Laps in (or near) the City of London

prj45

So, we have Richmond park and Regents Park, both commonly used for doing laps (as long as you don't mind staying under 20mph/breaking the law)

But anybody got an idea where one can go for a lunchtime spin near the city without getting interrupted by lights/junctions?

The a largest open space actually in the City is Finsbury Circus, but a leeedle bit dangerous to do any serious cycling around, and besides, you'd get dizzy.

I was thinking Vicky park, but don't know if that's got a sort of perimeter, anybody know anywhere down Isle of Dogs way?

Clever Pun

Victoria Park laps are 2.5 miles it's nice for a bimble really, the surface aint great and there's 2 points where you have to cross a main road

nice to get out of a lunchtime ride, but not if you want to really hammer it imo. Give it a go though it's nice and green.

I've gone through the same process as you and couldn't really find anything else

Splottboy

Up and down the Nat West tower.

Good altitude training, lol!

deptfordmarmoset

The Greenway starts near the south-east corner of Victoria Park. St Mark's gate (??). The surface is ok, wide enough and when I was on it on Friday, there was virtually no one else around. Obviously it'll be out and back rather than a loop but it might do the trick.

Clever Pun

deptfordmarmoset wrote:

The Greenway starts near the south-east corner of Victoria Park. St Mark's gate (??). The surface is ok, wide enough and when I was on it on Friday, there was virtually no one else around. Obviously it'll be out and back rather than a loop but it might do the trick.

is that the canal path or is this something new for the olympics?

deptfordmarmoset

Clever Pun wrote:

deptfordmarmoset wrote:

The Greenway starts near the south-east corner of Victoria Park. St Mark's gate (??). The surface is ok, wide enough and when I was on it on Friday, there was virtually no one else around. Obviously it'll be out and back rather than a loop but it might do the trick.

is that the canal path or is this something new for the olympics?

I think that it's part of the Olympics ''legacy'' stuff - it runs close by the Olympic stadium on top of the northern outfalll sewer down to Beckton. (Though there are some badly signposted diversions just gone up east of Stratford.) But I thought the surface was smoother than in Victoria Park, and it doesn't seem to be used very much.

EDIT: this tfl link might help: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround ... .asp?id=60

JFJH

If you are looking for something near the isle of dogs you could take the foot tunell down to greenwich, go up the hill and do a lap or two of blackheath. Gets very windy because its quite open but its ok for a few laps and then on the way back you can stop in greenwich park and admire the views of canary wharf and the city.

Bassjunkieuk

Dulwich Park allows cycling and is good for a whole MILE per lap! Add in the extra fun of hazards to avoid in the shape of children and others who shouldn't be allowed out un-assisted on all manner of "odd" bikes (recumbents, child carrying, trikes, banana bikes etc. from the hire shop on-site) and you have a rather interesting ride :-)

I gave up after 5 laps last time I was there on the roadie. On the plus side the surface was nice and smooth but it then made me think I had a puncture once I got back out on the road proper outside which is less then perfect ;-)

lardboy

I've just come back from Dulwich park. It's great for a few pootly laps during normal working hours, but it's rammed any other time. You do get a fair few bikes and "power" walkers, but that's to be expected when it's 99% car free.

You get some lovely views as well, particularly the lady on the Langster who was lapping while I was relaxing under a tree, and the yummy mummy in Castelli with a blue Condor with a bright yellow baby trailer behind it!

Bassjunkieuk

@lardboy - I had great fun at Dulwich Park when hiring some of the bikes! I have yet to try an adult banana bike or the recumbants but I can vouch for the handling on the Nihola child kiddy carrier bikes :-D I was certainly giving it some on the straights and it is hugely satisfying being able to do mario kart style slides, although I think handling may have been even more fun if both front tyres had been pumped up proprely :-)

Stevo_666

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

Dulwich Park allows cycling and is good for a whole MILE per lap! Add in the extra fun of hazards to avoid in the shape of children and others who shouldn't be allowed out un-assisted on all manner of "odd" bikes (recumbents, child carrying, trikes, banana bikes etc. from the hire shop on-site) and you have a rather interesting ride :-)

I gave up after 5 laps last time I was there on the roadie. On the plus side the surface was nice and smooth but it then made me think I had a puncture once I got back out on the road proper outside which is less then perfect ;-)

Whenever I've been to Dulwich Park its always been too crowded to do the tarmacced bits. There's actually a half decent little XC track round the edge which is mostly empty apart from the occasional dog walker - although only really doable if you're on a MTB.

rjeffroy

There is this loop around the Royal Docks - you can hammer it on the DC sections, usually not too much traffic. Not the worlds most inspiring scenery though.

lardboy

Bassjunkieuk wrote:

@lardboy - I had great fun at Dulwich Park when hiring some of the bikes! I have yet to try an adult banana bike or the recumbants but I can vouch for the handling on the Nihola child kiddy carrier bikes :-D I was certainly giving it some on the straights and it is hugely satisfying being able to do mario kart style slides, although I think handling may have been even more fun if both front tyres had been pumped up proprely :-)

I popped over to the hire bit to see what they had. I think I'll pop along with the lady at some point for a go on the double recumbents. They look like a laugh.

Clever Pun

I tried the Greenway today for lunch... it's cackwizard if you actually want to cycle

Victoria park laps are much much better