CambridgeshireWestminsterRichmond - advice required

[TheFungle]

I'm planning on a riding from my base in Lincolnshire to the Cenotaph then on to Richmond, total distance of approx 140 miles, I'm confident I can cover this in a day provided I fill myself up with enough espresso, cake and energy gel.

My question is what is the best way to approach travelling into London? I'm familiar enough with driving in by car to the centre but no real idea on the bike. If I have to follow the main arterial routes in then so be it but a slightly more relaxed route would be preferable!

Once I've had my photo taken at the Cenotaph it will be on to Richmond where I'll be staying with family overnight so routes from the centre gratefully recieved, again familiar enough with the route in the car but have never cycled in London before.

Have yet to decide if I will do this for charity (RAF benevolent fund) or simply for my own pleasure/pain.

thanks!

Edited by TheFungle on Friday 10th August 13:51

[mk1fan]

Avoid the Motorways.

[Pothole]

This is in now way helpful as regards a route, but do you mean Cenotaph?

[TheFungle]

Pothole said:

This is in now way helpful as regards a route, but do you mean Cenotaph?

Yes I did

Centopath sounds like a Nu-Labour inspired, multi diversity, PFI funded cycle path to nowhere.

[nickd01]

To Richmond:

Follow Embankment all the way west, but just before it curves inland towards the Kings Road cut through Lotts Road -> Townmead Road -> Straight over Wandsworth Bridge Road and then follow Carwarth Road round to Hurlingham Road. Head over Putney Bridge, swing a right onto Lower Richmond Road and then follow that towards Richmond.

It's a nice route and fairly quiet once off Embankment.

[will_]

nickd01 said:

To Richmond:

Follow Embankment all the way west, but just before it curves inland towards the Kings Road cut through Lotts Road -> Townmead Road -> Straight over Wandsworth Bridge Road and then follow Carwarth Road round to Hurlingham Road. Head over Putney Bridge, swing a right onto Lower Richmond Road and then follow that towards Richmond.

It's a nice route and fairly quiet once off Embankment.

Depending on how confident you are, I would just stick to the New Kings Road all the way to Putney Bridge, then right onto Lower Richmond Road, peel left at the mini roundabout and go over the railway bridge before turning right at the lights onto Upper Richmond Road and follow this until you get into Richmond centre.

[walm]

will_ said:

Depending on how confident you are, I would just stick to the New Kings Road all the way to Putney Bridge, then right onto Lower Richmond Road, peel left at the mini roundabout and go over the railway bridge before turning right at the lights onto Upper Richmond Road and follow this until you get into Richmond centre.

That's my old commute.
I never liked the embankment so from the Cenotaph I would go Victoria St, through Grosvenor Gardens to Eaton Square -> Sloane Square, Kings Road then as above.

[will_]

walm said:

will_ said:

Depending on how confident you are, I would just stick to the New Kings Road all the way to Putney Bridge, then right onto Lower Richmond Road, peel left at the mini roundabout and go over the railway bridge before turning right at the lights onto Upper Richmond Road and follow this until you get into Richmond centre.

That's my old commute.
I never liked the embankment so from the Cenotaph I would go Victoria St, through Grosvenor Gardens to Eaton Square -> Sloane Square, Kings Road then as above.

Embankment too quick for you?

Your route is shorter but slower.

[walm]

will_ said:

Embankment too quick for you?

Your route is shorter but slower.

Possibly!
I just don't like all the traffic.
The Vauxhall Bridge junction is the most scary.

[Hackney]

The A10 is good until you get to Ware and it gets too busy.
Head over towards Hertford, St. Albans and come in through Radlett, Elstree, Harrow and take the A5 into central London or go around Northolt, Hounslow way.

Sorry there's isn't much detail on the roads there but it avoids the mental busy roads like the A1

[Pothole]

TheFungle said:

Pothole said:

This is in now way helpful as regards a route, but do you mean Cenotaph?

Yes I did

Centopath sounds like a Nu-Labour inspired, multi diversity, PFI funded cycle path to nowhere.

Rofl. I actually googled it in case I'd missed something!

[Gizmoish]

Follow the straight road all the way from Epping down through the forest until you get to the A406, then straight down through Leytonstone and across Lea Bridge Road. Cricket field Road, Dalston Lane, Balls Pond Road, Essex Road, Rosebery Avenue, Theobalds Road, High Holborn, Shaftesbury Avenue, Charing Cross Road, bosh.

[TheFungle]

Thanks for the suggestions guys

I'm I right to assume then that there is no 'peaceful' way into the centre?

Very excited about the ride, I've got the miles in legs for it but finishing in London will add a whole new dimension, especially coming from the rural 'paradise' that is Lincolnshire.

[Hackney]

Gizmoish said:

Follow the straight road all the way from Epping down through the forest until you get to the A406, then straight down through Leytonstone and across Lea Bridge Road. Cricket field Road, Dalston Lane, Balls Pond Road, Essex Road, Rosebery Avenue, Theobalds Road, High Holborn, Shaftesbury Avenue, Charing Cross Road, bosh.

If you do this route I'd be happy to meet you (Live off Essex Rd) and encourage / pace you along

[TheFungle]

Hackney said:

Gizmoish said:

Follow the straight road all the way from Epping down through the forest until you get to the A406, then straight down through Leytonstone and across Lea Bridge Road. Cricket field Road, Dalston Lane, Balls Pond Road, Essex Road, Rosebery Avenue, Theobalds Road, High Holborn, Shaftesbury Avenue, Charing Cross Road, bosh.

If you do this route I'd be happy to meet you (Live off Essex Rd) and encourage / pace you along

Thanks very much for the offer

I shall let you know in due course what route I decide to take