Least dangerous route from Islington?

chamunt
chamunt Posts: 11
edited December 2015 in Road general
Once a week I have a few hours to spare for a ride from near Archway. Can anyone recommend a route or direction that is not too hazardous. I haven't cycled in London before so I'm a bit nervous, but I want make use of the time. I can also drive a few miles with bike if that gives access to a better route.

Cheers for any ideas. Sorry if there is a better place to post this.

Comments

  • Brakeless
    Brakeless Posts: 865
    You don't say if you want to cycle in London or 'escape' from London. The A1000 Great North Road through East Finchley, North Finchley, Whetstone, Barnet and on to Potters Bar is the main route out of North London for most North London based cyclists, whilst busy it's also pretty wide and I'd class it as the best route North from where you are. Once North of Potters Bar you're basically into countryside, check out Strava Global heat map to see the popular roads. All around Essendon, Little Berkhampsted, Hertford etc are roads that are quiet and well used by cyclists.
  • chamunt
    chamunt Posts: 11
    Brilliant, thanks!
  • tomisitt
    tomisitt Posts: 257
    What Brakeless said. I do quite a lot of riding out near Hertford and Essendon...very pleasant. And riding out tyhrough the northern suburbs isn't too bad. Head north or north-west rather than east. Something like this might do (45 miles, 2500ft of climbing): http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11400559

    Plus, there are the north London hills. If you're starting from Archway, you've got Highgate Hill, Highgate West Hill, Swains Lane, Hillway, Dartmouth Park Hill, Muswell Hill, Alexandra Palace Way, South Terrace, and one or two others. You can get in a decent amount of climbing in little over an hour, and the traffic isn't too terrible. And, of course, there's Regents Park not too far away if you want to do flat laps.

    Don't worry about riding in London...as long as you are assertive, maintain a decent speed, take the lane, and don't go anywhere near construction vehicles you'll be fine.
  • chamunt
    chamunt Posts: 11
    Cheers Tomisitt. I followed your route today. It was fun and although there was a lot of traffic it was easy to navigate.
  • tomisitt
    tomisitt Posts: 257
    I sometimes get the train from Ally Pally or Finsbury Park out to Potters Bar to avoid the traffic in Whetstone and Barnet, which gives you time to explore north of Hartford. You can also cycle back into town from Ware along the Lea Valley cycle path by the river, which is slow and gravelly, but quite picturesque.

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