The aim is to visit all 270 LONDON UNDERGROUND stations in the fastest time you may arrive or depart or both but you must only use public transport travelling between stations ie no taxi,bikes,skateboards etc but you are allowed to run/walk.
The record time currently stands at 16h 29m 13s set on may 27th 2011.
Now they are a lot of sites to visit that you can gain information from but not routes or door positions im here to give you both.
Most people start in Amersham or Chesham or end up there some people even actually visit this in the day time and have still got record time.Some people say they have the perfect route this is actually a falacy nobody has perfect route,the fastest running pace,best apps,technology and support they all help of course anybody can be beaten at any time by luck delays on network and poor route planning in the first place.
So what can you do to break a guinness world record here are the tips that dont get shared out.
TIPS
1. Get fit run dont walk running will help you in so many ways from making high barnet to cockfosters in a fast time from making kenton to northwick park in under 3 minutes.
2. Technology there are plenty of apps geoff marshall has one called station master which gives you every door and carriage position allthough it is not 100% accurate and bus checker to tell you when next bus is due also helpfull
3. Actually physically go out there and research your route even if it takes a week or month then you have the knowledge of what works and what doesnt you know exactly how far and long high barnet and cockfosters are apart for example.
4. Run your route through journey planner see what time it comes out with if lower than record fine but dont expect it to come out same on day have some room for delays and unexpected trains.
5. Support it is possible to do solo but then you be carrying any drinks,food with you off laying this to support people is a godsend helps you with weight and faster running and also morale when low.
6. Kensington olympia when not an olympia special event day this is only served really early in morning which compromises your start position or late in evening which is erratic you cannot go in on overground and come out on overground.
RUNS & CONNECTIONS
So what are the favourite connections that will save you time High Barnet to Cockfosters,Stanmore to Edgware,Wimbledon to Morden,Upminster to West Ham,North Harrow to West Harrow or Rayners Lane http://youtu.be/rWlfshxhjM0 ,Leytonstone or Leyton to Walthamstow all can be reversed of course these are the longer connections.
Common shorter runs can be as follows West Acton-North Ealing,Regents Park to Great Portland Street,Aldgate to Aldgate east,Northwick Park to Kenton,Chiswick Park to Gunnersbury,Wimbledon to South Wimbledon,Canons Park to Edgware,Ealing Common to Ealing Broadway,West Ruislip to Ickenham http://youtu.be/cdGToafD2fo
,Wood Lane to White City.
There are many more that i could list that are stations close to each other these are just the more common ones used in full route planning Google Street View is a great way of viewing the closer stations to each other match them up.
RESOURCES & SUPPORT
So one of my first resources i used every time was an actual saved tube map on my computer and by using the paint function drew my map on the page and amended it each time until i was happy with the diagram and didnt have too many double backs or time wasting ideas and did cover all 270 stations.
So what devices can you use well one is a mobile phone that will link to internet or has apps on them there are plenty of apps out there from station master that is very advanced to just simple door positions and next bus timetables have a look around and see whats out there.
Support if you have a few friends this can help in loads of ways to company and talking to getting your food and drink to helping you actually make connections by saying dont run for this one or hurry up for others perhaps walkie talkies can be used for short distances or mobile phones of course.
DOOR POSITIONS (c means carriage d means door l means left r means right w means west e means east s means south n means north)
Chalfont 4c 2dl (e) (only really useful going eastbound whether at end or at start) (please note if at start dont rush over to the train in opposite platform you end doing the worst mistake you can do as the trains usually cross over at this point)
North Harrow 2c 1dl (s) very handy for connections to West Harrow,Rayners Lane or Harrow & Whealdstone.
Northwick Park 2c 3dr (w) after doing a double back from Preston Road of course some people do it from Wembley Park if so then 7c 2dr (e) is the key and run to Kenton a short distance away remember though that Preston Road has not been done.
North Ealing 3c 1dl (s) You can run to Ealing Broadway but most normal thing to do is run to West Acton (if going reverse West Acton is 8c 1dl (e)) or db to Park Royal the door is the same no matter what you do.
