[Closed] Any MTB in North London

Prepare to be a tad disappointed! Nowt as good as that sort of stuff, certainly not for scenery, but you can still have fun. There's Epping Forest, which is ok when it's dry, a trudge when it's wet and muddy; a place up beyond Broxbourne, can't member what it's called, and then there's Aston Hill, the Surrey Hills, Thetford, Swinley and North Downs, all within easy reach by car or train. All good stuff.

Loads of amazing urban riding, though!

i was born in wood green.

potters bar and hatfield are in hertfordshire not north london.
nice singletrack in hertfordshire

There you go! You'll have the famous Jedi to show you stuff! Result!

flat,and not yorkshire enough =(

The Chilterns are pretty good when its dry.

famous???
i can show ya round herts shore any time

and sunner singletrack otherwise im riding bmx 🙂

South = toss 🙁

you'll be dissapointed. i live in hertfordshire, and can testify it wont be half as good as where you currently are. DOnt do it unless its really worthwhile. Oh and hatfield has rubbish riding around that area, if you have to move down south, then look at somewhere nearer to the chiltern hills, eg amersham or chesham, or even berkhamstead/ tring.

South = toss

Don't start all that nonsense. You don't know what you're talking about. Granted, we lack the vast expanses of open moorland, and big hills, but we still have some pretty decent riding about, you just have to look for it.

BTW; anyone actually considered the possibility that badbod might want to move to London for reasons OTHER than MTBing? Like work, etc? There is more to life, you know...

Actually yes, it's a work situation. An opportunity has arisen in Wood Green, I would plan to live in Hertfordshire and commute by bike (probably a retro pace converted single speed if you wondered).

I've seen a lot of the stuff Jedi has done, very cool. I actually ride with a local guy (in Skipton) who used to ride a lot around that area and would certainly like to give it a try.

I'm just holding off from accepting the position due to the riding (seems crazy but it's a big part of my life). I think I'll miss the big mountain adventures, lakeland scenery, and dales mud plugging 😉 Was sortof hoping I would hear something to the contrary.

- Si L

End of one chapter, the start of another.

Loads of wonderful, exciting things to discover down here, and the North isn't a million miles away!

Do it.

Because if you don't, one day, you might regret it.

who'd you ride with?
#do i know them?

"Granted, we lack the vast expanses of open moorland, and big hills..."

So what do we have, exactly? Oh yes, some tiny, insignificant, horse- and walker-populated, dog-turd covered, flat, muddy parks and woodlands. All swamped by urban sprawl.

Moving to the South (Sarf) will make you cry (and not just in MTB'ing terms either), if you're used to Skipton, the Lakes, general "Oop North"ish places etc, etc. All very pleasent places, and all a world away from, well...here. I'm probably the opposite of you: living/stuck in the South, looking for the chance to leave and head North!

I live 2 mins away from Epping Forest.

It is not a spectacular scenic ride, but it does have some technical single tracks, right in the middle of the woods. You can easily do 20 miles on roots, with some old trees on the way and stuff. Believe me, is a good ride.Why don´t you come down and try? I can either pass you on a file for Edge or join you on the ride.

It gets too muddy during the winter but if you are up early the chances are the mud is frozen and you can have an awesome ride.

Give me a shout if you want more info.

I currently spend my weekends riding in the Yorkshire dales or the Lake district with the Boggies. How will riding down south compare?

You can rationalise it every which way you like, but the simple answer is that it's not going to compare very favourably at all. Of course you can ride a bike pretty much anywhere and enjoy it, but you're not going to find epic scenery and big hills close to London, at least nothing on Lakes / Dales scale. And I guess if just being on the bike is enough for you, then that's manageable, but if big scenery and epic feel is a large part of the reason you ride, then maybe it's not. And of course I all depends on how big a part of your life mountain biking is.

I moved up to the Peak from darn sarf around 18 years ago now and have never regretted it. The only thing I miss about London is ready and immediate access to good independent cinema. The overpriced beer, latent aggression that comes from too many people crammed into too small a space, the tube, art galleries etc, I can all manage without.

I go back sometimes, I wander around the Tate Modern and marvel at how many coffee shops central London can apparently support and I like the buzziness of it and I have friends there who I miss. But living there felt like being entombed in an endless layer of tarmac and concrete.

Yes, there's more to life than mountain biking, but how much more and whether it's enough is an individual thing and I'm not sure anyone can ever make that call for someone else. Not enough for me, but it might be for you. Londoners though 😉

Jimbo,

Once again you show yourself to be the worst kind of winger. Please, please, please just shut up and eff off oooop norf and leave everyone alone. Have the courage of your convictions get some spunk and courage and do what you want to do instead of making our lives a misery having to listen to your tosh!

