London Areas for cyclists?

[DHogg]

I'm moving to London and started the house hunt. Anyone know of any particular areas which are good for cycling. Somewhere that i can get some good hills in and is lively and has lots going on. Don't mind having a bit of a ride out to cycling but want somewhere that is easy enough to get out of without being in the sticks!

I've been told look in NE or SW. Sound about right? Is East London still a bit grim or is that changing these days?

 

[Paulus]

If you don't mind a bit of traffic, the hills around the Highgate area are good for a workout, West hill and Swains lane in particular. Not far away is Regents Park where you can do laps of just about 3 miles with many other cyclists. Richmond Park in South west London is also very good.

 

[vickster]

SW gets you out into the Surrey Hills easily as well as Richmond Park. North has lots of hills and traffic

 

[srw]

NW are the Chilterns - little traffic and hills. Look for somewhere on the Metropolitan line.

Ultimately the key question is - what can you afford?

 

[vickster]

NW are the Chilterns - little traffic and hills. Look for somewhere on the Metropolitan line.

Ultimately the key question is - what can you afford?

and where is your job going to be Do you want to commute to work by bike?

 

[ianrauk]

Where ever you are in London you will find good rides in great countryside, by either cycling there or getting a train.

North East you have Essex
North you have Herts
North West you have the Chilterns
West you have Windsor and beyond
South you have Surrey Hills and the Downes
South East you have the hills and flatlands of Kent

All awesome riding and all out there ready to be found.

 

[jonny jeez]

I'm moving to London and started the house hunt. Anyone know of any particular areas which are good for cycling. Somewhere that i can get some good hills in and is lively and has lots going on. Don't mind having a bit of a ride out to cycling but want somewhere that is easy enough to get out of without being in the sticks!

I've been told look in NE or SW. Sound about right? Is East London still a bit grim or is that changing these days?

Hills, lively, lots going on.

Sounds like Dulwich village. Has it's own hill, veledrome, parkland, museum, and it's a 20 minute ride into the centre of town (probably 10 on a train) houses will cost in excess of £1m for a three bed semi probably half that for an apartment but cheaper areas are very close by.

Alternatively go north to primrose hill, Hampstead or highgate, all very bohemian.

Wimbledon is a good south west option or Putney/Barnes if you want to be on the river. Each are close to Richmond park... of course there is Richmond itself, which has a Tonbridge wells/Victorian feel about it (even though it's on a tube line)

All of these locations attract high value property so be prepared for that.

If you want lower cost london living, look at brixton/ new cross. Neither are pretty but both have lots going on, with a good youthful music scene... both quite hipster right now

 

[vickster]

Get quotes for home and thus bike insurance, anywhere in London, you don't want to be leaving a bike outside overnight, make sure you have room indoors or somewhere secure in the garden (but not a wooden shed)

 

[spen666]

Ilford/ Seven Kings/ Hainault etc is 10-12 miles into Central London - an easy Commute on flat and going the other way you are almost immediately into Essex Lanes and further on is the Essex Alps and also have the excellent Hog Hill ( Redbridge Cycle Centre) and Hainault forest on your doorstep.

Great riding area and one used by lots of local clubs and a number of professionals live and ride in this area

Oh and Ilford and Seven Kings are part of the Crossrail Line ( Elizabeth line) - The Guardian describes it as an up and coming place

 

[Vegan1]

You have the hilly 50 that takes in most of Surrey's finest hills which starts from the Ryka's café just up the road from Dorking and finishes on top of Box Hill. This is a nice ride with a good mix of sustained efforts up 8-9% hills coupled with Whitedown lane and it's 18% misery.

 

[DHogg]

I'm hoping for something north of the river if there is any decent cycling nearby. Working in Trafalgar square and will prob commute by bike.

South London has some good riding, but a lot of areas Ive been there seem a bit grim and deprived. That's my observation anyway.

Does NE have much in the way of hills?

 

[spen666]

I'm hoping for something north of the river if there is any decent cycling nearby. Working in Trafalgar square and will prob commute by bike.

South London has some good riding, but a lot of areas Ive been there seem a bit grim and deprived. That's my observation anyway.

Does NE have much in the way of hills?

I commute into Trafalgar Square from Redbridge.

Commuting wise its very flat.

going out into the Essex Lanes, there are a number of hills, Heading from Romford round Abridge, Staplefords Abbots, Havering Atte Bower and out to Ongar etc has several hills. None of which would be a Hors Cat in the tour, but hills all the same

 

[vickster]

I'm hoping for something north of the river if there is any decent cycling nearby. Working in Trafalgar square and will prob commute by bike.

South London has some good riding, but a lot of areas Ive been there seem a bit grim and deprived. That's my observation anyway.

Does NE have much in the way of hills?

Most of SW London isn't grim and deprived for sure

N London is just grim

What's your housing budget? Buying or renting?

 

[spen666]

Most of SW London isn't grim and deprived for sure

....

To call south London grim and deprived is an insult to grim and deprived areas.

South London has aspirations to bring itself up to grim and deprived levels

 

[vickster]

To call south London grim and deprived is an insult to grim and deprived areas.

South London has aspirations to bring itself up to grim and deprived levels

I never mentioned S London...I mentioned SW London...

All parts of London, N, S, E, W have housing estates if those are what are being referred to grim and deprived.