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Post by planesandtrains on Dec 13, 2016 19:01:33 GMT
The U routes are defiantly on my list at some point- did the 290 last week, although there was some dual carriageway Sunbury cross and co aren't the nicest of areas to pass through- very drab and grey although it was very drab and grey on the day I did it.
I also did the 216 last week- in a DE (TA behind but couldn't be bothered to wait another 20 min)
The 515 was a fun route through Thames Ditton village and struck a nice balance of everything- city,village,countryside,A Road and Town- although next time I do it in Jan/Feb ish it will take a different route (715)
The 9/10 are also one of my favourites as they take me through Kensington (which is where I used to live up until 2004) and then straight through the west end. Unfortunately the 9H is gone which is a shame.
The K5 is also a fun route- if you get a Solo of course. Love the way it goes through all the back streets and the direct link from Kingston to Morden is useful for setting off on my bus travel.
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Post by YY13VKP on Dec 13, 2016 19:10:45 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. Route 434's definitely one you should try if you like a bit of scenery, especially the Kenley-Whyteleafe section. I've also done the 404 and 412 and they are also great routes if you're looking for a fast ride with scenery on the route. |
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Post by jay38a on Dec 13, 2016 19:18:06 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. I never took a mirror off on the R8, however i did carry a Hex Set in case i did, so could just be put back on with no mileage lost!!!!!, but i had wacked it in numerous times. |
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Post by enviroPB on Dec 13, 2016 19:26:15 GMT
6HP502C has touched on it briefly; if you want to enjoy your rides, preferable to do it in the late evenings so there's less chance of traffic slowing the bus driver down. Mind you, it can be a good thing sometimes as I've actually fallen out of my seat on an Enviro 222 driven at lightspeed!! RandomBusesGirl I don't think vehicle type had anything to do with it  I shall try to not repeat routes which others have said, if I can! Have to state that I do love orbital routes as a lot of distance is covered; same for night routes as well. So here goes: -51, 58, 79, 83, 99, 483 for good traversing through different communities & people watching (not really the 99 but still lengthy lool) -96 for the unique non-stop section in Dartford, then the 492 back (latter very scenic indeed) -20, 107, 167, 370, 372, 397, 498 for cross-boarder jorneys -323 for a quick, nippy ride (would recommend others if I knew more lol) -33, 72, 108, 276 for lengthy SD routes (routes 164 & 355 I assume are good but haven't ridden them yet) -route 499 if you want to waste your time going nowhere fast -11, 23, 27, 139, 168, 243, 274, 341 for cross-city routes (please don't attempt them during daytime) -18, 25, 237, 267 for lengthy trunk routes (you best get comfy for the 18 & 25) -routes 85 & 474 for thrashy, enjoyble routes during the day -188, 474 & N550 for scenic night routes. I really cannot recommend the last 2 routes enough. It's not the most comprehensive list but I've given my 2 pence where I can.  EDIT: how can I forget about the P4 & W15 for lengthy single deckers? Silly me!
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Post by Lewis J.N. on Dec 13, 2016 19:33:17 GMT
I know it's not in London but seriously find a free weekday and get an £8.50 Intalink Explorer - with that you can do anything Carousel (A40/740/730/336 are amazing), anything Arriva in the Shires, the Metroline country routes and more (check the Intalink website), and trust me with all that you'll have loads to do it'll be difficult to squeeze it into a day. London is alright for fast routes if you know where to look, but outside London is my refuge because all the drivers just floor it all the time. I know £8.50 seems a lot but I promise it's worth it  If you're thinking Carousel, either do it as soon as you can if you want the Tridents; alternatively hang about until the ex-Red Arrow Citaros are in service and the Scania/E400s from Oxford will be about by then too. Keep an eye on my Flickr (/photos/lewisbus) if you're interested as I'll try and post pics of the Citaros as soon as they're about. |
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Post by planesandtrains on Dec 13, 2016 19:33:39 GMT
Another one on my list to do is the N22-only Double Decker route to cross Richmond Bridge (Aside from SWT Railway Replacement)
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Post by planesandtrains on Dec 13, 2016 19:41:52 GMT
I know it's not in London but seriously find a free weekday and get an £8.50 Intalink Explorer - with that you can do anything Carousel (A40/740/730/336 are amazing), anything Arriva in the Shires, the Metroline country routes and more (check the Intalink website), and trust me with all that you'll have loads to do it'll be difficult to squeeze it into a day. London is alright for fast routes if you know where to look, but outside London is my refuge because all the drivers just floor it all the time. I know £8.50 seems a lot but I promise it's worth it If you're thinking Carousel, either do it as soon as you can if you want the Tridents; alternatively hang about until the ex-Red Arrow Citaros are in service and the Scania/E400s from Oxford will be about by then too. Keep an eye on my Flickr (/photos/lewisbus) if you're interested as I'll try and post pics of the Citaros as soon as they're about. The problem I have with Carousel is that it is not clear whether this intalink ticket is valid on services to Heathrow or not- which is the most convenient way to get onto their services- otherwise I will spend half the day trying to get into their operating territory. |
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Post by jay38a on Dec 13, 2016 21:13:51 GMT