Badbod, the sarf does have access to some of the best riding in the UK when you take in Herts shore, South/North Downs, Chilterns and further afield, South Wales, Quantocks etc.

Badbod, the sarf does have access to some of the best riding in the UK when you take in Herts shore, South/North Downs, Chilterns and further afield, South Wales, Quantocks etc.

😆

Really? Compared to The Lakes, Yorkshire Dales, N Wales, Peak District and Scottish Borders? OK then.

😛

I live in Hertfordshire,and am surrounded by open countryside,yet am able to commute by train into central London in 30 minutes.
Yes,there are no big,or epic views but I can still ride from my backdoor without needing to ride on the road,and searching out new routes locally is half the fun.

I KNEW this would turn into Norf v Sarf.

Grumm; fauxbyfour said SOME of the best riding, not ALL. Please, try to get a bit of perspective on this!

For my life,London gives me most of what I need. And I can jump on a train, or in a car, or even a plane, if I want some big outdoorsyness. Not an issue. For me, going to somewhere like the Lakes or Wales, is a real treat, I love it. I have a great time in places like that, and really appreciate the spectacular nature an' ting.

But I, personally, couldn't live there. Too quiet, too empty of many of the things I want and need.

Horses for courses, innit?

So, the OP was asking about riding around London. The answer is, there's actually a surprising amount, and you can have loads of fun. And there's loads of people you can meet to go riding with. So, a move to London might be quite good thing, actually.

As for some of you bleating on about Oop Norf; places like Afghanistan, Morocco, ****stan, the Andes etc all offer far more spectacular riding speriences than our little hills! Why not live there?

Perspective, people. When I'm somewhere like the Lakes, I don't bleat on about it being crap 'cos there's no cinemas, art galleries, museums, night clubs, job opportunities, restaraunts, markets, shops, wonderful architecture and a buzzing, diverse culture. No, I appreciate it for what it is. Nice.

Then, I come back to Civilisation. 😉

Jimbo; if it's not for you, fine. You can always leave, and make more room for those of us that do appreciate it.

i love it down here in hertfordshire. not only do we have both hot and cold water but electricity too!

also for when i used to road ride i could train on winding country lanes.
singletrack winding through the woods
hertshore winding in the trees and about 15 skateparks withing 30mins from my house

🙂

not only do we have both hot and cold water but electricity too

LOL @ Jedi

I remember those days when I lived down London way - been too long since I had a hot bath with the lights on!!! 😆

This area does have alot of good riding. But i think the issue is winter mud not lack of trails.

North Downs, Woburn and Chick sands are all on the Green Sands. They drain much better and offer year round singletrack.

Its about 2 and a half hours to the peak district

As for some of you bleating on about Oop Norf; places like Afghanistan, Morocco, ****stan, the Andes etc all offer far more spectacular riding speriences than our little hills! Why not live there?

You really are quite the best advert for not living in London that I've ever encountered. Shrill, paranoid, self-publicising and with all the incisive wit and intelligence of a dead vole. It's hilarious that you accuse others of turning this thread into a North versus South thing, when in fact you're the one who keeps harping on and on about it like a broken record.

The original poster, who currently rides in the Lakes and Dales, asked specifically about how the riding down south compares, the answer is that there's decent riding down south, but nothing in the same sort of league. That's it really. But you've got to turn it into some mentalist rant about how brilliant London is, how you can always go somewhere else if you want decent riding etc.

Thanks for your responses all, very useful indeed.

Suppose I was looking to know if I could still enjoy riding while living Herts / North London way, and thinking about it, I think I could, with the odd trip down to South Wales or the Quantocks, to get some scenery.

Jedi: I'll drop you a line if I do take the plunge. P.s. I ride with a guy called Stuart Rider, I think you might know him?!

I'm a northerner in excile in London, the only place that compares to the Lakes or Dales is the Surrey Hills IMHO which I personally rate below the Lakes and above the Dales for an allround riding experience,

Theres surprsingly loads of trails to be found in North London, Epping Forest already mentioned but the underlying clay means any rain and it remains muddy for ages. Lea Valley Regional park goes for miles with some well hidden singletrack, also Forty Hall and Whitewebbs, and theres a good loop in Trent Park too. I live in Enfield and did 35 miles offroad yesterday in the ice/slush/mud without having to drive anywhere beforehand. That said, not very hilly, and nothing jaw dropping.

