Finding the best places to cycle in London is easy. They are all inside the above eBook!

The new version builds upon the previous 30 rides adding 5 more routes. If you’ve been following the blog for the past week then you may have spotted the teasers I posted. There’s the Swinley Forest “thing’s are going to get muddy” mountain bike route and the gentle ride around Hampstead Heath. This takes you to some of the most beautiful parts of North London.

Inside the expanded 35 route edition there are another two rides that are great for road cyclists. Perfect if you are looking for somewhere to stretch the legs and test out the road bike. The locations are must-see. There’s a beautiful ride around the Surrey Hills on a route dotted with the best in English pubs. There’s also a ride out by Epping Forest for those who prefer the road to the muddy trails.

On the other end of the scale, for those just getting started in their cycling adventures there’s a really gentle new ride in central London. It also makes an ideal ride for a family day out.

These new London cycle routes along with the 30 other rides, some of which have been revised, are available to download instantly by clicking here.

I find the eBook format to be the best for two reasons. The first is the flexibility. The eBook can be displayed on any device that can read PDF’s and that’s pretty much all devices these days. From your Android phone to your Kindle. Secondly, it gives you the choice to follow the ride in any way you want. Print out the map, follow it on your Garmin or load it up on your phone. It’s up to you!

The rides are scattered all over London so you can simply pick the one nearest to you or pick out the one that sounds most appealing. Each cycle route contains a number of recommended pub and cafe stops as well as interesting things to see along the way. It’s a great way to discover more of London.

With 100s of downloads since the first version was released in March of last year, we’ve also built up a nice bank of positive reviews that you can see here. Version three expands on the types of routes that were most requested from feedback.

For £7.95 you can download the 35 routes now from this link.

The map below shows the location of the 35 rides

View 35 London Cycle Routes in a larger map

Note: If you’ve already paid for and downloaded the London Cycle Routes eBook then there should be an email in your inbox with instructions to download the new version.

In the busy city of London, it’s reassuring to discover peaceful retreats such as Hampstead Heath. It is an area with a distinct village feel to it. Which is all the more contrasting when you consider how near to central London you are. I was kicking myself that I didn’t include this very special ride in the first edition of the London Cycle Routes eBook. There’s so much to experience here. You’ll discover a secluded pergola, the swimming ponds of Hampstead Heath and sweeping views over London.

Riding the route

The London Overground provides bicycle friendly access to Hampstead. The ride starts just outside the station, in an area filled with small shops and excellent pubs. However, it’s best to leave any eating to the end of the ride as there’s a couple of big hills to tackle first.

After a short uphill section you reach Back Lane. Near here there are plenty of small boutiques specialising in everything from clothing to antiques. Continuing uphill you pass Hampstead Village and take a turn along back roads.

At the top of the hill you reach a small man-made pond. You really feel like you are at the top of London.

The next part of the ride takes you to the undiscovered Hampstead Pergola. You’ll find it by sneaking down Inverforth Close and keeping to the left. The garden is open until 6pm and the chances are you’ll be one of only a couple of visitors.

The Pergola started life as an private Edwardian venue for garden parties and evening strolls. It was acquired by the then London County Council in 1960 and has been open to the public since 1963.

Pickup your bike again and head downhill for a short exploration of the gorgeous houses in this expensive part of London. Pedalling back up, you reach Hampstead Lane and eventually join the cycle path.

Turning left you enter Hampstead Heath. The Heath incorporates hilly meadows, large open grassy spaces and woodland to create one of the most beautiful spots for cycling or walking in London. Cycling is permitted on a couple of designated routes through the park which are shared with walkers. The official speed limit is 8mph so make sure you keep your fingers on the brakes. After all, there’s no point speeding through such an extraordinarily beautiful area.

Follow the cycle route through the park and to the Highgate ponds. If you’ve packed your swimming costume then the men’s ponds are open for swimming on the right side of the route and the women’s are slightly further North. There’s also a mixed pond on the other side of Heath but this is only open in the summer.

Continuing, you exit the park briefly only to re-enter at Parliament Hill fields. If the sun is shining then this part of the route will undoubtedly be busy. There are some excellent activities in this area for kids which include the paddling pool.

You then pedal back to the station and take an optional detour uphill to Parliament Hill. This is one of the highest spots in London and provides splendid views.

