Cycling in and around London

[Newboy]

I am going to be in London for a month. During the week I will go to gym and run.I would really like to cycle over the weekends though. Any ideas on where to go, where to rent bikes etc? Road or MTB.

[SeasonalCyclist]

not sure about where to rent but the best place to go for a ride is Hyde Park. Nice loop.

[Zaskar]

Do yourself a favour and go ride a mountain bike out in Epping Forrest in Essex just north of London. I used to head out there for the entire day, and it was awesome. Its huge, stretching something like 25km? and you can easily ride for the whole day without riding the same trail twice.  

 

check it out here...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epping_Forest

 

From the wikipedia article..

 

Mountain biking

Epping Forest attracts large numbers of mountain bikers. Mountain biking is generally permitted except around the Iron Age camps, Loughton Brook and other ecologically or geomorphologically sensitive areas. Despite clear signposting, a minority of mountain bikers continue to cause damage in these areas,^[11] and the Conservators of Epping Forest have expressed their concern.^[12] A number of clubs organise rides, particularly on Sunday mornings.

Epping Forest was considered as a venue for the mountain-biking event of the 2012 Summer Olympics, though the final choice was Weald Country Park near Brentwood, Essex.

As far as renting a bike, look up Wades Cycles in Essex, (on the way to the park). They should be able to help you out!

 

Good Luck and take some pics!

[Newboy]

Thank. Will give this a go for sure.

[PPWTF]

 

 

 

 

If you're in London you got a great chance to ride some awesome trails in South Wales - jump on the train at Paddington Station and in about 3hrs 30mins / 4 Hrs you are in Newport or Cardiff (book your train ticket early and state you will be traveling with a bike)

 

http://www.walesdirectory.co.uk/Mountain_Bike_Holidays/Mountain_Bike_Holiday_in_Monmouthshire.htm

 

http://www.mbwales.com/

 

http://www.moredirt.co.uk/region_trails.php?id=14

 

There's plenty of clubs who'll have Wales weekend road trips going on

 

For road bikes take a look in Condor Cycles, a London cycling institution http://www.condorcycles.com/ these guys will definitely point you in the right direction

If your still there in October you should definitely check out - http://www.cycleshow.co.uk/

 

http://www.londoncyclesport.com/

 

PPWTF2008-08-07 07:53:09

[ShortLegs]

Where will you be based?

[Newboy]

Where will you be based?

 

I've got a flat close to Hyde Park.

[Dirtbreath]

10 best UK trails:

 

Most accessible www.mtbwales.com/cwm_carn (Cwmcarn)

Best history www.mtbwales.com/coed_y_brenin (Coed y Brenin)

Best destination www.highlandwildcat.com (Golspie's Hiland)

Best in England www.forestry.gov.uk/dalbyforest (Dalby Forest)

Surprise package www.7stanes.gov.uk/forestry/achs-5rnf8m  Kirroughtree)

Trail carpentry www.7stanes.gov.uk/forestry/achs-5rnfl6 (Mabie Forest)

Most techniacal www.basecampmtb.com (Laggan Wolftrax)

Best community project www.mbwales.com (Penmachno)

Best in Wales www.mbwales.com/afan_forest (Afan Argoed)

Best in the world www.7stanes.gov.uk/forestry/achs-5rnfvj  (Tweed Valley)

 Courtesy of mbr

 

[Sean Badenhorst]

Just don't go into Harrods wearing shorts. I got kicked out of there because I wasn't properly dressed. I told the security guy that he shouldn't go by looks and that I was about to spend thousands of pounds at his store, but he didn't buy it. So I just bought my toothpaste down the road at Boots instead...

[Dirtbreath]

must have been your skinny legs.

[PosMan]

This web link will help you around central London.

https://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/cycling/cycleroutes/default.asp

[ShortLegs]

I've got a flat close to Hyde Park.

Don't waste your time round Hyde Park, the aggravation of people, horse riders, walkers, runners is just more of a hassle.

 

It's a short (<10km) ride to Richmond Park and that is the best 16km of easily accessble riding (road) that you'll find. 5-10 laps can be a brilliant workout and it's speed restricted (for cars) and fairly quiet. There's some organised rides in the evenings during the week and saturday mornings.

 

Make your way to Sigma Sports in Kingston, they'll be able to help you out with organised group rides and they're one of the best bike shops in London.

 

If you have access to a car, make your way to Hillingdon (West London close to Heathrow), they race Tuesday evenings and most weekends and are supported by ex-world track medalists and it's even safer to ride than Richmond Park (dedicated cycle circuit)

 

 

[calabash]

There is a great ride from Camden through Little Venis to the London Zoo.

[Canaris]

Just don't go into Harrods wearing shorts. I got kicked out of there because I wasn't properly dressed. I told the security guy that he shouldn't go by looks and that I was about to spend thousands of pounds at his store' date=' but he didn't buy it. So I just bought my toothpaste down the road at Boots instead... [/quote']

 

sean he would have kicked you out even if you pitched up in a three piece suit.

[Gumpole]

Richmond/ wimbledon parks are great,

 

Or follow the thames, my favourite, although it does have a lot of pedestrians in areas. - go to the barriers in the east, or as far to the west as you like...