Richmond Park vs 1948 Olympic road route

iPete

Thanks to Strava I came across the 1948 Olympic road race loop up the road which puts me in a predicament, I like this new loop and I like Richmond park but which one is better? There's only one way to find out...

1948 Windsor road race http://app.strava.com/segments/874186
7.1mi
Roads: A short stint on the public lanes with the majority in the park on buttery smooth tarmac, a little bumpy in places and be careful for one or two areas with a thin layer of gravel. There are plenty of additional routes and plenty of nice roads around the park.

Vehicles: Next to none but do expect to slow for horses, walkers, wags, joggers etc. as they also share the road. Don't go here at peak times expecting to put the power down, there are also gates you have to stop for. It is bliss during the week, super quiet.

Cake: Not much in the way of café but do cycle up the grass hill and have a cake stop at the Iron Horse.

Richmond Park http://app.strava.com/segments/1117004
6.8mi
Roads: Consistent. Away from the park its London traffic in all directions.

Vehicles: Loads of cars during rush hour but plenty of other riders, a nice rider atmosphere and plenty of challengers. Excellent at night when closed to cars. Not sure about Windsor's opening times.

Cake: Seemingly on every corner.

The winner?
Depends what mood your in, on a sunny day doing a moderate pace or a quiet ride with the kids at the weekend; Windsor. Doing 2+ loops and RP tends to keep your attention for longer.

Took me a while to get on the horse!



Yes I know, the bar tape is messy!

Oh and come get my KOM on the route to the park.. http://app.strava.com/rides/5794865#110416025 8)

clarkey cat

Take the little man on the back around Windsor but wouldnt at RP - too likely to get boshed off by a weekend warrior.

roger_merriman

I really should get out to windsor park, RP though close does annoy with the other cyclists being such tools

rick_chasey

It's quite difficult to be a tool in Richmond park isn't it?

veronese68

Amazing how many people find it incredibly easy. Some cyclists, pedestrians and drivers. I avoid RP like the plague when it's going to be busy. Shame as it's only a couple of minutes away.

rick_chasey

Veronese68 wrote:

Amazing how many people find it incredibly easy. Some cyclists, pedestrians and drivers. I avoid RP like the plague when it's going to be busy. Shame as it's only a couple of minutes away.

Oh dear - maybe I am one of those tools! What do people do?

roger_merriman

Rick Chasey wrote:

It's quite difficult to be a tool in Richmond park isn't it?

Not really cars don't overtake so close I can touch them, two MAMIL's inched past on the drag up to Richmond, fair enough but they where close enough I could of changed their gears for them...and then slotted a few inches ahead..

okgo

Windsor park does have a farm shop in it, its great. Run by a mod type guy! We always stop there when doing that route.

However the surface in there is a bit sharp I find, and the ride out there isn't that nice either. Having said that I'd rather cut my legs off than ride in Richmond Park for fun at a busy time, its dull.

So many nice routes in surrey with little traffic that I would always go out there

Jez mon

IIRC Windsor park does have an OK cafe at the Savil gardens, 5+ years since I've been now though! Main issue I find with it, is getting to the park, which generally involves rather fast single carriageway roads, and generally doesn't make for pleasant riding, when compared with many of the roads in the general area. Then once you get to the park, (if you're visiting on a weekend) there are often peds all over the roads!

iPete

Need to be better at hunting cake! certainly plenty of nice pubs, should have popped into Savil gardens for supplies. Think I need to join a chain gang to find some more routes in the area!

I'll agree that the park isn't ideal to get too, luckily a bit of local knowledge makes it easier and I had my boyracer/drive like a twat days in the lanes so know what roads are best avoided! my 2 year old son [lie] drew you some pretty pictures to help..

Avoid the A30 by-pass like the plague, you may hit some lights but going through Egham isn't so bad.


Avoid the A329, its national speed limit and driven quickly that's very dark, shaded and narrow with blind spots.

WisePranker

Another optioin to avoid the A30 altogether is to go through Egham then at the roundabout at the end of the bypass, go straight ahead and up Tite Hill. At the top, turn right then at the mini-roundabout follow the signs for Saville Garden.
This brings you into the park part way round the Olympic Route but it's easy enough to follow it to the start of the segment.

hstiles

Richmond Park is D*ckhead central at weekends. I have no problem whatsoever with fat people sequeezing themselves into lycra and plodding round the park at weekends. Everyone has to start somewhere.

However, riding round the park, 2 abreast, on a couple of Brand new 3K Specialized Roubaix, at around 12mph whilst shouting 'w*nker' at every driver or cyclist that has the temerity to overtake isn 't exactly sporting.