Olympic Velodrome again

[PeterR]

Hola ciclistas!
How are all you getting to the velodrome?
Some options/Ideas:
1. Cycle
I have cycled there from Beckenham once before, I think it took about 90 minutes going down the river Ravensbourne path, through the Greenwich foot tunnel, round the Isle of Dogs and then along the canal/river paths, but I was finding my way once I got to "norf lundun", so it could probably be done in a bit less time. Also from what I recall the canal path wasn't too good in places, so it might be better to just stick to the roads once across the river.
2. Overground/DLR to Stratford
As far as I can see, there are no restrictions on taking bikes on Saturdays on either the Overground or the DLR. So I could get the Overground and DLR to Stratford and cycle from there. This would probably take about an hour, depending on which Overground station you start from.
3. Cycle to Lewisham (or Greenwich) then DLR to Stratford
Avoids sense of panic felt by "Sarf lunduners" when cycling north of the river
Any thoughts?
Regards
Peter R

[Mknovell]

There is major disruption to services on the London Bridge line and London Bridge itself starting on Satruday so plan your journey carefiully

https://www.tfl.gov.uk/travel-informati ... 014-travel

Regards

Murray

[Bridget]

I find the easiest thing to do if there's no trains to London Bridge (which there frequently aren't on Sundays) is to change at Clapham Junction for Waterloo, then get on the Jubillee line two stops earlier. It doesnt' really take much longer than going via London Bridge.

Overground from West Croydon, then change onto Jubilee at Canada Water is slightly quicker

It's an easy 20 minute walk from Stratford to the velodrome. I wouldn't bother taking a bike on the train unless it's a folding one.

[PeterR]

[quote="Bridget"]I find the easiest thing to do if there's no trains to London Bridge (which there frequently aren't on Sundays) .........

[PeterR]

As the squash match I had fixed up for today was cancelled, I decided to take a ride up to the Velodrome just out of interest. As I expected it took about 75 minutes (90 minutes elapsed).

[url]http://www.strava.com/activities/229946923[/url]

The ride to the South side of the Greenwich foot tunnel took about 33 minutes. North of the Isle of Dogs I took the canal towpaths. These are quite a good surface in most places and you could take a road bike on them for all but a few very short patches, unless you are very picky.

However they are quite narrow in parts and watch out for the granite ridges on the towpath under one of the road bridges, (presumably originally to give horses a grip) these are not obvious if you approach quickly as they are in the shade of the bridge and they will throw you off if you hit them at high speed.

The whole cycle path system on and near the Olympic site seemed to be a complete mess, with poor signage and lots of closures, perhaps it is OK if you know it? Anyway, on Saturday I think I am probably going to take the Overground and DLR and leave my bike at home.
Regards
Peter

[Bridget]

[quote]Just for the avoidance of any confusion, the Velodrome session is on SATURDAY 20th.

[jon avery]

Anybody getting the train from West Croydon?

[Steve Rigby]

Phil says he is driving - anyone else done the car journey?

[Phil H]

I'm driving because I'm bringing Joyce (judge and timekeeper), race numbers and stuff. The parking can be a little uncertain though.

[Ant]

Hi Phil

I was planning on driving from Lewisham. Had a look at their website and it seems to indicate parking could be a problem. Would you advise coming by bike - (am assuming there is secure bike parking) or public transport?

Shame they can't have ample parking like Cyclopark does. Typical London though, I suppose.

Cheers,
Ant

[Phil H]

There is some parking which is normally OK when there's not an event on. Re bikes: I have seen people take them into the middle of the track - which is pretty secure.

[Ant]

Thanks Phil

See you on Sat!

[Bridget]

I've not seen people taking bikes into the track centre except to warm up on before a race. They seem to leave them on a rack indoors, next to the reception area (unlocked I think) or just on normal bike racks outside.

I think Dad and I are driving as dad is bringing his bike and it's quicker than public transport.

If anyone's bringing their own track bike, note that there is some guidance on their website (under T&Cs) as to what you can and can't have on it, e.g. you can't have a spare sprocket on the other side of the hub

[Andrew G]

That spare sprocket reg is nuts as there no way it could cause any damage to anything and makes life more awkward for people to switch between a sprint and a pursuit or scratch gear.

[Bridget]

Well, I'm just pointing it out in case someone needs to remove one to ride their bike tomorrow. I don't think anyone is going to need to change their gears in our tomorrow club session, particularly since most people will be on hire bikes.