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Stratford to Stanstead (Lee Valley) bike routes

ska invita

ska invita

back on the other side
Biked out to Windsor this weekend going along the Thames Path and absolutely loved it. I hear you can do a similar thing on the river Lee up towards Stanstead. Can anyone recommend where to start from and where to go to have the most road-free biking experience? I've heard you can pick up the path from near Stratford........
 
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ska invita said:
Biked out to Windsor this weekend going along the Thames Path and absolutely loved it. I hear you can do a similar thing on the river Lee up towards Stanstead. Can anyone recommend where to start from and where to go to have the most road-free biking experience? I've heard you can pick up the path from near Stratford........
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you can cycle from Stratford towards Clapton on the Lea, it flows past the Olympic Stadium - then follow the lea - up through Clapton, towards Tottenham and up the lea valley (you can spell it lea or lee :confused:)
 
marty21 said:
you can cycle from Stratford towards Clapton on the Lea, it flows past the Olympic Stadium - then follow the lea - up through Clapton, towards Tottenham and up the lea valley (you can spell it lea or lee :confused:)
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Yes but the Lee/Lea takes a turn into Hertfordshire rather than Essex so you might need another route to get to Stanstead.
 
ive just traced a route on google maps and it looks very doable and a really fun route - a couple of turns to keep an eye on, but my mate has a smartphone so should be good.

theres a way of mapping the route on googlempas isnt there? might try that...will share it if I do
 
marty21 said:
my knowledge only stretches to Tottenham as I have walked that far
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I live in Tottenham and have strolled up north to Pickets Lock on a Sunday morning & there was a couple of raves going on across the water but it bears left at the top. It flows through Welwyn Garden City and that is definately not on the way to Stanstead.
 
toblerone3 said:
It should also be possible to branch off the River Lee onto the River Stort and go along the towpath towards Stansted Airport.

http://www.cycle-route.com/routes/Sawbo_To_Walthamstow-Cycle-Route-614.html

Another possibility is to go out along the River Lee and turn off at Broxborne and return via Brookmans Park, South Mymms, Barnet the Dollis Brook paths and end up on Hampstead Heath.
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good thinking! Might do that one day for variation... weather bring good Im going to have a go at this on the weekend
 
I cycled from Cambridge back to London and at some point I remember cycling down the Lea Valley. Lots of factories on one side I remember. It was donkey's years ago though and buggered if I can remember the exact route.
 
Great thread! :cool:

Keep it updated ska invita to let us know what you do and what you are thinking of doing. Would love to join you on a ride at some point myself. My bike isn't eally appropriate for long distances though as it's more a city bike and pretty heavy. I do have friends who cycle for sport/fun though who have more than one bike so the chances are I'd be able to borrow something more fitting... :hmm:
 
you cant go too fast on those paths anyway, and even trundling along you cover a lot of ground...but yeah a heavy bike that cant handle a few sharp stones might not be best
 
did this the other day, had a great time
picked up canal at hackney Wick and even though id made a map i didnt really need it - just stick to the canal and only go over a bridge if you really have to

there was one bit that cut through Springfield Park which was a trip as I did my sports day there at infants and havent been back since... a little painful to return to after being robbed in the 3 legged race

its a nice mood on the canal, very different to the west london stretch...a crustier canal boat crew and less big pads lining the river -wilder as a result and a fair amount of industrial land too - a lot of orthodox jews on bikes and pedaloes and so on too which adds a lot of character to the stretch

just enough pubs on route...i think the most picturesque spot was Dobbs Weir
Dobbs_Weir_2.jpg


also enjoyed the Amwell nature reserve further up - teeming with water fowl

I saw the turning for the river Stort which goes up to Bishop Stortford, but that would've been a 36 mile trip, and I need to work up to that....26 is my limit at the moment

really recommend it - gives a completely different perspective on London

goldenecitrone said:
I cycled from Cambridge back to London and at some point I remember cycling down the Lea Valley. Lots of factories on one side I remember. It was donkey's years ago though and buggered if I can remember the exact route.
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how long did that take you?
 
toblerone3 said:
Another possibility is to go out along the River Lee and turn off at Broxborne and return via Brookmans Park, South Mymms, Barnet the Dollis Brook paths and end up on Hampstead Heath.
Click to expand...
how does that work - is that a river side route? i couldnt see it on the map
 
ska invita said:
did this the other day, had a great time
picked up canal at hackney Wick and even though id made a map i didnt really need it - just stick to the canal and only go over a bridge if you really have to

there was one bit that cut through Springfield Park which was a trip as I did my sports day there at infants and havent been back since... a little painful to return to after being robbed in the 3 legged race

its a nice mood on the canal, very different to the west london stretch...a crustier canal boat crew and less big pads lining the river -wilder as a result and a fair amount of industrial land too - a lot of orthodox jews on bikes and pedaloes and so on too which adds a lot of character to the stretch

just enough pubs on route...i think the most picturesque spot was Dobbs Weir
Dobbs_Weir_2.jpg


also enjoyed the Amwell nature reserve further up - teeming with water fowl

I saw the turning for the river Stort which goes up to Bishop Stortford, but that would've been a 36 mile trip, and I need to work up to that....26 is my limit at the moment

really recommend it - gives a completely different perspective on London


how long did that take you?
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That is a lovely photo.
 
ska invita said:
it is but tbf it still doesnt do the spot justice - its a lovely corner that you cant squeeze into a photo
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I will have to go for a very long walk or get a bike. The way the water flows is stunning. I suppose I could walk from Tottenham and get a train home.
 
MrSki said:
I will have to go for a very long walk or get a bike. The way the water flows is stunning. I suppose I could walk from Tottenham and get a train home.
Click to expand...
you can get the train to broxbourne, walk up a little bit, and theres also a cheapish boat hire spot in the area - Lea Valley Boat Centre + THe Crown pub :cool:
 
tbh i dont think you can go that far unless you go through locks - an hour on one of these
small2.jpg

seats 5, £20, would do it - maybe 2 hours tops.
then hit the pub
 
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