Some questions about MTB + London + Bike parks
sednan
Posts: 25
Hello,
Ill be on London in the next 30 days, and got some questions:
I'll be near GoldHawk Road underground station.
1 - Can you guys tell me good stores to buy these brands in London (near the place i mentioned above): Trek, Specialized, Scott or Canondale? Im thinking about a cheap full suspension MTB (2011 or 2012).
2 - What is the closest bike park near London? Aston Hill or ChickSands? What is the best in you opinion? Why?
3 - Im intending to ride after 15/03/2012, these parks will be able to ride? I mean, snow, rain, etc, can close the parks ?
4 - How many days before the date i want, i need to "booking" my ride on a park like these?
5 - Its easy to: get a bike, get a metro/train, go to one of these parks, ride, and get all way back to home? Its allowed and easy to travel with bikes in subway/train? If i'm correct, i'll use the ChilternRailways, and they allow bikes, except on some peak hours. I need to get bike disassembled/unmounted and on a carrier bag. The travel duration its about 1h30min from London to Wendover.
6 - Has any hints you can give me for make this dream came true ? (yes, its a dream ride on a nice bike park, like i see in all videos)
Thanks,
PS: I'm looking for the answers, and will post what i found. So please say something about what i'm posting in red, ok ?
PS2: Sorry for my iliterate language/speak, i really need to improve my english, thats the reason i'm going to London.
Ill be on London in the next 30 days, and got some questions:
I'll be near GoldHawk Road underground station.
1 - Can you guys tell me good stores to buy these brands in London (near the place i mentioned above): Trek, Specialized, Scott or Canondale? Im thinking about a cheap full suspension MTB (2011 or 2012).
2 - What is the closest bike park near London? Aston Hill or ChickSands? What is the best in you opinion? Why?
3 - Im intending to ride after 15/03/2012, these parks will be able to ride? I mean, snow, rain, etc, can close the parks ?
4 - How many days before the date i want, i need to "booking" my ride on a park like these?
5 - Its easy to: get a bike, get a metro/train, go to one of these parks, ride, and get all way back to home? Its allowed and easy to travel with bikes in subway/train? If i'm correct, i'll use the ChilternRailways, and they allow bikes, except on some peak hours. I need to get bike disassembled/unmounted and on a carrier bag. The travel duration its about 1h30min from London to Wendover.
6 - Has any hints you can give me for make this dream came true ? (yes, its a dream ride on a nice bike park, like i see in all videos)
Thanks,
PS: I'm looking for the answers, and will post what i found. So please say something about what i'm posting in red, ok ?
PS2: Sorry for my iliterate language/speak, i really need to improve my english, thats the reason i'm going to London.
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Comments
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Depends what you want to ride. Aston Hill is mainly DH rides, with a XC loop, which is pretty rubbish, part of which is a red run, which is fun. No need to book, just pay on the day, and if you don't park I don't think you'd need to pay.
Don't know Chicksands.
If you are looking for XC, a trip to Surrey Hills would be good.
Nearest 'proper' trail centres with nice long flowy rides are really in South Wales.I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools0 -
From your post in London Calling
Keep an eye on the thread, and post your plans and something will be arranged. Regular trips to S Wales, and a couple of the guys spend a lot of time at Aston Hill as well.I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools0 -
sednan wrote:Hello,
Ill be on London in the next 30 days, and got some questions:
I'll be near GoldHawk Road underground station.
1 - Can you guys tell me good stores to buy these brands in London (near the place i mentioned above): Trek, Specialized, Scott or Canondale? Im thinking about a cheap full suspension MTB (2011 or 2012).
I used to live there, it was a good time!
You have some local options for bike shops. In Shepherds Bush itself there's a Cycle Surgery - http://www.cyclesurgery.com/
Down the road in Chiswick (you can take a 237 bus from Goldhawk Road) there's an Evans. http://www.evanscycles.com/
Another one in Chiswick is more of an independant - http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&gs_ ... 4789546812
Not sure how good they are for MTB though, they are quite small and last I saw were more about commuters/road/kids.
A little further afield in Richmond you can go to http://www.bikelab.co.uk/0 -
Ty guys!
