These radial one-way cycling routes allow for long rides out of London either to the coast or somewhere picturesque inland, before returning to London by train.
This London to Brighton routes starts from Clapham Old Town and then follows the official London-Brighton route, ploughing straight through South London, on through the heart of Sussex before the steep climb up Ditching Beacon and very fast descent down to the coast.
Starting point: Gails Bakery, Clapham Old Town.
Suggested lunch stop: Regency Cafe, Brighton.
Return by train to London Bridge or Blackfriars (or change at Croydon for trains to Clapham Junction and Victoria).
The London to Oxford route heads out west from Kingston, shadowing the Thames, through Twyford and Henley and on into the Chilterns.
After a long steady climb between Middle Assendon and Christmas Common, the route is generally descending all the way to Oxford.
Starting point: Local Hero Café, Kingston.
Optional intermediate café: The Chocolate Café, Thameside, Henley (55km).
Suggested café/lunch stop: The Handle Bar Cafe and Kitchen, 28-32 St. Michael’s Street, Oxford.
Return by train to Marylebone.
This London to Cambridge route is fast, fairly flat, route leaving London via the City, through Epping Forest before heading into Cambridgeshire and into the heart of Cambridge for lunch.
Starting point: Café Society, Vauxhall Bridge.
Suggested coffee stop: Molly’s Coffee & Cake Shop, Saffron Waldon (87km).
Suggested lunch stop: The Copper Kettle, 4 Kings Parade, Cambridge.
Return by train to St. Pancras, Kings Cross or Liverpool Street.
The London to Whitstable ride heads south over Crystal Palace, out of London, before the climb up the side of Biggin Hill.
Then it follows the Pilgrim’s Way for much of its length between the ridges of the Downs, right through the heart of Kent, through a number of pretty villages, before climbing & descending Hollingbourne Hill and making for the coast.
Starting point: Gail’s Bakery, Clapham Old Town.
Intermediate café stop: The Friars’ team Room, Aylesford Priory (74km).
Suggested Lunch Stop: The Harbour Garden Café, Whitstable.
Return by train to Victoria.
The London to Rye route heads out over Crystal Palace and Biggin Hill, into the Kent Hills.
The climbing in this ride is very much in the first half with the second half more rolling.
The ride takes in the High Weald National Landscape and passes Bodiam Caslte, before a descent down to the coast for a section by the sea and into Rye.
Suggested intermediate café stop: The Boathouse, Yalding (63km) or Bodiam Castle Tea Room (99km).
Suggested lunch stop: Mermaid Street Café/Old Borough Arms, Rye.
Return train to St. Pancras (change at Ashford).
This long but relatively flat ride leaves London via the City, skirting the top of East London and heading straight through Epping Forest and the wider northern Essex countryside, before ultimately reaching the ‘Constable Country’ of Dedham Vale National Landscape and the Stour Estuary at the Suffolk border.
Starting point: Café Society, Vauxhall Bridge.
Suggested intermediate café stop: Snug Café, High Easter (62km).
Suggested lunch stop: Constable Park Café, Brantham.
Return by train from Manningtree to Liverpool Street.