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Post by planesandtrains on Dec 13, 2016 8:24:08 GMT
I currently have a bit of spare time available and one of those lovely tax payer funded 16+ free travel zip cards (thank you taxpayer)
I live in the Richmond area and would to know what the best route are to ride in London.
My favourite ones currently are the 465, 515 (yes not TFL but really good route), 65, 481, 371, 33, 85 (all the tight turns in the Roehampton area) Oh and the 969 which is just plain interesting.
Are there any more that are really good fun to ride?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2016 9:01:40 GMT
I would suggest..
285 / 482 for great views of Heathrow airfield
413 For a ride on the lovely Citaro K's
388 To see the almost dilapidated Olympic park , Westfield Stratford, stunning City skyscrapers and gentrified parts of Hackney
107 to ride "out country" between Barnet & Aldenham
370 for same reason to Lakeside.
U9 & 331 for same reason to Harefield
251 across Totteridge Common
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Post by 6HP502C on Dec 13, 2016 9:48:35 GMT
Horses for courses. What do you like, rural/urban scenery, fast drivers, older buses etc.?
When I had one of those cards I really liked riding the N prefixed routes out to their extremities, nothing quite like collecting a kebab in Erith at 3am.
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Post by planesandtrains on Dec 13, 2016 10:53:53 GMT
Horses for courses. What do you like, rural/urban scenery, fast drivers, older buses etc.? When I had one of those cards I really liked riding the N prefixed routes out to their extremities, nothing quite like collecting a kebab in Erith at 3am. I like the rural routes with fast sections and nice scenery. |
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Post by Alex on Dec 13, 2016 11:06:29 GMT
I like the rural routes with fast sections and nice scenery. Well, there's the more well known ones (like the 465 to Dorking, and the narrow lanes of the 464, discussed on here many times before) but have you considered the 96? That goes quite a way out of London and has a non-stop section  , you can tie this in with the 428 or 492 on the way back (or there even)...... |
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Post by snoggle on Dec 13, 2016 11:26:59 GMT
I like the rural routes with fast sections and nice scenery. Well not sure about fast sections but the 107 and 251 across the top between Edgware and Barnet / Arnos Grove give good views. You might also want to do the 298 before TfL kill the bit beyond P Bar station. I have to tick that bit off before the axe falls. 313 is also quite quick north of Enfield Town to Potters Bar. Nice views from the hill down from Chingford over the reservoirs. W3 takes you through Ally Pally with amazing views over London. Perhaps not so scenic at Northumberland Park.  405 down to Redhill is fun, get the train to Dorking Deepdene and get the 465 back. Done that before - that was fun. If you want to see some bits of Epping Forest then there's the 397, 20, 167 that run out through Buckhurst Hill to Debden. Again not so fast but different bits of the edge of London. Also the 498 out to Brentwood gets you beyond the M25 for a short distance. I suspect you'd enjoy a Hertfordshire Intalink Explorer ticket (£8.50) as that gets you into the countryside with some faster running routes. You can pick up routes in Watford and Barnet to take you northwards but some judicious planning will be needed over the holiday period with reduced services / no school routes. |
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Post by twobellstogo on Dec 13, 2016 14:37:29 GMT
Plenty already mentioned : but if you like rural, give the 246 a go, ditto the R5/R10. |
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Post by sid on Dec 13, 2016 15:01:07 GMT
And the 146 and R8!
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Post by RandomBusesGirl on Dec 13, 2016 15:43:48 GMT
My recommendations (all TfL but everywhere around London; order random): 320, 353, W3, 247, 81, 65, 405, 269, 89, 125, 96, 221, 412, H37, 210, 275, 37, 337, C3, 119 (non-frogface), 430 (I just really like the route), 196, X68 If you like speed and dual carriageways (do not try these in the peaks though): 265, 34, 66, 296 (decker or MMC best), 498, 292, 112, 95, H91, 113, 186, 93, 154, 401, 406 (418 too), 217 (231 too), 132 (not on an E), 85, 116, 321, 173, 179, 482, 428 on a decker, 232 (DEL, most DEs are too slow for the route), A10 (try a DEL bus [or even a decker if that's out] because most DEs are slow), 123 South Woodford section - fast only if lucky, 297 on evenings - great proof of SELs being nice Oh, and fave central London routes: 7, 27, 341, 344 & C2 And of course, my dear 308 ain't too shabby given where it goes  And some oddballs: 455 & G1 - only if you like insanely long routes like me lol R8, R5+R10, 146, 246, 347, 375, 166, 467, 465 - countryside ftw! \o/ H2 at night - solos do absolutely insane stuff at bends then. Daytime also recommended 331, U9 & R2 - you might get speed on these if lucky 120 after 10pm on a SP - I had SP7 which thrashed so much it had people falling out their seats 417 - da hills X26 - if you dare; not in the peak though! There might be bunch more, that I won't know about because I haven't rode them yet… Watch this space!EDIT1: Added: 321 which I totally forgot, fixed 482/428 mix-up - both are good actually, when lucky EDIT2: Added 498 which I shouldn't have omitted given I started with Romford routes when listing stuff that can get fast…