Park Royal 1c ldl (if done that double back next logical thing is run from here to Hanger Lane just up the road perhaps bus 95/487 waiting for 2 stops but odds on walking is faster)
Ealing Common (6c ldl (s) if db to Ealing Broadway there are a few ways to do it bus run or get district (one simple trick here if you dont want to run is stand on the bridge outside the station along the main road you can watch the district and the buses that go along the road)
West Ruislip 1c ldl or r (turn left outside the station towards Ickenham 2 buses u1/u10 may come along but odds are more in favour of walking quicker)
Uxbridge 1c 1dl or r The chances are you be running around the buffer here very handy if support is here to tell you which platform is next going out 3 differant platforms you can guess if only 2 trains if 3 just makes slightly more difficult.
Harrow & Whealdstone 1c ldl its a run up over the bridge and back down most connections here are very tight so its very important to be alert and watch the other train on the right hand side past your train coming in on way up from Kenton if has passed then your connection will be easier but lose time of course.
Elephant & Castle (2c 1dl or r the doors depending on which platform will be one door out so go in between them and minimise time wasted)
Wimbledon,Hammersmith h&c,Stanmore,Richmond,Cockfosters all 1c 1dl or r depending on the platform used
High Barnet here is where WTT is useful to tell you which platform is used odds are 66% 1c 3dl or r plat 2&3 and 33% 5c 3dl for plat 1 plat 1 will save you about a minute not running over the bridge and then up the hill.
Edgware Road some people use the middle staircase as its less crowded i tend to use the back 6c ldl or r as then i can watch the train numbers come in a little better on the hammersmith line.
Edgware 2c 1d l or r (again depending on the platform used you wont be too far off using this door you can run back to the 3rd door or just stay if platform 1 as that is the back of 1c ldl)
Stanmore 1c 1dl (depending on platform here if you are doubling back you might get the horrible platform to come in one which takes ages to run around to the other 2 the platform narrows at the back of the other 2 platforms of the train just barely metres apart if going from train to train there you can do in just 10s if very lucky.)
Walthamstow 1c 2dl or r (if arriving here to travel towards central or even db if going to central line then you have many options bus train overground etc)
Leytonstone 1c 1dl or r (w) ( the run from here to Walthamstow Queens Road is quite simple possible bus as well)
ROUTES
So would I give out the world record route no! do you think I am mad but I will display 2 routes here one in public domain as being the labyrinth route.
Chesham,chalfont,amersham,moor park,watford,north harrow run to Rayners lane,ealing common run to ealing broadway,east acton,west Ruislip run to Ickenham,uxbridge,preston road,northwick park run to Kenton,harrow & whealdstone,elephant & castle,london bridge,southwark,west ham,upminster,aldgate east run to Aldgate,sloane square,victoria,brixton,stockwell,kennington,morden run to Wimbledon,earls court,kensington Olympia run to shepherds bush,white city,hainault,woodford,epping,snaresbrook run to wood street,walthamstow,warren street,goodge street,edgware run to Stanmore,baker street,moorgate,finchley central,mill hill east,finchley central,high barnet run to cockfosters,south eknsington,edgware road,hammersmith h&c run to hammersmith d&p,richmond,gunnersbury run to Chiswick park,acton town,t4,t123,t5
route 2 start at Upminster,barons court run to Kensington olympia,edgware road,hammersmith h&c run to hammersmith d&p,chiswick park run to Gunnersbury,richmond,feltham bus to hatton cross,heathrow t4,heathrow t123,heathrow t5,acton town,ealing broadway,west acton run to north ealing,rayners lane,uxbridge,ickenham run to west ruislip,leyton,hainault,woodford,epping,stratford,stanmore,canons park bus to Edgware,waterloo,elephant & castle,finchley central,mill hill east,finchley central,high barnet bus to cockfosters,earls court,wimbledon tram to morden road run to morden,kennington,stockwell,brixton,walthamstow train to Liverpool street,aldgate,great portland street run to regents park,harrow & whealdstone,kenton run to Northwick park,preston road,watford,moor park,chesham,chalfont,amersham
MY ATTEMPTS
THE CONFIRMED WORLD RECORD FOR THIS AT THE MOMENT IS DONE BY
HAKAN WOLGE & LARS ANDERSSON 18H 25M 03S
TUBE 1 THE NOVICE
ATTEMPT
Participant Andi James
The one that started it all off i
had watched Geoff Marshall probably one of the famous tube challengers ever on
the tv and thought i have a go at that.At the time the network was still 275
stations and ell line still had to be done but not for much longer.The record
stood at 18h 25m 03s done by Hakan and Lars from Sweden but the Brown family and
John Stark had beaten that to 18h 20m 26s but still had to be confirmed.
