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lots of paranoid people here today...
'did I make the right choice about where to live? Am I sure I'm not missing out by not living in that there London. I know I'll post a reply justifying my completely personal preference just to reassure my inner fears...'
Ahem (pulls up chair) here goes.
I'm from up North
I ****ING LOVE LONDON!!!!!!!
Come join us at Carl's Tea Hut High Beach, Epping Forest every Sunday at 0930. Fast single track r us, as are weekends away in Wales, Lakes and Spain.
You will need
1 x Mountain bike
1 x fixie
Re:fixed gear, forget all the reverse snobbery, riding in Town (ahem) is fabulous, just make sure your town bike is steel framed for pothole survival.
Beautiful girls all over the city right now, tanned, well groomed and NOT FAT!
Sorry HackneyRider, I should have posted earlier as you're obviously correct in saying that only people who've experienced London should comment on this thread.
I lived in London for two years and it's a dump. 45minutes to get to a trail? Are you being serious? 45 minutes each way means a lot less riding time. And what sort of trails are those? Anything like the Peak? Wales? Lakes? Scotland?
Does that help?
I feel for ya. If I lived somewhere with decent riding I'm not sure how I'd handle it, moving down to London.
At least ask her if you can live in the 'burbs rather than central. If you live somewhere south like Wimbledon or Kingston, you'll have easy access to the surrey hills and its an easy commute in to central london.
PS the same old London/Anti London stuff...how yawnsome.
I lived in London for two years and it's a dump
Obviously, living there for such a long time has enabled you to see and experience every facet, every single nuance of the Greatest Metropolis on Earth.... 🙄
Ok, so it was not for you. Fair enough. TBH, I'd hate Scotland for more than a holiday. Everyone's different. I have a mate in Edinburgh, from that town, who lived here for 8 years or more. He says he'd rather be living back here in London.
You see, the thing some of you fail to grasp, is that mountain biking is not the be-all and end-all of our lives. Many of us choose to enjoy a myriad other activities outside of mountain biking. Personally, I see myself as a cyclist who enjoys a spot of mtbing. I'd say MTBing is perhaps 5-10% or my leisure interests. The rest is in all sorts of other areas. Therefore, living 2 seconds from 'fabulous trails' is not high on the list of priorities, for me.
Now, I know this may sound strange, for some of you, that others may enjoy activities that don't involve riding bikes off road all the time, but there you go.
I'm glad you think London is a dump. Means people like you won't hang around here for very long. You still came and lived here for 2 years though, didn't you? I doubt I'll ever set foot in Scotland, other than perhaps for a short holiday, or to visit someone. You see, if I fancy some proper mountains, it's actually cheaper and easier for me to jump on a plane and fly to the Alps, the Pyrenees, or wherever. Is Scotland a dump? I doubt it very much. Never been there, so I can't comment. Does it have enough to make me want to come? Not really. Expensive, not the best weather, judging by many comments on this forum, I may not be as welcome as I may elsewhere, and other places seem more exciting to me.
As for getting to trails; I can be in Epping Forest in less than 25 minutes. And most of the journey there is away from traffic. I appreciate that getting to other places takes a bit longer, but I'm quite willing to accept that, as it's a small price to pay for living in London. I'm only a short way from some of the World's most prestigious art galleries, concert halls, music venues, universities and sports facilities. In a year or so, I'll be living only a couple of miles away from a state of the art Olympic velodrome.
As for saying are the trails as good as those in Scotland, Wales etc; well, what there is around London is surprisingly good, actually. I, and many others, enjoy them. Make the most of what you've got.
Sounds like you came here with a narrow mind. Shame it wasn't expanded a bit.
Sorry (I've had 3/4 bottle of wine and counting) but please please don't come down here and live in the burbs. I love cycling in all it's forms but I'm not living in Kingston/Surbiton/Pinner/wherever just because it's a bit closer to trails. I'm pretty central, get to enjoy all the good social stuff and ride my bikes all the time. Ask me again when it's pishing down and dark in January but right now London is just gorgeous....did I mention all the posh, fit as you like girls?
Seriously, I know the city ain't for everyone and I certainly wouldnt want to live here without lots of mates and and a half decent income but it suits me and a lot of other people.
Oh no I sound like Rudeboy.....
Welcome to the Family, My Child....
I went for a ride near Cobham once. It wasn't that bad but the houses can be a little pricey.
My girlfriend looked at jobs in London after Uni, I was happy with that but made it clear I wasn't going to move there and got a job in Somerset. Depends what you like but IMO there are far nicer places to live especially if you like the countryside.
