East London

Austin316
Austin316 Posts: 50
edited July 2013 in Road general
I've just moved to Mile End in east London, any advice on a couple of questions most welcome. Firstly, can anyone recommend a good training route? I'm talking an hour or two blast after work, currently I'm heading up to Alexandra Palace, Highgate and Regents Park but there's only so many times I can do this without getting bored!

Secondly, are there any good clubs in the area? Most seem to be further out towards Essex. Something not too serious but I'm looking for a bit of company and some new routes for the odd weekend ride.

Thanks!

Comments

  • poplarpickle
    poplarpickle Posts: 1
    Don't forget South London, the Greenwich foot tunnel is only 4 miles from Mile End. A further 4 miles to Forest Hill and lots of different looped routes (and hills) in that area listed on the usual "find a route" type sites. The closest cycle club is The Tower Hamlets Wheelers who meet for their rides on the green bridge by Mile End Station.
  • owenlars
    owenlars Posts: 719
    Richmond Park is thirteen miles each way plus seven miles for a circuit.

    Something a bit closer would be Regents Park probably 6 miles each way and a two-ish mile circuit

    Hampstead Heath for a bit of a climb

    In to Tower Bridge and over to Southwark for a bit of a climb up to Blackheath, home via the Woolwich Ferry if you want to extend along the North side of the river.

    They are all a bit trafficy but after work would give you a bit of a run
  • NewTTer
    NewTTer Posts: 463
    http://www.bing.com/search?q=Cycling+cl ... &sp=-1&sk=
  • Mr Will
    Mr Will Posts: 216
    For slightly longer rides, Epping Forest is in easy reach from there, as is the Lee Valley park. About 10 miles until you hit the countryside but great once you get there.
    2010 Cannondale CAAD9 Tiagra
  • Austin316
    Austin316 Posts: 50
    Thanks guys. I'll definitely try south London. Epping and Essex are good but a bit of a trek after work!
  • Austin316
    Austin316 Posts: 50
    NewTTer wrote:
    http://www.bing.com/search?q=Cycling+clubs+east+london&qs=n&form=QBRE&pq=cycling+clubs+east+london&sc=0-23&sp=-1&sk=

    Thanks, I'm looking for personal recommendations rather than search engine results. Do you have a recommendation?
  • teisetrotter
    teisetrotter Posts: 342
    The foot tunnel is the answer for going south and then you can shoot out various ways into North Kent. For longer rides that means Shoreham, Otford type direction. For two hours Greenwich Park and the local environs are good.

    For good rides Crystal Palace area is fantastic. Once you are through the foot tunnel it is only a short ride to the Catford CC or just a bit further out you have the huge Dulwich Paragon club and Brixton who head out from the Cadence or the cafes on Crystal Palace .......... but that is if you can be bothered to ride all that way to go on a ride ........... but then the Over Ground line will get you to Crystal Palace from the East End very quickly.
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,909
    Austin316 wrote:
    Thanks guys. I'll definitely try south London. Epping and Essex are good but a bit of a trek after work!

    a 2 hour loop from mile end takes in a abridge epping loop no problems

    head out to chigwell lambourne end then across to high beeches back down the 106 into town

    its not a big deal
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • NewTTer
    NewTTer Posts: 463
    Austin316 wrote:
    NewTTer wrote:
    http://www.bing.com/search?q=Cycling+clubs+east+london&qs=n&form=QBRE&pq=cycling+clubs+east+london&sc=0-23&sp=-1&sk=

    Thanks, I'm looking for personal recommendations rather than search engine results. Do you have a recommendation?
    Your best recommendation is to go along and try them for yourself, it is free. What suits one person may not suit another, so be brave and give them a go plenty to choose from, once you have th eone that satisfies your needs stick with them.
  • Mr Will
    Mr Will Posts: 216
    Austin316 wrote:
    Thanks guys. I'll definitely try south London. Epping and Essex are good but a bit of a trek after work!

    I really wouldn't bother trying south unless you've got plenty of time to burn - I'm based in Greenwich and there's little in the way of decent riding around here without a significant trek, and that's without including the distance from Mile End to here.

    I used to live in Bow and the countryside towards Epping was a damn site closer than it is here! As others have said, a 2 hour loop out that way is perfectly do-able.

    If it must be shorter then Victoria park is quiet enough in the mornings for a few laps. Gets boring after a while though and not much use in the evenings as it's too busy (unless it's raining!).

    Regarding clubs, I went out with Cycling Club Hackney a few times and they were a very friendly bunch. I'm with Dulwich Paragon now, but again, I'd say they are a bit far from your neck of the woods. Feel free to join us on the first Saturday of the month though if you fancy a free try out :)
    2010 Cannondale CAAD9 Tiagra
  • Austin316
    Austin316 Posts: 50
    What do people think of the A104 Lea Bridge Road? It looks a decent route out to Epping but a couple of people have said it's a bit dicey.
  • mididoctors
    mididoctors Posts: 18,909
    Austin316 wrote:
    What do people think of the A104 Lea Bridge Road? It looks a decent route out to Epping but a couple of people have said it's a bit dicey.

    its a good quick way out of town.

    turn off at either ranger road for epping forest climbs such as mott street or better buckhurst hill and head out into chigwell via palmerston road or essex lanes.
    "If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm
  • Andyh1710
    Andyh1710 Posts: 10
    The A104 is my normal route out of town from Finsbury Park. I've never had any worries, it's reasonably wide so traffic generally passes without issue. There is a cycle lane for quite a distance as you leave Woodford but the surface is pretty crap so I tend to sit in with normal traffic.
  • Austin316
    Austin316 Posts: 50
    Cool thanks guys.
  • Austin316
    Austin316 Posts: 50
    Just tried it, out and back along the a104, and a loop around the forest and up Mott street. A good ride. Nasty headwind coming back! What's out buckhurst hill way?
  • TakeTurns
    TakeTurns Posts: 1,075
    If you're after a club, I'd suggest Finsbury Park CC. Nice bunch of varying abilities. Most of us live in North/East London, so you could perhaps hook up a ride outside of club runs and get to know some local routes.

    http://www.finsburyparkcc.org/
  • Austin316
    Austin316 Posts: 50
    TakeTurns wrote:
    If you're after a club, I'd suggest Finsbury Park CC. Nice bunch of varying abilities. Most of us live in North/East London, so you could perhaps hook up a ride outside of club runs and get to know some local routes.

    http://www.finsburyparkcc.org/

    Sounds interesting, thanks. So you don't only ride from potters bar then?
  • duckehhh
    duckehhh Posts: 7
    Austin316 wrote:
    What do people think of the A104 Lea Bridge Road? It looks a decent route out to Epping but a couple of people have said it's a bit dicey.
    Lea bridge road is fine, with the exception of the stretch between markhouse rd and just before bakers arms. Quite narrow and the 'cycle path' is In the doorzone.

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