The total trail is 17 miles long and nearly completely traffic free. It follows the route of an old disused railway line, which provides a scenic backdrop and best of all it is flat, so there’s no hill climbing.

On a recent visit to Cornwall where my friend had convinced me to go surfing despite the fact most of the UK was covered under snow, I decided to ride with her from Wadebridge to Padstow and back.

We hired a bike for £11 and with our Hybrids set off on the route. 

You can find a map of the route on the Sustrans website but you don’t really need one. Simply make your way to the part of the route you want to explore and you’ll soon find signs sending you the right way.

It’s really enjoyable when a route is completely easy to follow and you don’t need to keep looking up directions and stopping.

The disused railway that the route follows once carried china clay, as my friend enthusiastically explained. Now it’s visited by over 400,000 people every year and brings significant revenue to the local area. I commended her on her encyclopaedic like knowledge of the Camel Trail.

The bridge before the town of Padstow is a particularly impressive sight along the way, which lead me to get arty and use the black and white mode of my camera!

The grand finale of the route was a nice big meal in Padstow. There are plenty of pubs and fish and chip shops to choose from.

It was a particularly cold day when we visited with the temperature gauge hovering around 3 degrees. Fortunately we’d packed a few useful bits of gear that got us through. My friend had a pair of Nike gloves from JD Sports beneath her mittens, a big jacket and quite a few layers beneath.

I had my cycling gloves, a warm jacket and even a pair of men’s leggings beneath my jeans. Despite all of that it was still pretty cold so we decided to camp out in a pub for a while to gain our willpower to head back out!

The route back was more of a rush to get back to the warm car! (Shock horror I’m a cyclist who can also drive a car).

I particularly enjoyed the flimsy locks we were provided with from the bike shop. Clearly that kind of thing wouldn’t stand a chance in London!

There are plenty of excellent little routes like this in the UK and I’d love to explore more of them (This time with even more warm gear). If you’ve got any suggestions for great routes you’d recommend, please leave a comment below!

The post Cycling the Camel Trail appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

It’s been a while since I’ve shared a London cycle route as truth be told, I’ve not been doing much cycling outside the centre of London. However, a friend of mine recently took me out on this ride and I wanted to share it with you guys – just in case we suddenly get a good day of weather (fingers and toes crossed).

It’s a ride a couple of miles outside the Southern confines of the M25, just 40 minutes by train from the centre of London. The route will mainly appeal to road cyclists, with its quiet country lanes and occasional challenging hills. At 25 and a half miles long, it should take you around two hours to complete, so this is a ride anyone can try.

Its a clockwise, circular route, that starts off in the town of Hurst Green. I’ve marked a number of good pubs in the area, on the Google Map. In particular, the Haxted Mill is worthy of note, as it is a converted 16th century watermill, that now houses a rather posh restaurant with excellent food.

View Hurst Green Kent Cycle Ride in a larger map

If you are on Android, you can open the Google Map directly on your phone. For iPhone users, you can easily email yourself the KML of the route (available on the link) and then open it up in an app such as Cyclemeter.

The post Road cycling route around Kent appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

The Euston road is busy, crowded, fast paced and now has an Olympic lane sprawled across it. Some “urban warrior” style cyclists love these conditions. Others, prefer the tranquillity of a back route.

The joys include less traffic, a more relaxed pace and far more pleasant surroundings. As well as the opportunity to discover new parts of London you may not have seen before.

Let’s say you wanted to cycle from near Marylebone all the way to Old Street. One option is to power your way along the Marylebone road (one of the most polluted roads in London), then down the Euston Road, past Kings Cross and then up the hill towards Angel and down the City Road.

Alternatively, slightly South from the Marylebone Road is Crawford Street and a network of designated roads for cyclists. Unfortunately, the cycle path is not segregated from traffic but the speeds are far lower. Also, there are far less vehicles.