EDIT3: Added 196 and 27, how could I forget them xD
EDIT4: Added 297 - what it does at night is absolutely impressive. |
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Post by Nathan on Dec 13, 2016 15:51:37 GMT
If you like speed and dual carriageways (do not try these in the peaks though): 265, 34, 66, 296 (decker or MMC best), 292, 112, 95, H91, 113, 186, 93, 154, 401, 406 (418 too), 217 (231 too), 132 (not on an E), 85, 116, 173, 179, 482 on a decker, 232 (DEL, most DEs are too slow for the route), A10 (try a DEL bus [or even a decker if that's out] because most DEs are slow), 123 South Woodford section - fast only if lucky On that note, I remember @eggmeister posted a list of 10 routes with the shortest running time a few years ago. The (N)321 and 401 were included on that list. Are there any other fast bus routes to do? I've kinda been put off exploring London recently simply because traffic is so bad :/ |
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Post by 6HP502C on Dec 13, 2016 16:22:14 GMT
I like the rural routes with fast sections and nice scenery. The 246 is a nice ride. Good one to do on a summer evening, running times are tight when it goes hourly. Gets a bit rural south of Coney Hall. If you're lucky you'll get one of the better MAN 14.240s (715 usually sounds great) with a driver who enjoys flooring it. The 247 is too - a fun ride through areas of arable land which make the windows on the lower deck dirty. Try and get a TA as they get caned quite heavily on that route, just isn't the same in a sedate, tinted windowed Enviro. I like the R5, for the seemingly never-ending ascent through the countryside hills. Fun in the late evening when the bus often goes into the bushes at speed to avoid oncoming traffic. One of the few routes in London where you can expect to find flora, fauna and foliage on the floor of the saloon. Bonus point on the R5/R8/R10 if the wing mirror comes off whilst in service. The 320 is a nice ride between Bromley Common and Biggin Hill Valley, often moving at a lively pace. The 412 is great for scenery between Sanderstead and Purley, best done with an unrestricted DB300 with a driver who knows how to get the best out of it. The 465 probably fits your description but might come as a bit of a disappointment - I think it's a little overrated, especially with the garishly upholstered Optare you're likely to get on there. The A24 isn't particularly scenic. Perhaps try some of the more elusive routes where you're highly unlikely to just happen upon them on a capricious ride such as the 404, 434 and 464. All hilly routes running through pretty, leafy areas. The 467 is elusive but runs through flat, residential areas. Nothing spectacular to see. Not very scenic (well Heathrow's lights are pretty at night) but the 222 tends to be a lively ride in the late evenings. |
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Post by 6HP502C on Dec 13, 2016 17:18:43 GMT
If you like speed and dual carriageways (do not try these in the peaks though): 265, 34, 66, 296 (decker or MMC best), 292, 112, 95, H91, 113, 186, 93, 154, 401, 406 (418 too), 217 (231 too), 132 (not on an E), 85, 116, 173, 179, 482 on a decker, 232 (DEL, most DEs are too slow for the route), A10 (try a DEL bus [or even a decker if that's out] because most DEs are slow), 123 South Woodford section - fast only if lucky On that note, I remember @eggmeister posted a list of 10 routes with the shortest running time a few years ago. The (N)321 and 401 were included on that list. Are there any other fast bus routes to do? I've kinda been put off exploring London recently simply because traffic is so bad :/ London is one big traffic jam during the day. You're most likely to catch fast rides in the late evenings, where the sooner the driver finishes the trip, the sooner they get home. I use the night 321. It has a high average speed because it barely stops anywhere south of Lewisham and goes for fair distances without signal controls to slow it down. The B9TLs are likely to send you to sleep, many a passenger have been unceremoniously woken up at Sidcup Tesco RandomBusesGirl has listed most of the routes I thought of, but I'll add some comments; N8 between Bow and Hainault - a few miles of dual carriageway. You're unlikely to find LTs being pushed harder elsewhere in London. 34 - a good ride at the right times of week. I got on one at 7am on a Saturday morning once (long story). Served almost every stop on the North Circular, but that VWH was reaching 50mph between stops. Wouldn't bother when there is traffic on the road. 95 - worth a ride along the A40 if you can get an E400. 97 - all 30mph roads but there are a few drivers on there who seem to have dropped out of Formula 1 academy and ended up on the buses. Almost guaranteed a lively ride early mornings and late evenings. 107 - a fairly fast moving route with 40mph sections and decent Enviros. 113 - 40 and 50mph sections along the A41 with Enviros actually capable of reaching those speeds. 