[quickerbybike]

London Dynamo are promoting two of these perfect little races again in 2014.

Entry is via RiderHQ.

22nd June: http://www.riderhq.com/events/67526/richmond-park-tt-1/enter

6th July: http://www.riderhq.com/events/67527/richmond-park-tt-2/enter

10.4 mile TT, wholly within Richmond Park and run with the blessing of The Royal Parks and under the authority of Cycling Time Trials. The intention is to encourage novice racers. The sharp end of the field is usually very competitive. Course record by Michael Hutchinson.

Six categories: Lady Road, Lady TT, Men Road, Men TT, Junior, Para.

Start at Robin Hood Gate. ACW to Kingston gate. Turn and return to Robin Hood. Turn right and finish at Penn Ponds car park. Fun course.

Prizes are from Sigma Sport.

Entries opened at about 10 last night and TT1 is currently 35% full, TT2 25% full. Hurry hurry.

Topic

[Nick T]

You also need another mate at
You also need another mate at the roadside holding a deer ready to release it into your path.

[Scoob_84]

Some ‘country boys’ at work
Some ‘country boys’ at work were telling me it’s illegal to take away your road kill for food consumption. The way around this is to have a mate follow you in a car/bike to do the picking up bit for you.

[bikebot]

quickerbybike wrote:I’m

quickerbybike wrote:

I’m pretty sure that any cyclist who hits a red deer stag hard enough to kill it and then carries it off for dinner gets a round of applause and a medal. Better check the actual wording of the law with Royal Parks.

Awesome, I’ve also got a great idea for a set of aero bars…

[quickerbybike]

You need to be early for a
You need to be early for a decent ride in the Park. But I don’t want to encourage anybody because I enjoy having the place to myself.

Freespirit1: i couldn’t agree more. I find it a struggle not to shout “This is not a f##@ing safari!” at those who stop to point. To be fair, it’s very beautiful in the Park and people don’t see wild deer much, so you can’t really blame people (muppets) for stopping and pointing.

On the venison question, I’m pretty sure that any cyclist who hits a red deer stag hard enough to kill it and then carries it off for dinner gets a round of applause and a medal. Better check the actual wording of the law with Royal Parks.

[Jimbonic]

bikebot wrote:
I’m local(ish)

bikebot wrote:

I’m local(ish) so often cut across on the way to somewhere else, or a quick lap for lunch if I’ve been sitting on my bum working from home. At the right time of year, best time to catch it for a training ride is at dawn when you get a window before the gates are opened to traffic.

And, at dawn, you can get some really lovely scenery: mist, deer, trees, and – oh, the mercy – silence!

[freespirit1]

Be careful if dog walkers are
Be careful if dog walkers are about, you could meet on old YouTube favourite!!

[bikebot]

Scoob_84 wrote:I had the

Scoob_84 wrote:

I had the bright and clever idea of heading there a few weeks ago for the first sunny Sunday of 2014. That turned out to be a mistake, never again!

Considering how many cyclists flock there, it really isn’t the place to go for your weekend ride.

Don’t do it! Slightest sign of sun on a weekend and Richmond Park is a nightmare. The Police will often have a car parked up at the foot of Sawyer’s or Dark Hill as well.

I’m local(ish) so often cut across on the way to somewhere else, or a quick lap for lunch if I’ve been sitting on my bum working from home. At the right time of year, best time to catch it for a training ride is at dawn when you get a window before the gates are opened to traffic.

[Scoob_84]

bikebot wrote:Scoob_84

bikebot wrote:

Scoob_84 wrote:

Just applied for my refund. A real shame as belting around Richmond park with little to no traffic would be loads of fun!

I’ve always found traffic that suddenly stops to look at the deer to be much more dangerous than the deer themselves.

I had a great one this week where a car overtook me descending Sawyers hill, and the driver then immediately hit the brakes right in front at me whilst pointing to the left. At first I thought I had some “get in the gutter” looney, but it was just some mum pointing out the animals to her children completely unaware that I’d almost joined them in the back seat!

I had the bright and clever idea of heading there a few weeks ago for the first sunny Sunday of 2014. That turned out to be a mistake, never again!

Considering how many cyclists flock there, it really isn’t the place to go for your weekend ride.

[freespirit1]

I’ve always found when I
I’ve always found when I drive to Richmond Park that it is easier to see the animals after I have parked up in a car park.

[bikebot]

Scoob_84 wrote:Just applied

Scoob_84 wrote:

Just applied for my refund. A real shame as belting around Richmond park with little to no traffic would be loads of fun!

I’ve always found traffic that suddenly stops to look at the deer to be much more dangerous than the deer themselves.

I had a great one this week where a car overtook me descending Sawyers hill, and the driver then immediately hit the brakes right in front at me whilst pointing to the left. At first I thought I had some “get in the gutter” looney, but it was just some mum pointing out the animals to her children completely unaware that I’d almost joined them in the back seat!

[arfa]

Hi Martin,
Many thanks for
Hi Martin,
Many thanks for your detailed answer. I am sure it is only a residual risk and the event is very well run. Richmond park is a great run of tarmac and not having the cars around makes it even better.
The reason for my question is that I used to do some night training in there and very nearly came a cropper when a herd spooked as I descended Sawyers hill. Somehow I managed to manoeuvre between them but it was far too close for comfort and it brought an end to my night training ! I suspect that in a collision with a stag I would pick up a prize for second place….
Of course in daylight it is far less of a risk and the marshals presence makes alot of sense.
Maybe I’ll give it a go some time.

[Scoob_84]

quickerbybike wrote:Hello

quickerbybike wrote:

Hello Scoob

First rider is off at 06.00, last rider off at 07.00.

It’s an early one and no mistake.

If you can’t make it, just go to Rider HQ and pull out. You’ll be refunded.

Enjoy the Tour (I’ll be there too).

Martin

Thanks Martin,

Just applied for my refund. A real shame as belting around Richmond park with little to no traffic would be loads of fun!

[Nick T]

You need written permission
You need written permission from the landowner.

[farrell]

If you do end up having a
If you do end up having a high speed mix up with a deer what’s the legality of helping yourself to some left over venison?

[quickerbybike]

Hello arfa
It’s a good
Hello arfa

It’s a good question.

The Event Information says this: “There are some 650+ deer grazing in Richmond Park and they may cross the course. Riders are responsible for their own safety and the safety and wellbeing of the surrounding wildlife and must therefore be vigilant while riding.”

The event breaks even. We are not allowed to, and do not want to, make a profit.

There is certainly no budget for 20 miles of fencing, so riders must be aware of the deer.

We do post marshals on the fastest section down Sawyers Hill whose job is to scare deer away from the course.

But there is certainly some residual risk of interruption and even of injury.

If you compare this event with all other TTs (except those on closed circuits like Hillingdon and now Thruxton) the opportunities for being held up or for having a dangerous accident are far fewer because of the absence of cars (for most of the competitors). I am sometimes held up by cars in open TTs.

I have raced the event many times and have never had an issue with deer. However I have crossed the park on my bike many hundreds of times and I know that deer will wander out and don’t give a stuff about cars or riders.

All the best. Have a good race.

Martin

[Author]

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