The nice way to cycle from Richmond Park to Westminster
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- Опубліковано 20 лип 2024
- You can cycle from Richmond Park in south west London to Westminster in central London in about 50 minutes to an hour.
This route its mostly on quiet streets and protected cycle lanes, with a couple of limited exceptions that are discussed in the video. It's definitely a massive improvement to going down the main roads, and surprisingly quick - faster than public transport, in fact.
If you like what the channel is doing, you can also contribute to the London Cycle Routes patreon here: / londoncycleroutes
You can find a map of the video here, and download GPS files etc for the device or app of your choice www.komoot.com/tour/355612782...
The route takes in the upgraded CS8 on Grosvenor Road, the Battersea Park, Wandsworth park and Priory Lane to get between central London and Regent's Park. There are also a few LTNs involved around Putney. If you find this useful or enjoy watching please do remember to subscribe to the channel.
Great video, thanks! Small correction though: Richmond Park *doesn't* close at dusk. Only the car gates close, the side entrances for pedestrians and cyclists are accessible all night long (except for when the deer cull is on, in february and november). It's worth mentioning that unfortunately those gates aren't very accessible with trikes/cargo/bigger bikes, but I've been cycling in Richmond Park all this winter after sunset, despite the cold and dark it's very pleasant without cars on it.
Oh great thank you for the correction, that’s good news - I didn’t know the difference!
@@Londoncycleroutes There is a very small exception to that... there are two deer culls annually, during that time the park is closed, even to cycles. "The 2 deer culls start on the first Monday of February and November, lasting for 6 weeks on both
culls. During this time, pedestrian gates are locked from 20.00 until 07.30. 7 - days a week."
Damn I wanted to cycle through it after 8pm this weekend. Do you know a good alternative?@@NivagSwerdna
HELL YES!!! Richmond Park baby!
The rubbish gets taken out by barge and shipped to landfills in Essex, you'll often see the yellow containers being tugged though central London. There's actually a paved cycleway right round Rainham Landfill so it could be a good destination for one of these videos!
Interesting! Good call
Same with recycling centre next to Battersea Power Station. One of the last industrial obstacles on Thames Path if one carried on the Southern side.
@@Londoncycleroutes I've got an amazing route through Rainham, past the Landfill to Gray's if you fancy doing it with me. btw Wandsworth Council ship out the rubbish by barge for incineration from the centre at the Wandle to Belvedere DA17 6JY, another good path route goes past it back into town from Erith. In 2023 the Wandsworth Conservatives (in opposition now) are campaigning to close the Thames Path for cycles and scooters between Putney & Battersea on the south shore, similar plan happening opposite, so the Path is at risk
A bike ride through sunny south-west London is my idea of the perfect Saturday.
Enjoy!
Cycled this both ways today, nice to see that it's basically reversible (and actually a bit better westbound since you're turning left onto Putney high street instead of walking the nonexistent right turn). Dead right about the exceptional bittiness of the Thames path though. GOOD ROUTE
Thank you! Glad it still works
I used to cycle from sands end to Mile end as my daily commute for about 5 years back in the 2000's......those blue paths and the cycle lane bollards would have made it far less hazardous.....thanks for posting, brought back some memories.....ive subbed and will check out your other vids!
It’s amazing how much it’s changed even in a short time! Thanks for tuning it, I appreciate it
This looks so pretty!
First vid of yours that I've seen, and you've earned an instant Subscribe! Clear directions, interesting narration, points of interest highlighted... I don't even live anywhere near London but I want to see more :D
Thank you very much that’s so kind! Hope you enjoy the others
@@Londoncycleroutes Can I just ask, by how much do you speed up the footage? The speed is just perfect to enable seeing everything without having to slog through it in realtime!
Yay! Thanks for this. More to and from Richmond park if possible.
I’ll see what I can do!
@@Londoncycleroutes I followed the 74 to Merton Abbey Mills and they've made a great job of that. That connects with the Wandle (20/24). National Trust Mordon Hall Park was a lovely surprise. Alas the 73 and 212 were a bit of a dull and busy main road slog to connect to Waterlink Way (21) to get me home again, but at least it was flat.
@@Londoncycleroutes 73 over Wimbledon Common is muddy and steep in places, which is a hard "no" for some and "can't wait to go" for others and for me "after dry weather and in the right mood". I might try the 29 north next time as Wimbledon "Village" was grim.
