On Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:32:09 +0100, Tom Anderson wrote:

Seriously, though, how long would it have taken to cycle to, say, Slade
Green?

I'm not very fit and was about to participate in the London Freewheel
event, and was travelling home that evening too late to go to Dartford
and back so was going to have to cycle home from Barnehurst (or Slade
Green but I knew the route from Barnehurst better).

I was therefore a bit worried that by the time I'd done the Freewheel
circuit a couple of times and still had to cycle home in the evening, my
lack of fitness would mean I'd really struggle on that final stretch, or
generally not enjoy the day's cycling as much if I'd already worn myself
out in the morning.

As it turned out, I was fitter than I feared and/or the Freewheel route
was much easier going than I'd imagined, so the extra cycle in the
morning probably wouldn't have had much effect on my enjoyment of the
event or my chances of making it home without a heart attack!

Short question, long answer, but the upshot is that in the absence of
both the loop line (as it was Sunday) and the direct line (as there were
rail works) the virtual loop line seemed a reasonable alternative and I
didn't realise I'd be breaching my ticket's conditions. I'm sure people
have done worse

Paul

P.S. Freewheel inspired my commuting wife to get a folding bike and cut
out a train change by cycling part of her route - to Slade Green, no
less - so, given that her cycling speed is similar to mine, I now know
that the short, literal answer to your question is 'about 20 minutes'