Cycling through London.

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Cavalol

Guru
Location
Chester
Hope this is the right bit of the forum, apologies if not:

I'd like to (try and) cycle from Chertsey Road in Twickenham to The Strand and maybe from there Regent Street/Oxford Street/Piccadilly and back again. AA route planner makes it look fairly simple, A316/A4 and possibly Thurloe Place/Knightsbridge.

Is that do-able by cycle on a Sunday? Appreciate the roads will probably be 'mad' whatever day or time, and there's all the other hazards such as pedestrians, but is it a route where cycles are permitted via road, and/or is there a better route by cycle something thick like me could follow without a GPS thing?

Thanks in advance.
 

vickster

Legendary Member
Tfl cycle routing is better than Google I'd say and gives you different options based on traffic expected
 

Beebo

Firm and Fruity
Location
Hexleybeef
Hope this is the right bit of the forum, apologies if not:

I'd like to (try and) cycle from Chertsey Road in Twickenham to The Strand and maybe from there Regent Street/Oxford Street/Piccadilly and back again. AA route planner makes it look fairly simple, A316/A4 and possibly Thurloe Place/Knightsbridge.

Is that do-able by cycle on a Sunday? Appreciate the roads will probably be 'mad' whatever day or time, and there's all the other hazards such as pedestrians, but is it a route where cycles are permitted via road, and/or is there a better route by cycle something thick like me could follow without a GPS thing?

Thanks in advance.
Don't follow your route, you don't want to be going over the Hammersmith Flyover or anywhere near the A4.
the other routes suggested by vickster are much better.
 

derrick

The Glue that binds us together.
Hope this is the right bit of the forum, apologies if not:

I'd like to (try and) cycle from Chertsey Road in Twickenham to The Strand and maybe from there Regent Street/Oxford Street/Piccadilly and back again. AA route planner makes it look fairly simple, A316/A4 and possibly Thurloe Place/Knightsbridge.

Is that do-able by cycle on a Sunday? Appreciate the roads will probably be 'mad' whatever day or time, and there's all the other hazards such as pedestrians, but is it a route where cycles are permitted via road, and/or is there a better route by cycle something thick like me could follow without a GPS thing?

Thanks in advance.
Do it Christmas morning. London is really quiet.apart from cyclist's.^_^
 

booze and cake

probably out cycling
i don't know about the A316 section but yes I'd avoid the A4, its do-able but grim.

I just drew up a route of what I'd do to take in more parks and be much nicer. Its similar to the cyclestreets route. My route chose to go over Hammersmith Bridge as I think its still currently closed to cars, so the approach road to that bridge will be much nicer than the nearby alternatives I think. It is a bit hectic the other side but once you're round the Hammersmith one way system bit (walk on pavement if you prefer just to get round it) Then its just up Kensington, and from there into Hyde Park, past the Serpentine, down past Buck Pal, up The Strand and then in a loop through Oxford St, Regent St and Piccadilly and back into the park, but can easily be extended if you want to see more in town. I did the same route back so it would maybe seem familiar, but sure you could navigate another route back if like me you prefer to not retrace your steps.

Just some more options for you anyway. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31295441
 

robgul

Legendary Member
There's a readymade route from the London Sightseer Audax that gets you to The Strand - it uses towpaths, cycle routes, Royal Parks and bus lanes - and as name suggests quite a few sights. From The Strand to Oxford St etc is pretty simple, again on bus lanes. If you want to PM me I have the Audax route as a .gpx that you use as a good base for your ride from Twickenham to The Strand

Rob
 
OP
OP
Cavalol

Cavalol

Guru
Location
Chester
Thanks once again for advice, instructions and routes. I left home pretty handy this morning and couldn't book in the hotel until 2.00pm, so I pulled bike out of car and just went for it. Afraid I couldn't work the maps out, so ended up skirting Twickenham stadium, then the A3034 or whatever it's called, then the A4. Pavement/cycle path for most of it going, whoever said the A4 was to be avoided wasn't kidding! It was better closer to central London as the traffic was mostly queuing. Anyhow, coming back I got a bit lost, nothing too much and Waze on my phone helped, as did some friendly cabbies.
Aside from the A4 (especially coming back) it was fantastic, really enjoyed it despite the chaos. Next time (I usually go with my wife and stay central) I'll do more sight seeing on bike and try and take in all the touristy things. Thanks once again for the suggestions and routes.
 

EltonFrog

Legendary Member
Thanks once again for advice, instructions and routes. I left home pretty handy this morning and couldn't book in the hotel until 2.00pm, so I pulled bike out of car and just went for it. Afraid I couldn't work the maps out, so ended up skirting Twickenham stadium, then the A3034 or whatever it's called, then the A4. Pavement/cycle path for most of it going, whoever said the A4 was to be avoided wasn't kidding! It was better closer to central London as the traffic was mostly queuing. Anyhow, coming back I got a bit lost, nothing too much and Waze on my phone helped, as did some friendly cabbies.
Aside from the A4 (especially coming back) it was fantastic, really enjoyed it despite the chaos. Next time (I usually go with my wife and stay central) I'll do more sight seeing on bike and try and take in all the touristy things. Thanks once again for the suggestions and routes.

S.O.T and of no use to you, but I used to cycle that route regularly when I was a teenager on my Kingpin, the traffic was lighter in the ‘70s but the vehicles no less dangerous.
I mention this now because there wasn’t any internet back then.
 

Twizit

CS8 lead out specialist
Location
Surrey
Far too late now, but for future reference I'd have suggested initially heading through Richmond and into Richmond Park. Exit at Roehampton Gate, then head towards Putney Bridge, Kings Road, then onto the Embankment, and pretty much following the river all the way in. By far the most commonly used route by daily cycle commuters for for good reason.
 
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