@@Londoncycleroutes What I might try early on a Saturday or Sunday is down the CS7 (which is not the same ride as on a weekday!!!) to Merton Abbey Mills, then the 74 to Kingston Gate, enjoy the park, then "your route" back via Putney and along the river avoiding all the traffic that appears late morning at the weekend.
Took this today. Very nice way to get to Central London. Indeed pretty much the only way to get to Central London given the strikes. Many thanks.
Really glad it was useful, thank you for lovely feedback!
Awesome, so many roads I didn't know would be good for cycling. That route even passes through Putney High Street where I used to live 15 years ago, memories! Thanks for it, looking forward to cycling it!
Thank you, glad you liked it!
Such an amazing perspective to view the city.. Each time I watch a vid I am more amazed at how London has 'evolved'. I especially enjoy looking at South West London, like Richmond.. When I lived there I never found myself at the south side of the Thames.. Foreign country to me, it looks like an amazing (and expensive) area.
Great work! I appreciate your efforts.. spectacular narration ..
Thank you so much and thanks for watching! Richmond is indeed very pricey, it’s very close to Surrey
Thanks so much for this - rode into work at Kings Cross from Kingston using it today for the first time - it was perfect!
Amazing, really pleased it worked out well!
Excellent Video, thank you for posting this route.🚴♂️
cheers for watching!
I recognise the fact that shared paths can be a good thing for some cyclists - those who are younger, or have children on tag-alongs/trailers or nervous about being on the road, but personally I very rarely use them (have a couple locally) given the way that some, like those on Priory Lane, are not exactly 'cycle friendly' when it comes to junctions and car drivers are probably less observation because you're not on the road.
Yes I totally understand the concern! Especially like the one in this video (some better than others I think)
Thanks. I'm heading to London to cycle Paddington to Richmond and was looking for a route that wasnt busy roads.
hopefully this should help for most of it! have a good trip
Excellent! Watched your video last night to plan my trip and rode it (most of it) this morning. Awesome! thx!
Awesome, glad it went well!
Great video.! I grew up in London so great to see the old sights again. The go left to turn right is what we have here in the CBD of Melbourne for vehicles. I must say the markings in London are much better.
It’s counterintuitive but sort of works!
Thanks dude! I was searching for a nice route for next BH weekend, Richmond park for first stop and then Bushy park. This will do the job perfectly! Thanks a lot, great channel and great work! Well done!
That’s great, let me know how you find it!
Wandsworth Park doesn't close at dusk. It was part of my commute when I worked in Twickenham and I rode it many times on my way back in the winter. It's ver, very dark, though. Can't do it without decent lights.
This is such a pleasure to watch especially in winter.
Thank you for watching! I wish it was sunny and warm now haha
This video is amazing! So helpful 😊
Glad you liked it and thanks for watching!
Nice one!
Thanks man. I might try this route. Its closest to my workplace and somethimes doing extra miles after.
Route looks great. Keep it up. Wish there was more nice routes in West London
Thanks for watching, I’m going to try and do more west London videos!
Thames Path is a life saver through Wandsworth (kids friendly), even though slow and quirky in places. Chelsea Bridge will get some protection, fingers crossed. Embankment is lovely from there for all levels too and opens the rest of London for any rider. The continuation of Thames Path might open up to Vauxhall and beyond when the Power st is finished this year. Thanks for sharing
That would be great if they do sort it out as far as Vauxhall! And thanks for watching
Great route!
Thanks Mareaaan! The longest video yet by some distance...
Used this to cycle from Teddington to Westminster for the Ride London at the weekend. Great route. Took a wrong turn at Wandsworth Bridge (missed the underpass) but otherwise fairly clear all the way. There's now a gate at that small estate (Blade Mews) at entrance to Wandsworth Park. And nettles at Barnes station are bad. Wont go that way again. Thanks for sharing!
That’s interesting to know about the nettles I wonder if there’s a better way around
@@Londoncycleroutes We came back via the Thames towpath from Putney, then the good tarmac path that passes the London Wetland centre, and on past Barnes station towards Richmond Park. Much simpler route, and no nettles.