First of all didnt complete Richmond line was out all day thought they would
bother to clear it but decided to close it and replace with buses but would have
done 272 out of 275 stations but gave up as i really wanted 275 at 5pm with 153
stations done with a lot of research for a better attempt and my plan was
actually nearly correct.
Start of the day at Amersham 5am was nice
except for the weirdo sat outside who seemed to follow me everywhere i walked
outside the station just wanted to get away from him felt happier when more sane
commuters started turning up.
Train arrived at 5.18am and started on
time at 5.25am few first easy connections at Chalfront and Chesham were
uneventful so onto Moor park and the first problem could i make connection yes
and really quite easy got off walked across platform and saw train arriving in
distance problem 1 solved.
Watford saw no problems although i was
surprised to change trains i hadnt researched this part for obvious reasons and
back towards North harrow started stretching for the famous Harrow run to the
amusement of some commuters got into North harrow at 6.50am and set off at a
brisk jogging pace (despite a knee ligament injury) had route mapped in my head
(note to self dont bring map with u next time) it was going really well started
to slow the pace at just after the school made it up the steps at West harrow
time taken 5 mins 30 secs train came in about 50 secs later i just managed to
catch my breath back at this point problem 2 solved.
Next bit saw the
Preston road double back my plan did say 4 mins change for this i must have got
a sexy late train in my favour as i got off walked across and the train was 10
secs in distance arriving so back to Northwick park for the Kenton run
disadvantage of being on your own i could have walked this briskly and saved
some energy change at kenton was 2-3 mins and up to Harrow & Whealdstone
where the good luck with changes continued and a Overground train there which i
didnt expect to catch in my plan i was waiting 7 mins here so very good
luck.
On the train down to Queens park let me think about my plan i was
going to be 8 mins ahead so changed at Queens park for a Bakerloo train down to
Lambeth north and decide to run down to Southwark or that was the plan got
hampered by seeing the Waterloo sign on the left and thought i was going wrong
way read later i was right track but got confused it was later round bend but it
was still on Jubilee line so didnt matter and didnt cost me my connection at
London bridge (in plan it was at Elephant & castle with 4 mins extra for
london bridge)
London bridge a bonus the train coming in was a Mill hill
east train so no waiting at Finchley central reasonable changeover and back time
taken from Finchley central and back just over 12 mins change up to High barnet
was good 1 min so my good luck prevailed heard their were minor delays on
District line but rest of system was good got into High Barnet near enough on
time my plan allowed 29 mins for the connection to Cockfosters ran up hill and
saw a bus in distance wasnt prefered 307 in my plan but a 384 but on a test run
384 took 24 mins for travel so reckoned in was worth the risk with a 5 min
window.
Cockfosters on time Piccardilly trains though are slow and i
need more expeirence of times on them was timing it all the way to Earls court
first mistake tried to make connection for Kensington olympia didnt make it so
precede to go down District line to Barons court ran all the way to Kensington
olympia and waited a long time 8 mins for the train (note to self rearrange the
whole Kensington olympia,west kensington,earls court for future
attempt).
First debacle out of way knew this might be a problem for
myself so took Stepney green out and changed at Aldgate east to get back on
planned time then ran to aldgate did the Tubeguru advice and used underpass
although i dont think its necessary but im alive cricle line was having a hard
time but i got a Metropolitan line out instead to Baker street Met line was kind
to me all day change wasnt rehearsed in this 1 but made it gave 4 mins change
running at baker street on to the Jubilee line.