You really are quite the best advert for not living in London that I've ever encountered. Shrill, paranoid, self-publicising and with all the incisive wit and intelligence of a dead vole

LOL! I like that.

Who pulled your chain, ffs?

I was responding to the negativity displayed by yourself, and Jimbo. Go and read my posts; you will discover that I've actually been pretty honest about riding around London. But the OP is considering a move to London, for work, so I thought I'd try and offer some good reasons for coming, unlike you and Jimbo, who just see fit to point out all it's negative aspects, rather than be objective.

Seems like you just want to have a pop at me for promoting London. And your comments about me, considering you've never met me, are pretty amusing, tbh!

It's my Home, and a fantastic place, imo. What's so wrong with expressing my views?

Badbob- I hope you, at least, have found my comments helpful. Good luck with your plans.

BadlyWiredDog os typical of the kind of bitter middle aged man you'd find in a provincial northern town spending his time riding a custom made bicyle, probably copied from a marin, over doubletrack crossing barren featurless moorland.

ouch!

Made me spit me tea out, that one! LOL!

LOL @ some of the comments on here!
The South/London has a surprising amount of riding. I'm from Sarf London originally, my usual rides were out over the North Downs, Box Hill, or train out to Swinley or down to Penshurst or even Eastborne, do a bit of the SDW then head home from a different station. Sometimes rode out to Epping Forest. A lot of variety but not as much "big scenery".
Still, think how much more you'll enjoy being in the Lakes/Dales when you escape London for a weekend and head back North.

How will riding down south compare?

Simon, we once did a "Tour of the Sarf" weekend. This was about 10 years ago so I forget where we rode, but it was very uppy-downy as all the hills are so small. It's best to find some locals to show you the best bits. You can still have plenty of fun, and the scenery has its own simple charm 🙂

I have a Pace RC301 coming up for sale shortly and I'm in Watford if it helps you.
There are various rides, clubs and 1/2 decent locations here-abouts but not what you're used to.
The Chilterns are the best by far.
Either way, you'll be eating off a plate with a knife and fork in no time at all, plus we have in-door loos and even gas in the homes here in the South (North London / Herts).
Tim

BadlyWiredDog os typical of the kind of bitter middle aged man

actually BWD is highly atypical, having a rare and incisive wit 🙂

Seriously, if you are going to do it, then i would look at somewhere closer to the Chiltern Hills... Like the places i mentioned previously... In reality, there is some fun, fast riding round where I live... I can't really say much about where Herts shore is, but i believe it's not as hilly. As for epping forest, i think there are places as close to london more or less, with more variety... if you head over wendover direction, the hills might not be too bg, but there are lots of them... You're legs will definitely feel it if you try hard enough... And you can also descend for a good 3 or 4 minutes solid!!

I'm not trying to annoy anyone else by saying that, i just think that the chilterns would be your best bet...Plus

The original poster, who currently rides in the Lakes and Dales, asked specifically about how the riding down south compares, the answer is that there's decent riding down south, but nothing in the same sort of league.

That's not far off the truth, apart from "the same sort of league" bit.

It's not better. It's not worse. Just different.

I've ridden all over the country at one point or another in the last 18 years (Midlander by birth) and I really don't subscribe to the "crap riding down south/grim oop north" rubbish. It's only those that have some sort of axe to grind that do, for whatever reason.
Yes, you may prefer one or the other but that doesn't make your view the gospel truth. Open your mind. 🙂
The South isn't all overpopulated and muddy, the North isn't all boring moorland and straight line descents.
But there are places in both areas that ARE, and I could flip those stereotypes round too!

😀

Hmmmmm...

Epping is good for a pootle without really having to travel but it's by no means technical in any way shape or form, a couple of reasonable sets of bonmbholes built by kids which are fun when it's not 6 inches deep in clay chod.

In winter you don't need brakes or suspension....

any friend of stuey rider is a friend of mine and are most welcome at herts shore as he is a legend

From living in South London for 5 years I agree that there is good riding about (we used to ride the Chilterns quite a bit, good fun), but if you're like me you'll get hacked off with all the travelling to the trails. Driving in london is no fun!

lol...............u guys....london is the best city in d world....but not 4 mountain biking,but im building my 4th bike....we cant all b blessed wid epic hills on r doorstep...u mite enjoy lnd so much u wont even ride???

if you move down buy a cross bike or single speed and be prepared for the mud fest, then have fond dreams of scenery and climbs/descents

Sorry guys, didn't mean to give offence. Look, it's pretty obvious the south has some of the best riding in the country and to be brutally honest, the only reason I moved from London was for cheaper beer. Obviously stuff like the Chilterns and Surrey Hills are at least as good as the Peak or Lakes. I was just trying to add a little balance to the debate.

