View Lewisham Alps in a larger map
I put together a circular cycle route using Google Maps yesterday(note because this map is live it shows the latest route not my original one). This route brings together some of the meanest hills of Lewisham. After loading the map into my G1 I set off. I started the clock ticking at the traffic lights just before the Lewisham DLR station.
The Blackheath end of the route has just one hill and is nothing to worry about. I kind of got lost here because my GPS kept locking up so I lost time. Soon I was whizzing along the back roads of Hither Green which brought me close to home and Ladywell Fields. Some unexpected cyclocross action was called for here as the cycle path has been dug up for some major landscaping along the Ravensbourne River.
The next set of hills had me puffing away, namely Canonbie and Sydenham Rise. These were the worst though. Again I lost my way and ended up having to climb Kirkdale twice. I have since amended the route to avoid confusion.
After crossing Peckham Rye I was keenly aware that Sainsburg’s closed at 10pm so I ended up missing out on Gellatly Road(a pig of a hill) but made up for it by going home via Jerningham Road(a long steep sucker).
Stats for attempt 1
Miles:19.9
Average speed:12.9mph
Maximum speed:32.7mph
Time:1:45:03
*UPDATE 20/08/2010*
I went out yesterday with the updated Lewisham Alps route. I think it will need another minor tweak and it will be perfect. I added an extra loop around Hither Green but it meant having to stop at multiple small junctions. Also one of the roads was very rough and bumpy. Not good enough for the Lewisham Alps route so it will be removed! Again I took a couple of wrong turns and lost maybe 5 minutes. The new route back along College Road to Dulwich Village was excellent though. A long fast descent of loveliness.
My statistics for attempt 2 are below:
Stats for attempt 2
Miles:20.5
Average speed:14.3mph
Maximum speed:30.0mph
Time:1:18:10