They say the best way to get to know a city is on foot. I would argue cycling is better, the ease of covering distance is one aspect, but in my opinion the appreciation of your surroundings is heightened too. As Ernest Hemingway once said, 'It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them'.
So I’m heading off on a cycling tour from north-east London, taking in some of the best development sites new and old that are shaping the built environment here, plus some popular spots for a rest and a cup of coffee.
Starting from our Hackney Wick office, we are steeped in cycling history. The London Olympics saw Great Britain take home 12 cycling medals, eight of them gold. Now a decade on, the legacy of the games is still very much apparent locally. The Olympic Park is home to the Velodrome and the Lee Valley VeloPark, open to the public and a great way to train or pretend to be a professional athlete.
Heading north-west through Hackney, you pass Hub Vélo on Lower Clapton Road, a cyclist’s paradise with amazing coffee and a guaranteed friendly welcome. From here, Parkhaus, on the Hackney Downs, is only a gentle pedal away. Further north, expect the first undulating road – the Clapton Climb that rides past Clapton Common and Quartet by Countryside.
Pedalling west towards the Woodberry Wetlands, it is hard not to notice the scale of Woodberry Down by Berkeley Homes. Delivering its third phase currently and a momentous regeneration story. If you fancy a break here then The Coal House Café, positioned between the reservoirs, can be the perfect breakfast spot, appropriately bike friendly with lots of outdoor seating.
Searching for those elevation gains? From Evergreen on Green Lanes you can see Alexandra Palace, a famed landmark on the London skyline. A steep gradient to the top will have you catching your breath while appreciating the special view. Locally, Hornsey Town Hall offers some beautiful new homes.
London isn’t known for its hills? Think again. Shifting south-west we approach beautiful Hampstead Heath, known for walking and swimming in the ponds. That said, it’s the famous ascents of Highgate Hill and Swain’s Lane that can raise the heart rate of even the most seasoned cyclists.
Moving further west towards the Finchley Road you will be able to open up, increase the power and those with spare energy can up the cadence. Enjoying the residential streets of St John’s Wood you will quickly join the Outer Circle at Regent’s Park, a popular circuit for those searching for a high tempo session. Regent’s Crescent exhibits stunning new homes in the area. Parched and ready for something sustaining? Fortitude Bakehouse offers the full package.
Heading back eastwards, some may opt for the scenic route along the beautiful Regent’s Canal, linking Paddington Basin in the west, to the Limehouse Basin and the River Thames in east London. Perhaps more suited to the bicycle milk crate than the carbon-fibre road bike, this careful ride will take you past a number of developments, the most notable of which are The Gasholders in King's Cross, Hoxton Press, Shoreditch Parkside and Broadway East in London Fields.
A look down at my bike computer. I’ve completed 56.21 km distance, 515 elevation metres gained and – the key data – 988 calories burnt. That said, it doesn’t know about the two cinnamon rolls along the way.
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