I recognise a huge part of this route. I came up the Wandle path and joined around where you crossed. I then got to Battersea Park and pushed my bike as a pedestrian down to the gate (as I neglected to turn off Thames path as you did) when I passed the Peace Pagoda there was a LOT of people on rented recumbent cycles (it was a Saturday) and many were all over the road so be careful there.
There was also a Buddhist chanting at the pagoda and a newly married couple getting photographs taken which was nice ;)
I fluffed the Chelsea bridge turning (I followed a more experienced mamil but the turn left 1st makes sense) and then I crossed the Thames again at that horrible Lambeth Bridge roundabout and then followed Part of one of your other routes down to Greenwich and the Cutty sark. Of course.. I then had the slog south to Norwood and Croydon again with a flat battery.. less than fun ;)
I find your videos so useful and informative. Keep them up.
Thanks Pete, that sounds like an adventure!
Great route, nice vid'! 👍🏽
I suspect it's taking rubbish OUT, down the river, rather than bringing it in. 🙂
Oh great that’s good to know! And thank you!
I used to cycle this out to Windsor and back.
That is a long way!
I picked up some awesome little tricks here - ridden around this area / route for a while - but there’s some nice little cut throughs to avoid some main roads :)
That’s wonderful, glad it’s useful!
Nice work, must have taken you a while to plan all that out! One thing I would mention though is that on a hot summer's afternoon the Thames Path can get pretty busy with pedestrians. Looking forward to the next journey
That’s a good point I should have mentioned it! It’s not as bad as some stretches and given the alternatives I think it’s worth it, but if there was a better way...
@@Londoncycleroutes It's definitely better than my usual route across Putney Bridge and through Fulham and Chelsea. Both awkward boroughs to cross
@@TheDanielCoyle I tried the Q15 which I liked. Lille Road not so much, then a lovely path up to Hammersmith Bridge. I've yet to try from there to Richmond Park as I then took the river path the Putney.
This is pretty much the route I do for my daily commute so did I need to watch it? Not really, but your videos are so nice I watched it anyway. Thanks for your work!
Oh also, an update: those chicanes by Plantation Wharf have been gone for a while now. Phew!
Thank you so much that’s incredibly kind! and really useful info about the chicanes, glad they’ve been cleared out
Great video
Thank you for watching!
@@Londoncycleroutes Planning on doing this exact route this weekend!
@@robertmcdonnell3117 interested in any feedback!
This was of great help for me as I just started cycling!
If you could ever get a chance, could you please do one from Kingston(Old London road) to London Bridge please?
I’ll see what I can do, there’s some good bits around there though a long way! maybbe able to find something
Loving your videos! Could you do one that links Paddington to Covent Garden, or somewhere around there? I enjoy Q2 but feel a bit lost when it ends!
Hey, thanks and sure that’s definitely doable!
Greenwich to Hyde Park would be a good video.
Noted! Will see what I can do!
Dreams come true.
Thank you for this one - have tried it a couple of times now. First thought is DON'T MISS THE RIVER AT PUTNEY. Always something going on, bacon sizzling in a pop up in a boat house even on a weekday morning. Assuming "from London" direction can either take Rotherwood Road to connect to the 37 or follow the 4 along the river to Queen Elizabeth's Walk. The 4 is very busy with dogs, runners, kids on bikes etc etc etc at the weekend and has some lumps and bumps as its not paved, but if you find it clear and like the surface its not that much further to Hammersmith from there and its a really nice bit of the Thames. PRIORY LANE I recognised from angry facebook posts. From Putney it took me a while to realise the bike lane "on the footpath" was two way and switch across to it. Road is a LOT smoother, but I like being away from traffic all I can so I took the path. ENTRY TO BATTERSEA PARK confused me, and my preference now is to keep to the river path which runs up to the "no cycling gate" where I can either "walk a little bit" or take the main road a very short distance into the main gate. If wanting a river view from the park next to the pergoda is a good spot. A lap of the park is something to add if not in a rush.
Great tips thank you for adding!
Hi nice vid. very informative. I cycle drive and ride a motorcycle, some times a put lycra to cycle sometime not. We are all road users what ever mode of transport we use, and what every we wear. lycra clad cyclists have feeling just like all cyclist :-)
Sorry if that sounded a bit critical it wasn’t meant to be! Each to their own
@@Londoncycleroutes
Thanks It so easy to forget that most cyclist are drivers, and some drivers are cyclists. Comunication is the key to have a safe and easy time on your cycle rides.