I'd have a good long hard think about your priorities and what makes you happy, then go from there. You can always ride, it'll just be different. OR god forbid you may find something else to do. I used to Kayak more than I biked but circumstances now mean I haven't sat in a boat since November, something I never thought would happen. I'm riding nearly 200miles a week though and can't get enough of biking right now so I'm happy.
I live in Zone 6 and have just got back from a 2 1/2 hour ride - which starts 5 mins from my flat. Ruislip Woods, although not as hilly and vast as wales, peaks or the lakes, still has singletrack to write home about, twists and turns that you get anywhere else. Also from my flat can ride a max of 10 mins on the road and then im out in the chilterns and other such hills. Swinley is a 45 min car journey and wales is 2 hours away. As Rudeboy says - London has many other interesting things that you can explore. you can go out every week to some different area and never see the same sights in London! Ok - you need to use trains and the tube to get around - but they are not all bad - im 45 mins to Westminster (where i work) and that can easily be taken up by a book. Ive only once commuted in to central london - however am now planning on doing it more often - if you plan a good route you can stay safe and actually only be on 1 or 2 major roads for a max of 5 mins!
Ok london is very busy, cramped and money focused (and very hot at the moment) but there are hidden gems in it - (cycling through hyde park, concerts all the time, good food in all areas, and open air events etc. I know other cities have the same, but just not in the same amounts and variations!
My suggestion is come to london for a couple of years, experience it and then see what life brings you next...
not sure what others have said - I live in central London and came from living within spitting distance of decent trails in South Yorkshire and Durham and struggled to get motivated to ride at first, which became worse when I got rid of my car
now I ride pretty much every weekend travelling by train and it takes no more than an hour door-to-door to get to the trails, Waterloo is 15 minutes away - I mainly ride in Surrey (Pirbright, the 3 Hills, Swinley) but often go to Rogate, Tilgate, Aston Hill and Chicksands - sometimes on big bike
it's an effort, but it's worth it
The Chilterns are easily accessible by train from Euston too. My regular trails by train are Tring/Berkhamsted/Wendover/Princes Risborough via the Euston line; Swinley from Richmond station or Waterloo; Dorking from Clapham Junction or Waterloo. During the week: intervals on Highgate West Hill / Swains Lane, or a big loop using canals, Thames Path and Richmond Park, etc. It's all good.
Let's be honest here. It's a mountainbike forum, so most of us enjoy mountainbiking quite a lot. Most of us are quite fanatical about mountainbiking. We can go for discussions about culture elsewhere, although the two are not mutually exclusive in any one persons lifestyle.
I'd say the best advice would come from someone into culture and mountain biking, who has lived in London, as well as other cities, and countries.
That person happens to be me. 🙄
Now while London has fantastic museums and a deep pool of blow ins grabbing for grants or clambering up the slippery pole of the commerce/art interface, London is a money city, not a culture city.
Still, I would have more respect for an opinion of London from somebody who had actually lived here for two years than an opinion of Scotland (or should that be "outside the m25") from somebody who had never actually been there.
But that's by the way.
London is fine, just make sure you live North of the River. You're going to need your passport when going to Waterloo, mind you 😉
An one of those for the potholes:
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so what is your advice Dr Dolittle?
London is a money city, not a culture city.
Get yourself down to the British Museum bud. Its both.
I'm Scottish, lived all over England with the Army, liked quite a lot of it.
Dont listen to Rudeboy, he's only talking to himself.
Back to the OP, red_dread seriously, drop us a line when you land.
Stockport? That's not the Peaks.
A hat museum is not enough!
Not enough!!!
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I'd say the best advice would come from someone into culture and mountain biking, who has lived in London, as well as other cities, and countries.That person happens to be me.
LOL!
But you're bitter and twisted, sodafarls! you'd be a miserable sod wherever you lived! 😉
BTW; I'm not expressing an onion about Scotland, as I've never been there (I have mentioned this). I just don't feel and real significant desire to visit the place, when there are more attractive propositions on offer, culturally and economically. I'm sure Scotland is a fabulous place, in it's own right. It just does not in any way appeal to me personally. Of course, I might be pleasantly surprised, were I to go there, but I'd rather spend me money go somewhere like Spain, France, Italy or Scandinavia, where I'd find loads more in the way of cultural and regional difference.
You know how some people rave about visiting India; I'd rather visit Japan. The myth of Japan would be more exciting to me.
That sort of thing.
LOL! @ Onion.
Be honest, when it comes to weather, the opposite is true, really, is not it? 😀
Good photoshopping, mind. Is that Canada?
