Training Routes out of North/East Croydon

[Sarah_M]

Hi all
Thanks so much for the advise on training methods etc. This question is about routes. I am unfamiliar with the ACC route areas at the moment and am wondering if anyone can recommend some roads/routes on the Addiscombe/Shirley/Bromley/Crystal Palace side of Croydon. I am looking for good long ride routes and some roads and routes safe enough to get the speed up for tempo rides and intervals etc.
Thanks again
Sarah

[Ivor]

I'd suggest heading out south eastish and doing a big loop down towards westerham.
You should be out of the built up area pretty quickly and there's some nice quiet open roads down that way and ahem one or two little hills.

[Ivor]

Something like that:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en ... =UTF8&z=13

[Sarah_M]

Thanks Orv

[Andrew G]

I'd also suggest heading out in similar directions to that above.

Nearly all my non-CR cycling is out this way so I know quite a few routes in the locale, nice lanes, not much traffic. They can easily be linked, reversed, or slightly modified to mix things up.

I'll map a few out and then put them in a new "Route maps" post stickied in the General section. I thought of doing this anyway as it doesn't take long and then anyone can add to it with their routes. We could build up a useful list for people who don't know their way around so well, or certain areas.

As a guide what sort of distances would you be after and I'll look at those first?

Also if you can't always make CRs then quite a few of us do Sunday rides as well. If you stick a "Who's about" post in the General section then it's a good way to meet up for other rides as you never know who also has the day off work.

[Ivor]

[quote="Andrew G"]Nearly all my non-CR cycling is out this way so I know quite a few routes in the locale, nice lanes, not much traffic. They can easily be linked, reversed, or slightly modified to mix things up.

[Sarah_M]

Thanks Andrew Ideally, I would do routes ranging between 15-18 for hour rides and and 40 or so for 2 hours. Maybe some longer ones for half day rides.
I can't get out on Sunday mornings either but later in the Summer when Paul starts performances rather than rehearsals I will be able to get out some Saturdays. I do, however, have a pass for tomorrow evening

[Marky Mark]

Bloody hell orv, I've just seen your suggested route,

Are you trying to kill the poor young lady?

[quote="Marky Mark"]Bloody hell orv, I've just seen your suggested route,
Are you trying to kill the poor young lady?

[quote="orv"][quote="Marky Mark"]Bloody hell orv, I've just seen your suggested route,
Are you trying to kill the poor young lady?

[Andrew G]

I'll try and get a few sorted tonight, wait until you see a couple of them Mark .

[Andrew G]

Started anyway, put it as a Sticky.
The first couple on there make good loops Sarah if you don't want a hilly ride, although they aren't completely flat obviously. Good for varying as you can have an easy spin on them, or there are a number of places where you can really hammer it for a bit of an interval type workout thingy.
The killer is exactly that, the 50 mile modified one is tough but not murderously so and a nice one if you want something hilly.

[Sarah_M]

Thanks heaps Andrew

I didn't get to go out on Sunday to try Orv's route as I managed to snap my tube valve trying to top it up and spent ages getting the tyre back on to find the new tube leaked!!! Will check before I use a tube in future! I ended up having to do an hour on the TT instead by the time I had sorted it out (off to get a track pump tomorrow). I am doing the long run out on Wednesday now.

Sarah

[Matt Robbins]

Sarah,

I see you mentioned a) North of Croydon and b) Shorter rides for tempo work....


In which case it might be worth giving the roads around Crystal Palace a try...a good training loop is Sydenham Hill, Left down to South Circ (don't worry too much about traffic, esp early weekends it's fine), then left onto our very own Mountain Toll Road...aka College Road leading into Fountain Drive...then go really hard up this more or less traffic free hill...and repeat...

You can also join the A2199 Dulwich Wood Park leading from the Gypsy Hill roundabout up to Crystal Palace parade if you need variety...

The other good thing about these roads is you will meet plenty of other like-minded souls/idiots doing the same thing...you might even meet some of the people that hang around here...

Matt.

[Sarah_M]

Thanks Matt,
Marco mentioned that one on Saturday. I am definately going to explore those suggestions. I'm getting bored on the TT!
Sarah