Night Cycling!

[Arch]

I saw a lad tonight on the road with a weak green front light and an ok red rear light on the seatpost - although the rear light was only illuminating the groin of his mate, riding on the rack....

 

[martint235]

Best to try RP first thing on a Saturday morning...there's a nice friendly peloton that trundles around - about 9am or so. You'll recognise them by their 'London centric' attire. Just join in, say hi and break out the fig rolls...they might come across as a tad reserved but take no notice. They love it when you steam past them too.

You're a bad person 'teef. Where have you been?

 

[Trail Child]

I work mainly night shifts and commute. I am just more aware and make 100% sure all drivers know where I am and what I am doing. If I'm not sure drivers know this, I wait until they pass and try again. Lots of lights, reflectors, hi-viz jacket. I also love riding at night.

 

[Sittingduck]

Yes, but it's absolute magic with nobody else but your own deer friends after dark. Probably not the time to go for a personal best lap time.

You might have told me that before I tried it Today!

Even with 2 decent lights it's a bit hairy when you can just make out shadowy shapes in the darkness, fairly close to the verge. Even worse are the couple of random people who seem to think walking along the road on the same side as moving bikes, in the pitch black, wearing dark clothing is a good idea. No idea why they don't walk along the path adjacent to the road

 

[Sittingduck]

Important thing to note: Richmond park is open to cyclists/walkers 24 hours a day except during February and November-ish - the park is closed at night for about 6 weeks each time for deer cull*. The closing details are not listed on Royal Parks website (the last time I looked) and the people who man the phones** don't know anything that's not on the website. ie they don't know the normal hours only apply to cars, and therefore have no idea about the shorter hours. The only way I know to find out is to read the signs on the gate.

Does anyone know if it is closed now?

*I was at Windsor Farm Shop on Saturday, and they were selling "Royal Park venison", so you know where it ends up.

** a couple of years ago, I rang the Royal Parks phone number, and found they were idiots, so rang Richmond Park direct, and got good answers. A short while later I rang Richmond Park and it diverted to the Royal Parks idiots.

Ped gates are closed at 8pm, currently

 

[TheLondonCyclist]

Lol. We should enforce a rule for pedestrians to wear lights when none are about haha

 

[TheLondonCyclist]

Ped gates are closed at 8pm, currently

Thanks for that. That's a bit early, aye?

 

[Sittingduck]

It's because of the Deer cull. I'm not sure how rigid they are in enforcing it but I have made sure I am damn well out of the park, prior to 8pm. Don't fancy being locked in there when they break out the shotguns! The signs on the gates certainly say 8pm, though.

 

[slowmotion]

Best to try RP first thing on a Saturday morning...there's a nice friendly peloton that trundles around - about 9am or so. You'll recognise them by their 'London centric' attire. Just join in, say hi and break out the fig rolls...they might come across as a tad reserved but take no notice. They love it when you steam past them too.

Excellent! Try drafting the guy at the front too. His friends will welcome the company.

 

[martint235]

Excellent! Try drafting the guy at the front too. His friends will welcome the company.

You're encouraging him. It's really not the best policy.

 

[Spartak]

Had a 'heated discussion' with a taxi driver on my commute home.
One of his lines was that WE - I think he meant cyclists own the roads !

............ IF ONLY

 

[TheLondonCyclist]

Had a 'heated discussion' with a taxi driver on my commute home.
One of his lines was that WE - I think he meant cyclists own the roads !

............ IF ONLY

Seeing as the smooth roads were built for cyclists, I kind of think the roads are meant for cyclists more. Just because loads of cars have been made over the years, doesn't give them the right to destroy our nice roads and countryside.

 

[jefmcg]

It's because of the Deer cull. I'm not sure how rigid they are in enforcing it but I have made sure I am damn well out of the park, prior to 8pm. Don't fancy being locked in there when they break out the shotguns! The signs on the gates certainly say 8pm, though.

I've been locked in once, but I didn't get shot. I did, however, have to stand around in the cold for a long time waiting for them to come and let me out after I called them.

 

[BrumJim]

It's because of the Deer cull. I'm not sure how rigid they are in enforcing it but I have made sure I am damn well out of the park, prior to 8pm. Don't fancy being locked in there when they break out the shotguns!

It's rifles for deer. Apparently.

 

[hoopdriver]

I ride in the dar a lot as I am usually on the road by 4:30am and I love it. Of course at the hours I ride there is also not much traffic about. It picks up by 6:30 when I am homeward bound, but by and large I love night riding.