How to follow this ride

This ride is part of the London Cycle Routes eBook. The eBook shows you around the best of London through 35 amazing rides. To download the Hampstead Heath sample ride follow the below link:

http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/hampstead-heath-cycle-route.pdf

See also:

• Swinley forest cycle route

Once the magazine Mountain Biking UK applies the label “Trail of the year” to a place, a visit becomes inevitable. Fortunately, said place is Swinley Forest. A mere 50 minutes train ride from central London.

On route there, the excitement rapidly builds as the heavily populated sights of London give way to thick green forest. Stepping off the train at Martins Heron station you already feel invigorated as you take in your first fresh breath of air and the lungs clear. After a short ride along the cycle path you pull into the forest.

The Lookout visitor centre is the place to buy the £2 day pass as well as top up on drink and water. Once those formalities are out the way the ride begins.

Swinley Forest GPS route

To follow the Swinley Forest route you can use one of the GPS files below on your iPhone, Android or other Smartphone or Garmin GPS unit.

For instructions on how to use the files see the London Cycle Routes eBook help page.

Swinley Forest PDF route map

Next Wednesday I’ll be launching a new version of the London Cycle Routes eBook with five new routes. As a sample of the new eBook I’m including a copy of the Swinley Forest Route below:

Swinley Forest Route

If you like what you see, then make sure you grab a copy of the London Cycle Routes eBook. Version 3 will magically appear in your inbox the day it is released!

Riding the Swinley Forest route

Whilst Swinley Forest can be ridden with a hybrid bike if you want to head off the main paths you’ll be much better off on a mountain bike such as the Voodoo Canzo. If that isn’t available then it is also possible to rent a mountain bike from the Lookout centre.

The route I’ve included takes in some of the best trails. With downhill sections, areas with jumps and unfortunately, yes, a bit of a climb on the way back to the lookout. It’s a fun ride with great variety. You’ll be speeding down tight corners, making your way through thick forest and clinging on down steep and bumpy sections. It also takes in plenty of different scenery within Swinley Forest so it’s an enjoyment of nature as much as it is the fun of mountain biking.

Thanks to the surface of Swinley Forest its possible to ride this route all year round. Although, you’ll notice some sections get far more muddy than others. Once you’ve tried the route and got a feel for it then feel free to explore other areas. Local mountain bike clubs are a great source of info and many of them organise the occasional ride for none members.

This is also a great ride to take the kids along to. Often their fearless attitude is exactly what’s needed for mountain biking. Just don’t forget to supply them with a helmet!

Finally, it goes without saying, watch out for other users of Swinley Forest. There are people who follow the walking trails and there’s also plenty of other mountain bikers. There isn’t a set direction you should go around the park, so they can appear from anywhere!

See also:

• The London Cycle Routes eBook contains more London routes than you can shake a stick at!
• Where to go mountain biking in London
• Voodoo Canzo first review

Living in central London means the little quiet country lanes that are excellent for road cycling are often a short train ride away. Therefore, when I’m researching a good route I tend to look for easy train access. Ideally, I want the cycle route to be a good 25-40 miles so that it gives me a good workout and it’s an enjoyably long ride. This usually takes me around 2-3 hours of cycling time, depending on how much I feel like pushing myself.

Ideally, I also don’t wish to spend my whole time working out directions. Plus, it’s more fun if you are not constantly stopping at junctions. Therefore, the route should be fairly simple.

Perhaps the best part is the surroundings you cycle in. A good route will take me down roads I wouldn’t normally see if I was driving and hopefully that also means there won’t be too many cars around.

With these factors in mind, I present to you these excellent London road bike routes.

(See also: Where to go mountain biking in London?)

Chingford & Epping Forest Road Route

(North London bike route)

Epping Forest is a favourite destination for mountain bikers. However, the surrounding area is also fantastic for road cycling. Hop on the train to Chingford where rolling countryside, tiny villages and quiet country lanes await. A perfect route for road cycling.

Google map of route | GPS route download

Surrey

(South West London bike route)

Special thanks to London Cyclist reader Paul Williams for this contribution.

A pleasant and occasionally challenging 34 mile road cycling route setting off from South West London near Surrey.

Google map of route

Richmond Park

(Central West London bike route)

The London Cyclist road bike week would be incomplete without a mention of Richmond Park. A favourite retreat for London’s road cyclists. It’s hard to pick a more beautiful setting. The park offers sweeping green views intersected with the occasional deer and other wildlife. If it’s somewhere you haven’t visited yet then I strongly recommend it.