I know it's not in London but seriously find a free weekday and get an £8.50 Intalink Explorer - with that you can do anything Carousel (A40/740/730/336 are amazing), anything Arriva in the Shires, the Metroline country routes and more (check the Intalink website), and trust me with all that you'll have loads to do it'll be difficult to squeeze it into a day. London is alright for fast routes if you know where to look, but outside London is my refuge because all the drivers just floor it all the time. I know £8.50 seems a lot but I promise it's worth it If you're thinking Carousel, either do it as soon as you can if you want the Tridents; alternatively hang about until the ex-Red Arrow Citaros are in service and the Scania/E400s from Oxford will be about by then too. Keep an eye on my Flickr (/photos/lewisbus) if you're interested as I'll try and post pics of the Citaros as soon as they're about. The problem I have with Carousel is that it is not clear whether this intalink ticket is valid on services to Heathrow or not- which is the most convenient way to get onto their services- otherwise I will spend half the day trying to get into their operating territory. Not valid to Heathrow but is valid from Uxbridge |
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Post by snoggle on Dec 13, 2016 22:36:09 GMT
I know it's not in London but seriously find a free weekday and get an £8.50 Intalink Explorer - with that you can do anything Carousel (A40/740/730/336 are amazing), anything Arriva in the Shires, the Metroline country routes and more (check the Intalink website), and trust me with all that you'll have loads to do it'll be difficult to squeeze it into a day. London is alright for fast routes if you know where to look, but outside London is my refuge because all the drivers just floor it all the time. I know £8.50 seems a lot but I promise it's worth it If you're thinking Carousel, either do it as soon as you can if you want the Tridents; alternatively hang about until the ex-Red Arrow Citaros are in service and the Scania/E400s from Oxford will be about by then too. Keep an eye on my Flickr (/photos/lewisbus) if you're interested as I'll try and post pics of the Citaros as soon as they're about. I hadn't appreciated that Carousel accepted the Intalink Explorer on almost all their network. Now to plot a bus journey from Barnet to Reading via Herts given Carousel operate the X80 into Reading now (alongside Arriva's long standing services). |
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Post by RT3062 on Dec 13, 2016 22:40:12 GMT
375 out to passingford bridge is not to bad
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Post by Lewis J.N. on Dec 13, 2016 22:41:17 GMT
The problem I have with Carousel is that it is not clear whether this intalink ticket is valid on services to Heathrow or not- which is the most convenient way to get onto their services- otherwise I will spend half the day trying to get into their operating territory. Not valid to Heathrow but is valid from Uxbridge What he said. Use A10 LHR - UX, it's only about 10 minutes longer and you can get off at York Road and wait there for a 740 out. Intalink not valid on A40/740 or 724 into Heathrow due to BAA fees and regulations. 724 valid from Maple Cross - Harlow, which is really inconvenient when you're at Uxbridge and want to go to Watford. I hadn't appreciated that Carousel accepted the Intalink Explorer on almost all their network. Now to plot a bus journey from Barnet to Reading via Herts given Carousel operate the X80 into Reading now (alongside Arriva's long standing services). Arriva have always accepted it on their 800/850 too as it's valid on all Shires services  - you could easily get from Harlow to Reading for £8.50 on as few as three buses (724-336-X80). |
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Post by RandomBusesGirl on Dec 13, 2016 23:15:26 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 Why the C3? Because it's one of those "cute" routes, and if you are lucky, you also might get a bit of speed on it, bless Abellio drivers Oh, and since we are on the subject of outer London non-TfL routes, I recommend the Arriva Kent 700 from Bluewater, the speeds it can reach are crazy Night routes are another thing I forgot - N9 is badass (especially with 56reg SP), N207 can be good, N22 is great - both at night and daylight (managed both yay ), N29/N279/N253 on that dual carriageway (idk how the latter copes on a BorisBus), N8 after Wanstead can reach serious BorisBus thrashiness (fell in love with LT412 last NYE); also got soft spot for N91, N68, N136 and N21. N113 is strictly timetabled so is not usually as fast as expected - but perhaps I was unlucky? But N47 N199 is always a thrill when you approach that low bridge at Orpington at speed  And if you are feeling lucky, try N137 from Crystal Palace down Gypsy Hill - one driver in a blue moon will race downhill. But only one did that for me so far  |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2016 0:39:22 GMT
Am looking forward to doing a solely suburban SW London night bus ride out soon. Helped greatly by Heathrow and Kingston, and now the weekend service on the H32 & H37.
Love grabbing a cappuccino from terminal 2 at 3am.
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Post by Alex on Dec 14, 2016 0:47:38 GMT
I'm surprised nobody has said the 53.....
Ok, probably not the fastest but it goes through some varied locations, and is an interesting ride. From Big Ben and the river, then 'urban land' down Old Kent Road and New Cross/Deptford, then going a bit upmarket at Greenwich Park/Blackheath, then suburban mixture round Charlton and Hillreach, then Woolwich and the back streets of Plumstead Common before Plumstead Station......
Not sure if I've sold it that well, but the MMCs have a very smooth ride and loads of legroom if you take the upstairs seats, the padding from the 14 reg Volvos and upwards at PD garage has been superb! The 14 reg Volvos mentioned are very comfy (a little too comfy......I managed to zzzzz on 13023 a bit too much one night - a story in itself).......
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Post by vjaska on Dec 14, 2016 2:41:51 GMT
I'll add my twopence in though most will probably be already mentioned: For sections with speed: Routes 34, 81, 96, 216, 215, 292 (NSL section was demoted to 50mph a couple of years ago), 298, 320, 331, 350, 370, 405, 465, 492, 498, H91, R2, S1, U9 For scenic views: Routes 166, 196, 468, 363, 370, 375, 417, 432, 464, 465, R5/R10, U9, W3 In all seriousness though, you should try outer London routes as these will bring you more guaranteed fast sections and some stunning scenery |
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- you could easily get from Harlow to Reading for £8.50 on as few as three buses (724-336-X80).
And if you are feeling lucky, try N137 from Crystal Palace down Gypsy Hill - one driver in a blue moon will race downhill. But only one did that for me so far 
