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I'm planning on riding from Hammersmith to Guildford after work.
Any suggestions on routes or roads to definitely avoid?
Maps proposes two routes of similar distance:
Twickenham, Weybridge, Sheerwater, Woking
or
Richmond Park, Kingston, Cobham, Ockham, Ripley
The second one - R Park, Kingston etc. Much nicer
^^ yeah, that one.
We used to use it to the Surrey Hills, fairly quiet and easy to follow.
Offroad, along the Thames Path to Weybridge, then along the Wey Navigation all the way to Guildford.
Have you got an off-roadable bike, or want to stick to roads?
+1 for tootallpaul's suggestion. Scenic (mainly) off road route is much nicer, if longer.
Pick up the Thames path at Hammersmith Bridge and take that all the way to Weybridge (via Kew, Richmond, Kingston, Hampton Court, Sunbury, & Walton on Thames). Then pick up the River Wey Navigation at Weybridge which will take you to Guildford.
Google has the first leg from Hammersmith to Weybridge at 22.8 miles & estimates 1h49m. Second leg from Wey Navigation to Guildford is 14.9miles, estimated time 1h21m. If you follow the Wey all the err way, then some of the sections can be a bit rough under wheel. Otherwise detour on road and rejoin the Wey between Pyrford lock and where the Wey crosses the A247 (near the New Inn pub).
Alternatively for a flatter route pick up the Basingstoke canal which spurs off the river Wey just after the motowray underpass, and take that to Woking then pick up the A247 south of Woking town centre and take that to the New Inn/River Wey intersection, and take the river path or road from there to Guildford.
There are of course faster/shorter road routes if you prefer to get there quickly.
+2 for tootallpaul’s suggestion.
superleggero's is right; the Thames Path is rideable on a road bike, more so at this time of year. Then the Basingstoke Canal to Sheerwater, Maybury, Old Woking and into Guildford via Sutton Green and Jacobswell
Or if you want the other side of Guildford, stay on the canal to where it crosses the A324 (obvious road crossing past St John's) and then Blackhorse Road, Smarts Heath, Goose Rye and only the last bit is busy
Thanks for the recommendations. I'd set off before the canal suggestions came in.
I pretty much did the second route, but instead of going across to Ripley I went via East Clandon and Albury. Found some really nice quiet roads, will definitely do it again.
I did the Thames and Wey on a brompton, brilliant day out. Then got the train back to kingston. If i did it again i would turn round at wisley as I seem to remember the towpath turning into a field.
Q amasing turning up in Guildford having not seen anyone for miles.
Thames -> Wey is easiest off road probably. Take in the woodwork at Riverside nature park just north of Guildford 😏.
Various off road options involving Surrey Hills. Recently explored going via Wisley Common, across the airfield, down past Effingham to North Downs as off road as I could. I then go to Newlands, across to St Martha's, Chantries, and drop to the Wey south of Guildford. Scenic but not quick.
Road, don't know. Peak hours I wouldn't contemplate it.