Im using your fins park to westminter route in a group ride for young people. Thanks for posting it.
That was the route I learnt to cycle on, the church at Putney to Battersea park, I loved it on my fold up, but when I got a trek I prefer the roads so no longer do this route. I still do the blue lanes along millbank, but that roundabout is dodgy, you can go behind MI5 but I did that once on a sunday and a man on a bike stopped me exiting whilst shouting in my face, so maybe the roundabout... x
haha wow sounds like an eventful way to go!
Another great video. You should do a video incorporating the lovely new cycle lane on Kew Road.
Yes I really want to get down there! Does it link with Kew bridge?
@@Londoncycleroutes sadly not. and TfL just removed shared space from one of the pavements to add another general traffic lane 🤦♂️
Oh no that’s not good, I was hoping it would link to the new cycleway going to Chiswick
@@Londoncycleroutes so were (are) we at Richmond Cycling Campaign! Great video and definitely competes with NCN 4 for the simple fact that it avoids RBKC! FWIW, Richmond Park is open after daylight hours if you use the pedestrian gates, it's just the motor gates that are locked (except during the deer cull when they do lock the pedestrian gates, but usually a bit later than dusk)
It is a shame that the cycle lane on Kew Road doesn't connect to CS9. You can go across the shared use pavement on Kew Bridge, then left onto Kew Green, Brushwood Road, Forest Road then on the cycle crossing over the South Circular then from there you can follow either Atwood's Alley or Leyborne Park* before crossing Kew Gardens Road, heading down Broomfield Road then arriving on the Kew Road cycle lane. I believe LBRUT have plans to extend the cycle lane down to Richmond.
*This road is one way but I couldn't find any evidence its two way for bikes on maps/streetview, locals may know.
Of course if you were cycling from Richmond to Chiswick you could take Kew Bridge but Chiswick Bridge's shared use pavements may offer a more direct route. I think you could do something coming from the north using the cycle crossing at Capital Interchange Way to join CS9.
Great video thanks. Richmond park is open to pedestrians and cyclists after dusk, all year unless there is a cull going on. It’s great to cycle in the park in the dark with no vehicles, just mind the deer.
That’s very useful to know- cheers!
3:05 unintentionally made me laugh.
Great route! Just an FYI: Discovered today that the cycle lane along the station at 4:10 is closed! Seemed to be due to come construction so hopefully it's temporary.
Thank you for the intel!
Thanks very much. It's some time since you did this video so I wondered if you know of a better alternative than dismounting and walking at that awkward section in Putney, which isn't the easiest thing to do in cleats.
Sadly not, though Wandsworth Council is apparently looking at options to improve the road… hopefully that’ll come sooner rather than later
Really good, very useful
When will you do a route from Ealing
Hopefully soon! Kensington is the tricky bit but I have an idea for some routes from South Ealing particularly
Really like your videos! Can you add live maps that show with the video?
Thank you! I’ve thought about this before but for now I’ve struggled to do it in a way where the map is both a useful size and doesn’t take up too much of the screen- but you can follow along on the map in the description!
Hi, just my opinion, but there's no need to muck about in parks, if commuting speed is a priority. You can pick up the cycling highway outside of putney and you're downtown in 10 minutes. I used to ride downtown from Wimbledon in about 20-25 minutes. Takes more time on the way back as you're going largely uphill, and the cycling highway for some reason is more circuitous on the way back.
Yes that’s a quick way to do it! I just wanted to provide the option for people who aren’t confident on the main roads and want to go a quieter way
@@Londoncycleroutes makes sense..! everything's relative as Einstein said riding his bike :) I'm pretty ok with riding with cars...
compared to what I was accustomed to, London is like a cycling wonderland, so many lanes and paths and so many people cycling, with proper bikes...
This is really cool, thank you for doing these videos. I think a faster route is to cross at Putney Bridge and follow the King's Road until World's End estate and then onto Chelsea embankment. I think it is the faster route, but gets a little hairy with the Chelsea Tractors but would be keen to know your thoughts. Would love to see a Putney to City route!
Interesting, yeah that’s probably quicker- i think it’s slightly too busy for me to recommend but definitely a good option for slightly more confident cyclists. Am I right in thinking the Chelsea embankment has a shared pavement?