Google Map

Olympic cycling along Box Hill

(South London bike route)

If you’ve ever watched the Tour of Britain on TV and thought to yourself that looks easy, then here’s your chance to prove your worth. This is a copy of the route that will be followed by the cyclists taking part in the 2012 road race. London Cyclist Ian has a write up on the Box Hill section of the route here.

GPS route download

Bonus suggestion: High Wycombe

(Outside of London)

Here’s a bonus suggestion of an 18 mile route near High Wycombe.

GPS route download

Also from road bike week:

• 3 road bikes that perform beyond their price point
• Why a road bike?

Looking for more road cycling routes?

• 30 London Cycle Routes – the eBook by London Cyclist contains 30 amazing routes around London
• London Bike Rides iPhone app – the iPhone version helps you follow the routes using the iPhone GPS.

With the new Canzo by VooDoo bikes sat in my lounge, mud free and annoying my housemate I believe it’s time to take it out for some rides around London.

So what mountain bike options are available for those of us who want to go mountain biking in London?

Well, I don’t know if you noticed, but there isn’t a forest in the centre of London hidden behind Big Ben. (I checked). So unfortunately, mountain biking in London means heading slightly further out. However, thanks to the rather good (at times) train system this isn’t too difficult.

Take for example our first London mountain bike route..

Epping Forest

Epping Forest is cross country riding at its finest. Fortunately, it isn’t too far from the center of London. You either ride there or get the train to Chingford. The forest is fairly muddy all year round so it is challenging at times but can keep you occupied for a good 2-4 hours depending on how much exploring you are doing. It is also possible to rent mountain bikes nearby.

A route around Epping Forest is included in the London Cyclist 30 London Cycle Routes eBook and London Bike Rides app

Epsom Downs

Taking the train over to Epsom, which is still inside the M25 ring is worth it for all the forests in the area. You can head through the Epsom Downs race track and then around the forests in the area which include Nower Wood, Jubilee Wood and Epsom Common. The trails here require some sussing out but riding around here on a mountain bike is great fun.

I’ve had a particularly entertaining fall on a mountain bike here where I ended up covered in mud. The train ride back was very funny with everyone staring at me wondering why on earth I was so covered in mud.

A route around the Epsom Downs is included in the London Cyclist 30 London Cycle Routes eBook and London Bike Rides app

Hainault Forest

Another forest trail not so far from Epping Forest is Hainault. I’ve yet to ride here so I can’t share much more info on it. However, there is a route I found by the North Bristol Mountain Bike Club that I plan on trying out very soon.

Image via Lil Shepherd

The Chilterns

When I was having a chat with the team from Halfords, I asked about their favourite mountain biking destinations. When they talked about The Chilterns they had that look on their face that said “I wish I was there now”. For us Londoners this does mean a train ride out of London and the confines of the M25 ring.

Tring is one of the nearest stations in the area which can be reached from Euston. From there its a short ride to an area filled with mountain bike trails including jumps and cross country. 

An example of one of the trails available is the Aston Hill Mountain Biking Area. This costs £5 to ride on the weekends. More information is available on the website. For more information on mountain biking in the Chilterns this site has been really useful.

Swinley

Just 40 miles out of London is Swinley Forest. The best way to get there is by train to Bracknell. The area is rideable all year round and there’s even a dedicated MTB area. For guided rides around here the Berks On Bikes MTB club is a good destination. Intro rides are open to non-members but must be booked in advance. You do need a permit to ride here but it only costs £1 a day which can be purchased from the Lookout. This helps maintain the area.

The area was voted one of the best mountain bike trails in the UK by Mountain Biking UK (pdf on area).

Mountain biking here we come..

I’ll be trying out plenty of mountain bike routes near London on the Voodoo Canzo in the coming months and report back on my findings. In the mean time please do leave any suggested rides in the comments below.

See also:

1. London Cycle Routes eBook
2. London Bike Rides iPhone app
3. Putting together a flat pack bike

Sip tea in a cafe along a peaceful canal route, pedal hard up challenging hills and leave the heavy London traffic behind as you discover another side to London.

Let the London Bike Rides iPhone app be your personal tour guide to great cycling in London!