And if somenone got more information... I'll be happy!0 -
milko9000 wrote:sednan wrote:Hello,
Ill be on London in the next 30 days, and got some questions:
I'll be near GoldHawk Road underground station.
1 - Can you guys tell me good stores to buy these brands in London (near the place i mentioned above): Trek, Specialized, Scott or Canondale? Im thinking about a cheap full suspension MTB (2011 or 2012).
I used to live there, it was a good time!
You have some local options for bike shops. In Shepherds Bush itself there's a Cycle Surgery - http://www.cyclesurgery.com/
Down the road in Chiswick (you can take a 237 bus from Goldhawk Road) there's an Evans. http://www.evanscycles.com/
Another one in Chiswick is more of an independant - http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&gs_ ... 4789546812
Not sure how good they are for MTB though, they are quite small and last I saw were more about commuters/road/kids.
A little further afield in Richmond you can go to http://www.bikelab.co.uk/
And what are another best Bike Stores in London? Stores can i have acess by train/tube or bus.
Ty,0 -
The London stores are usually quite roadie, but near Spitalfields Market (Liverpool Street station) there is a big Evans and a big Cycle Surgery close together and they have quite a lot of MTB. I don't know of any good independent stores in the city, but there is Pedal and Spoke out at Peaslake where the London Calling group often ride. You could also I guess consider Gumtree and eBay for second hand bikes.0
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Thanks !milko9000 wrote:The London stores are usually quite roadie, but near Spitalfields Market (Liverpool Street station) there is a big Evans and a big Cycle Surgery close together and they have quite a lot of MTB. I don't know of any good independent stores in the city, but there is Pedal and Spoke out at Peaslake where the London Calling group often ride. You could also I guess consider Gumtree and eBay for second hand bikes.0 -
I'm in London. I think i'll look the stores on saturday. I hope i can find good deals/saves on MTB.0
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Where are you from?I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools0 -
Bought my bike!! I'm Very happy!
Can't wait till next weekend to ride!0 -
What did you get?
Regarding the soccer, it depends on what teams you want to see. Fulham should be easy enough to get in and see a Premier League game, and they're pretty entertaining at the moment too. It'll be harder to see Chelsea/Spurs/Arsenal though, that's true.0 -
milko9000 wrote:What did you get?
Regarding the soccer, it depends on what teams you want to see. Fulham should be easy enough to get in and see a Premier League game, and they're pretty entertaining at the moment too. It'll be harder to see Chelsea/Spurs/Arsenal though, that's true.
I bought a tkt for Arsenal x Aston Villa! Will be a good game, i hope.
Now i need to find a good store to buy cheap shorts and shoes (with cleats) to ride.
Doubt: People usually wear shorts over cycling pants? Or its too weird? Because i got cycling pants ( that tight ones who fits the legs) and i'm trying to save money.0 -
They do normally wear baggy shorts over lycra shorts, but I wouldn't get too stressed about it one way or the other.I don't do smileys.
There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda
London Calling on Facebook
Parktools0 -
Tryng to buy tkt to wendover, but says all bicycle spaces are full.
=/. So frustrating.
I really need to book the bicycle seat? Or i can go without seat/bike booking?0 -
With chiltern railways?
Unless things have changed drastically recently their bike policy is very liberal. You can take your bike on as long as it isn't during peak times on a train leaving Marylebone or Birmingham between 8-10 am and 16.30-19.30 IIRC.
I've never booked a bicycle seat with them, I've always just taken the bike into a carriage with me, left it by the doors. If it's in the way when the train stops I move it. This is what most other people seem to do too, if I'm honest I haven't noticed a specific bike compartment on their trains.
Also there are no restrictions on bikes at the weekends.0 -
Ty sir!!Angry Bird wrote:With chiltern railways?
Unless things have changed drastically recently their bike policy is very liberal. You can take your bike on as long as it isn't during peak times on a train leaving Marylebone or Birmingham between 8-10 am and 16.30-19.30 IIRC.
I've never booked a bicycle seat with them, I've always just taken the bike into a carriage with me, left it by the doors. If it's in the way when the train stops I move it. This is what most other people seem to do too, if I'm honest I haven't noticed a specific bike compartment on their trains.
Also there are no restrictions on bikes at the weekends.
Btw, theres a video of a trail imusually do in my country:
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri= ... l1axxjORWc0
