Lovely London cycling routes

[Figleavesdown]

London cyclists please talk to me!

I love cycling but haven’t cycled for a long time but have recently got my beloved bike back and have started cycling in London again.

but being honest, I find it quite frightening! The buses seem to come so close to me - one tried to overtake me on a very narrow single lane bridge in Camden and I had to stop.

im not a fast cyclist, I just really pootle along and go very slowly and would really love to just pootle along to where I need to go.

im trying to build up my confidence. Does anyone have any quiet but lovely cycle routes through london they’d recommend?

also what sort of things do you cycle to (if it’s not work) just looking for inspiration really! Years ago a fellow cyclist said they loved cycling on a Saturday morning to get a pint of milk and for some reason this really cheered me.

Whereabouts are you @Figleavesdown ?
I used to love cycling from Hackney to Greenwich along the canals barely touching a road the whole way. Then you’d hit Narrow Street, stop for a coffee or some lunch, and follow the footpath along the Thames. The best!

I’m not in London but what about Richmond park? Looks nice from videos I’ve seen.

Regents canal used to be really nice to cycle down but i think it's quite busy now. You can definitely pootle if it's not rush hour.

Bushy Park Teddington. Lime bikes ( hire) can be used. Lots of cycle ways.Cycle to the Hampton Court, Lion Gate entrance through the park. Cross road and go to the riverside of Hampton Court and take the tow path towards Kingston. Turn back into Home Park and cycle through past the grazing deer and lakes until you can take a small bridle path back into Bushy Park again.

That sounds lovely!! Exactly the sort of thing I’m looking for! I’m based in Camden.

There are a lot of new cycle lanes in London now. They are well used at commuting times but quieter outside this if you want to go slowly/have more space.
Have a look at @ Londoncycleroutes (remove the space between @ and name tho!) on Youtube for some quiet and safe route ideas.