The route takes in quiet back streets and goes past some really nice little parts of London, giving the city that more village like feel, that it is often romanticised as.

Here’s the route shown on the Cycle Streets website.

But which route is fastest?

The Cycle Streets website recons this is a 26 minute cycle covering nearly 4 miles. The busy Euston road may edge ahead slightly on speed. This is mainly as the quiet alternative has a lot of turnings and traffic lights. Plus, if you cycle like I do, then you ride like a mad man on a busy road, but when the pace around you is slowed down you feel more like enjoying your surroundings.

Are you interested in alternative routes through London like this one? If so, please let me know in the comments and I’ll endeavour to cover more.

The post Don’t like cycling along Euston road? Here’s an alternative appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

You know those kind of bike rides that are in London but you feel like you are out in the countryside? Tibbet’s Ride is the perfect example. You’ll encounter a minimum amount of cars along this mostly off-road route.

It connects Putney Heath, Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park. The route follows the official cycle paths and was named after the final stretch leading back in to the pub.

To ride it you’ll need wider wheel than your typical road bike as the route is mostly a dirt track.

The start/end point is outside the bike-friendly Telegraph Pub, Putney Heath SW15 3TU. There’s lots of free parking if you drive over and it’s a great spot for a bite to eat and a well-earned beer afterwards.

Ride the route with others

I’m pretty sure everyone who reads London Cyclist is always keen to meet fellow cyclists so I recommend taking part in this route with the Putney Village Cycling Club. They are a very welcoming to new riders.

The weekly sessions depart at 12pm on Sundays. With full details on their website.

Newer riders can halve their total distance by turning back at Robin Hood Gate. Experienced riders complete two laps of Richmond Park in opposing directions. The anti-clockwise option is described below.

What is there to see along the cycle route?

There’s plenty to see along the route, much of which will come as a surprise to people who think of London as an urban environment. The first stretch passes a variety of Arts and Crafts and Art Deco residences, then you’ll see the first of several ponds before arriving at the Windmill. The mixture of trees, plants and flowers means that the route appears to change slightly every week. This is most evident along Robin Hood Ride, which is barren in winter then overgrown in the spring. Once inside Richmond park, the trail opens out. You’ll see rabbits, deer, squirrels, birds and sometimes even bats.

It’s a good idea to have a bell on your bike and also to note that there’s a lot of rental bikes about. Whilst you are advised to keep to the left of the trail, it’s not uncommon for tourists to veer to the right at the very last minute! Locals call out ‘Fenton’ to engage with pedestrians.

Is it a tough bike ride?

It’s a pleasure to ride at any pace and even the most inexperienced riders can manage it. There are a few slopes to tackle along the way, however the majority of the route is pretty flat. As the start/finish is at the top of one hill and the halfway point is at the top of another, it can take some riders as much as three hours to go the whole way around. Most riders will take about an hour and a half.

London cycle route summary

1, Start at The Telegraph Pub. Pass the cricket pitch on your right, then turn left down Portsmouth Road. The brief and peaceful road section heads through Putney Village, then the road ends and the track turns left and under the underpass.

2, Keep going south, passing the the Wimbledon Windmill on your right.

3, Follow the main track past the golf course, then to the right and down Robin Hood Ride. There are two tracks, follow the one to the left. About half-way down is ‘the corkscrew’, which is a bit of a squeeze and best slowed down for. At the bottom of the hill turn right at the first bridge. Follow the river then turn left over the second bridge.

4, Cross the main road at Robin Hood Gate to enter Richmond Park. This is roughly a quarter of the main distance, or half if you choose the shorter route.

5, Turn right and follow the Tamsin Trail anti-clockwise around the park. The route is signposted all the way around. The first half is a gentle climb, with a brief section down a hill about a fifth of the way around. Then the climb continues up to the Pembroke Lodge. You can pause here to refill your water bottle, or stop for tea.

