bike directions in/around London/Gatwick

chrisbflynn

Any ideas on how to cycle from Gatwick into central London? I'm taking my bike to England in a few weeks and am trying to find ways to ride everywhere.

Thanks,

C

Earthdog

This link will give you free maps of London http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=37
As for the first part of the ride, it depends on how you are with traffic. The minor roads are often just as busy, with the cars giving you less room. The main routes often have cycle paths, but these aren't maintained, so expect potholes, fallen branches, rubbish, nettles and brambles etc. Enjoy

chrisbflynn

Thanks. They won't send the maps overseas, so hopefully I'll be able to pick up the ones I need once I'm there. I'm just worried about the ride from the airport into central London.

I've driven those roads in a hired car a couple of years back and vaguely remember them, but always find that getting out there on a bike is a very different perspective. I'm pretty good with traffic. The roads here are rarely bike friendly, and we have all these SUV drivers getting angry at cyclists for existing. I just wanted to make sure I wouldn't find nothing but roads that were simply unbikeable.

Thanks again.

KatieS

The Surrey Cycle way goes from Gatwick to Greenwich. I regularly do the stretch from Gatwick to Merstham and it's ok. There are bits on the road, but quite a long stretch of trail (not great for road bikes).

I've never gone all the way to Greenwich - only as far as Caterham - so can't vouch for the rest of the way!

If you're wanting to go off road, there are some great routes on the North Downs.

KatieS

Just read you OP properly I regularly cycle on the main road (A23) all the way into central London from near-ish to Gatwick. It's very busy and can get quite hectic, but drivers are (usually) quite tolerant of cyclists - I rarely get any hassle. It's quite a fast, flat route so ok if you just want to get there. That said, I did a spectacular faceplant yesterday morning in Brixton

chrisbflynn

Thanks. That's 2 votes for A23 all the way, both with caveats about it not being the loveliest route and there being a bit of traffic. I'll be on a road bike, so it sounds like the best option so far.