Seeing as the northern route for HS2 has just been announced, I thought I'd try and tie in a ride fairly close to April Fools Day and follow the initial path of this glorious white elephant/saviour of the UK economy/ecological disaster (delete as appropriate).
The intention will be to follow as closely as possible the intended route from Euston all the way up to Banbury. 91 miles in total, with around 3,900 ft of climbing.
Setting off from outside Euston Station at 8:30 on Saturday 6th April, the ride will basically head north-west(ish) to get out of London. Apart from Wormwood Scrubs, the first bit of green won't be until after Ruislip at 20 miles. But after then, you'll start to get out in the Chilterns, and experience the great outdoors. Of course this does mean some hills, but these are middle class hills, so nothing too objectionable.
The lunch stop will probably be just after 40 miles, in Great Missenden, where you'll be able see soaring Red Kites and then we'll drop down into Aylesbury Vale, then skirt round Stoke Mandeville before heading up towards Quainton, where the HS2 route heads along the line of the long deceased
Great Central Railway. If we're lucky, there might be some steam engines puffing around.
Generally the countryside here is open, with long rolling vistas on display, possible only marred by the proliferation of the "No to HS2" signs. Then it's a gentle meander around Finmere, skirting Brackley before reaching our most northerly point, where we must part company with the intended HS2 route, and head off to Banbury, where Chiltern Trains currently run trains back to London (or even further north so I understand).
Ride open to all, not just train spotters. I've also got it listed on CC. Usual rules apply - no-one left behind. I'm expecting to get to Banbury by 6 pm, possible a bit later.
The intended route is shown
here, although this may alter very slightly.
