NCN21 to Greenwich

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benb

Evidence based cyclist
Location
Epsom
Yesterday me and a mate did the NCN21 to Greenwich and back, inspired by an article in the latest Cycling Active.
http://www.endomondo...uts/grmKDOE2T7I

My advice?
  • Don't do it after it has recently rained - it was very muddy in sections
  • Plot the route in a GPS - the signage is terrible in places
  • You'll need a tough hybrid at least, or a MTB. Very off road over much of the route, extremely steep and over loose stones. Be prepared to walk some of it.
  • It's tough - I found it a lot more tiring than the 60 miles charity ride to Hove we did recently
For all that it was really good fun.
 

gaz

Cycle Camera TV
Location
South Croydon
Cycling routes suck, stick to the main roads (where possible)
 

ianrauk

Tattooed Beat Messiah
Location
Rides Ti2
I have done the route in the other direction from Greenwich. Trying to get as far as we can. Put it this way.. it's not for road bikes that's for sure. Furthest we got was East Grindstead. It's not a great route.
 
If you are down that way and choose the road option be careful noticed a few ghost bikes popping up sad reminder
 

deptfordmarmoset

Full time tea drinker
Location
Armonmy Way
NCN21 straight ahead....

cyclestreets19019-size640.jpg
 
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benb

benb

Evidence based cyclist
Location
Epsom
Cycling routes suck, stick to the main roads (where possible)

I enjoyed it - it was a good challenge.

I knew it was going to have some off road sections, so took my hybrid. It was a lot tougher than I was expecting though.
 

GrumpyGregry

Here for rides.
I enjoyed it - it was a good challenge.

I knew it was going to have some off road sections, so took my hybrid. It was a lot tougher than I was expecting though.

What tyres were on the hybrid? I fancy a go on the mtb but not with the knobblies it has got on at the moment, they'd have no knobs left by the end.
 
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benb

benb

Evidence based cyclist
Location
Epsom
What tyres were on the hybrid? I fancy a go on the mtb but not with the knobblies it has got on at the moment, they'd have no knobs left by the end.

I had Schwalbe Marathon+ which were fine. Could have done with a bit more grip in places, but once we got into the city I was glad I didn't have anything too knobbly.
 

dellzeqq

pre-talced and mighty
Location
SW2
almost ten hours for 61 miles, Ben! Is this a PW?
 
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benb

benb

Evidence based cyclist
Location
Epsom
almost ten hours for 61 miles, Ben! Is this a PW?

We had a break at Greenwich to look round the park and the meridian and have lunch, so actual moving time was 6 hours. I preferred to keep it as one workout rather than two.

Given the conditions, I'm happy with 6 hours.
 

Furkz

Über Member
ive done this was schwalbe kojak badboy fatty slicks and fine. but it would be scary with the 700c rubber
 
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