Route Request - Luton to London

[BromyG]

Hi all, can anyone recommend a route from Luton into central London avoiding the motorway style dual carriageways! Many thanks!

 

[mjr]

Just avoiding riding on them? National Route 6 Luton to Watford, service roads and shared use alongside A41 Watford Bypass to London Academy then London Cycle Network Route 5 (mostly the A5) to Hyde Park. 37 miles.

Or avoiding them completely? Simplest looks like National Route 6 Luton to St Albans, Route 61 towards Hatfield (there's a back road shortcut possible here through Colney Heath - no idea if it's any good), Route 12 to Potters Bar and Enfield, Route 1 to Seven Sisters and CS1 to Old Street or Liverpool Street. About 45 miles. 39 miles looks possible if you ride Potters Bar - Barnet - Tottenham - CS1 on back streets, but that's not a signed route, so a route planner (https://cycle.travel/map is one I like but it's not perfect in London) and good sat nav would probably be needed.

 

[jayonabike]

Luton-Harpenden-St.Albans-Radlett, stay on A5 all the way to Marble Arch

 

[mjr]

Luton-Harpenden-St.Albans-Radlett, stay on A5 all the way to Marble Arch

Are there many bus or cycle lanes on the A5 before it becomes London Route 5 in Edgware? Nerves of steel and the infamous Cyclecraft "sprint speed" required?

 

[BromyG]

Thanks Guys - in the end it was easy! Luton to Harpenden etc then onto the A5 and straight into London! traffic busy at the end, but you've got to love a good bus lane!