The Richmond Park 3-Lap Challenge

Kingston Gate too far out for finish. Closest to C.London gate would be best.

Provisionally in.

Sheen or Roehampton Gate?

Could be in. Roehampton is nearest, but shit for beer. Richmond gate probably works for the westies, I'm neutral.

I'm in for laps. Last time I did laps of RP I had a warm up for a first lap coming in at 20.56. Second lap I upped the effort a little and got 20.14. I had a quick first side of the the last lap so thought I'd give it a go at getting under an hour for the 3 laps. Felt pretty strong and it was all going well until the descent down to Robin Hood Gate where I got totally fucked by slow cars and no overtaking opportunities. Still, got in at under 19 mins so I thought I'd probably done it.

Got home, uploaded to Garmin, worked out the aggregate.

1 Hour 0 mins...........and 6 seconds.

Am I right in thinking the times given throughout this thread are all for tarmac laps? The comments about being stuck behind cars are a bit of a hint but you never know. I'm sure I've seen kids on push along cars pootling about the trails.

Does anyone do trail laps? The hard pack perimeter trail is longer at about 7.5 miles. I would interested to hear times for that version. Many moons ago I'm sure I used to be able to 20-25mins a lap. More recently 30-35mins is the best I can manage. The former was with gears whereas the latter is single speed but I'm wondering if it's really an age thing. You aren't allowed to go faster in minutes than your age in years...

Ive been doing between low 21's up to 23.00 or so,I go clockwise from roehampton gate on fixed....@ 48x18............Seems more sensible,and for sure more fun,to go that way ,then
you have Test Hill and a bit of a drag up to the Rich. cafe...problem is the long downhill bck
to Roe gate ..I cant spin up to more than about 27-28mph @fixed 48/18....but a bigger gear
will fuck me up Test......Fastest time this Summer 19.2mins at 2.00am on a very still night
,a lot depends on the wind eh?......

One of the grupetto boys was timed doing this in 48mins 26 secs on his road bike last night

I reckon Hippy needs a crack at this one in his skinsuit and pointy helmet

Oooh didn't know this was on here. I managed a 54.xx a few years back, when the new bikes done this'll be my pointless challenge. Don't stand a chance at cracking 50 minutes though.

yep.

step up hippo.

1:14ish for 4 laps Saturday.

Thats 18.5 mins/lap = 55.30 for 3

Coulda done a sub 50! lol

I'm pretty sure I could get around the 3 laps in 1:20 eventually. I would have to train to ride that far, of course. Bit mad to race down that hill, init??

hang on - is that clockwise or counter clockwise?

Good going Pigfarmer!
Anyone know what time the park is closing at mo? I think it's 1915. Enough time for a three-lap trammeling after work in the week.

The sign on the gate said 1915 closing :)
Just had a go for the first time in ages, could tell from the second I got there that it was going to be a slow one - really unpleasantly windy on the north side (was going anti-clockwise).
Standing start, from Sheen Gate mini roundabout, which was an error because it meant I had to finish on one last chunk of bastard headwind, and lap 2 was compromised by a police car doing exactly 20 when I wanted to be doing a little more... Too many excuses. Blah.

Total time 56:40
Lap 1: 18:40
Lap 2: 18:58
Lap 3: 19:02
Avg: 21.29mph

The sign on the gate said 1915 closing :)
Just had a go for the first time in ages, could tell from the second I got there that it was going to be a slow one - really unpleasantly windy on the north side (was going anti-clockwise).
Standing start, from Sheen Gate mini roundabout, which was an error because it meant I had to finish on one last chunk of bastard headwind, and lap 2 was compromised by a police car doing exactly 20 when I wanted to be doing a little more... Too many excuses. Blah.

Total time 56:40
Lap 1: 18:40
Lap 2: 18:58
Lap 3: 19:02
Avg: 21.29mph

Good work mate, especailly with windy conditions out in the park, it can get teribble up towards Sawyers sith that dastedly headwind.

Regards park opening times...

From past experience I don't believe there is any problem with cyclists being in at anytime. As far as it was in the past the only time the pedestrian gates (usable by cyclists) was closed at night is during the culling season, which is well and truely over. The gates only shut for vehicles...

(unless there have been some dramatic changes over the last year).

Early morning training rides in the park are pure win. When you've got the early mist in the fawning season is one of the most beautiful experiences. Wish I still lived so close by.

Is there any evidence on which way is easier? I've always prefered the clockwise route as (for me) this is slightly more challenging and fewer people do it so I'm overtaken less often :)

Anyone know which is quicker? And if so should there be a modification for route?

I prefer the negotiating the roundabouts/junctions anticlockwise, but today I think clockwise would have been much faster based on wind direction.

Is there any evidence on which way is easier? I've always prefered the clockwise route as (for me) this is slightly more challenging and fewer people do it so I'm overtaken less often :)

Anyone know which is quicker? And if so should there be a modification for route?

I prefer the negotiating the roundabouts/junctions anticlockwise

^ this.

It's considered safer to always ride anti-clockwise in the UK due to junctions/roundabouts, etc. And this is certainly the case for RP, bearing in mind the car parks.

Also regards quality of training in RP I've always thought anti better. If you consider the entire road from Priory Lane up to Richmond Gate is uphill (downhill clockwise) your getting a steadier train, whereas clockwise you have a short and steep by Robin Hood Gate (switchback) and then loads of downhill. The small stretch from Ham Gate up to Richmond Gate which I don't consider of any decent length or height to be considered anything but a slight incline from flat.

Hence, better overall quality of training, unless of course you want to hill climb in which case you should come visit north London and do Swains Lane laps (a la Death TT) or go down to the Surrey Hills.

Good going Pigfarmer!
Anyone know what time the park is closing at mo? I think it's 1915. Enough time for a three-lap trammeling after work in the week.

Park never really closes......Closed to cars of course,but side gates open....all manner
of loony's in there in the summer.....best time for Lap trials...middle of night....no cars
...no wind.............maximum buzz in the dark....watch out for dear.....my mate came
within inches of T-boning one last year.....

Anyone been out there in the last few days? These strong winds are putting me off. Must be pretty bad out there.

Anyone been out there in the last few days? These strong winds are putting me off. Must be pretty bad out there.

I was there on Saturday morning. Yes it's windy, but it's a circle, so whatever it costs you on one side, you get back on the other.

Profound.

ascent = descent - t'either way round you go. personally I prefer to mix em up.

Some parts of the circle are more exposed than other parts.. #twilightzone

Ever wondered exactly how fast pros could go round? David Millar did a 13:35 anti lap this morning :|