Spotted...

I think I just do it too early.

Sometimes I do Hammersmith > High St Kensington > Hyde Park Corner, and sometimes I do Shepherds Bush > Notting Hill > Marble Arch.

I never see anyone either way.

Except for that one time I took a detour and was running late, then I saw hippy. That was about 9 months ago.

You're trying too hard. You just have to relax and it will happen. ;o)