Fantastic! Thank you all for the great ideas.

2009Kat wrote:Does anyone have any recommendations for traffic free cycling with kids? My 7 and 5 yr old can finally both ride and we'd like to take them out beyond the commons. Richmond Park, wandle route to Morden we know about but if anyone has any bright ideas say within an hour of sw 11 that would be amazing? Thank you!

Worth Way and Forest Way both start in East Grinstead. I think Forest Way is the more child friendly. There are cafes in Forest Row, including Java and Jazz which does great pizza. If you park in Hartfield it is downhill on the way back. You can get a direct train from Clapham Junction to East Grinstead.

Slightly further out is the Cuckoo trail - drive or train to Polegate or for a nice day by the sea, you can cycle 5 miles along the prom (10 miles round trip) from the Goring end of Worthing towards Shoreham or you can ride from the Shoreham end of Hove all the way through Brighton - lots of loos and cafe stops available.

Scientist wrote:Agree with Caferacer, but I would suggest the following modifications: drive to Putney, park on the river by the boat clubhouses. Take the bikes out on the river path going west, it is pretty much semi-rural in feel. That way, you avoid crossing any roads with motor traffic. If you make it as far as Barnes, watch the tides as the path gets flooded at high tide. I would advise bikes with suspension and hybrid or off-road tyres, as the paths can be very stony and bumpy. Unless they are semi-Olympic riders already, there's plenty enough path for that age group. My 9 year old rode all the way to Kew Gardens and back with me (from W'wth Cmn) and she was exhausted. Have fun.

I have to agree with Scientist on the more child friendly option of heading west - quite rural in feel as soon as you get near Barnes.

Regarding the riverpath flooding past Putney - my two girls remember the day we went through the flood on the path (3 - 4 inches at most ) as the most memorable ride of all...they were 5 and 7 at the time and badgered me for ages to do it again!

Agree with Caferacer, but I would suggest the following modifications: drive to Putney, park on the river by the boat clubhouses. Take the bikes out on the river path going west, it is pretty much semi-rural in feel. That way, you avoid crossing any roads with motor traffic. If you make it as far as Barnes, watch the tides as the path gets flooded at high tide. I would advise bikes with suspension and hybrid or off-road tyres, as the paths can be very stony and bumpy. Unless they are semi-Olympic riders already, there's plenty enough path for that age group. My 9 year old rode all the way to Kew Gardens and back with me (from W'wth Cmn) and she was exhausted. Have fun.

I got a bike carrier for the car and go to Richmond park

Hi 2009Kat,

one route that I used to use is the river paths along the Thames.

Staring at The Ship on Jews Row (by the bridge) you can cycle east past Battersea Heliport ( extra bonus if a helicopter is coming in or out) then on to Battersea Park (where you can go round and round to your hearts content) then over Chelsea Bridge Road to the new plaza in front of Battersea Power Station.

If your're feeling brave you can then circumnavigate the rest of the power station site and rejoin the river path carrying on towards the City ( the path stops and starts and is not one clear run unfortunately).

Alternatively you can turn left along the river and head towards Putney, passing Barnes and on towards Kew and much further if you are up for it.

There is always something to see on the river and you can criss cross the bridges to ride on the other embankment on the way back...and the route is 100% flat of course!

Of course there are is the odd break in the path where you have to leave the path to rejoin a few hundred yards further on (at the Heliport for instance) but these are rare. Also the odd road to cross at the some bridges but it is well worth it!

This saturday is Free cycle event in central London.
Free to register and cycle around the roads in central London.

https://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/ ... freecycle/

We cycle around Battersea Park and along the river.

Does anyone have any recommendations for traffic free cycling with kids? My 7 and 5 yr old can finally both ride and we'd like to take them out beyond the commons. Richmond Park, wandle route to Morden we know about but if anyone has any bright ideas say within an hour of sw 11 that would be amazing? Thank you!