Rides include:

• A 35 mile cycle friendly loop around London’s main attractions and less explored eastern edges.
• See London lit up at night with the Nightride route.
• Fit your panniers or bike basket and explore London’s markets and independent shops.
• Discover London’s architectural marvels from ancient churches to inspiring modern library designs.
• Teach the kids to ride on the largely traffic-free Wandle Trail.
• Get the training miles in along the Orpington route.
• Get your bike and pretty much everything else muddy near the Epsom Downs.
• Escape from London for the weekend and head for the seaside along quiet country lanes.

The app is perfect for those just embarking on their first cycling adventures to bike commuters and road cyclists.

Pick the perfect ride for you, either by starting off in the nearest route to you or by filtering the rides down to your preferences. Whether that be for off road routes or long road rides.

Once you’ve picked a ride, you can read about the attractions along the way to visit. Sights such as Hampton Court Palace and King Henry’s mound in Richmond Park are included. There are also over 100 pictures and videos that give you an excellent overview of the ride before you set off.

Of course all the cycling is likely to lead to a big appetite. Cafe’s and pubs are listed as well as nearby bike shops.

There’s also an information section with tips such as what to bring with you to the rides and where to hire a bike from.

Reviews

In the run up to the launch I gave out a few preview copies of the app. Here is one of the initial reviews:

“London Bike Rides app is fantastic! It caters for absolutely anyone with a bike and wanting to get out riding around London and beyond. The trips are well researched, thought-out and presented. The app is easy to use and has a number of handy hints too. I love that it’s not just about the exercise of the ride, there’s the interesting attractions, pub stops and bike shops factored into it too. The only problem is that I need more time to do all the routes in there!”

-Amanda L

Download London Bike Rides app now

The app can be downloaded from the link below for £3.99 £1.99

Download from iTunes now
£3.99 £1.99

Not on the iPhone? There is also the London Cycle Routes eBook.

With good weather on the way I’m planning a little trip along London’s canals. This is the route I’ll be taking.

There’s a fantastic pub on the Thames called The Grapes. It was mentioned in the Charles Dickens novel “Our Mutual Friend” and if you get there when it isn’t too busy then it’s an excellent spot for a pint.

The great thing is, between my house and the pub you can complete the majority of the route along Regents Canal.

It’s a route steeped in industrial history with fantastic pub and cafe stops and a non-stop green setting.

I’ll be joining it from near Regent’s Park. Pedalling towards Camden and through King’s Cross I won’t encounter a single car. Then, if we’ve set off early enough, it’s breakfast in Angel along the Camden Passage which has the Breakfast Club.

With a full stomach, it will be back to the gentle pace of the canal path. We’ll pass The Narrowboat and Towpath. Which are two amazing spots to stop for a drink and food.

Then, it’s onwards, past Victoria Park and Mile End Park. Eventually, after the Limehouse Link it will time for a pint.

Easily one of the most pleasant cycle routes in London.

Of course, it’s in the London Cycle Routes eBook.

Are you planning any cycling this weekend?

See also:

• London cycle routes eBook

Having lived a few miles from Box Hill for a number of years when it was announced that it would be forming part of the 2012 Olympic road race I had to check it out. Not only out of curiosity but also to scout out great spectating spots.

On a warm February morning I took the opportunity to make the first ascent of the hill. Surprisingly, not only did I find it fairly easy to climb but I also found myself passing a couple of fellow cyclists on the way!

In my personal experience on an aluminium hybrid with panniers and fat tyres the hill is definitely doable at a fast pace. Therefore, any commuters out there wishing to give it a try and have something to relate to when watching the Olympic rides should definitely take on the challenge! I’m looking forward to trying it out again with a lighter setup.

As an overview, the climb is on fairly narrow roads with a reasonable surface (this is Surrey we’re talking about!) once over the top the speed will rise and there are several places where even a cautious descender can top 30mph. Traffic wise it’s not too bad, for the bulk of the loop motorists give you room, and taking primary position helps. The run along the A24 features a cycle lane for some of the way, but it is the fastest section. If you’re not keen on riding with fast traffic, there are a couple of roads that allow you to avoid the A24.

Riding Box Hill

My test ride started at the foot of Box Hill near the hotel. From here the climb begins.

From there you meander your way up the hill. Be aware of other cyclists as you do this.

Once this tough initial section is over you arrive at a cafe but you should keep going as you are not at the top yet.

At the top of the hill you can take in the views.

Then it’s time to reap the rewards with the run back down to the hotel, through Box Hill village. Although you should look out for sunken manhole covers on the road.