Up to Stanmore back out
in 2 mins although the driver was on his mobile phone walking down platform tut
tut and got into Canons park rushed out to the welcome sight of bus coming in
took 5 mins to get to edgware wow i made back at least 7 mins on these sexy
connections went down to Camden town to change for Mornington crescent and then
to Goodge street in my plan this was a possible platform change or run to Warren
street with a photo done got to the northbound platform and the train was
approaching i made it with 5 secs to spare no time for photo and i read this was
a horrible place to change.
Warren street and up to Walthamstow with the
most stupid bus station i have ever seen wanted the 69 bus but it didnt stop for
me so got the 97 behind it and we passed the 69 on the way down to Leyton so ha
ha bus driver 69 u were glared at by me traffic was horrible and slow and
thought i wouldnt make connection got to the Leyton bridge with 4 mins left for
connection saw that the traffic wasnt moving quick pleaded with bus driver to
let me off she wouldnt do it until the bus stop got there though and made
connection with 30 secs spare phew.
This bit was very sweet i had
planned it so i wouldnt get held up at Hainault and sure enough change at Epping
was easy back down to Woodford and Hainault train due 2 mins i breathed a sigh
of realease. On the way round a lovely sexy lady with a baby and a small boy got
on going to Leytonstone the boy had a come on doll from the adverts and was
playing and looking very excited when trains went passed she was a little
distracted though and nearly missed her stop i helped her with her pushchair off
she was a sexy lady i only wished she was single but i didnt see a wedding ring
though maybe i missed out there. It was at this point i found out that the
Richmond branch would not come back into operation so by so close to my intended
ending point i decided i would not complete but gain some valuable info about
ell line for an attempt before it closes.
Walk between new crosses was
great easy although i wished it had been the way for the bus going because i
passed 2 on the way to ncg never mind back up to whitechapel and the unplanned
finish decided to wait around for els bus just to see how long i would have
waited for it it was around 20 mins i was there but it really didnt matter as i
had planned a cunning plan for that if need be and went up to Upminster logging
the time as i went along in all i think i did 175 stations and was roughly good
with my plan heres to the next attempt and getting around this time.
THE CONFIRMED WORLD
RECORD FOR THIS AT THE MOMENT DONE IS ANTHONY,KEVIN,JAMIE,PHILLIP BROWN AND JOHN
STARK 18H 20M 26S
TUBE 2 THE FIRST COMPLETION
Participants Andi
James & Sara Huntington
The confirmed record was as above but now
there was only 268 stations and only 1 attempt made by Anthony,Jamie and Phillip
Brown of 17h 30m this was not confirmed though because of being done on a
saturday.
Yes we did complete all 268 and special plaudits should go to
Sarah a complete novice tubechallenger no idea of directions to go lines to take
stops to get off and a slow running pace with horrible aching legs trust me she
could hardly walk up stairs from about 3pm.Sarah says will never ever do again
but might try a smaller challenge like a dlr or south thames challenge so anyone
like to congratulate her please do so i think she appreciate it i love her to
bits for even considering it with me.
And thanks to Soup dragon,Going
Underground and Tangy for helping us out during the day.
First off as
Anthony says we set off at 5.28.29 from Amersham Anthony helpfully put us in the
right carriage something I,ve never bothered to do but he told me someone did
miss the first connection at Chalfront once.Up to Chesham and back down to
Chalfront where Anthony left us continued to Moor Park got in at 6.20.22 didnt
see train go past coming in to Moor Park so thought it hadnt arrived but ended
up waiting 11 mins bad.
Told Sarah I had planned for 1 missed connection
not 2? before West Harrow but told her she have to run now.Although that was the
plan going into Watford a horrible 7 min wait at Watford so we were 10 mins down
already instead of possible being on time or 10 mins up getting in to West
harrow.
Please note Tube challengers that we were laden down with heavy
bags we had to take 4 changes of clothing for the 4 days in London plus
chargers,walkie talkie and cameras so any run time plus the fact i had to slow
up my pace as well is not really conclusive to what i could do but maybe useful
to people who cant run unlike Starkey,Tangy and myself and others.
