Can anyone point me in the direction of some good road routes of 40–100 miles starting from North London (Hornsey-ish)? I’ve got a couple of friends training for the Vatternrundan in Sweden and I need to get them out of their habit of stringing together rides around London parks, or endless miles on canal towpaths. The only requirements are quiet-ish roads and no massive (by the south-east’s standards) hills.
Thanks in advance.
Here's one: only 30-odd miles, but hilly. You could follow your nose from the north end and punt into Hertfordshire, East to Epping Forest, West to the Chilterns.
No especially nice ways of getting out to the greenery that I've found, unless you train or take the Lea Valley towpath.
http://connect.garmin.com/course/3961800
This is a good buy: lots of nice loops you could connect onto, with links to GPS data online if you've got a thinger.
http://thebikeshow.net/lost-lanes-shop/
I ride out north pretty often from Hornsey area
Head to Potters bar - that's the crappy bit, but doesn't take too long. From Potters bar head towards essendon and then Hertford. Then head out of Hertford towards bengeo, and then make your way to Cambridge via back roads. It's a nice three hour ride from Hornsey to Cambridge. Then you can turn round and come home again. Or do as I do and just ride to Potters bar and get the train back to finsbury park. That is pretty much bang on 100miles