The next few sections offer some serious speed although don’t forget the road isn’t closed to just cyclists yet.

Time for some braking again, scrubbing off 20+ mph as the next turning arrives. It’s a left turn at Beaverbrook roundabout onto the A24 and another fast stretch – again 30mph can be reached here even into a headwind! I’ve ridden the loop several times while putting this guide together and every time I’ve gone down this stretch trying to find another gear! With the pros having the roads closed, they’ll be hitting the roundabout at 20-30 so very high speeds are on the cards!

At the next roundabout it’s another left turn, there’s a segregated cycle lane here with some cross hatchings to keep the motorists away.

Finally, it’s back to the services, roundabout and hotel. Your legs should feel fresh after all that fast running – time for another lap!

The Olympic Cycle Route

If you wish to follow the entire ride then it has been plotted on Bike Route Toaster. In terms of good spectating spots you’ll want to grab one of the ascents around the hill. Remember that the riders will be travelling in a counter clockwise motion. You’’ll have to get there early as it is expected around 100,000 spectators will be your competition for prime viewing spots.

For more London cycling routes checkout the 30 London Cycle Routes eBook.

Big thanks to Ian for reporting back on his ride around Box Hill!

Pamela who is a student here in London is responsible for putting it together and it seems like a fascinating ride through the East End of London covering the graffiti and the interesting backgrounds surrounding it as explained by the street artists themselves.

It is a 2 hour free tour that starts very early in the morning (You’ll need to join the email list to hear about the latest rides). All you need to take part is a bicycle, mp3 player and a partner – or you can be matched with someone on the ride.

I believe the next ride is currently listed for next Sunday.

More details are here: http://undercurrentdesign.com/writingsonthewall/

See also: 30 London Cycle Routes

Cycle – eat – cycle – eat – cycle – eat – cycle. The perfect day out?!

Combining some of the best grazing in London, with diverse cycling sights, this London bike ride gives a full workout for the senses.

A triangular route visiting three markets, starting with the now famous Borough Market by London Bridge. A favourite haunt of every foodie and good restaurant buyer, this showcase of quality suppliers blows my taste buds every time I visit! My tip is to pick up one or two special items to perk up your dinner that evening. Of course, being cyclists, you need some cake for your saddlebags (pardon the pun) so forage away!

As long as you haven’t eaten too much hop on your bike and head north over London Bridge to the City. On this part of the London bike ride there are great views down the river, especially East towards Tower Bridge and beyond. The City is a treat at weekends, devoid of boring grey suits, you can enjoy the imposing architecture for all it’s worth.

Head up to Bank, the ancestral home of great power and wealth, and site of the Bank of England. Find your way to Bunhill Row and head North until you hit the canal. Take advantage of this waterside cycle super highway! Enjoy the limbo under the bridges as you head East to Hackney’s Broadway market. A richly eclectic street market, parading hipsters buy classic records and breakfast on aromatic Vietnamese Bahn Mi.

Back on the canal, ride all the way down to Canary Wharf. So named as freight from the Canary Islands used to arrive here in the 60′s. Gaze skywards to three of London’s tallest peaks then bike ride southwards down the peninsula to enjoy the fine vista towards Greenwich. Behind the Royal Naval College, on top of the hill you will see the Royal Observatory. The basis of longitude, the Prime Meridian, and Greenwich Mean Time were both established here. If you are there at 1pm you will see the time ball on the roof fall, a sight by which all ships in the Thames used to set their clocks by.

Now don’t worry, you won’t have to swim, there’s a foot tunnel under the river. Be prepared to carry your bike up and down stairs, I’m not sure if the council will ever finish the lift repairs. Wheel down to Greenwich market, that specialises in cool and quirky arts and crafts.. It’s a great place for presents and unique goods. There’s also a fine undercover pub and yet more fantastic food stalls.

Conveniently National Cycle Network route 4 will take you along the river back to London Bridge, weaving through marinas and cobbled streets. To follow this part of my favourite London bike ride make sure you keep your eyes open for the sign posts as they are occasionally hard to spot. If you fancy peel off at Shad Thames and walk along the riverfront to finish the day along this lively stretch of magnificent London!

TFL provide free cycle maps that cover this London bike ride. For those who fancy an easier day in good company I lead this Saturday markets tour, amongst others. See our Cycle Tours for details.

See also:

• 30 London Cycle Routes