I might be imagining it, but there seems to be an awful lot of defensiveness emanating from the southern end of this discussion, which I don't think is really necessary. Personaly I prefer the dullness of northern riding, but I can see why some would choose the technical challenge of Epping Forest and so on.

Anyway, it's all good, stop getting your knickers in a twist Rudeboy and go riding on your amazing home trails 🙂

Perspective, people. When I'm somewhere like the Lakes, I don't bleat on about it being crap 'cos there's no cinemas, art galleries, museums, night clubs, job opportunities, restaraunts, markets, shops, wonderful architecture and a buzzing, diverse culture. No, I appreciate it for what it is. Nice.

Yeah because obviously London is the only place with those things? Have you ever been to Manchester (not where I live btw) - has the buzzing diverse culture but is also right next to the Peak District and not far from the Lakes/N Wales/Scotland. I'm sure there is lots of fun riding to be done in the S, but most ppl I know from down there would kill to have the riding we have oop north.

I however, would kill to have the riding (and climbing, walking etc) they have in Scotland.

i live in north london. If you really do live for mountain biking, forget it, don't bother. South of London, things are a lot different as you can get to the north/south downs which do have good riding and great views, especially on the south downs. You can't really get there easily from north london though, not unless you want to spend your weekends driving round the M25 or arguing with train station staff about eningeering works and why the replacement bus won't take your bike.

i'm moving in 3 days.

on the plus side, london is actually reasonably 'bike friendly' because so many people use a bike as there only form of transport. Its not unusual to see people pushing their bike round the supermarket whilst shopping etc.. well, maybe not in waitrose, but its ok in Morrisons.

eah because obviously London is the only place with those things? Have you ever been to Manchester (not where I live btw) - has the buzzing diverse culture

To be fair though, there is no city in the UK anything like as 'buzzing and diverse' as London. Local people will always say things like this about Nottingham (where I live), Manchester, Birmingham etc etc. But it isn't the same.

For example, take art, London just has 20 times as many galleries, the competition means that the work shown there is of a much higher quality (and if something is not to your taste, it doesn't matter, because there's 5 other galleries in walking distance). In provincial cities, we get a few of the touring exhibitions after they've been to London, and a load of not very good quality local stuff. Similarly, restaurants, there are one or two good restaurants, but there isn't the competition that there is in London, so the good ones are way more expensive, and there are a lot of really quite expensive places here that just wow people with fancy rooms and serve pretty boring food - it is way more expensive to get a good meal outside London.

In terms of London and riding - there is good riding south of London, quite a lot of people travel from north London to go south. There is some riding north of London, but no-one from south London travels to ride there ever, which kind of gives you a clue as to what it's like.

Joe

How many times do ppl living in London actually visit an art exhibition or go to a top restaurant though? Most ppl I know who live in London mainly stick to their little area, so might as well be living in a medium sized town anyway.

BTW I think Manchester has more than one or two good restaurants, and plenty of interesting arty things going on. Granted if you want to see the latest big exhibition by the dutch masters or something, you probably want to be in London. Personally, the vast majority of the time, I'd rather be here...

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North or South Downs from North London is no problem at all, I'm quite happy riding from E17 to Waterloo or London Bridge for a 5 or 6 hour North or South Downs ride when the days are longer, rest of the time I'm tending to just ride Epping.

Have you ever been to Manchester

Yes, unfortunately. Not an experience I wish to ever repeat...

I might be imagining it, but there seems to be an awful lot of defensiveness emanating from the southern end of this discussion

Yes, you are imagining it. People are merely responding to crass comments, made by people who don't really have a clue about London, tbh. And, we're actually trying to be helpful to the OP, as I've already said. Your comments have added bugger all to the 'discussion'. All you've done is moaned.

stop getting your knickers in a twist

I'm not wearing any. Maybe I'll go and slip something frilly on, just for you. 😉

Grumm; I can understand that. I get exactly the same buzz from travelling around in London.

As for riding in the South; my experience is that there are loads of really nice people, who are more than happy to hitch up for a ride, down here. I've met quite a few, and always have a great time. I spect it's like that everywhere, really.

It's what you make it. You can have a bimble along a bridle path, and enjoy yourself just as much as someone in the Lakes, or Scotland, or anywhere. All about attitude.

How many times do ppl living in London actually visit an art exhibition or go to a top restaurant though? Most ppl I know who live in London mainly stick to their little area, so might as well be living in a medium sized town anyway.