123 - 40 and 50mph sections between Gants Hill and Waterworks Corner, Woodford - better done with one of the "sporty" long VLAs, not a dead DW. 173 - never ridden this one but reckon the Topodyn equipped Enviros might provide an enjoyable ride on the A13 between Beckton and Dagenham 203 - Citaro fun on 40/50mph dual carriageways for most of its length. Most of them are limited to 40 however. 217 and 231 for a good run along the A10. 232 along the North Circular, though the drivers have always been slow when I've been on it. The bits covered by the 112 aren't as good. 258 - a few 40mph sections. Some drivers enjoy hammering the 6 speed B7TLs, perhaps enough to make you want to do a round trip. 269 - another route on 30mph roads where the buses are motored in the evenings. 290 - miles of dual carriageways in an E200 if you're into that sort of thing! 292 - runs along a 50mph stretch of the A1(M) for a mile or two. Think the 370 is NSL single carriageway for some distance, but the road it runs along is too narrow to safely do 50mph. 422 - lively ride in the evenings. 482 - decent run west of Hounslow West with 40/50mph dual carriageways and Enviros capable of keeping pace with the traffic. You also get to ride around the perimeter of Heathrow Airport. 607 - 40mph from Hayes By-Pass to Uxbridge, but low chances of getting a fast driver - most take it easy and cruise just above 30. A10 - the only London route to go on a motorway, it moves quickly between Stockley Park and Heathrow Airport. As mention, just try not to land a Metroline DE. The ex First DEs are a lot better. H18 and H19 - dizzying ride around the borough of Harrow in the evenings. U4 - you might be surprised at just how hard the buses are driven on what's been described as a "racetrack" of a route. I've rarely experienced anything else like it, the slightest dither ultimately leads to the bus getting rammed then overtaken, especially if it's an Enviro followed by a VP. The route is full of corners so you might have to hold on tight. Night routes - iBus incentivisation killed off the ridiculously fast rides common a few years ago, though they seem to be making something of a return with high frequency monitoring. On weekends, the 35, N155 and N207 often see what feels like racing by drivers, lots of overtaking which can be entertaining so long as you're not on the bus that is getting mullered with passengers. The Uxbridge N207s are often to be found flying along. Might want to try some rail replacements too. When on high frequency RR routes I always overtake my leaders, there are definitely a few fast drivers about. |
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Post by sid on Dec 13, 2016 17:56:20 GMT
My recommendations (all TfL but everywhere around London; order random): 320, 353, W3, 247, 81, 65, 405, 269, 89, 125, 96, 221, 412, H37, 210, 275, 37, 337, C3, 119 (non-frogface), 430 (I just really like the route), X68 If you like speed and dual carriageways (do not try these in the peaks though): 265, 34, 66, 296 (decker or MMC best), 292, 112, 95, H91, 113, 186, 93, 154, 401, 406 (418 too), 217 (231 too), 132 (not on an E), 85, 116, 173, 179, 482 on a decker, 232 (DEL, most DEs are too slow for the route), A10 (try a DEL bus [or even a decker if that's out] because most DEs are slow), 123 South Woodford section - fast only if lucky Oh, and fave central London routes: 7, 341, 344 & C2 And of course, my dear 308 ain't too shabby given where it goes And some oddballs: 455 & G1 - only if you like insanely long routes like me lol R8, R5+R10, 146, 246, 347, 375, 166, 467, 465 - countryside ftw! \o/ H2 at night - solos do absolutely insane stuff at bends then. Daytime also recommended 331, U9 & R2 - you might get speed on these if lucky 120 after 10pm on a SP - I had SP7 which thrashed so much it had people falling out their seats 417 - da hills X26 - if you dare; not in the peak though! There might be bunch more, that I won't know about because I haven't rode them yet… Watch this space!Very rare to see anything other than a frog face on the 119 these days! |
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Post by mondraker275 on Dec 13, 2016 18:01:47 GMT
Some I enjoyed and totally agree with are the 34, 107 and 247.
On New Year's Day (Bank Holiday) a couple of years, I took the 34 and 107 full routes back to back mid morning. Best journeys I have had full route. The 107 driver had me hanging on for dear life; speeding down some small forest roads. May actually repeat this NYD.
Remember doing the 247 a long time ago on a single decker and it was interesting route, but now with double deckers the views of the scenary are even better.
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Post by abc on Dec 13, 2016 18:02:20 GMT
My recommendations (all TfL but everywhere around London; order random): 320, 353, W3, 247, 81, 65, 405, 269, 89, 125, 96, 221, 412, H37, 210, 275, 37, 337, C3, 119 (non-frogface), 430 (I just really like the route), X68 If you like speed and dual carriageways (do not try these in the peaks though): 265, 34, 66, 296 (decker or MMC best), 292, 112, 95, H91, 113, 186, 93, 154, 401, 406 (418 too), 217 (231 too), 132 ... Why the C3? |
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, you can tie this in with the 428 or 492 on the way back (or there even)......