Sarah
timed run 8 mins 17 secs for Harrow run at North harrow I sent her out in front
of me to get a head start but bless her she stopped as she wasnt sure of where
she was going.Took the lead so she could follow me most of the way down the road
on walkie talkie.I was probably 3 mins ahead of her at the end but stayed
outside the tube station as there was no tube fortunately it came in about 1 min
30 secs ahead of schedule so made some time back.
Down to Preston Road
and double back to Northwick Park good interchanges and made 2 mins back 6 mins
down on plan but still well within GWR. Sarah even had a chance for a quick
toilet break I really must get the map with toilets on for future
reference.
Sarah timed run Northwick Park to Kenton 3 mins 52 secs i
stayed with her this time in eyesight because i knew we had 4 mins to do it in.I
got to the station the tube was there held the door up naughty naughty Andi paid
the price my other watch came off in the door and we were on up to Harrow &
Whealdstone.Im beginning to like this place i always assumed bad connections
here and we nearly had a perfect 1 if the train on the other platform was just a
few seconds later we have had it but in the end it didnt matter as we got the
train a few mins later and still stayed 6 mins down on plan and on the same
train or be it later 1 than my first attempt.
Train down to Queens park
was nice and when arriving in Queens park i noticed that we had caught up 4 mins
so were 2 mins down on plan cross platform change was good 25 secs to arr/dep
and all the way down to Elephant & Castle with no major time gains or losses
after that though my plan started to go a little astray and this is where it
needs tweaking to afford the time losses that we suffered.
The first
train was a High Barnet but knowing that we just missed a Mill Hill East train
we changed at Camden Town to the other branch here we slipped up due to people
blocking our view of the signs and we went on the Northern line Southbound
instead of Northbound but i realised my mistake and changed cost us 10 mins
though.
Went up to Edgeware and saw the bus 186 there arriving in
station just left before i could get to it but we ran round corner and caught it
up the road nice fast bus driver got to Canons park very quick BEST EVER but a
snag there were problems on the Jubilee line (stuffed us up all day that line
Thanks and cost us at the least and outside chance of a record) we couldnt avoid
it though and had to wait 11 mins there.Up to Stanmore and i think a bad return
for a driver 5 mins sat there this will be noted in my future attempt planning
and down to Baker Street slightly disappointed here waiting 6 mins for Eastbound
H&C train.
I hate Aldgate always have always will but i learnt a
trick here and the surrounding stations and this is where i pick up time in
future did a sneaky change to get Aldgate out of way first although it didnt
matter if i did or didnt.
Sarah run time Aldgate to Aldgate East 3 mins
17 secs but waited at Aldgate East 5 mins for Eastbound when we should have gone
Westbound instead never mind.Up to Stepney Green and double back changes were
reasonable.First time i attempted i made a complete mess of the kensington
olympia connection but this time i had 3 chances for a perfect connection coming
down the District line.In fairness to Sarah tiredness lack of energy we went for
the Barons court to Kensington Olympia with 12 mins for her to make
connection.
I ran out of station and got some supplies on route some
water told her to brisk walk and keep in touch had to hurry her a little more
than the pace than she wanted but the connection was made Sarah run/walk time 11
mins 0 secs.Reasonable transfer down to Piccardilly Line at Earls Court (I had
the door positions this time ha ha) and on up north where due to lack of
expierance i made a horrible lack of judgement on connections at Finsbury Park
rookie mistake.This cost us at least another 10 mins maybe more and so i predict
we were about 15 mins down at this point.
Down to Warren Street on
Victoria line and out this is where Sarah really suffered me being a gallant
gentleman stuck with her i had planned a Goodge Street double back with either
tube both ways or a run between if none at 1 end i had planned this would take
about 6 mins to do.Sarah really suffered here(at least it will encourage her to
quit the fags) and it took us 16 mins to do another 10 mins lost.
25
mins down I felt that the record was slipping away luck was not going are way
and i got proved right i was looking at the times and thought we just going to
miss the Mill Hill East connection we did and spent 19 mins doing this when it
should have been 9 mins another 10 mins gone.Had this not happened as well we
have made better connections up ahead and not lost further time at High
Barnet.Also something else happened here but i dont think its appropirate for
the forum.