I live on the outskirts of Scotland's capital city. I can bike to work in the middle of the city centre in 25 minutes. 500 yards away are the Pentland Hills with tons of great biking. Glentress is a 30 minute drive away, and 2 hours drive puts me in the Cairngorm mountains.
And in August we get the world's largest collection of every type of culture you could posssibly want, not to mention everything that's going on the other 11 months too. And I can quite happily wander around at night without the risk of getting mugged.
London? Nah, no thanks.
And before anyone else says it, yes I am feeling smug.
RudeBoy - MemberLOL! @ Onion.
Be honest, when it comes to weather, the opposite is true, really, is not it?
I'm sure I have no idea what you mean
London has great museums, no discussion there. The nature of the place though (expense and size) is not conducive to artistic communities in the way that other cities in the uk are (eg sheffield, manchester). The riding is pretty average if you are honest with yourself or have experienced better, but we've got to get the best out of what's available, I can understand that.
That's my advice... it's priceless.
And getting excited about the vague chance of a ****ing velodrome maybe... maybe, being accessable in 3 years time when all other cycling provision in that area has been removed and forgotten about by the olympic cabal, well, that doesn't give me the London horn. But maybe that's just me. Go on, give me the London Horn.
And I can quite happily wander around at night without the risk of getting mugged.
In Edinburgh?
Come on mate; you might be loyal to the place, but that's ridiculous! 😆
That's my advice... it's priceless.
Don't be so hard on yerself, Sody; I'll give you a quid for it! 😀
But you're bitter and twisted, sodafarls! you'd be a miserable sod wherever you lived!
I'm a realist. It hurts. I stick my balls in the vice before pontificating on how balls in a vice feel. You should try it. Go on, find a vice, stick your balls in and turn the handle.
No thanks. I'll trust in your research!
Kenny you should feel smug. Embra is the berries.
Rudeboy, we may have crossed swords but you've hit the nail on the head, London is the greatest city in the world (with the option to jump on the train and ride a bike over some hills/singletrack)
Dr Dolittle you come across quite bitter and twisted, did London shag your mum at some point?
Lightweight. Do they not teach Existentialism in The Cultural Paradise?
Lanesra,
I am bitter and twisted. I know it's kind of a faux pas, similar to suggesting that your girlfriend is ugly or that Liverpool FC are not the devil incarnate, but while London is a great city, it's not the be all and end all for a person interested in music or culture and it's pretty shit for mountainbiking. Say you move around a wee bit, and get a different perspective on things in a few years...you might realise that London is what it is, not what you may feel obliged to try and make it.
Dr Dolittle
In my short years I've lived and worked in, France, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Italy, Belgium, Israel, Russia, New York, South Carolina, Montreal, Libya, Kuwait and many more. And I can honestly say that despite London not having a beach or mountains, it is the greatest city in the world.
As Rudeboy, succinctly said earlier so what if you cant jump on your bike and hit a mountain. I can pop out and see a great band, have a nice meal, socialise with people from different backgrounds/lifestyles (without discussing how expensive XTR is) etc etc
Take a step back and realise there's more to life
Rude Boy.......fair point, there are certainly some bits of Edinburgh I wouldn't venture out in at night without an armed escort. But on the whole it's much safer than London.
Good for you lanesra,
Thing is, I took a step back from my London life (music industry bollox, etc etc etc) a few years ago, moved somewhere not especially great although it's supposed to be, made a big mistake moving back to London (supposedly just "to collect my belongings"), and now I'm in the unfortunate position of knowing and being able to admit I shouldn't have done that. But I'm off somewhere else in a few months, so I'm not crying.
The point I'm trying to make is that for music, art, or general lifestyle regardless even of mtb opportunities, London isn't that great. That's my opinion though, you don't have to agree.
And I can honestly say that despite London not having a beach or mountains, it is the greatest city in the world.
What a ridiculous statement. Best for what? For whom? London's like anywhere else, it has plus points and negative points. It just depends what's important to you. Sorry if that's all a bit reasonable, but that's how it is. La Paz has better scenery, Paris has better restaurants, Oslo is greener, Rome probably has better opera, it just depends what matters to you. If mountain biking's the be all and end all of your life then London's probably not the ideal place to live, but there you go. Your choice, because it is your choice, isn't it?
[deleted double post, hmmm...]
If you think the music, art and lifestyle "isn't that great" you're really not trying hard enough. Leicester Square/Covent Garden/Shoreditch/Hoxton/Notting Hill etc etc aren't the be all of "London".
Still each to there own
I can't be bothered with this any more. It will just descend into the usual London-baiting it always does.