@@Londoncycleroutes I think Chelsea Embankment is just a road, but may have painted cycles on it
If you can handle the 5 minutes of that the route on either side is really safe and fast though. Perhaps there is another way to navigate that area I haven't found yet.
@@jamiehicks0813 I think TfL is interested in doing a protected route on there but the borough has been unhelpful!
Wow, what a breath of fresh air and a great video and I agree 100% with your sentiments, e.g. that over the top no cycling sign because someone is extremely anti-cyclist, I know a similar 10m stretch in Kensington for no apparent reason, how the private realm along the river results in inconsistent strategies and how super fast lycra cyclists are incongruent with peaceful cycling routes designed for commuter and recreational cyclists.
I've cycled this route countless times with a few variations over years and I emailed LCC and Richmond Council to suggest the cycle path on Priory Lane in 1997 and was delighted when they said they'd make one side of the extra wide pavement a cycle lane. I was disappointed with the results for all the reasons you mention as well as broken glass that suggests it isn't swept very often. I tend to go on the road downhill and use the path uphill when I'm going slower and can avoid broken glass and emerging cars etc.. I can't imagine why they'd want to remove it and make the pavement extra wide again but appeasement of disgruntled drivers seems a priority. I really enjoyed your commentary and interesting facts that have evaded me all these years! Thanks again and I'll watch plenty more.
Thank you David, that’s really interesting about the history of the Priory Road lane! Great to hear you had a hand in it. As you say, it could surely do with an upgrade! I don’t think it would be too tricky to make it better either. And that no cycling sign is truly bizarre! Thanks so much for watching and the interesting comment
Intriguing... I'm planning a cycle from Richmond to Westminster but was planning on going the other way... CS8 I think it is... Wandworth... Battersea... Nine Elms... might consider this as an alternative.
Which one did you go with out of interest?
@@Londoncycleroutes I am yet to try it! ... but... I've pretty much decided that I will go to Roehampton Gate of Richmond Park and head towards Westminster and cross at Putney bridge and somehow meander through Fulham, World's End, Chelsea and ultimately Parliament Square. It's really not obvious and I'll probably get lost!
@@Londoncycleroutes OK I've done this quite a few times now, I take the main road after Priory Lane, it's not that pleasant, but it is short and then up over the hump back and back to your route, I go across Putney Bridge and through Chelsea and the Kings Road and eventually back to embankment... TBH Chelsea is not that pleasant... lot's of pedestrians and crossings but it is pretty direct.
How could you not like this?
Thank you for watching! 🙏
Well done for figuring out this route, but it says a lot for how poor much of the cycling infrastructure is in this part of London that it is so difficult to figure out and find and then when you do find a safe route it is blocked with no cycling areas (where driving is allowed?!) or chicanes and barriers put in place that hinder or would actually prevent many bikes from using the route. The Thames path should not be owned by private corporations.
Thanks, and agreed, there are so many weird things that would be trivial to fix!
Another great video! The cycle lane you mention that was being consulted on for its removal, what happened to it?
I think the scheme was abandoned and it remains in place! Though I’ve not been down there for a while. Would be good to see it improved rather than removed!
@@Londoncycleroutes Ha ha yes a good example of a crap cycle lane, some of those where I live. When cyclists won't use them you know they are bad - it's a pity motorists aren't more understanding when that happens.
Had you not turned off the Thames Path just before Battersea Park, it would have thrown you up onto Albert Bridge Road where weirdly there's a "no cycling" sign on the bollard for people going along the Thames path the opposite way. I've never worked out if there's meant to be a counterpart on the narrow ramp you advised people dismount for, or if it should have been removed but wasn't - but most people seem to ignore it either way!
It is a very weird set up down on the Thames path!
I think it's better to get to Albert Bridge and take the mixed use path. The confusing sign is ending the bike slip way past a pich point there. I think they don't want ppl transitioning from a bridge road to pavement at speed? Definitely mixed use oath though,all the way to the park gate.
Thank you . I happen to bump into your video. Could you please share a komoot route plan if possible
You’re in luck, there a link to one in the description below the video!
@@Londoncycleroutes -Thank you
Great vid. Isn't London lovely by bike. 😊
Thank you for watching!
