London to Windsor

[Mystique]

Hi Peeps,

Whilst on a very pleasant morning ride yesterday I happened to come accross a fair sized bicycle entourage (over 100 cyclists) which was whizzing through Roydon and I had to stop to give way to them and wait for a large gap so that I could continue. Anyhoo, I spotted a steward there who was doing what stewards do and directing the flow of cyclists and I spotted he was wearing a Hi-Vis which had a "Bike Events" logo on it.

Soooo, when I got home I did a quick search and found the website and discovered that yesterday Bike Events had organised a ride from London to Cambridge and after seeing this it gave me an idea to have a go myself. I have now managed to talk a mate (he was with me on the ride yesterday) into taking part in the London to Windsor ride on the 5th Sept and it's in aid of the BHF which is always good.

However, I need to get to Richmond Tube station from Harlow and I will be relying (ideally) on the London Underground to get there. I know this maybe a stupid question but is it ok to take bicycles on the underground? If so how is the logisitcs of the escalators bypassed?

Cheers,
Mark

 

[palinurus]

Bicycles (non-folding) are allowed on some of the network (see here).

I haven't done this but I think the Thames Clipper service has some bike spaces- ride from Liverpool st down to the river and use the service to get you close to Richmond perhaps?

Or you could just ride from Liverpool st. to Richmond.

 

[Rebel Ian]

I've done the London to Windsor BHF ride - it's ok. Taking bikes on the train is not the issue - it's whether they'll be running early enough. I think most BHF rides are Sundays and you'll find that tube availability is very limited early on a Sunday.

I signed up for the Palace to Palace ride (Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle) a couple of years ago and realised the evening before that I couldn't get a train to get me to the start in time. Liverpool Street to Richmond is do-able (9 miles) but again check train times into Liverpool Street. I was amazed at how difficult it is to use public transport early on a Sunday.

 

[Mystique]

Bicycles (non-folding) are allowed on some of the network (see here).

I haven't done this but I think the Thames Clipper service has some bike spaces- ride from Liverpool st down to the river and use the service to get you close to Richmond perhaps?

Or you could just ride from Liverpool st. to Richmond.

Thanks a lot for the very useful info Pali, that's exactly what I was after.

I will prob get a train to Liverpool St and use the underground from there to get to Richmond.

 

[Mystique]

I've done the London to Windsor BHF ride - it's ok. Taking bikes on the train is not the issue - it's whether they'll be running early enough. I think most BHF rides are Sundays and you'll find that tube availability is very limited early on a Sunday.

I signed up for the Palace to Palace ride (Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle) a couple of years ago and realised the evening before that I couldn't get a train to get me to the start in time. Liverpool Street to Richmond is do-able (9 miles) but again check train times into Liverpool Street. I was amazed at how difficult it is to use public transport early on a Sunday.

Duly noted Ian.

Fortunately the start time for the ride is between 9 and 10.30 so if necessary I shouldn't need to leave that early although I will double check the timetables beforehand.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[Rebel Ian]

The other thing to note is that they take you down some gravel paths alongside the river. To me that's off-roading! If you have very soft ultra slick tyres on a road bike I don't think it's the ideal route. It's a good fun ride anyway and a fairly sedate pace for most people.

 

[jimboalee]

This event is organisd by Bike Events.

This is from the British Heart Foundation website. ->

"Do I have to raise sponsorship?
The BHF will not receive any of your entry fee so we urge you to raise as much sponsorship as possible to truly support the BHF and save lives in 2010. The BHF is the nation’s heart charity, dedicated to saving lives through pioneering research, patient care, campaigning for change and by providing vital equipment and information. We rely on donations of time and money to continue our life-saving work. For some fundraising tips please have a look at www.bhf.org.uk/frtoptips. "

 

[jimboalee]

I'm going on the British Heart Foundation ride at Stoneleigh Nr Coventry.

The £10 entry fee goes directly to BHF because they organise the event.

Sponsorship is a different thing.

BHF will send me an entry pack which contains sponsor forms. I could print out my own Marie Curie sponsor forms and give my family, friends and colleagues the choice of charity to contribute towards.

Knowing my works colleagues, they will say " 50 miles is a bit easy for you Jimbo, go round three times and well give you a pound a lap".

 

[jimboalee]

I remember going on the Birmingham to Oxford ride back in the nineties, about 1994.

I paid my fiver and got a number.

At The Brailes, the local Women's Institute had made cakes, buns and fruit pies for the riders.

The kind lady looking after the Genoa cake handed me a big slice. I reached in my pocket for some cash and she told me it was free to riders who had this year's number. Apparently, a lot of the riders had last year's number or no number at all.

That's Brummies for you.

 

[ianrauk]

Unless your bike is a folder the powers that be will not allow you on the Underground at Liverpool Street.
It's really not that far a cycle ride to Richmond and on Sunday morning there will be very little traffic.
London on a Sunday morning is a great for a cycle ride.

 

[tmcd35]

I've done a couple of Bike Events and they are pretty well organised and sign posted for the most part. They're quiet enjoyable, have fun and good luck!

As for the train, whenever I go to London I train to the out skirts Romford/Barking and cycle in. In your case I'd train to Liverpool Street and cycle out to Richmond, I'm sure it's not that far.

 

[Norm]

I remember going on the Birmingham to Oxford ride back in the nineties, about 1994.

Hee hee That's funny, I did it the same year.

 

[palinurus]

If you need to travel early on a Sunday morning then riding from Liverpool street should be pretty pleasant.

 

[trj977]

Or as an alternative, cycle from Liverpool St to Waterloo then SWT service to Richmond, or Twickenham which is very near and better served.
There is also the North London Line which may link with one of the stations you go through on the way to Liverpool St? I don't ever use this line so know little about it but it may be worth investigating.

 

[lolly]

I rode with friends from Richmond to Windsor this weekend (just fun, not organised event). If you can get to Waterloo its easy and cheap to get the train to Richmond. Cycling across London is not too scary early on a weekend morning.
Many of the Bike Events do offer coach transport for you & bike to the start for an extra fee....should be info in your entry pack. Its a lovely ride, and the atmosphere should be great. Keep an eye out for green parrots (not joking!)