[skivandal]

Ok have lots of coffee shops to take my fixie, beard and full sleeve tattoos to in Islington. But what suggestions can people make if I actually want a decent after work or weekend ride. 

Looking at the map and the exploratory rides so far just offer up an endless, ghastly, flat urban sprawl as I head north. 

 

Topic

[beezus fufoon]

matthewn5 wrote:

The only bit that’s tough is getting round the roundabout on A104.

known locally as waterworks corner!

[matthewn5]

Al__S wrote:

matthewn5 wrote:

Check the route of the Dunwich Dynamo, a lovely ride that starts by heading east on Lee Bridge Road, then turns northeast to run up through Epping Forest and into the Green Belt. You’ll easily find it on the usual websites. Loads of short hills in Hertfordshire too, between Ware and Royston is lovely cycling country.

Though the ride out is a bit sketchy due to the drivers along those busy streets and roads. Suppose it’s a reasonable direction to be heading to strike towards the Blue Egg for a bit of pro-cyclist-spotting

Never had a problem heading out on a Sunday morning. There’s a pretty decent bike lane all the way to the Whipp’s Cross roundabout and thereafter it’s much quieter. The only bit that’s tough is getting round the roundabout on A104. There’s always loads of other riders heading out or in along Forest Road too.

[Al__S]

matthewn5 wrote:

Check the route of the Dunwich Dynamo, a lovely ride that starts by heading east on Lee Bridge Road, then turns northeast to run up through Epping Forest and into the Green Belt. You’ll easily find it on the usual websites. Loads of short hills in Hertfordshire too, between Ware and Royston is lovely cycling country.

Though the ride out is a bit sketchy due to the drivers along those busy streets and roads. Suppose it’s a reasonable direction to be heading to strike towards the Blue Egg for a bit of pro-cyclist-spotting

[peted76]

 http://player.bfi.org.uk

 http://player.bfi.org.uk/film/watch-cyclists-special-1956/

You’re very welcome. 

[skivandal]

Further cheers/chapeau all

Further cheers/chapeau all round 🙂

[beezus fufoon]

https://hexcycling.com/rides/

https://hexcycling.com/rides/

[matthewn5]

Check the route of the

Check the route of the Dunwich Dynamo, a lovely ride that starts by heading east on Lee Bridge Road, then turns northeast to run up through Epping Forest and into the Green Belt. You’ll easily find it on the usual websites. Loads of short hills in Hertfordshire too, between Ware and Royston is lovely cycling country.

[Dnnnnnn]

If you’re heading south,

If you’re heading south, check out the climb guides on http://www.broleur.com – you can find other lists of climbs around London (e.g. Simon Warren’s book) but these are free!

[quiff]

You could always try riding

You could always try riding with Islington CC (www.islington.cc) – they have a number of rides on midweek evenings (30 – 40 miles) and weekends.   

[skivandal]

Thank you all for all the

Thank you all for all the brilliant suggestions. 

Heading south is defiantly an optional. I grew up around Godalming so have many happy memories around those parts. 

The train and new areas to explore sounds worth doing though, always good to find new places. 

Thank you all especially for the great detail and will pick up the relevant OS maps. 

[sergius]

Sack off North London and

Sack off North London and head down South!

I grew up in the Chilterns, there are some lovely rides around there – but I always start from my parents place in Gt Missenden so have never ridden in that direction from town.

I live in South London now, in a place called Sutton.  If you are going to consider getting on a train anyway, then don’t discount heading South.  Sutton is 50ish minutes direct from St Pancreas or 25 minutes from Victoria – from here you have about 1-2 miles of urban riding to do before you are out in the countryside.

 

I’ve got numerous regular routes I do varying from 30 miles (box hill Olympic loop) to 75 miles which take in most of the big hills in the Dorking area.  If you cut through some of the smaller villages you completely avoid all the big roads – making it a pleasant place to ride.

If you want some routes I’ll share some Strava links.

 

[Chris Hayes]

North London is a bit of a

North London is a bit of a traffic quagmire that seems to go on for ever – and for little reward.  I would have thought it better to head south, especially if you want hills.  If you set off early enough there’s little traffic in the City heading south towards Kent.  I use the A205 to Bromley then head towards Biggin Hill, Toys Hill and then the Kent Weald and Ashdown Forest.  If you don’t fancy getting up that early then you can jump on the Overground and get off somewhere south.  There’s a few decent cafes in Crystal Palace that cater for cyclists too: St Germain and that arriviste Giant bike-shop. 

[Anthony.C]

Once you get through Watford

Once you get through Watford take a left just before The Grove and you are straight into the Herts countryside and Bucks Hill. The roads here are mostly quiet and undulating. Soon after you are into The Chilterns and places like Chesham and Tring, lots of good riding around there as has been said.

[Anonymous]

I plotted a route for someone

I plotted a route for someone from Borehamwood to Stevenage last week, once you get past Barnet you’re all good.

This is a rolling route, approx 45ft/mile, maximum 10% (aside from highgate hill)

A1/A1000 toward Barnet, carry on to Potters Bar, fork right onto B158 (Essendon/Cole Grn)

Swing around roundabout on A414 1st exit onto B1000 (Bramfield), Datchworth, Woolmer Green, left onto B197 toward Welwyn under A1.

Welwyn Bypass Rd B197 (Disgwell Hill/Gt North rd), R to Coopers Grn La, L into Oaklands La, cross A414 to Colney Heath.

Swanland rd, L into Mutton La, Baker st, under M25, L into St.Albans rd back to Barnet then back along A1000 to islington.

works out roughly 60 miles and 2,400ft elevation. Try bikehike and some basic Audax style notes, you don’t need a GPS that’s for sure.

HTH

[Nick T]

Join a club and ask them for

Join a club and ask them for their routes, club members will have plenty and they’ll even show them to you if you turn up to a club run

[Author]

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