Second tube challenge attempt
Posted: 09 Jun 2014, 22:36
Hi there,
I'm delighted to say that I have completed all 270 stations on the tube at my second attempt.
I did the challenge last Friday, June 6, starting at Heathrow T4 at 05:02 and ending at Amersham at 00:59 (actually a little bit later since the final train was delayed). Clearly I was not going for speed, I just wanted to complete the network, and to get on the board.
On this occasion, I again went on the lazy route set by theorangeone, but with a few minor changes.
Unlike the last time I did the challenge when the first tube left Heathrow T4 late meaning I missed the first connection, the tube went dead on time on this occasion, allowing me to pick up the following train at Heathrow T123, then at Heathrow T5. Arriving into West Kensington, I got the bus to Kensington Olympia allowing me to get on the District Line train out at 06:25. In reality, having arrived at West Ken at 6am, I could have jogged to Ken O to get the 06:15. It would have spared me some stress later in the day! Not sure if any of you were in London Friday, but there was a signal failure at Edgware Rd leading to terrible delays on the Met, H&C and Circle lines. So I had to leave a lot of the zone 1 work until close to the end of the day. I also did West Harrow earlier in the day when I covered the Uxbridge branch on the Metropolitan/Piccadilly line to save having to bother with it at the end.
Towards the end of the day, I headed up the Met line to Harrow then Watford. Leaving Watford at 23:49, I was convinced I would miss the 23:54 service Moor Park to Chesham, which at the time, I felt would have seen me fall one station short again. Luckily, the 23:54 was two or three minutes delayed.... I'd hazard a guess this was because of the swarms of One Direction fans coming from Wembley. I never thought i'd be grateful to One Direction fans for anything, but there you go!
I think I was too relaxed in the early part of the day, and got complacent because I was ahead of time somewhat. One thing I learnt is that you have to press home any time advantage you have when you are doing this challenge. It might have saved me a bit of a nervy ending!
My final time, from the doors closing at Heathrow T4 to the doors opening in Amersham was 20:04:34.53
Not a world beating time by any means, but I am just delighted to have completed the network!
Nick
I'm delighted to say that I have completed all 270 stations on the tube at my second attempt.
I did the challenge last Friday, June 6, starting at Heathrow T4 at 05:02 and ending at Amersham at 00:59 (actually a little bit later since the final train was delayed). Clearly I was not going for speed, I just wanted to complete the network, and to get on the board.
On this occasion, I again went on the lazy route set by theorangeone, but with a few minor changes.
Unlike the last time I did the challenge when the first tube left Heathrow T4 late meaning I missed the first connection, the tube went dead on time on this occasion, allowing me to pick up the following train at Heathrow T123, then at Heathrow T5. Arriving into West Kensington, I got the bus to Kensington Olympia allowing me to get on the District Line train out at 06:25. In reality, having arrived at West Ken at 6am, I could have jogged to Ken O to get the 06:15. It would have spared me some stress later in the day! Not sure if any of you were in London Friday, but there was a signal failure at Edgware Rd leading to terrible delays on the Met, H&C and Circle lines. So I had to leave a lot of the zone 1 work until close to the end of the day. I also did West Harrow earlier in the day when I covered the Uxbridge branch on the Metropolitan/Piccadilly line to save having to bother with it at the end.
Towards the end of the day, I headed up the Met line to Harrow then Watford. Leaving Watford at 23:49, I was convinced I would miss the 23:54 service Moor Park to Chesham, which at the time, I felt would have seen me fall one station short again. Luckily, the 23:54 was two or three minutes delayed.... I'd hazard a guess this was because of the swarms of One Direction fans coming from Wembley. I never thought i'd be grateful to One Direction fans for anything, but there you go!
I think I was too relaxed in the early part of the day, and got complacent because I was ahead of time somewhat. One thing I learnt is that you have to press home any time advantage you have when you are doing this challenge. It might have saved me a bit of a nervy ending!
My final time, from the doors closing at Heathrow T4 to the doors opening in Amersham was 20:04:34.53
Not a world beating time by any means, but I am just delighted to have completed the network!
Nick