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Richard
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Subject: Epping to West Ruislip
Posted: 29 Jun 2012 11:59 am
Hello Mark
I recently walked from Epping to West Ruislip for a charity called the Ayrshire Hospice. I decided that I would like to something which was a challenge and I could find very little information online about anyone who has attempted the same thing, except your excellent page of course! I didn't walk the entire Central Line, I did about 39 stations, missing out most of the Central Line 'loop' (Didn't do Chigwell, Hainault, Gants Hill, Grange Hill, Newbury Park, Redbridge, Barkingside and Fairlop) and I missed out West Acton and Ealing too, where the line splits off. I printed off Google Maps for all journeys between every tube station (except Bank to White City, I know that pretty well) and was as well prepared as I think I could have been. I set off at 7.20 a.m. from Epping, weather was nice and the journey to Theydon Bois was lovely. Such nice countryside. Thighs started to chaffe around South Woodford, so popped into sainsburys for some vaseline and Boots too for some gel inserts for my feet. For 30 miles or so I was quite comfortable, despite my thighs burning slightly! Hardest part was down Oxford Street as it was really busy when I was there. Was falling a bit behind schedule and was worried that I might miss the last train back to Leyton from West Ruislip! So I had to hurry along a bit near the end! Got to West Ruislip with about 20 minutes to spare, in the pouring rain and pitch black! Never been so exhausted in my life, or sore, but so worth the effort. Felt superhuman for days after! According to my tube list of distances, I walked over 43 miles (quite a bit more as I went in the wrong direction a couple of times!) took me nearly 16 hours. Might do Brixton to Walthamstow next time I am in London (although not the best places to start and finish according to crime figures!). Have to say that walking around London has always been one of my favourite things, and doing that walk, I saw so much it was great. Maybe try it again, but try to take in all Central Line stations! Although I'd have to get the earliest train to Epping to give myself time! My fundraising page is http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RichardCharlwood so if anyone would like to sponsor me for doing it, that would be brilliant, It is a truly worthwhile charity. The best part of my walk was when I was explaining to a young black guy what I was doing and he shook my hand, told me what a great thing it was and gave me a five pound note. Was really touched. Restores your faith in humanity when things like that happen. Anyway, I've talked for FAR too long. I look forward to keeping on reading the site and getting ideas for more great walks.
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Mark Moxon
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Subject: Epping to West Ruislip
Posted: 30 Jun 2012 7:52 am
Hi Richard.
All I can say is - wow! Congratulations. That's some walk! I took six days to get from West Ruislip to Epping, and the thought of doing it all in one day... well, hats off to you. 
Brixton to Walthamstow is a great walk too, and despite their reputations, I found both end points to be safe and fascinating. I also highly recommend the Piccadilly Line, and in particular the northeastern stretch to Cockfosters - the stations up there are simply beautiful.
Then again, every line has its highlights, except perhaps the Bakerloo. You never run out of things to see when walking London.
Anyway, congratulations again on conquering the Central Line, and good luck with any other lines you decide to tackle. It's great to know I'm not the only tubewalker out there!
Best wishes,
Mark
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Richard
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Subject: Epping to West Ruislip
Posted: 1 Jul 2012 2:12 pm
Thank you, it was tough going but so enjoyable. It's made me want to spend more time in certain places. I'd like to explore Shoreditch and Bethnal Green a bit more. Brick Lane is somewhere I've always fancied taking a walk down, and it leads to Whitechapel too, which is somewhere i've never been, so that looks promising. As the Victoria and Bakerloo lines are the two shortest (not counting Waterloo and City!) they seem ideal to do next. Jubilee might be tricky as it crosses the Thames a few times! Given that I live in Scotland, I'm not in London too often, but as an avid walker I love the chance to explore it, and your website is great for ideas. For example I went the more direct route via road between Epping and Theydon Bois, but I like the idea of following the more 'off road' way you took. Looks far more interesting. Anyway, I'd be happy to tag along on one of your walks in London sometime and get some tips from a fellow tube walker.
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Mark Moxon
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Subject: Eastward ho!
Posted: 3 Jul 2012 12:20 pm
Hi Richard.
Well, in that case I can highly recommend the District Line walk heading east from the City, through the East End, past the Olympics and out to Upminster. I'd never explored that neck of the woods before I did my tubewalk, and I thought it was fascinating - though I also happened to have wonderful weather when I was there, which helped no end. It's a great part of town, and much more interesting than the Bakerloo Line, I reckon.
Then again, it's all interesting in some way. That's the charm of walking in London - it's just brimming with history! I really must tackle the DLR at some stage, though I'm currently concentrating my energy on planning the next overseas trip, so it will have to wait. So much to do, so little time...
All the best,
Mark
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