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Regent’s Canal Ride - from Little Venice to Hackney
Length: 30mins
As long as you’ve got good enough balance to avoid falling in the canal whilst overtaking people strolling down the path, then this route is a beauty. There’s plenty of cracking pubs, restaurants & stopping points with some colourful murals along the way. If you’re starting out near Little Venice then you’ll see plenty of highly polished houses, whilst the further east you head, the more arty & raw it’ll feel.
Ye Ol’ Town - from Tower Bridge to Greenwich
Length: 8km - 25 mins
Starting out in tourist hotspot of Tower Bridge, with the Tower of London just across the Thames, this is a great route for ticking off the famous historical sites of the capital. As you head east, you’ll head down cobbled streets by the waterfront which are packed with old pubs& converted warehouses.
Once you reach the peninsular, you’ll weave through an area that was once dominated by the docks where only two now remain.
Eventually, you’ll finish up in Greenwich - having passed through Cutty Sark (which is obligatory to pronounce in your best Cockney accent). Park up your bike & head to Goddards at Greenwich which has been serving up delicious pie & eels since 1890. Once you’re stomach can handle no more, walk it off by heading up to the Greenwich Observatory where you’ll also get some exquisite views of the city.
The Old Railway Track
6km - Easy
If you’re wanting a leafier romantic ride, we’d recommend starting out with the bikes from Finsbury Park & heading down the Parklands Walk - a disused old railway line that used to get Finsbury Park and Alexandra Palace. Brownie points if you can spot Spriggan without getting off your bike - the sculpture of a mythical fairy tucked away in a railway arch. Once you reach Highgate, you could hop off the bikes for a little while to wander around the cemetery and see the final resting ground of some heavyweight names including Karl Marx, Henry Moore & Douglas Adams. Once you’re done peering at tombs, head back to the bikes and cycle over to Alexandra Palace for a stunning view of the entire city. We’ve been told it’s the highest point in London but admittedly we have no way of proving that!
Olympic Park to Wanstead Flats
6km - Easy cycle
Since it’s the year of the Olympics, try to recapture some of 2012 magic with a bike ride starting at the Olympic park. The entire area is really well set up for cycling, with plenty of room to reminisce about team GB’s golden summer by taking in the awesome stadium, sports centre, Velodrome & of course the ArcelorMittal Orbit (who on earth knows that that phrase even means?!). If you have time to pop to the M&S at Westfield - the fresh food counter does the tortellini in flavours beyond your wildest dreams.
Once you’ve had enough of Stratford, head east via Cann Hall Road towards the Wanstead Flats. It’s quite a contrast from the glossy Olympic Park & the open trail routes suddenly feel like you’ve left the hubbub of the city behind. Ride to the lake & enjoy some rare & blissful, quiet moments. It’s a scene of true tranquility - what’s more romantic than that?
Loop round Richmond Park on the Tamsin Trail
12km - Medium Difficulty
Undoubtedly one of London’s finest cycling arsenal is Richmond Park. We’re huge fans of the loop around the park if you’re after a slightly longer ride. Our highlights are the Isabella Plantation you pass (a gorgeous garden teaming with all kinds of flowers), the amusingly named ‘Ham House’ and of course, getting to feast your eyes on grazing deer. If the opportunity arises, be sure to shepherd Fenton back in the right direction.
We’d love to hear from you - what are your favourite routes around London? Let us know!