High Barnet now the planning for this connection to
Cockfosters/Oakwood is my forte but not even i cant compensate for luck now on
my own i have done every concieveable route (Running it,Bus 307/Run,Bus
384,various buses changes with running and Bus 307 to Oakwood double back)I cant
expect Sarah to run any of this so took Bus.Waited 13 mins for bus at high
barnet had chance to get some supplies though although Sarah could have quickly
gone to toilet missed out there.Went to Oakwood but really should have got off
and run to Cockfosters lost overall 18 mins with a horrible wait at
Cockfosters.I think we were about 41 or close mins down on GWR from about only
0-5 down 1 hour earlier.
That being said the next section up to
Walthamstow and down to the Central line was sweet and a encouraging message
from Going Underground to keep going all lines good service minor delays
possibly Jubilee Line cleared.?We got into Walthamstow I have never liked the
Bus station there and the previous day we planned a certain way of doing
this.
We had a window to run down the road past Tangy house to
Walthamstow Queens Road we got there just Perfect although it has started
pouring down at this point thank god for the shelter.Off at Leytonstone High Rd
no bus for Sarah and had to run but made the Leytonstone Station just right for
either way round the Hainault loop.Just because the Epping train came in first
we decided on spot to go there and wait at Woodford 6 mins on way back down.King
of the Hainault loop i think i am i never have had to wait more than 6 mins
either im lucky or plain good at this part.
Stratford and the F*****g
Juibilee line again another 10 min wait but now we got it out of way and
Waterloo was a nice change always been bad to me in past.Better luck a through
train on the charing cross branch past Kennington?i thought they all stopped
here.The Stockwell,Brixton,Pimlico double back all went to plan and better than
i had although we missed a couple of train numbers here due to the quickness of
it all.
Morden i had various options for getting to Wimbledon to double
back to South Wimbledon and bus it was wrong choice waited 9 mins for a bus
never mind got final supplies there.Wimbledon was ok apart from a drunken prat
who nearly kicked my bad right knee took the exact time the JP says it takes to
Edgware Road on Saturday it took 11 mins longer so i was worried about that.In
and out of Edgware Road in 2 mins i dont think i have ever had that good a
connection there so there was hope our luck was turning.
Hammersmith
great connection and Ealing broadway train was there got on it and out at
Chiswick Park due to Sarah,s now worsening leg problems every connection we made
was slower than the absolute perfect.
Sarah Chiswick Park to Gunnersbury
Run/Walk time 8 mins 3 secs i knew the train was 6 mins behind us at Hammersmith
i could have made the tube but no way she would have lost another 6 mins here
waiting for the train down.
Richmond transfered to the Feltham train and
reasonable connections on to Bus 285 over to Hatton Cross and around Heathrow
loop up to Acton town to meet Martin (Tangy) bad connection at there waited 10
mins for Ealing Broadway train reasonable change over to West Acton and a bit of
an argument!.I told Martin that Sarah couldnt run anymore and had to walk but he
ran out and naturally like a tubechallenger i followed at top speed when we got
there there was a tube but Sarah was nowhere in sight and really argued with me
at North Ealing she went out to have a fag to compose herself as we waited.Note
to all who have Tyytostyva (girlfriends) katso minne astut (watch your
step).
That being over we were about finsihed had to wait in the
horrible cold at Rayners Lane for a while changed at Uxbridge to go back to
Ickenham considering what happened at North Ealing didnt want to anger Sarah
further.So we walked to West ruislip had the great idea of the next person who
helps us next time to be there with a pint at the pub maybe this spurred her on
and she suggested to run just about the hill.
Got there and it was all
over no delays and a leisurely last hour an half said goodbye to Martin at
Liverpool Street as we knew record was out of reach.Waited 5 mins at Mile end
and drifted into Upminster at 23:57:47
A Grand time of 18h29mins16secs a
completion and i think we have been a lot more closer if not for the horrible
bit in the middle due to some poor planning and bad luck and better
running.