London Loop

On weds night, I thought of a little cycling challenge, and went out to do it - looping central Ldn by the S Circular and N Circular. Don't know if this is something many people have done, but it's there if you fancy it.

Started at 8pm, joining A205 SC at Eltham. Raining and dark, but that's not too much of a problem in SE Ldn, roads are quiet, and the biggest issue is people coming out of side roads without looking.

After about 25 miles, crossed Kew Bridge to the N Circ at 10pm, and it immediately started getting tricky. 3 lanes the whole way, lots of on and off ramps, rain still coming down in Biblical doses. Late night means less traffic, but with continued heacy rain, faster traffic, tireder drivers and drunker passengers leaning out to give their critical opinion of your cycling, it was very deeply unpleasant. Lots of near misses (yes, Royal Mail are the worst kind of homicidal cunts), blaring horns, glass-filled gutters and potholes.

From around Ilford, it got a lot easier, as there were tailbacks, so could just sail between the stationary traffic. However, couldn't do the full loop as Blackwall Tunnel s'bound is closed at night, so had to cut off to Isle of Dogs and the Greenwich Foot Tunnel.

Overall, about 67 miles including ride to join S Circ, took 4hr 15m.** Terrifying, uninspiring, dangerous.**

To do the challenge properly, you'd have to ignore all the bits where bikes are banned, including Blackwall Tunnell (I managed most of the 'no bike' bits, and they weren't really any worse than the rest of the N Circ).

I recommend you don't do it, it's not nice.

I could have probably told you that before you did it.. :P