How bad would cycling from Liverpool Street to FInchley be?

[KatyMac]

If you have never cycled in London before?

I have to mention I am a complete wuss!

I don't mind riding further if I have a safer route

Awful I would imagine. Truly awful but I'm also a wuss.

Erm, i’m an experienced London cyclist and this wouldn’t really bother me but it’s quite a schlep (at least an hour I would think unless you are Victoria Pendleton) and through some very busy parts of the city - not really the best introduction to London cycling, can’t you just use the tube (can’t take your bike unless it’s a folding model) There might be an overland train route where you can take your bike. I have to pop out now but I can look for you later. The Transport for London website is quite helpful.

I think it would really depend how confident you were on busy roads/complex junctions? London is busy but there are a lot of cycle lanes and superhighways and drivers are in general used to seeing cyclists.

I struggle with walking far but my electric bike helps me get around

The distance isn't an issue at all and the speed I go at will take a while (about 10-12 km an hour)

I hadn't thought about overland trains thanks!

I'll need to decide the time of day I come too!!! rush hour and me are not friends!

I wonder if Stratford might be easier?

I've regularly commuted by bike between Euston and Victoria in the past, and as long as you ride defensively then you'll be fine. I actually think its safer cycling in London than in the sticks as although it's busy, the traffic isn't moving very fast, and because there are so many cyclists, drivers are generally aware of you.

I don't know about your particular route though, so can't help with that.

It’s not the worst, 20mph roads. Could do bits on a tow path

If you go on the Transport for London website you can type in your cycling journey and they will give you options based on how risk-averse you are. Or if you went to Stratford you could get the overland as far as Gospel Oak which would take you much nearer to Finchley and the rest of the journey would be more pleasant (think you could do some of it via Hampstead Heath, but be careful as only a few paths on the heath are open to cyclists and the police will stop you if they see you on the wrong ones). Can you manage your bike up and down stairs? I think there are lifts at both Stratford and Gospel oak but i’m Not 100%, can someone advise? Also don’t come in rush hour, as they don’t let you take your bike on the overground then and, if you are cycling the whole way, it will be busier. good luck!

OMG that website is so amazing - Startford looks better I reckon

Slightly further but easier I think

Thank you so much - why didn't I know that exsisted before; I mean I used the underground/train bit (always avoiding buses for some reason) but never the cycling bit!

I think I'll arrive in London about 11/11:30 and try it; probably travelling back the next day (my recent trip to Southport was cancelled owing to snow )

Although I might wait until the weather is a tad warmer!!

The Cyclestreets app is also really good if you don't already have it. It includes cycle paths and cut throughs that Google Maps doesn't have and it can plan a route based on shortest, quickest, quietest, or balanced (a compromise between the above) routes.