Cycling in London- seeking advice

[pasadena]

Anyone familiar with the area have tips on good routes to take?

I'm smack dab in the Marlybone and Notting Hill areas

thanks

[verticaldoug]

It depends on how far you want to ride.
I live over by Sloane Square and typically ride south/south west.

I lived in Holland Park for a short while, and I'd ride to Hammersmith, cross the Hammersmith Bridge (closed to cars now but open for cyclists and peds) and head to Richmond Park. You can just do loops in the park or go out from there. A short ride is along the Thames where you can cross at Walton or Bridge Street. You can go farther out to Surrey if you want hills. And a lot of people ride on the river out to Windsor on the Weekends.

You can check out a few clubs, London Dynamo might work for you. Assos Regent St Store runs a social ride on Sundays usually once a month (they post on their instagram feed( https://www.instagram.com/assos_ldn/?hl=en ). About 80 miles +- and the Piccadilly Rapha Store also runs out a ride.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26061890
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30658931

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27711481
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27889388
(last two have some ride photos attached)

[flydhest]

I have not done real riding in London but have over a dozen sessions of laps in Regents Park. When you are strapped for time, it is fun and there are groups that freakin’ fly.

[paredown]

Originally Posted by flydhest

I have not done real riding in London but have over a dozen sessions of laps in Regents Park. When you are strapped for time, it is fun and there are groups that freakin’ fly.

Some flyers in Richmond Park as well--I would do the route described by Vertical Doug, across the Hammersmith Bridge down to Richmond Park (though it was still open for cars when we lived there--we were in Maida Vale). Laps in Regents--by myself, I was just getting back to cycling. I also used to head north-ish, up around Hampstead Heath--no particular routes, just ride some hills. Sunday mornings used to be great, did some slow cruises around the City, to gawk (and get lost)...

[dbnm]

Check out one of the Rapha clubhouses. I bet they can help

https://www.rapha.cc/us/en_US/clubhouses/londonsoho

https://www.rapha.cc/us/en_US/clubho...onspitalfields

[acorn_user]

Not a route, but I always enjoy window shopping at Racer Rosa Lovely Italian bikes...

[uno-speedo]

What people have suggested is good.

If you venture out to Richmond Park, Sigma Sports host rides too. And it's a fun shop to visit, too.

[pasadena]

Thanks guys for all the suggestions

Is this the best route to cycle to Richmond Park from the city center?
Regents Park is close by so that might be worth a try too.

Originally Posted by verticaldoug

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26061890

[verticaldoug]

Yes, the embankment has fewer lights so if you are riding later, that is the best route.

Regents is fine if you ride early but the lights stink. It gets old in a hurry. Richmond, the car gates don't open until 6:30 a.m. but the ped gates are open 24/7.

If you are Marylebone proper, I'd cross over into Hydepark, ride the bike path to exhibition road and take fulham road out to Putney Bridge.

If you had asked a day earlier, I'd sent you to Assos because on the 17th they were doing a track taster session at Herne Hill Velodrome.
(The Assos shop always seems to schedule the fun stuff when I am away in the states, I am not sure its a coincidence. )

You might want to do a Dulwich Paragon introductory ride for the club. They meet at Herne Hill once a month. Huge club, A, b , c groups head out at all different speeds. Its a nice ride for getting out on the narrow one way lanes in the countryside if you aren't use to riding such roads. Super club in my opinion

[pasadena]

great thanks
Yeah i'm near bayswater so i'm familiar with Hyde park - i'll try that for a ride out to Richmond

[pasadena]

Originally Posted by verticaldoug

If you are Marylebone proper, I'd cross over into Hydepark, ride the bike path to exhibition road and take fulham road out to Putney Bridge.

This is great. I'm in bayswater so this is a perfect route.

Rode Hyde and Regents today. Regents is better, only a few lights.
Hyde was too crazy w tourists. There were a few stretches that were good.

London traffic.....

[verticaldoug]

i'm in the US until Sept 8th. I'll ping you when I am back in London if you want to do a shorty on a Sunday morning out to Richmond Park or maybe take you easy Walton/Weybridge/Bridges St loop. As long as you ride before 10 on Sunday, you miss the traffic.

There should be a Assos social ride in September probably headed out to Sevenoaks in Kent in the South Downs.

[pasadena]

Originally Posted by verticaldoug

i'm in the US until Sept 8th. I'll ping you when I am back in London if you want to do a shorty on a Sunday morning out to Richmond Park or maybe take you easy Walton/Weybridge/Bridges St loop. As long as you ride before 10 on Sunday, you miss the traffic.

There should be a Assos social ride in September probably headed out to Sevenoaks in Kent in the South Downs.

Bank holiday tomorrow- going to richmond again, since that seems like the place to go nearby.
Thanks for your help!