Where to ride around London area?

Saldawop

Am very new to cycling.Only had my bike a month or so.I live in Central London and getting out for a ride is a pain.Constant start/stopping and road humps!!! I want to stick my bike in the back of my car and head out of London.Still not up to long distance rides, 30 miles max.Any suggestions.My ideas would be around Potters Bar (purely because I have always seen a few bikes about there when working)
or maybe around Dartford(lots of quiet country type roads...although the ones I have been on in my car dont seem to be in great condition.
Anywhere else?

WisePranker

Head south west towards Surrey Hills and Boxhill, both pretty popular areas with cyclists.

balthazar

When I lived in south/west London, I aimed towards Box Hill and Leith Hill in Surrey, as the above reply suggests; when I lived east, I headed out towards Loughton/ Epping. In both cases (though especially Essex), pleasant riding was easy to find.

It has always surprised me how quickly London becomes countryside, with tiny quiet roads in all directions if you choose well. If you follow signs, you'll end up on massive horrible trunk roads. But if you either preplan or follow a handlebar satnav, you'll find gentle bucolic terrain after 10 miles of warming up, in any direction, I think. No need to take the car!

Saldawop

Thanks guys

izza

I live in North London.

If you head north then pleasant country lanes are plentiful from Barnet/Potters Bar onwards. You can do numerous loops around Hertford, Hatfield, Tewin, Stevenage, WGC, Luton etc.

However, I still throw the bike and head around to Surrey sometimes as there are more decent hills - as noted by Balthazar.

For speed training, I often head to Regents park just to try and keep up with anyone going over 40 clicks.

londoncommuter

I can't let this go without shamelessly plugging our club who meet on Sundays near Orpington (a doddle on the train from London Bridge):

http://www.gsavanti.co.uk/

New riders always welcome and we have groups that go at different paces.

In the unlikely event that we're not perfect for you, do have a look for clubs in the area you decide on as it's a fun and safe way to get into longer rides.

Saldawop

Im very new.,,,,,and very slow so would not feel confident riding with a Club.At least not at the moment.Plus the fact that I work 5 out of 7 weekends means I dont get to ride the majority of weekends.

londoncommuter

I think some clubs do mid week runs as well if you do eventually want to join one but enjoy whatever you decide on and welcome to the fold.

Saldawop

Thanks for the welcome.Unfortunately my work has me doing shift work,which is a pain at the best of times, but when you have to get up at 2.30am its even worse.This also limits my ride time during the week.I am pretty much limited to early afternoons,as when I am working I am in bed by 8pm, and that would be a late night!! So again I assume that would rule out a lot of club rides?

Sleeping_menace

I'm in North London as well.. and heading due north towards Potters bar, Cuffley.. that general area, is great for putting on pleasant km's. The traffic in the area is used to a large cycle presence, and if you ride your bike like a human being, they tend to be quite friendly and accommodating. I head up that way most weekend mornings, and the occasional weekday morning (very early) to put km's on my TT bike..is very pleasant.
If taking a train out of central London.. just hop off at Enfield Chase (or later) and good riding abounds.

optimisticbiker

+1 to North of London

I often do round Harrow, St Albans and Potters Bar areas... there are some hills if you want to find them...

Some example rides

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/467343

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/404200

http://ridewithgps.com/trips/228504

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/390598

xcmad

+1 to North of London, sounds like the closest for you? Hatfield, St Albans, some nice rides heading out toward south of Hemel to Bovingdon Green. My commute is High Wycombe to Hatfield, surprisingly very green.

The Chilterns are great for challenging hills and scenery, especially Turville and Henley area, but the roads are getting in bad condition. For the best roads, rides and scenery.... its Wales all the way. Albeit a bit far! You could always stay in a hotel like the Old Rectory in Llangattock and use as a base. Just back from there myself