Forum Topic

Cycling trip out of Chiswick

We are planning to go on a week long cycling trip with a group including some people who are not regular cyclists. To get everyone used to journeys of about 30 miles a day was hoping someone could have a suggestion for a trip starting in W4 and ending up at a nice pub somewhere about 15 miles away with as scenic a route as possible. Obviously we'd like to avoid busy roads but nobody is an absolute beginner so a bit of traffic along the way wouldn't rule a route out.TIA

Mark Evans ● 95d21 Comments

I have yet to see a cyclist dismount and walk when a towpath is chocka with pedestrians. They tend to duck and dive and weave and ring bells or shout for pedestrians to move out of the way.

Steve Taylor ● 94d

I suppose dismounting and wheeling the bike along for a little while if the area is chocka with pedestrians who might be injured has never occurred to the self righteous.

Keith Iddon ● 94d

That's very true but for starters a flat route is probably better then maybe a trip up to the Surrey Hills later on.

Mark Evans ● 94d

If you want to build up stamina you could really do with tackling a few hills.Pootling along on the level is all well and good but chucking in a few  hills will make all the difference.

Adrian Irving ● 95d

Yes towpaths around west London are extremely busy with walkers and joggers during weekends. Cyclists should avoid unless they are suckers for being frustrated.

Steve Taylor ● 95d

Although some members of the group are not regular cyclists, they are what you would describe as road competent. The intent of the trip would be to bring up stamina levels for what might be a challenging holiday later.On the tow paths, while they are an amazing way to get around when less busy, the plan would be do this at the weekend around lunchtime when they will be relatively crowded and therefore offer a frustrating experience for a cyclist particular ones who scrupulously observe pedestrian priority.

Mark Evans ● 95d

I’d have thought, in preparation for your trip, you’d need to include some experience for your group of cycling on normal roads with some traffic, and even roundabouts, rather than trying to avoid them by relying on tow paths or cycle tracks. When I used to go on regular local CTC Sunday runs, there was quite a skill/etiquette to riding in a group, with more experienced riders ‘protecting’ the less and looking out for stragglers, and not impeding other traffic too much.  In many ways, using an out of town dual carriageway was much easier than convoluted back roads. The ‘old’ A40 towards Oxford or the ‘old’ A4 come to mind. As for your trial run, I’d agree with others that the Colne/Crane/Grand Union valleys would be worth aiming for, such as Harefield or Denham, with several waterside pubs to choose from and many ways of getting there.

Peter Evans ● 95d

Thanks for pointing out the issue with tow paths. Cyclists often fly down them with no regard to pedestrians and expect them to move out of the way or get run over. Please cyclists either use tow paths at a reasonable speed, that enables you to slow right down to pass pedestrians, or be careful I don't accidentally push you into the canal ;-)

Tania Bapuji ● 95d

“ Get oon the Great West Road and don't stop.”Yes that’s the best option because there’s miles of unused  cycle track on the A4 then on to the A30 so it’s very safe for cyclists. Definitely avoid Richmond and don’t even attempt the towpath from Kew Bridge towards Richmond. It won’t be easy cycling because the path is used by hundreds of walkers and strollers with young children and granny and grandpa. Most families walk 3 or 4 or 5 abreast so it’s a nightmare for cyclists who will just get frustrated having to stop or slow down constantly. Many walkers and joggers are wearing earphones so don’t expect them to hear your bell ringing and move aside. It won’t happen. Stick to cycle paths designated solely for cyclists or you will have a miserable time.

Steve Taylor ● 95d

Thanks all again - some very useful tips. Somewhere in the vicinity of Hampton Court looks like the best option.

Mark Evans ● 95d

Get oon the Great West Road and don't stop.

Keith Iddon ● 95d

I agree (!) NV but I'd say turn left into Half Moon Close, through Syon Park, through Church st. Then left again down Railshead Road then on through Ducks Walk to Richmond Bridge. You can carry on along the river if you prefer all the way to Twickenham, then on to Teddington and cross by the footbridge (nice and accessible) by the ANglers Pub.Or carry on down the back road to Kingston bridge then into Home Park. I usually return by the cycle lane by Hampton Court Road. If you prefer, cross the bridge and mainly good paths through Thames Ditton to Kingston, or the good river pathon the north bank back to Kingston Bridge.Haven't done it for a while - this may be a good day for it!

Guy Lambert ● 95d

Another consideration is the type of bikes your group will be riding. For example the tow path from Kew to Richmond is not suitable for racing bikes as it gets a little rocky in parts even though improvements have been recently

Adrian Irving ● 95d

You can cycle along the Grand Union canal towpath from Brentford towards Uxbridge and beyond - plenty of pubs and you can decide how far you go before you turn back.

Richard Greenhough ● 95d

CS9 though to Brentford on to Busch Corner, turn left, 1st left down past The London Apprentice, out past the old convent, through to St. Margaret's down to Richmond Bridge and on to Petersham Meadows. Loads of pubs and refreshment stops en route or a quick Tarka Trail and then lunch at The Lass of Richmond Hill. Well under 30 miles and not overly challenging. Takes me back to a rote that I used to cycle years ago but we went on to a pub in Roehampton which didn't look at its best when I drove oast a few weeks ago.

N V Brooks ● 95d

Apologies all - I didn't word myself clearly. The objective is to get people used to cycling 30 miles in a day so 15 there and 15 back.

Mark Evans ● 95d

Just to add, even if you cycle to Windsor, you don't need to cycle back and can get the train either from Windsor & Eton Riverside to Waterloo (which stops at Richmond) or Windsor & Eton Central via Slough then train to Ealing or Acton Main Line.Same goes for canal. There are pubs near it all the way around so could cycle from Brentford to Westbourne Park or Paddington then tube or train it back.

Michael Robinson ● 95d

Chiswick to Sheen gate return - 9 miles.One lap of Tamsin trail - 6 miles

Mark Frost ● 95d

I was going to suggest Windsor although that is about 30 miles out and back (60 total) going via quieter roads (not the A4...)Other options could be somewhere around Wimbledon via Richmond Park, Wimbledon Common.  The Wandle trail. Or, there are some pubs near Harmondsworth which are surprisingly 'country' despite being close to Heathrow, M25.Another option could be the Grand Union/Regents Canal which you can take all the way from Brentford to Limehouse almost all on towpaths except for some sections around Little Venice and Islington.  Around Camden is usually really busy so that means walking the bike and care needed to avoid going into the canal...GPS tracking websites (e.g. Koomoot) allow you to search for routes that people have made public.

Michael Robinson ● 95d

You could use the tow paths either in the Richmond direction (path not too smooth in parts) or into Central London.As you get fitter you could ride to Richmond then around the Park.

Adrian Irving ● 95d

15 miles there then 15 back?

Mark Frost ● 95d