[Closed] Anywhere to ride in North London? (Or anywhere within reach)

Epping forest has some trails?

Or jump on the canals that lead up through Stafford, Tottenham , ware, etc.

There is Epping but i'm not totally sure it's a doable mission. I don't own a car so it's a 2hr cycle each way.

I'm not sure they'd let me on the tube with a MTB either.

Epping Forest or Thetford Forest come to mind.  There's probably something around St Albans area though, which is closer.

I used to live in Finchley and would ride down to Victoria and get the train to Dorking for some North Downs riding, probably your best bet.

Epping is ok for a fix but not much fun to get to by bike.

I used to live in Finchley and would ride down to Victoria and get the train to Dorking for some North Downs riding, probably your best bet.

Yep!

Yeah that sounds like a possible plan, thanks! I bet that's quite quick and easy on the way down, and no doubt the exact opposite on the way back up.

yes it could be a bit of an adventure coming back. In the summer I used to sometimes go straight from work near Oxford Circus then be riding back through town in the dark. Once you're out in Regents Pk area its fine then you can go via Chalk farm / camden and cut up through the heath. Might spot some sights in the headlight though..

I used to live in Finchley and would ride down to Victoria and get the train to Dorking for some North Downs riding, probably your best bet.

That would be my plan, or head out to the Chilterns (you can ride toward you're in the hills at Wendover and both Wendover and Tring have easy access to Aston Hill; Tring has the added benefit of sitting next to Ashridge). You could even tube to Chesham/Amersham.

I lived in E18 for a year and rode predominantly at Thetford and Tunstall Forests despite Epping being on my doorstep; both ride well in the winter and were an easy motorway/A road trip.

you just have to cycle to leyton or leightonstone tube on teh central line & can take your bike on teh tube to epping forrest the rest of the way, Its OK,

train to woburn sands , 8km waymarked xc trail in the woods & lots of extra stuff if you ask a local

train to wendover & cycle over to aston

train to dorking & play in the surrey hills

Head to Barnet or Enfield and explore: Monkden Hadley. Trent Park. Rectory Farm, White Webbs .Hilly Fields .Forty Hall etc

The River Lee canal will get you north and out. Turn left for the above at Turkey St or right for Epping.

Turn left for the above at Turkey St or right for Epping.

Which is where I live - its about 30 mins to Epping from there, 20 back because there's a big hill (Mott st) in the way.

Can you get to Lee Valley Bike park?

Between Tring and Wendover station is some great riding. From Wendover (heading east) you have Coombe Hill, Wendover Woods, Aston Hill, Hastoe/Tring park and Ashridge. You'll have to look for the cheeky tracks, strava shows a few. I believe there is some riding around Wycombe. Woburn Sands is really worth checking out as well.

Where abouts in North London are you, and what kind of riding do you do? I'm in Stratford, have a car, and spots north of London I'll ride at are Chicksands, Aston Hill etc.

Not sure where n6 is tbh. I’m in n2.If you want to shred and be gnar then not much to float you boat until you get to the chilterns or Surrey as suggested above. Epping is ace if you go quick and it’s not winter.& have five years to learn where the singletrack is.

Qwerty’s recommendations are good too. Especially Trent park! 😉

If you like cross country/road  cycling then bobs your uncle. Hertfordshire is really easy to get to and is full of lovely rolling hills.& bwAys and cheek.

i usually ride a cx/gravel type bike these days. Brings dull trails to life. 😉 , I sometimes take a hard tail out for a laugh.

I now live away from home in N11 midweek. So far ridden north to Potters Bar via Monkden Hadley, South Mimms, Ridge, Shenley.

I went out expecting a rat run nightmare and I can honestly say it was one of the best rides I've ever had. Not a shred of gnar just stunning countryside (and houses!).

<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">I had thought I'd ride to Beastway but its serious traffic and I'm too scared. </span>

If you don't expect much then there's a bit of fun to be had on a mountain bike on Hampsted heath. See below for an indication of where to I used to head.

The Parkland Walk is a useful off road connection between Highgate tube and Finsbury Park.

You certainly used to be able to also cycle in Queens Wood also near Highgate tube.

Other than that you'll have to go further afield as per other suggestions.

Thanks for the replies all, a lot to digest here. Thanks.

N6 is Highgate, just above Archway area. I live opposite Queens wood and whilst I've seen bikes in areas there i've never seen any 'riding' if you get what I mean. Dad and kiddie type people not shredding the knar.

Thanks for that Hampstead map above, we're about 5 min cycle from the Heath so thats great to know I can cycle those bits.

I'm down for XC riding and then some trails/knar lite. I've never been full on knar but enjoy a good 'trail' however you define that.

Between Tring and Wendover station is some great riding. From Wendover (heading east) you have Coombe Hill, Wendover Woods, Aston Hill, Hastoe/Tring park and Ashridge.

Ashridge is almost next to Tring station. It's flat-ish (once you get onto ridge) and is full of legal RoWs and cheek. The Trooper in Aldbury is also a great way to end the ride.

Thanks for that Hampstead map above, we’re about 5 min cycle from the Heath so thats great to know I can cycle those bits.

I should prob make clear the majority of that is firmly in the 'cheeky' category. There's a few cycle routes across the Heath but none in the most interesting bit (west of Spaniards Rd). Having said that I rode there reasonably regularly for about 4 years and never had any grief from anyone.

Ah I did wonder that - I know the local council (And locals themselves) are very militant about cycling on the actual Heath itself.

Noted, will approach with caution.