Good vids. Have you done a long one where you do a loop around the whole of London just on bike paths? Would be quite interesting. Regarding Priory Lane cycle path, that is the exact type of cycle lane that I never use; mainly as on my racing bike ill be doing 20mph on the flat and when the lane passes through side roads it is very unsafe and much better to be on the main road. Ofcourse this seems to infuriate ignorant drivers so it is much better to have no cycle lane than one of these half-arsed type ones.
Definitely understand why you wouldn’t want to use that one, it needs improvement! That’s an ingesting idea to do a tour sort of thing, will see what I can do
Niezły kaskader z Ciebie hehe Ciekawe czy szosą czy gravelem tak śmigasz ?:)
Hey Jon, love the routes, wondered what camera you use?
Thanks! It’s a Go Pro Hero 8 black these days, the earlier videos were on a generic camera called a Crosstour 1080p WiFi
Is it on your handlebars or chest? I’ve tired my gopro on handle bars on the MTB and is so shaky!
Yeah on the handlebars, I actually use it on the mount that my old camera came with but it’s pretty a generic one, no gimbal or anything like that... I got the Hero8 specifically for the image stabilisation which I think they call ‘hypersmooth’- maybe check it’s on in settings? i think it depends what model you have, the latest one (the 9) somehow makes it even smoother but I am happy with the 8!
@@Londoncycleroutes thanks for replying, My gopro is ancient now... it’s a 4!
I can heartily recommend the 8 if you’re thinking of upgrading! The stabilisation is basically magic
The infamous Priory Lane, mentioned by a few cyclists, I think most stick to the road there. *My favourite street so far on your channel is Smugglers Way* 😂 yet you didn't talk about this quirky name like you usually do 😥
Haha sorry yes you’re right! I meant to mention it but I was too busy blabbering on about the recycling centre
Battersea Park: we can cycle on all the main roads there. I do it every day.
Could you map a safe route from Lewisham to Stratford? 🤔😊👌If there is one lol..
tricky one but I'll see what I can do! it would probably involve dismounting in the greenwich foot tunnel...
Why I asked seen lots of Deliver Roo Delivery guys whizzing around the area on bikes and there are cycle lanes dotted around the centre..It definitely looks okay for cyclist once you get there!! Lol.
@@Londoncycleroutes Our fave is to take the cable car, then east to the rowing centre, then north through parks up to the Greenway. Can also take the Woolwich foot tunnel (where the lifts WORK!!!!), into Royal Victoria Gardens and along the river path to Lockside Way -> Basin Approach -> Riverside Road and follow that path all the way to either the rowing centre and north or past Excel to the cable car and south again.
i thought those barriers along the thames path were anti moped
Yeah that might be the intention actually
The driver who you gave a pass to was in the wrong as your supposed to park on the same side as the traffic movement
Well spotted!
People drive to the park as they may live along way away lol
You should have crossed the river at Wandsworth bridge and unused the much better cycle lane on the north side.
The cycle lane on Wandsworth bridge is better but I don’t think there’s a very good way east from there on the north side of the river
@@Londoncycleroutes does it not link up to the blue cycle super highway that goes all the way to parliament?
@@wizardzx2 I wish it did but that one give up west of Chelsea bridge 😅there is a shared pavement along the Chelsea embankment but it’s very poor
You said near the beginning,"why would anyone want to drive to Richmond Park", then you pointed out at the end that Richmond park is not the most well connected place when it comes to public transport. Well there's your answer.
Driving to a park still feels weird to me!
At 8:46 mark: those people are definitely anti-cycling, obviously private land. But the most infuriating thing is that sometimes, these people get the police down there to harass cyclists. Absolutely despicable.
St Mary's Grove used to be a gravel road until not long ago. Now they paved it, and they narrowed the access for cyclists between those wooden poles. If you are carrying panniers, you can't pass. So petty and mean.
I didn't know that - and yeah, that's a good way of putting it
Don't like the worn out blue paint. Dutch red asphalt is much better.
Agreed, and they’ve stopping using blue paint (except at junctions like in Copenhagen) on new projects
Nice video! Can you make a video for a cycle route in Brent? I’m a cyclist and really loves cycling.
Will also try some stuff around Brent though it’s a tricky area!
@@Londoncycleroutes alright thanks!