London is not the place for everyone. It's my home town, and I doubt I'd find many other cities, globally, I'd be at home in, as much as I am here. And I've seen one or two. I'd certainly not give up living in London, for any other city in the UK, that's for sure. would be like taking a backward step; going from a Ferrari to a Mondeo.
I'm an Urbanite, not a country dweller. The countryside is a place where I can go and relax, occasionally, although I get a bit bored after a short time, tbh. I prefer the immediacy and close proximity to everything, in London. That's me, I don't expect everyone else to be the same.
The great think about the UK is that if you don't like one spot, you can always move, provided you're relatively affluent. If you want to live in the countryside, fine. if you prefer Edinburgh to London, fine.
Just accept, also, that others don't share your point of view. And just because you may believe yourself to be oh so enlightened and clever, still does not in any way mean you know more than others, or that your onion is anyway more valid.
One of the good things about London, is that it is relatively easy to leave. So, if you're not happy here, then go. Find somewhere else, where you'll be happy.
Because those of us that do want to stay here, will still be happy, regardless of what choices you make, trust me. I'm not bothered one way or another, whether you chose to stay or not. Just don't moan about it.
Just out of interest, Sody; where you planning on heading next? Team effort, or solo venture? Whatever, hope it works out well for you. Seems London just weren't the place for you. Nothing ventured, though, eh?
Say you move around a wee bit, and get a different perspective on things in a few years...you might realise that London is what it is
I've got a pretty odd idea of what it is, and I'm happy with it. I love the place!
Well moved to london in april, at times i hate the place, come from wiltshire/somerset so it's abit of a change for me. However wife loves it, she's why i'm here, but i'm not giving up on it yet. Need to put the effort in, but just took part in beastway tonight, unfit, had a minor mechanical prob, but i sit here now with achy legs, a beer and life aint so bad. A good ride gives that glow, no matter where.
Just one thing,the amount of people i overheard at the finish moaning about overtaking slower riders, i.e me, and i was curtious; stopping sometimes, it reminds me why i stopped racing years ago. Shouldn't be about having a good time too?
You're doing the typical Northern thing of dismissing London (badlyWiredDog) - Have you ever stood on the Millennium Bridge at night and looked across London, Regents/Hyde//St James's/Richmond/Blackheath/Clapham Common are only tiny parks with a kids play area in the middle :roll:.
It's people like you that makes me wish that we should devolve the rest of the country and have London as a separate entity
I'm not bothered one way or another, whether you chose to stay or not. Just don't moan about it.
If you don't like it here, **** off back where you belong...
It's a bit sad that genuine Londoners have a hard time dealing with criticism of the city they live in. It would be better for a lot of reasons if Londoners complained a lot more about their city, instead they seem to accept so much crap. And they don't like outsiders complaining about their city either, just like most smalltown rednecks. I guess there isn't that much difference really, even after all the bollocks about cross cultural exchanges and all the Mayors office PR bollox.
I suppose if you don't know any better, you'll never try and improve what you have.
I tried to help London, but London wasn't willing to listen.
Anyway, the OP was concerned with not being able to find much MTBing to be had down here!
And as before; there's not tons, but what little there is, is surprisingly good, and links to other places are very good.
Must be a tough one, to contemplate leaving the biking you've known behind, but then there are possibly new horizons to explore, new things to be found. A city like this can certainly give you thrills and spills of a different kind!
La Paz has better scenery, Paris has better restaurants, Oslo is greener, Rome probably has better opera
..and Cairo is older, Mexico City is bigger, Tokyo is busier, Geneva is cleaner, Rekyavik is more Arctic, etc...
London is still unique.
You're doing the typical Northern thing of dismissing London (badlyWiredDog) - Have you ever stood on the Millennium Bridge at night and looked across London, Regents/Hyde//St James's/Richmond/Blackheath/Clapham Common are only tiny parks with a kids play area in the middle :roll:.It's people like you that makes me wish that we should devolve the rest of the country and have London as a separate entity
I'm not dismissing London. I'm just saying that different people have different priorities. Have you ever stood in the middle of the Prado in La Paz and watched a full moon hanging over Illimani - a bloody great 6000-metre mountain?
Not only that, I am a Londoner. It has good points and bad points. What's so hard to understand about that? It's very pretty but I've watched the sun rise over glaciers in the Andes and seen lightning flickering across the Amazon, so the view from the Millenium Bridge, while pleasant enough, doesn't quite match up.
Can't it just be enough that London is an interesting place with some great nightlife, culture etc, rather than having to pretend that it's also scenically stunning and a mountain biking mecca as well?
London is still unique.
Just like everywhere else.