Routes Database

Does le forum have a favourite London Southend London route that they can link me to?
Preferably not riding the same way there as home and preferably along country lanes.

What about train to Crystal Palace then the route for 'ride of the falling leave's' but cut a long inside the m25 to avoid the worst of the hills?

Am riding to Kent coast on Friday from Peckham and going to use Pilgrims Way from Gillingham to Ashford - seems to be mixed surfaces.

Are there any stretches I need to look out for/avoid if I'm on my road bike?

Did you do this, poots? I'm formulating a plan to do the same and would love to hear first hand experiences of it.

Ok, I did this at the weekend so can report back.

Gillingham to Ashford is along the national cycle network route 17 and if you follow it religiously, you will probably regret bringing your road bike as you go through the North Downs. It's very rutty, it's very rocky, it's very dusty, and it's very muddy in places. I had 25mm tyres and it was hideous between Westwell and Lenham, with huge trenches in the single track filled with rocks and branches. CX tyres might be ok but I'd have been much happier on my MTB. I was coming from Canterbury towards Gillingham and I decided to bail right after Lenham because I was so knackered from trying to avoid all the obstacles in front of me (though i was also fairly heavily loaded with post-wedding luggage so YMMV).

The scenery is stunning, do it for that alone. I went out on a Sunday where I'd have expected quite a lot of people, but there was virtually nobody along the whole route until I got reasonably close to Maidstone where there were a couple of quad bikers and a guy on a dirt bike, along with maybe four or five mountain bikers. That was it, otherwise very peaceful.

The other half, Ashford to Canterbury, is along national cycle network route 18, and that's road bike friendly if a bit gravelly towards the end as you get onto the Great Stour Walk. I'd have liked something a bit grippier than my Gatorskins going down the two or three small hills in evidence there but as I said, I was fairly heavily loaded so felt that a bit more than I'd have done otherwise.

Thanks Bothers, you're a star.

I was going to do it today, but the (totally wrong) weather forecast put me off, and I had to pick the kids up from the childminders so had a hard deadline to be home. I'll give it bash tomorrow I think.

You'll enjoy it, the weather looks just right for it, not too hot, and not wet. I had to walk huge sections, but you'll be unencumbered by panniers and hopefully with sensible tyres so shouldn't struggle like I had to and you'll be able to enjoy the route properly.

You'll need an eagle eye for some of the signs which are very well hidden in places - there's a left turn right outside Charing onto Toll Lane from Pett Lane that's completely unsigned as far as I could see, so keep an eye out for that one. But it's mostly very well signed on the road sections.

Does anyone have a decent route from London to Hungerford (or anywhere in the vicinity of there, ie. Swindon, Newbury, Marlborough...)? Merci.

I rode this route a few months ago. Goes near Hungerford. I didnt plot the route but I found it a pretty nice ride.

http://connect.garmin.com/course/5569307

Im heading to Studland this weekend, does anyone have any good routes around that way? Or any tips on places to head to?

Does anyone have a decent route from London to Hungerford (or anywhere in the vicinity of there, ie. Swindon, Newbury, Marlborough...)? Merci.

Yes, but am on my phone right now so will post it later.

Hi, I'm in Bow and often go out to Epping Forest for a nice 50k loop there and back but after being side swiped by a car doing a very late left-hand turn (I survived unscathed the guy right behind me wasn't so lucky) I've really gone off all the traffic you have to put up with before you get there.
Anyone know any crafty routes for a nice quick quite ride from east London? Or is it best to leap frog all the crap and get a train to somewhere good to start?

PS I've used the Road Track at the Olympic Park, which is great (smooth, fast, no cars/idiots), but it's short and after an hour or so it does get and bit dull.

la strada, have a look here:

https://www.lfgss.com/thread126982.html

Thanks Oliver but that's almost exactly route I was on when I got body checked by a SUV. Me; lucky but shaken. Mate; face down on tarmac with broken hip.
Would like to avoid.

Could someone link me to Ludd's Cambridge route? I know I could use the bleepin' search function but I'll wager someone can find it quicker than me

#aintnobodygottimefordat

^ Cambridge via Duddenhoe End: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/244684282

FANKS LADY xx

I need some help. I changed jobs a month back and my commute is now too good to not do by train, (it takes 20 minutes door to door from Herne Hill to Farringdon and costs me £20 per week). To prevent the fatness I've taken to going for a ride most mornings before going into the office but am bored shitless of going up and down college road/fountain drive, which is my current 'preferred' route for getting a quick 20 minute work out.

So, any recommendations for some nice 20-40 minute circular routes form Herne Hill? Preferably away from schools since they tend to bung up the roads at 7:30 on a weekday morning.

From HH go up Milkwood Road to Kennington Road and bomb up Kennignton Road. Nice and fairly traffic free. Then you end up at Waterloo and can go over the bridge, right along the embankment and up Farringdon Road but TBH I'm less familiar with that part once you get north.

I don't think you understood the question.

You're welcome

................................

So, any recommendations for some nice 20-40 minute circular routes form Herne Hill? Preferably away from schools since they tend to bung up the roads at 7:30 on a weekday morning.

All up and around Forest Hill hills, Sydenam Hill, Westwood Park, Honor Oak Road......I was thinking of a little circuit around here myself.

Nice little climbs perfect for a short burst in the am!

Quick Hills
....Maybe a ten minutes ride from you but I'm sure can draft something similar.

Hello- does anyone happen to have a route from London to Coventry that uses quite roads ? I've put something together using stravas route builder but I'm not sure I trust it. It's just over 100 miles - so I'm a bit wary if that route is bad I've got a long old way to go on busy roads.

Many thanks

anyone have any nice routes out of East London towards Epping (or somewhere nice)? Ideally an easy 45-70k loop which avoids crap, busy roads.

You want to go to Blackstock.

Do you mean Blackmore?

So two days of cycling in Yorkshire has given me the climbing bug. We're headed to The Lake District on weds, camping near Windermere. Any routes/climbs I should look out for?