London Areas for cyclists?

[TheJDog]

I live zone 2 NW (Cricklewood, Kilburn, then Willy Green, Harlsden) and I thought it was grim until I went to Croydon.

 

[Dommo]

The one thing I've found different about London versus all the other places in the UK that I've lived in is that grim/not grim areas are very tightly mixed. You can go from very affluent to run-down and back to affluent within the space of half a mile. I believe it's called "integration"

I quite like it tbh. I've never felt like an area in London was overly threatening and the same can not be said for some areas in other UK cities.

Bearing in mind that the massive majority of your traveling is going to be done cycle commuting then really you can forget transport options and live wherever you fancy and therefore get something that is better value for money than something right on top of a tube station. Of course, that assumes you don't have another half who needs decent transport links...

 

[Blue Hills]

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.

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

Trust the OP, in the interests of gleaning useful info, will ignore posts from folk just bigging up their small patch of the planet. Hell some of this is worse than Italian campanilismo.

 

[mustang1]

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.

I don't go to the regents park circle for the same reason I have up track cycling. Which incidentally is also the same reason I don't watch NASCAR: I don't like going round in circles.
South west London has hills, no?

 

[Blue Hills]

Is East London still a bit grim or is that changing these days?

Long since changed. Not sure where you get your idea of London from - somewhat dated - circa my childhood Ladybird book of London and my northern dad's cautions to be careful out east perhaps? Some bits of east London have long been seriously up themselves.

In short, consider all bits of London with an open mind. Read @ianrauk Rauk's post. All are good for cycling in their own ways and, out of the rush hour, you can even take your bike on vast parts of the Underground.

I may return to defend/sing the praises of some disparaged bits of the place.

 

[Hitchington]

Anywhere in London is great to access the fine cycling around the South East, init.

 

[Blue Hills]

The one thing I've found different about London versus all the other places in the UK that I've lived in is that grim/not grim areas are very tightly mixed. You can go from very affluent to run-down and back to affluent within the space of half a mile. I believe it's called "integration"

Very true. This was long the case. Unfortunately, and this is not a criticism of your nice post, this has changed massively over the last few years for all sorts of reasons. Some of the reasons are contained within some of the responses within this thread. Some of the other reasons would veer into politics and certain bullshit from some folks who have been known to frequent here, so I won't go there.

 

[Blue Hills]

For your info Hogg

http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bicycles-on-public-transport.pdf

 

[Paulus]

N London is just grim

I beg your pardon

 

[vickster]

I beg your pardon

You heard

 

[Blue Hills]

possibly vickster was referring to the "grim up north" comic strip about north london upthemselves types

 

[Paulus]

The cartoon luvvies from private eye you mean?

 

[Blue Hills]

ah, I had the idea that it was the guardian but I think you are right.

The real folk responsible for brexit.

 

[DHogg]

Thanks for your replies, i'll be renting, not buying.

When i say some of south london is a bit grim, i was talking more from experience of cycling around pekham, parts of brixton, elephant and castle etc. Never felt unsafe, but quite a contrast to places around west london, regents park etc.

Really like cycling around crystal palace and in Kent. I'm staying in Battersea right now - trying to decide on a permanent spot. Most people i know are north/east so thats my preference as long as there is some good spots to do some training.

In terms of accessibility to country roads/hills in North/East, what are some good areas? How about places like Stoke Newington, Holloway, Islington, Whitechapel?

 

[Blue Hills]

Peckham has always been interesting hogg. It is now also hipster cool. It has the mighty Khans where you can buy pretty much everything. It has Peckham library. A doddle to cycle to central london on the flat, some of it on the filled in canal traffic free route. Excellent bus links. And train. A wonderful free film festival every year. Peckham Rye where Blake saw his angels. Just north of it peckham rye park with its charming japanese garden. One of the best, and almost certainly cheapest, cinemas in london. A summer bar atop a car park with views of central london, poncy exhibitions at the south london gallery, bike shops from the practical to poncy.

Interesting cafes and eateries.

Nice georgian houses.

Peckham calls.

And do reread, or first read mr rauk's post. Nowhere in london has a monopoly of good cycling.