Training loops in East London
danhalliday
Posts: 5
Hi, I'm moving down to East London in a couple of weeks (living in Wapping) and looking for some road bike friendly training loops. Richmond Park seems a bit of a trek across town so wondering if anyone had any suggestions?
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If you want something quick hop across Tower Bridge and whip down to Blackheath it is about 7 or 8 miles from Wapping by that route, one or two hills and if you want to do reps you can hop down the hill to Greenwich and back as often as you want. Except for Blackheath it is not the prettiest route but you could manufacture a decent 60-70 minute or so loop out of it.
Richmond Park is about 12 miles from Wapping so a trip out a circuit and back would be about 31 miles. Regents Park is closer but the circuit is much shorter however a lot of people do it.
You could also hop up to Hampstead from Wapping with a loop back via Alexandra Palace (or indeed vice versa) which would give you some climbing. There will be traffic but you can sort out some minor roads by judicious use of GPS or, horror of horrors, actually looking at a map.
You will I think be surprised at the various opportunities as long as you realise that you are in central London and that means you will need to compromise with traffic.0 -
I live in a very similar area and, coming from the countryside, was not happy with the aforementioned compromise with the traffic! Making your way in and out of the city (even early on a weekend the traffic is bad!) used to put a bad start and finish to my rides and very quickly got tired of it.
If you're planning on doing any sort of distance (40+ miles) then seriously consider getting the train out of London and do your cycling on the nice quiet roads of Kent, Surrey or Essex. You're very close to Liverpool Street, London Bridge and Blackfriars and weekend return tickets can be had pretty cheaply (especially if you get a Network Railcard). I know it sounds a bit ridiculous, but I find this compromise much better than an hour of frustration hacking my way through sh!tty London traffic on sh!tty London roads at each end of my ride. For example, I regularly go out to Knockholt (near Sevenoaks, Kent) when I'm craving some hills! It's less than an hour from London Bridge/Cannon Street station and is Zone 6 so will cost you £7 return with a pay as you go Oyster card.
For shorter rides, Richmond Park is worth a go, it's got a couple of small hills (as much as you can hope for in London), the road surface is very good and it's a good 11km around, so a few laps can make up a good bit of distance, but expect it to be very busy at all times during the weekend. It's certainly not the place to be practising your 10km TT! Victoria Park is quieter and closed to traffic, but only 4km around. Not a bad place for very short rides.
Good luck and give me a shout if you fancy a ride!0 -
My old after work training loops from when I used to live down new cross way. Nice in the summer with some short hills thrown in, toys hill from four elms is my fave.
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1442441
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/14516410