Maybe I'm biased, as art stuff is kind of work related, and eating things is a bit of a hobby. But even before I was doing art related stuff, I went to quite a few smaller but still good art galleries, which is where outside London really misses out.

I also ate out most weeks, often just somewhere local - but living near Tooting, the local cheap Indian food for tenner a head was far better than the £40 a head posh Indian food you get up here in Nottingham, similarly, if I went into town for a £25 a head meal, it'd be better than anything up here except possibly the £100 a head Sat Bains that I've not gone to. That's the thing really, you don't have to go to 'top restaurants' to make the best out of London, as cheap restaurants there are often pretty good.

It's a fair point that a lot of the stuff people go on about in London, they rarely actually do, like go to the theatre, go to gigs etc. but food and art are the big things I miss.

Joe

Second you joe on the food front, I miss sushi, vietnamese and decent chinese. Bristol is lamer than lame on that front (decent European / UK stuff though).

I had to move from London as I was getting panic attacks - lol. Paranoia on the way to work etc - gulp

Oh and you can get rapha to send you your kit by cycle courier on a Friday afternoon, what could make anywhere btter than London with that kind of service eh ;0)

Loads to do and loads of riding without having to drive to it which is nice, not being a driver and living in London gives me quick access to way more trails than I ever had living up North.

I might be imagining it, but there seems to be an awful lot of defensiveness emanating from the southern end of this discussion
Yes, you are imagining it. People are merely responding to crass comments, made by people who don't really have a clue about London, tbh. And, we're actually trying to be helpful to the OP, as I've already said. Your comments have added bugger all to the 'discussion'. All you've done is moaned.

Sorry mate, I'll butt out and leave you to warble on endlessly about how wonderful London life is, innit. And the trails is great. I 'spect its like that all over innit geezer but it aint about the riding iss all about the brainwashin' and what the diesel particulates and the Babylonians is doing to me 'ead innit. Cos like I is a right fierce little geezer and... etc ad nauseum.

Enjoy your crap trails and your delusions of grandeur 😉

Calm down dear, it's just an internet forum!

Enjoy your crap trails and your delusions of grandeur

Thanks, I will!

Now, where's my Napoleon outfit...?

You'll be fine, spent a few hours out at Swinley today, snowy and muddy and cold but lots of fun, even some nice little technical trails.
Once you know your way around the trains you do have a lot of options, plus make some friends and you can easily go away for weekends in Wales/Lakes etc.
Or just had mad fun with Jedi, keep on meaning to go an play there but never really manage to find the time and with twins on the way trying to play it safe.

To the OP - I've lived in Wood Green and currently live near Potters Bar - if riding's important to you then living out of town is definitely the right move. I get to do loads more now I've moved to the suburbs.

There's plenty of nice native woodland singletrack close to PB, Hatfield too probably. And as others have mentioned, you've got Epping (great when dry/frozen), Swinley and other places within easy reach.

You'll still be able to get out on the bike and have fun - but just don't expect anything like the Dales in terms of size, elevation and remoteness.

Happy to show you round too. See what a friendly and welcoming lot us southerners are 😉

I'm in SW London. Riding is good for me, 30 mins train ride from the North Downs - some of the finest singletrack you'll find anywhere, if you know where to go. Then a couple of hours in the car I can hit the Welsh border with a great choice of trail centres. I'm happy enough.

Personally, the vast majority of the time, I'd rather be here...

but how many people in manchester go there though? i expect like most londoners they prefer to sit and watch crap T.V. go to the pub or shop for tat in a shopping center and think a pizza-hut meal is a sophisticated meal.

Can you get two-for-one in Pizza Hut in Manchester?

I don't know cos I don't live in Manchester! I live in Lancaster, which while not the most cosmopolitan city in the world, is pretty pleasant and has cinemas and restaurants and everything! And its about half an hour (on a good day) from Stavely in the Lakes.

Although SofB does live here too apparently!

You'll be fine. There's plenty of stuff to down here. Woburn, Chicksands & Ahsridge (Northern part of the Ridgeway) are all on you doorstep.
And you'll have easy access to plenty of other ares.
If you get all competative we have a great road racing scene down here, with closed road races twice a week in Milton Keynes.
We have the Central CX series.
For MTB racing there's the FNSS, the Summit Series and further south the Gorrick series.
In between there are plenty of Audax's Audi? and Reliability trials.
And shed loads of both forma and informal groups.
It's a nice.

you can get by, but i will bet that given any free time you will want to pack up the car and go and ride somewhere 'proper'