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.

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

I'd have just settled for fucking stupid!

well done for being motivated to do a 67m ride at 8pm, even if it was shit

your next goal should be the M25 I reckon!...loon

Out of interest how old are you?
Have you ever been around the N.Circular before (in any mode of transport)?
Did you not think even patialy round that it was incredibly dangerous and maybe take another route?

I try and avoid the N. Circular in my car, let alone a bike. Ballsy!

Crazy idea!

Also the north circular end up at the Woolwich Ferry not the Blackwall Tunnel so if you are going to do it properly you have to keep on going round further than the BWT.

I like this guy's style

Briliant, my hat is off to you sir. I believe it is a good idea to, on occasion, do deeply unpleasant things. My version of this is is to ensure that I eat MacDonalds at least once a year.

Nice, bit mad. But nice.

What were you riding?*
Pics*?

I thought about this a while ago but decided not to. If anything I'd wait til I have a roadie with huuuge GI.

Have you ever been around the N.Circular before (in any mode of transport)?
Did you not think even patialy round that it was incredibly dangerous and maybe take another route?

Not really familiar wi N Circ - haven't been in Ldn that long, thought it'd be like an extension of the S Circ. Yes, realised it was pretty ghastly, but once you're committed, you're committed.

Riding a well lit Kona Paddy wagon, no pics, sorry. Couldn't do Woolwich Ferry as it doesn't run past 8pm, never mind midnight! Altho did stop in Woolwich to order a well-deserved pizza on the way home.

Finished with a puncture, when the tube valve failed and the spring came right thru my Gatorskin - wtf?

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.

Why didn't you just use the Woolwich foot tunnel instead?

This is Genius if ill advised. Cycling on the North Circ = very silly. Hats off for getting through it

Why didn't you just use the Woolwich foot tunnel instead?

I had no idea it existed till you posted that - coulda saved me a good few miles, that could. Dammit.

bonkers!

HTFU, no wait....no need.

Altho did stop in Woolwich to order a well-deserved pizza on the way home.

but the foot tunnel is just like the Greenwich one.

It's relatively OK until the A1 junction, that A1 junction is carnage at the best of times, I can't imagine riding it at night in the rain! After that there's that long slog uphill through the tunnel followed by miles and miles of dual carriageways. Did you ride all along the bit of the A406 that has junctions with A12/M11 etc? If so, fuck me is all I can say, people don't hang about on those roads.

Did you ride all along the bit of the A406 that has junctions with A12/M11 etc? If so, fuck me is all I can say, people don't hang about on those roads.

True. Most of that dual carriageway is 40 mph or 50 mph speed limit, but in reality it's more like 50 - 70 mph. A lot like the dual carriageway outside my flat is 30 mph but it's usually driven at 40 + mph.

I've seen a lot worse than 70 on that stretch. I used to go to the Ace Cafe regularly when I had my classic Mini and I used to convoy with some guys from Essex. They were very stereotypically Essex and their Minis were big turbo cars with big horsepower and big flames. They've seen 100+ on those stretches of the A406, and they're somewhat lacking in the brake (and common sense) department.

It's relatively OK until the A1 junction, that A1 junction is carnage at the best of times, I can't imagine riding it at night in the rain! After that there's that long slog uphill through the tunnel followed by miles and miles of dual carriageways. Did you ride all along the bit of the A406 that has junctions with A12/M11 etc? If so, fuck me is all I can say, people don't hang about on those roads.

Yeah, tose bits were the nadir. The first few miles weren't too bad up to about level with Kilburn, the M1 turn-off was closed as there was an accident with a car transporter and a bin lorry, so a lot of traffic didn't turn off, but some stretches were very quiet, in fairness. Stayed on A406 the full way till about Ilford.

I've seen a lot worse than 70 on that stretch. I used to go to the Ace Cafe regularly when I had my classic Mini and I used to convoy with some guys from Essex. They were very stereotypically Essex and their Minis were big turbo cars with big horsepower and big flames. They've seen 100+ on those stretches of the A406, and they're somewhat lacking in the brake (and common sense) department.

I don't doubt it, I just meant more "average speed" or 90% of people fall into that speed range rather than upper limit.

Yeah, I get what you mean now. Agree 100%

I think if you got off at Ilford then you missed the lairiest parts of the A406, I still think you're crazy.

I can't believe you did this. The North Circular, every single stinking, fume filled mile, is an absolute no go zone for cycles. But you know that now I guess :)