London to Countryside Route?

[Adasta]

Can anyone recommend some nice routes from London (central-ish) to the countryside...anywhere. Nothing immensely challenging. Probably to a max of 100km return trip.

 

[ianrauk]

What part of London?
Which ever way you go you are not far from the countryside.
For example. If you follow the A21 from SE London you soon hit Greenbelt then into some fabulous countryside like Eynesford, Farningham, Knatts Valley and the Darenth Valley.

 

[dellzeqq]

A237 south, turn right at Chipstead, fork left at Portnalls Road? Generally speaking it's more about time than route - leave early enough on a Sunday and you can take the A23 if you're feeling bold

 

[gaz]

A237 south, turn right at Chipstead, fork left at Portnalls Road? Generally speaking it's more about time than route - leave early enough on a Sunday and you can take the A23 if you're feeling bold

Just be careful at the turning off for the m23.
Although have you seen the pedestrian refuge points just before that (between the petrol station and starbucks) right bugger to try and control that as it is just before the 50 section.

 

[dellzeqq]

sorry, Adasta, Gaz is absolutely right - that is one tricky junction. The general point is valid, though. The A237 is wonderful at night, very pleasant at 7.30 on a Sunday morning, and horrible at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Why not go out with the Cheam and Morden - they know every which way out of London

 

[Beebo]

The Olympic route in west London - Surrey takes in some great countryside, may be a bit hilly in places.

 

[wakou]

If you are not on $$$$ of fragile Italian, take the canal towpath Regent's Canal to Victoria park Hackney, then take NCR1 to Aberdeen if you want!

 

[Glow worm]

The Lea Valley Route looks good from the map/ Google Earth. I hope to try it some time, but it does look like it takes you away from the city on some nice traffic free routes and spits you out in rural Herts. I think you can join it in Bow or thereabouts- locals may know more.

 

[derrick]

Epping way is really nice has a few hills nothing to bad, nice scenery plenty of places to stop,below is one of my routes,

 

[Aperitif]

Can anyone recommend some nice routes from London (central-ish) to the countryside...anywhere. Nothing immensely challenging. Probably to a max of 100km return trip.

Head out West, past Westfield, Chiswick, bomb along the A30 through Hounslow to Windsor and the reward of a tour around Windsor Great Park. There are loads of alternatives for a return to London via Richmond Park perhaps, riverside sections...ask Davywalnuts to do you a route, or Topcat will give you a GPS I'm sure. Even a ride into Windsor is nice, then Eton etc...Burnham Beeches - easy to explore.
Somewhere in the Informal Rides is a thread called Park and Ride, which happened in 2009 - that kicked off from Euston and headed upwards...that was a good day out.

 

[srw]

Stage 1: find your way to one of these stations.
Stage 2: catch a train to the country
Stage 3: ride
Stage 4: reverse stage 2
Stage 5: reverse stage 1

For me, riding in London is something I want to minimise unless there's a good reason. It takes well over an hour in almost any direction to ride into countryside. From Marylebone (the station I know best) you can be in Rickmansworth in 25 minutes or Gerrards Cross in about 20 minutes. Both are good starting points for a Chilterns ride.

 

[Aperitif]

For me, riding in London is something I want to minimise unless there's a good reason

Poor London..! For me, exiting allows a ride to 'blossom' - but I'm not that fussy I suppose. Actually, Westerley CC - Frank9755's club head Chilternwards regularly...if it is group riding that takes your fancy in these parts.

 

[Adasta]

I enjoy riding in London! But I do miss the countryside.

As for location: it varies because sometimes I meet up with a mate in Enfield and cycle from there. Any routes from Enfield or Clapham Common would be good.