London route advice.

[Brandane]

I know it's not strictly "commuting" but there seems to be a lot of you London folks on here, so a wee bit advice please.
I will be venturing into the big city primarily for the Notting Hill Carnival on the bank holiday weekend. I will be staying at one of the airport hotels on Bath Road at Heathrow. I have previously done this and commuted in and out of central London by using mainly the path running alongside the A4, but TBH it's not the best and I am sure there must be a more pleasant alternative. I prefer traffic free routes, but I appreciate these might be hard to find in west London. Any suggestions?

 

[Simontm]

I know it's not strictly "commuting" but there seems to be a lot of you London folks on here, so a wee bit advice please.
I will be venturing into the big city primarily for the Notting Hill Carnival on the bank holiday weekend. I will be staying at one of the airport hotels on Bath Road at Heathrow. I have previously done this and commuted in and out of central London by using mainly the path running alongside the A4, but TBH it's not the best and I am sure there must be a more pleasant alternative. I prefer traffic free routes, but I appreciate these might be hard to find in west London. Any suggestions?

Not the straightest route and definitely not the fastest but you could always head down the Bath Road then cross over the Chertsey Road to St Margarets then over Richmond Bridge, through the Park up Richmond Road to Putney over the bridge, Hammersmith, Notting Hill.
Though why you would want to go to Carni nowadays, shudder

 

[vickster]

Just make sure you have a couple of stout locks for your bike

@jefmcg should be able to help with a route I would think

 

[Brandane]

Though why you would want to go to Carni nowadays, shudder

Is it not up to much then? I just want to go because I lived in Jamaica 1968/76 and want to do a bit of reminiscing, and eat some good Caribbean food (which I have failed to find previously, even in Brixton!). If it turns out to be a pile of cack then I will have the bike with me, so can be flexible. There's some not bad cycling north of Slough IIRC, just a shame you have to negotiate Slough first .

 

[Hill Wimp]

Research other cycle routes for a good day out.

My personal opinion is dont lock your bike up just dont let it go. If its not nicked it will get trashed. I have lost count of the amount of bikes ive seen damaged in the surrounding streets during carnival and in some roads they will just get forceably removed by the council or Police. Believe me its not all its cracked up to be and if you want good Jamaican street food then try

http://www.dubjam.co.uk/mobile.html

Yes its in central London but working with a fair few Jamaicans they like this place.

 

[slowmotion]

I can't help with the first part, but if you can get to Richmond Park, this might be fun (and not direct in any way).
Enter the Park at Richmond, Ham,or Kingston Gate. Ride across the Park and go out through Roehampton Gate. Ride down Priory Lane and go straight ahead at the traffic lights on the main road, crossing two railway crossings. Turn left and go straight ahead to Barnes pond. Turn left and left again and go over the Thames on Barnes railway bridge. Once on the other side of the river, go down the Thames Path to Hammersmith Bridge. Cut through Brook Green by the back roads, heading for Shepherds Bush roundabout ( at the north end of Holland Road ). Turn right up Holland Park Avenue.
You're there.

 

[Simontm]

Is it not up to much then? I just want to go because I lived in Jamaica 1968/76 and want to do a bit of reminiscing, and eat some good Caribbean food (which I have failed to find previously, even in Brixton!). If it turns out to be a pile of cack then I will have the bike with me, so can be flexible. There's some not bad cycling north of Slough IIRC, just a shame you have to negotiate Slough first .

If you've never been, it's worth the experience but it is very, very busy.
Why Slough? You west side of Heathrow then? In that case, through Slough, Windsor, Runnymede, join the towpath at Staines straight through to Chertsey, Lower Sunbury, Hampton Court, tow path to Kingston, Richmond Park, etc, etc..

 

[T4tomo]

Take a stab vest too if there after dark.

 

[Brandane]

My personal opinion is dont lock your bike up just dont let it go. If its not nicked it will get trashed

Take a stab vest too if there after dark.

Though why you would want to go to Carni nowadays, shudder

Hmmmmm; you're not exactly filling me with confidence about surviving this with both myself and my bike intact!
Having said that, I survived living in Kingston for 8 years, including some turbulent times in the mid 70's, which perhaps contributed to my sense of adventure. I'll maybe stick my head round the door and see what it's like (during daylight ). If it's as bad as I'm now prepared for then I will hatch an escape. The one good thing about London is that you don't seem to have to travel far to get from some God forsaken ghetto to leafy millionaires row. Strange place .

 

[Hill Wimp]

If you keep your wits about you it will be fine its just the carnival can be a big dissapointment to many. Take a look and as you say you can make an exit. However give the choice between that and a ride around Richmond Hampton and even the Surrey hills i know what i would pick.

 

[Simontm]

Hmmmmm; you're not exactly filling me with confidence about surviving this with both myself and my bike intact!
Having said that, I survived living in Kingston for 8 years, including some turbulent times in the mid 70's, which perhaps contributed to my sense of adventure. I'll maybe stick my head round the door and see what it's like (during daylight ). If it's as bad as I'm now prepared for then I will hatch an escape. The one good thing about London is that you don't seem to have to travel far to get from some God forsaken ghetto to leafy millionaires row. Strange place .

Ach, grew up just outside Kingston through the 70s and 80s, nowt to the place
Like I said, NHC's worth a trip but just found it way too busy now.

 

[Simontm]

PS Kingston Upon Thames that is

 

[jefmcg]

My avoiding-the-A-roads route around Heathrow.
https://www.strava.com/activities/197637592

Or you could just bomb down Bath Road to the A315 and pick up this route. Avoids Shepherd's Bush.
https://www.strava.com/activities/95007459

 

[Dogtrousers]

Or you could just get a train in, then you're free to wander round on foot and enjoy (or not) places without stressing about bike security and you can easily hop on a tube or bus. That's what I'd do. But then riding in town isn't to my personal taste. It would cost a few quid though.

 

[jefmcg]

Haven't been for years, but the advice used to be go on Sunday - family day - as it is quieter. It's still plenty busy though. Pick pockets and bag snatchers will be there in force.

But it's an interesting experience.