London Loop

So who wants to lead CM onto the N. Circular one month?

Heh, I've done that (sort of)--but quite a few years ago, in 1995. I was living in Belsize Park at the time and joined the A406 North Circular Road at Finchley. I did it during the daytime, though, in nice weather, outside the peak hour, and in those days the traffic wasn't too heavy. Nice dragstrip all throughout East London, although I didn't like the section between Edmonton and Woodford much.

Then, not knowing London very well yet at the time, I spent ages trying to work out how to cross the river. I think it took me the best part of two hours riding around that area to find the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. I got even more lost in South London and I think for most of the way I didn't actually ride on the South Circular itself.

I picked it up again from Clapham and got back on the North CIrcular with no drama. By then, I remember feeling quite bored and just wanting to get home, for which purpose, as luck would have it, the A406 was very quick. Back to Finchley and back down the Finchley Road. By the time I got home, it was getting dark.

I haven't lived close to either of the Circular Roads for a long time and haven't had much occasion to use them, but people who do have told me that conditions have got worse and worse over the years.

Tonight?

Tonight?

On a friday night?! This is even more crazy than on a normal weekday night!

Not something I planned on doing again, Owen, but if yr wanting to do it this eve, I could be coaxed...

that is london loopy

Terrifying, uninspiring, dangerous.

The same when you are in a car... On a bike it's suicidal

Mrs S rode Ealing to Welwyn mostly up the Norf Circ. Not to be recommended, at all, ever, under any circumstances- especially not the raised section- there's just nowhere to go.

Did it on a Christmas day a few years ago, it wasn't as quiet as I'd hoped but not as mad as yours...
Kudos Dude.

when knightlancer does pressups, he stays still and the earth goes down.

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

+1

At 50 plus I think of life as to short to not make a challenge a thing of beauty but in my youth I too was drawn to the prosaic and had some great rides. So good on you for making it and telling us about it.

when knightlancer does pressups, he stays still and the earth goes down.

Coffee out of nose, on keyboard.

knightlancer can slam a revolving door.

Coffee out of nose, on keyboard. ++1, sorry if you can't type later...

My version of this ride was to go through the old Callahan tunnel in Boston (not Lincs.) on the track bike 25 years ago. Its about 3/4 of a mile and I drafted a truck and was so high on fumes at the toll booth that the cop who tried to stop me looked like mickey mouse and I was laughing hysterically as I dodged around him. The rest of the 25 mile ride was on shit highways, I was trying to get north asap and the bridge added 1 hour to the ride. It was a great experience and I may be the only one to have done it but like the above I wouldn't recomend it.

I used the North Circular to get back after a concert. Late night, drunk, post Wembley traffic, terrifying. Was planning to go as far as the A1 turn-off but bottled it at Brent Cross and headed for the side roads.

Most important lesson from that evening; Don't go see Coldplay, they're shit.