Richmond Park – Inaugural road trip for Granty's new Pinarello and his Ruby slippers.

Richmond Park – 31/01/10

Distance: Approx 30 miles (poor but hey better than nothing)
Weather: Sunny, dry and very cold
The Ride: It was just a ride to spin the legs, so no heroics.

Well, firstly I am amazed I actually got out on the bike. The night before was spent with my cycling mates enjoying the delights of the HAGGIS and in true scots style the tastes of that amber nectar – whisky. Feeling somewhat bloated, even the morning after and a little worse for wear I pulled myself out of bed and stumbled around organizing my gear.

That in itself is a task – that age old question – what do I wear?

It was bloody cold  outside so I wrapped myself up (no, not in the duvet) though if I could have I would have done, and with my trusty gold and silver, Bettini Sidi shoes strapped to my feet I headed off to meet the boys at Vauxhall Station.

Setting off from Vauxhall Station we headed towards Clapham/Wandsworth, on through Putney and towards Richmond Park. Richmond Park is a great place to get some practice in, but beware the park does get full of motorists taking in a pleasant ride around and around and around the park, enjoying the beautiful surroundings and hopefully sniffing in all the exhaust fumes that they pump out.

I very nearly got knocked off by some knob driving too close while on his phone and at speed which is not my idea of fun. I did try to catch him up so I could give him a piece of my mind (free of charge), but he was going too fast the bastard.

Riders:

Big Smurf

Rides: Cannondale (CAAD 5 frame)

Wheels: Easton - EC70sl
Groupset: Campagnolo Record Carbon 10 speed

Yes, this is me – Always game for a laugh. My good friends, yes, friends kindly set up a nice jump for me to do on my mtb and like a good lad I duly obliged to show off my mtb skills by taking a nice run up, getting some speed and as I hit the ramp, ready to take some big air. Little did I know the ramp was a flimsy plastic strip that bent as soon as I hit it and instead of me and my bike getting air together, like some air-ballet, it was just me, as I hit the log full on. As I flew over the log my bike flew in the air and landed on top of me, much to the amusement of my ‘friends’.

Anyway, I was very aware of Granty and his red steed on my tail most of the way – he asked me if I was trying – cheeky buggar. 

Granty
Rides: Pinarello FP2 – carbon frame
Wheels: Token – carbon /alloy rims
Groupset: Campagnolo Veloce

It was his first ride on on his new steed – a vision in red. With his ‘there’s no place like home’ ruby slippers firmly ensconsed on his feet, I was half expecting to see Toto perched in a basket on the front of his bike. Needless to say there was no Toto and not even a wiff of the cowardly lion If I remember correctly it’s only the famous John Edwards that has a basket on his bike.

It was noticeable from the off that Granty was feeling confident on his red devil of a bike – no little red riding hood here. I am going to have to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn’t get much hill practice if I am going to keep ahead.

Inaki
Rides: Boardman- Ultralight unidirectional T700 carbon fibre monocoque
Wheels: Ritchey Pro rims with sealed bearing hub
Groupset: SRAM

My little Spanish friend – can never understand a word he says, but he is really nice. Of course I am teasing and he knows it. Qué?

He was wearing his Sidis as well – seriously I am not getting commission mmmmmm :))))) and he was complaining about his cold hands, so we ended up at Evans in Wandsworth so we could  get him some glove liners. He is a dark horse and very fast on the flat, but not having been on his bike much in last month or so he was feeling a little slower than normal. Also, he had been to Richmond the day before, so was probably not too keen on going there again. Hill climbing Is not something he likes too much and of course it is something I will take advantage of, as I know he can keep me on my toes on the flat.

Road cycling in Richmond Park
The road around the edge of Richmond Park is about 7 miles (11.25km) long and offers some good sharp climbs as well as some long gradual inclines. Additionally, there are two roads open to cyclists cutting through the middle of the park, past White Lodge.

If you cycle anti-clockwise around Richmond Park you will minimise stopping at the 5 mini-roundabouts by the gates. The main steeper hills in the park are Dark Hill and Broomfield Hill (in between Kingston and Robin Hood gates) and the long Sawyer's Hill between Sheen and Richmond gates which starts as a very gentle incline but gradually gets steeper and steeper resulting in a great workout.

Approximate profile of hills cycling anti-clockwise around the park from Richmond Gate.

 

I think the bird was startled by the shoes, though i cannot be sure.

www.richmondparklondon.co.uk

Map:

Food: Roehampton Café (Roehampton Gate)

Honey and fruity flapjack/ choclate muffin and millionaires shortbread (the latter two were eaten by inaki) mmmmmm slow on hills, wonder why??  2 x coffees and a tea

Tel: +44 (0)20 8876 7933
Location: Roehampton Gate car park
Open: 9am-5pm daily

Mechanicals: - Two punctures
Granty had one on way home
I had one but I only realized as we left the café and then realize di had the wrong tube :((((

Top Tips:  
Do not eat haggis the night before– talk about wind my goodness
Do not get home at 1am slightly drunk and expect to get up early
Remember that cyclists in Richmond Park are competitive
Remember to take the right size valve tube
Try not to be hypnotized by grants red sidi shoes

 

Don’t let Inaki fool you by thinking he is slow as no sooner you think he is nowhere to be seen he suddenly appears and blasts off into the distance.

Quotes of the day: – In reference, not reverence to Granty's Sidi shoes
"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore"
"There's no place like home. There's no place like home"