tractakid's first go 11/04/12

[tractakid]

I'll be heading to Heathrow terminal 4 for the first train, this is not the charity attempt I have mentioned doing. The plan for this run is to attempt a completion, but seeing as I really have no idea what i'm doing, its mostly to get experience, and get a feel for things. I have planned a second attempt, in a later school holiday (Half term or summer), which I will be collecting sponsorship for and doing it with my younger sister. Hopefully that way, I can report to sponsors that I at least got the vast majority done, rather than a pathetic failure due to complete inexperience. I'm still drafting a route, i'm incredibly worried about public transport connections, such as buses from Cockfosters to High Barnet, or Wimbledon to Morden, Walthamstow to Leytonstone etc. I'll post my route once it's finished I dislike buses in general, perhaps the particularly poor ones in MK put me off.

The worst thing that can happen is I give up, and go back home, right?

[Nigel]

Have fun! Maybe best to treat this one as a giant reconnaissance mission. Useful to have a core route planned and alternatives for when things don't quite work out.

[al]

All the bus routes you mention run frequently (especially compared to those in MK) so you don't need to worry unduly. If the boarding points worry you, then check out the spider maps section on TfLs website for the relevant places, as they show a good amount of detail.

Basically, don't panic. You're not going to be far from a 24 hour bus route wherever you are so you'll always be able to reach some sort of civilisation easily!

Oh yes, and good luck!

[Iain]

Have a look at trams too for Wimbledon/Morden

Good luck

[geofftech]

if you're that worried about buses (93 for Morden/Wimbledon, 307 for Cockfosters/High Barnet) then take an A-Z london map with you (if your phone doesn't have 3G Google Maps), so you can never get lost. or if you're carrying too much, just photocopy the relevant pages and take them with you. but it's really not that scary, and ultimately you'll enjoy getting a feel for what does and doesn't work.

[tractakid]

Well, seeing as I am a proud Windows Phone user it'll be Bing maps instead Thanks guys

[Iain]

What's the battery life like? My android phone runs out by the end of the day whereas the Raven's iPhone seems to last better. You can do things like switching your phone off or at least putting it in "airplane mode" when you're not wanting to use it; the phone will be using up battery looking for signal underground which can run it down too. I found it quite useful to look through runs on Google Streetview too.

Have a look at alternative options between the Victoria and Central line - there are other ways to do it than a bus to/from Leytonstone

[tractakid]

I'm off to bed- this will all go horribly wrong! lol. My phone's battery is terrible- ill make it last as long as I can though!

[Going Underground]

Have fun

[The Raven]

Good luck! Enjoy yourself!

[MylesHSG]

Good luck mate. May the tube gods be with you!

[geofftech]

just turn off your phone when you know you're going underground for long periods of time.

i've never used an Android, but you must surely be able to do the same on an iphone even if it doesn't have an 'Airplane' mode. e.g. : turn down the brightness, stop push email notifications, you could even turn off the 3G and just rely on 2G for a bit if need be, as 3G is the big battery drainer. have fun! it's not going to go wrong - be positive!

[tractakid]

Waaaaah this is EARLY! But, how come it was easier to get up for this, than for school?

[tractakid]

Forgive multiple posts. I'm on an Olympia train right now! Waiting for departure.

[Iain]

Good going!

Got a few options here, wonder where next?