Off-road routes around london?

Ok maybe not the best title, but I want to know if anyone can suggest some interesting routes in the London area, or heading out of London that are off road.

I'm not talking about serious mountain biking, but routes that could be done on a hybrid or cross bike that take in as much park/heath land as possible.
Alternatively routes out along the Thames. Anyone done Windsor off road?

I'd like to do one of the off road routes to Brighton, but that is currently beyond the limits of the injuries I'm nursing so I'm looking at something reasonably flat in the 30 mile region.

Not adverse to getting the train out of London either.

Any suggestions?

Cheers
Thomas

Regent park canal - goes for miles. Perfect for hybrid / cross.

Richmond Park.

Bits of Wimbledon Common (though the more interesting bits are 'cheeky').

Wandle Trail through Merton >Wandsworth.

I've done Balham to Epsom Downs half road, half off-road through all the commons, Banstead Downs etc. Plenty of light trails down Epsom way.

You can follow the River Lea from the Thames (opposite bank to the Dome) all the way up to Hertford without needing to encounter any traffic. It gets a bit busy with walkers, especially around the Olympic Park, but much of the surface has recently been upgraded for the Games. Makes a nice long stretch if you want to stay off road and don't mind mixing it with walkers. It's quite pretty in places too, especially around Ware.

Me and a few people have been heading out to Epping forest of late. Easy enough to do if you're based North/east ish. just pootle up the canal and you're pretty much there.

Interesting thread this......

I'd recommend John Mx's Three Pimples ride. He also has this route taking in a lot of the Thames path.

Richmond park, Wimbledon common, Bushy park loop
[ame]http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Richmond-Wimbledon-and-Bushy-Parks490115[/ame

i've ridden out to windsor along the thames path, was fine on a road bike with 32c tires and a fixed bike fully loaded with 28c tires, noce ride for the most part as well.

Brilliant thanks for the info' all.

Sadly it seems I'm off the bike again though. Had just about got a handle on 2 years of hamstring grief only to do my achilles tendons in riding back from work on friday?!?!?!..... :(
seems I should change my forum name to nomoreconnectivetissue.

Some great rides here.
I especially like the sound of the 3 pimples.
I'm looking for beginner rides on behalf of my sister too and the richmond to wimbledon common one looks nice (I'd modify it to miss out far west) and I've always liked the thames path.

Hopefully I'll be able to try something in what's left of this year.

Cheers
Thomas

Nice ride that. A few mates and i took that route to Oxford. Ended up doing 89 of the 99 miles as diverted to road in the more meandering sections.
Bloody lovely on a summers day. Just don't have too many beers at Windsor, makes the rest of the ride slightly more difficult. Especially when doing it fixed!

i've ridden out to windsor along the thames path, was fine on a road bike with 32c tires and a fixed bike fully loaded with 28c tires, noce ride for the most part as well.

Wandle Trail through Merton >Wandsworth.

Really enjoyed doing the Wandle Trail - rode the entire length from Croydon to Wandswort a couple of months ago. There are seperate cyling & walking routes in places but there's nothing to say bikes aren't allowed on the walking routes - I imagine they diverge in these places as the routes are considered less suitable.

I did it fixed on 28c tires but my friend who was with me was fixed on 23c so it's not too challenging bike wise!

sweet offroad around london

"... sweet offroad around london ..."

eh?

I think it's a twist on Sweet Home Alabama

Sorry to hear about your new injury nomoreknees - when do you think you'll be back on the road?

i like the look of the wandle trail - will have to try it soon.

Epping Forest is good, although I usually get lost (not really a problem) and the OS Landranger Map is full of errors (which adds a certain je ne sais quoi)
The riverside route to Windsor is lovely too, and you can take the ferry (3 quid for a 12 second journey - bargain!)
The canals can take you all over the place, and i've had no trouble on fixed 23c tyres. Just have to keep your eyes peeled for the bumpy bits near the locks (are they grips for horses/people?)
The three pimples also looks good - any route that goes near "Titsey" gets my vote.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

Move along, nothing to see here!