Cycling equivalent of music

Posted by: i am simon 2 on 07 June 2004

Often this forum is criticised for talking to much about hifi hardware, and not enough about music.

As the summer begins I am now levelling this accusation at all the cycle threads, lots of talks about bikes, not enough talk about where to ride!!

I am looking for tips on routes.

I do not like to cycle on the road at all as I live in London and it is too dangerous for an inexperienced cyclist, as far as I am concerned, so I only ride traffic free routes, this is quite limiting so I need some suggestions for traffic free routes in striking distance of north London.

At the weekend we put the bikes on the car, drove down to Primrose Hill, cycled onto the regents canal and rode across London to Limehouse, this trip is 95% traffic free, it gives a new perspective to London, but in cycling terms tow paths are totally flat, and the ride is a little dull and without challenge.

Near where I live is Trent Park, which provides some good trails through the woods, but it is not a huge park, and whilst a few laps does provide a bit of exercise after work, it is not a day out at the weekend’s worth.

Also near me is the Lee Valley/Lee River navigation, again tow path, but it provides miles of safe cycling from Hackney to Hertford, however this is flat and again lacks any challenge.

Epping Forest is only half an hour from me and this is perhaps the only half decent place I have found so far that provides a reasonable amount of cycling, enough for a day out at the weekend, without being totally flat.

I suppose what I am asking for is more places like Epping Forest, which are not to far from North London.

I look forward to hearing your suggestions - remember - no roads...

Simon

Posted on: 07 June 2004 by John C

Eastway?

Posted on: 07 June 2004 by Tim Jones

Sorry, I can't really help except to say that it takes a bit of time to find the best routes. I think we're very lucky in SW London to have Richmond Park just down the road and the Surrey Hills 20 or 30 miles away.

Also depends what sort of riding you want to do. Can you not get out to Hertfordshire?

Tim

Posted on: 07 June 2004 by i am simon 2

Tim

I have been down to Richmond Park which is excelent, similar cycling to Trent Park, but on a grander scale.

Hertfordshire is very much within reach, the question is where to go in Herts, there are a few short routes I know of, but I am after the sort of place I can get to within an hour in the car, and cycle for an enire day, without going around in circles.

Simon

Posted on: 07 June 2004 by Tim Jones

simon -

You should get some good responses and ideas in the 'Ride' section of the Cycling Plus forum:

www.cyclingplus.co.uk

Tim

Posted on: 07 June 2004 by matthewr

"I do not like to cycle on the road at all as I live in London and it is too dangerous for an inexperienced cyclist, as far as I am concerned"

I think that's a bit too cautious assuming you are not some wobbly old OAP. It's not that dangerous, especially if you steer clear of major roads.

Do you have the LCC maps? You show all the cycle friendly routes in London and they make getting around London much easier and more pleasant. http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=37

"this is quite limiting so I need some suggestions for traffic free routes in striking distance of north London"

The canals and a few parks is about it I'm afraid. it's much better if you live south as you have Dorking, North Downs, etc. all within day ride distance if you have a car.

"but in cycling terms tow paths are totally flat, and the ride is a little dull and without challenge"

Avoiding stray dogs, not being bike-jacked by moody looking kids in Hackey and not banging your head on the tunnels not exicting enough then?

"Epping Forest is only half an hour from me and this is perhaps the only half decent place I have found"

Epping Forest has miles of high quality singletrack that should keep you occupied for weeks on end. If this is not good enough for you I am not sure quite what you are looking for. If you want bigger hills and rocky terrain you need to go way north (like the Peak District) or else Wales.

"I suppose what I am asking for is more places like Epping Forest, which are not to far from North London"

Don't we all.

Matthew

Posted on: 07 June 2004 by John G.

Can't give you any tips on new routes as I'm across the Atlantic from you but here's shot of one of the places I've been riding at least a couple times a week. It's a 10 mile loop of nicely maintained crushed limestone around a National Laboratory. I can drive there, ride the trail and be back home in 75 minutes. Great way to start the day!

Posted on: 08 June 2004 by i am simon 2

Matthew

I have the maps you mentioned, they are excelent and made me aware of a few route I would never have found.

Am I a dodery OAP, no, I am 26 but perhaps a little over cautios with regard towards the roads for some reason, maybe its because I dont want to come across any of the idioits I witness when driving, when on my bike.

I think maybe I need to spend a little more time over in Epping, I have only been there a couple of time, so a little more exploring is required. I have the OS map they sell in the visitors centre, but when I take maps with me I tend to fixate on them, and stop every five minutes to make sure I am heading in the correct direction.

John

10 miles of that around the corner from me would be nice.

Thanks for the replies, I think I will endevour to make the most of the few places aound me, as it seems that when living in London one will have to be as creative as posible in order to get the most out of their bike.

Simon

Posted on: 08 June 2004 by matthewr

Simon,

I am no expert on Epping having only been there three or four times but I wouldn't bother much with the map and instead just following your nose. You can;t really get lost and Epping is as much about just roaming about than following particular routes. In particular get off the wider bridleways and ride the singletrack in the woods which is much ore fun.

You can also meet these people on a Sunday morning at High Beach: http://www.epping-forest-mbc.co.uk/

Matthew