Not that anyone is interested, but...

rick_chasey
rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
edited February 2011 in The bottom bracket
.. my bike (well, one of them) is now with me in London!

*result*

Now - to get out and properly ride, and thus be able to eat as much as I want.


:D

(by the way, anyone know the best places to ride to/from when based in Fulham?)
_

Comments

  • lateralus
    lateralus Posts: 309
    Richmond Park is pretty close.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    lateralus wrote:
    Richmond Park is pretty close.

    Indeed. Coming from the inbred country - how does riding around a park work?

    Are there cycle lanes there? How big is it? etc.
    _
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Good stuff, how long has it been since cough you were last in the saddle ?
  • mattsaw
    mattsaw Posts: 907
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    lateralus wrote:
    Richmond Park is pretty close.

    Indeed. Coming from the inbred country - how does riding around a park work?

    Are there cycle lanes there? How big is it? etc.

    There are huge flat roads around the perimiter as well as crisscrossing the partk, so it's open to traffic. There is a 20mph speed limit which seems to be seldom observed by bikes or cars, but people do tend to drive safely and give bikes a decent amount of room.

    The biggest danger is running in to stray deer or runners in the dark. - It is unlt, so if you're riding at night you will need some decent lights.
    Bianchi C2C - Ritte Bosberg - Cervelo R3
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  • mattsaw
    mattsaw Posts: 907
    Map here,

    parkcycle_map.gif

    The cycle paths tend to be tracks, so not ideal for road bikes so most tend to stick to the roads.
    Bianchi C2C - Ritte Bosberg - Cervelo R3
    Strava
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    Mattsaw wrote:
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    lateralus wrote:
    Richmond Park is pretty close.

    Indeed. Coming from the inbred country - how does riding around a park work?

    Are there cycle lanes there? How big is it? etc.

    There are huge flat roads around the perimiter as well as crisscrossing the partk, so it's open to traffic. There is a 20mph speed limit which seems to be seldom observed by bikes or cars, but people do tend to drive safely and give bikes a decent amount of room.

    The biggest danger is running in to stray deer or runners in the dark. - It is unlt, so if you're riding at night you will need some decent lights.

    20mph? Pfft, what's the point of going there then?!?! :P
    _
  • notsoblue
    notsoblue Posts: 5,756
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    20mph? Pfft, what's the point of going there then?!?! :P

    Cars usually obey the speed limit, and they're easily overtaken. Its a really nice ride to be honest, worth the ride out there from Fulham. Beware police speed traps for cyclists at the weekend though. A common route I used to take was:

    Fullham Palace Road -> Putney Bridge -> Lower Richmond Road -> Barnes -> Mortlake Station -> Sheen -> Entering RP at Sheen Gate, then doing a couple laps and leaving at sheen gate -> Mortlake Station then left at the roundabout to cross the river again at Chiswick Bridge -> Chiswick High Road -> Hammersmith -> Over Hammersmith Bridge through Castlenau -> Back on Lower Richmond Road and over Putney Bridge again.

    At least 20 miles, over nice roads (though not so much during rush hour) and taking in RP. The bits between Barnes and Mortlake, the A316 (Chiswick Bridge) and Hogarth Roundabout, and Hammersmith Bridge to LRR are great for picking up some speed.
    FCN 4 PX SL Pro SRAM Red
    FCN 8 Scott Sportster '05
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    notsoblue wrote:
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    20mph? Pfft, what's the point of going there then?!?! :P

    Cars usually obey the speed limit, and they're easily overtaken. Its a really nice ride to be honest, worth the ride out there from Fulham. Beware police speed traps for cyclists at the weekend though. A common route I used to take was:

    Fullham Palace Road -> Putney Bridge -> Lower Richmond Road -> Barnes -> Mortlake Station -> Sheen -> Entering RP at Sheen Gate, then doing a couple laps and leaving at sheen gate -> Mortlake Station then left at the roundabout to cross the river again at Chiswick Bridge -> Chiswick High Road -> Hammersmith -> Over Hammersmith Bridge through Castlenau -> Back on Lower Richmond Road and over Putney Bridge again.

    At least 20 miles, over nice roads (though not so much during rush hour) and taking in RP. The bits between Barnes and Mortlake, the A316 (Chiswick Bridge) and Hogarth Roundabout, and Hammersmith Bridge to LRR are great for picking up some speed.
    I shall look into that. I'd do all my cycling in the weekend for the next quarter or so.
    _
  • DCowling
    DCowling Posts: 769
    How long is a circuit of Richmond park, never been there so no idea how big it is
  • Monkeypump
    Monkeypump Posts: 1,528
    Richmond Park is a great ride, but can be frustrating if it's busy. Cars are generally courteous, but there are a few idiots. Although it's a park, it's also well-used route when the gates are open (not sure what the hours are).

    However, the 7-mile road loop is well used and is a nice ride. Take it as seriously as you think appropriate, but have a look here for current lap times:

    http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopi ... hmond+park

    Enjoy!
  • Monkeypump
    Monkeypump Posts: 1,528
    BTW, this time of year it's not too busy - in summer it's heaving.

    Also check (on the thread posted above) how much gravel is on the road and whether the cull is on.
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    Are there any other alternatives to Richmond Park in that kind of area?
    _
  • 2Phat4Rapha
    2Phat4Rapha Posts: 238
    Windsor's a popular ride.

    Enter Richmond Park through Roehampton gate and turn left for nice climb up Broomfield Hill and a sharp descent of Dark Hill. Exit Kingston gate and turn right immediately. Straight on, eventually through Kingston and over Kingston Bridge towards Hampton Court. Various ways from there but eg, stay on the south side of the river through Molesey and on to Walton-on-Thames. Through Shepperton to Chertsey, Thorp, Virginia Water. If you're early enough to miss the peds and dogs, nip through Virginia Water park and up through Windsor Great Park and then into Windsor. You will likely see other riders along the way if you want to pick up a wheel.

    Google Surrey hills / Box Hill for a bit further. Or check out the Olympic road course which is pretty much the same thing.
    I may be a minority of one but that doesn't prevent me from being right.
    http://www.dalynchi.com
  • notsoblue
    notsoblue Posts: 5,756
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Are there any other alternatives to Richmond Park in that kind of area?

    You could head to Box Hill. Not found the perfect route myself, always seem to end up on horrible roads around Surbiton/Epsom. But once you get to Epsom Racecourse and head into the downs its pretty nice, and Box is a nice destination.
    FCN 4 PX SL Pro SRAM Red
    FCN 8 Scott Sportster '05
  • Aggieboy
    Aggieboy Posts: 3,996
    Teabag - keep a look out for these threads in Sportives etc. Although they've had a change of 'team leader' and team members over the last few years, it's a nice ride out once it gets going again.

    PS. New RH downloadable from Sat' for £6 + various and more expensive alternatives.
    "There's a shortage of perfect breasts in this world, t'would be a pity to damage yours."
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    Cheers guys.
    _
  • finchy
    finchy Posts: 6,686
    Rick Chasey wrote:
    Are there any other alternatives to Richmond Park in that kind of area?

    There's always the train out of London.

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