6, The trail then rolls down the hill again, with a sharp right turn immediately before the road intersection. The route now follows down the one of steepest portions, towards Ham Gate. Just before the gate, turn left, cross the road and follow the outer wall all the way to the Kingston Gate crossing.

7, At the crossing, follow the route around the carpark and up the short, steep climb. Plenty of riders walk their bikes up here, so hop off if you don’t feel up to it. The trail levels out at the top then proceeds to views of Central London.

8, As you reach the edge of the Broomfield Hill Wood, you’ll be greeted by a magnificent view! As well as the panorama, there’s also a long weaving descent. The trail initially becomes steeper and steeper, then turns sharply right, left, right and left again. At the very steepest point the trail is often eaten away by flood water, so don’t be tempted to carry too much speed into the corner. Once the view opens out again it’s straighter and both visibility and overall grip improve. This section brings you back to the Robin Hood Gate crossing.

9, Cross the road again and you’re back in Wimbledon Common, then follow the same route back. Keep left up Robin Hood Ride to avoid bikes coming down the hill.

10, Once at the Windmill, go straight ahead an onwards through Putney Heath. The Ladies Mile takes you all the way to Tibbet’s Corner. There’s an awkward semi-underground roundabout bike passage, which if you follow the main barrier will take you out to the other side. Here, do a U-turn left and you’ll be guided back through to the pub’s car park.

GPS of the route

To download GPS coordinates of the Tibbet’s bike ride use this link.

More London bike rides

To discover more London bike rides such as this one, we have the London Cycle Routes eBook which contains 35 of the best bike rides in London.

The post Sunny weekend? Try out Tibbet’s bike ride appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

Say you are the leader of a ride and you need to follow a route. Or, you’ve just bought a copy of the London Cycle Routes eBook and you want to follow one or the rides. Or, you are cycling a sportive from London to Brighton and you want to have the route handy.

Oddly, this is something that perplexed me immensely when I first started cycling. What were you supposed to do? Memorise each turn of the route? Have a small cue sheet in your pocket? Pin the route to your handlebars?

Fortunately, as time moved on, my simple, primate brain was saved by technology. I now have my iPhone “pinned” to the handlebars whenever I’m following a new, unfamiliar route. The GPS illuminates my position with a simple blue dot and I follow the line. Much like a child working out a simple puzzle.

Uploading rides to my mobile phone is easy. All I need is a copy of the GPX or KML file, I email it to myself and I open it up in an app such as Cyclemeter.

But let’s just say you don’t have an Android phone or an iPhone or a Garmin GPS device and instead have an old Nokia phone that you refuse to upgrade. Or, perhaps you don’t have a KML file and you want to follow a ride the old fashioned way. Using a map or a cue sheet which has the turns listed.

The alternative then is to have some kind of map clipper like you see on the handlebars of motorbikes around London. Side fact: That’s often cabbies learning every single road in London for their “Knowledge” exam.

Zefal have one of these on Amazon which costs £12.99. This provides some waterproofing and is quick and easy to install. It’s a simple and cost effective solution.

A slightly more expensive alternative is the Rixen rotating map holder. The reviews on Amazon seem very positive however there’s a review on Wiggle that states the protective cover started to rip within a few days of using it so you might be better off sticking with the Zefal.

Not as ideal, but worth mentioning, is the Silva Map Trail Case. This has straps to hang it around your neck. Although, when you are cycling, I can see how that would be quite a pain and also not great for quickly referring to directions.

If you are not a fan of paying money for things and much prefer a DIY approach, then there’s a couple of good tutorials on the internet on how to create your own bicycle map holder.

Related: GPS devices for cyclists

The post Following a cycling route appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

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 £9.95 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.

The post 35 of the best cycle routes in London appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

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

The post Hampstead Heath London cycle route appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

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

The post Swinley Forest route appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

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.

The post Road cycling routes London appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.

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 35 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 35 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

The post Where to go mountain biking in London appeared first on London Cyclist Blog.