just feel like you've gone backwards - but as a runner, I'm ready for that ...
    Specialized Allez 24
  • poacherjake
    poacherjake Posts: 45
    cold out there this morning, bit windier than yesterday and sore legs, so no heroics - 4 laps at a steady pace ...
    Specialized Allez 24
  • furrag
    furrag Posts: 481
    I went out about 1pm. Nice tailwind up Sawyers, but my God the park was busy. I was hoping to do a pair of 17:xx laps, but lots of pedestrian drivers put that to bed early, so I just took it easy, did some sprints, attacked the hills and ended up with laps at 22:xx. I now remember why I was going to the park at 7:30am at weekends earlier in the year - weekdays are much kinder!
  • poacherjake
    poacherjake Posts: 45
    yeah, it's was already busying up at 8.30am ...
    Specialized Allez 24
  • Zav
    Zav Posts: 28
    have a look at this:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... &start=600
  • poacherjake
    poacherjake Posts: 45
    Zav wrote:
    have a look at this:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... &start=600

    ah fantastic, cheers
    Specialized Allez 24
  • irezumi
    irezumi Posts: 142
    Is this route start/finish from Richmond park gate just oof priory lane then going round sawyers hill/queens road?
  • jibberjim
    jibberjim Posts: 2,810
    irezumi wrote:
    Is this route start/finish from Richmond park gate just oof priory lane then going round sawyers hill/queens road?

    You can start finish whereever you like on the loop and then it's just riding around yes.
    Jibbering Sports Stuff: http://jibbering.com/sports/
  • airbusboy
    airbusboy Posts: 231
    What's the average speed required to crack 60mins?
    'Ride hard for those who can't.....'
  • poacherjake
    poacherjake Posts: 45
    airbusboy wrote:
    What's the average speed required to crack 60mins?

    I haven't got a bike computer but I believe it's almost bob-on 21m - so 21mph?

    you'll get a more accurate answer though I'm sure
    Specialized Allez 24
  • weapons
    weapons Posts: 367
    It is 6.78 miles per lap so to do three laps in an hour, ave = 20.34mph.
  • DaveyL
    DaveyL Posts: 5,167
    Thought I'd have a look on Google street view to see what all the fuss is about.

    http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?client=fi ... 9,,0,-0.61

    Dig the dude in the combat shorts...
    Le Blaireau (1)

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