Ride6
RIDE 6
Up the Lea Valley
Distance: 54km
Difficulty: Easy but on very light gravel
Time: 2–3.5 hours
This surprisingly rural route will take you out into the hinterlands of London. Hackney Wick is a great place to start, with plenty of cafes to choose from before you make for the marshes. Almost immediately, you will see a different side of the city and its surrounding countryside. You can cut the route short and come back the way you came at any point, although we recommend making it to the Fish and Eels, a perfect pit stop for lunch before returning home. The route is mostly smooth gravel so should suit all bikes, just be aware that it can get very muddy after rain.
How to follow the route
We recommend a free app called BikeGPX (no login required).
Once installed, follow the link below to access the route.
Alternatively you can download the gpx file and use it in a cycling app.
Ride with GPS and Strava are great but you will need a subscription.
You can also view the route on Google Maps (but this option cannot be used for point-to-point navigation).
Safety tips
Make sure you can safely attach your phone to your bike – you can find holders online here - and remember to focus on your surroundings as well as the screen.
Please cycle responsibly: always wear a helmet and remember to account for the distance of the journey. It’s also good to have the map downloaded, in case you lose signal while on the road.
Make sure you can safely attach your phone to your bike – you can find holders online here - and remember to focus on your surroundings as well as the screen.