United Kingdom - Chicago Biker in London for a week, hoping to do some riding

Hi all,
I've been in London for a few days now, and I have had a great time. I am thinking about finding a bike somewhere and riding around a little. However I have no idea where I would begin such a search. If I were to find a bike, can anyone recommend a medium or long distance (15 to 60 miles?) ride that would get me out of London?
Thanks for any tips!

For a shorter ride you could ride up and around Richmond park. Whereabouts are you staying?

Hi there, you should be able to hire a bike from On Your Bike, on Tooley St nr London Bridge station.
A really good route that I did last weekend - cycling from London - is to go to Cambridge (about 60 miles, quite flat and beautiful countryside). Head for Springfield Park in Stoke Newington, follow the canal north for about 20 miles, then after that it's nice quiet country roads all the way to Cambridge train station where you can get a train back to Liverpool St.
Alternatively, get a train (from London Bridge) to somewhere like Sevenoaks, where there's some nice countryside and a few good hills. You could even follow some of the Tour route - there's a free guide to the Tour with all the routes coming out in The Guardian (who I work for) on Monday 2nd July.

Hope this is useful,

Tom

I read the Guardian. Do you know Matt Seaton?

I don't know him as such - have seen him at Herne Hill a couple if times. He's contributing some writing in the Tour guide

I recommend heading out towards Kent, where I cycle to Hastings from London most week-ends. Follow the South Circular Road till you get to the A2 beyond Dulwich and carry on by Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells, lovely route. Cannot advise on bikes, though, sorry.
phantazy

Hi, I just checked out http://ctc.org.uk/ and they have a section on events, shops and clubs depending on area. You might like to research a little before making a decision. Good luck!
phantazy