Mountain Biking in Epping Forest
Went mountain biking with Julie this weekend in Epping Forest north of London. We rented bikes on the South Bank of the Thames and rode over London Bridge up to Liverpool Street Station. There we caught a train up to Chingford which sits right at the edge of the woods.
What a beautiful place to ride. Epping Forest was first set aside as royal hunting grounds in the 12th century and has been protected ever since. It was certainly weird to ride on horse trails first established 800 years ago, twisting and rolling through the medieval countryside. Winding single-track with fun little technical challenges virtually empty on a Monday afternoon.
Possibly even more exciting was the crazy ride through central London, negotiating dense traffic on an unfamiliar side of the street. Truly an adventure and highly recommended.
Also, I couldn't stop hearing the name of this place as a swear word. As in, "Ow! I stubbed my epping toe!" Still makes me laugh. I am 12.
Comments
Wait, where the fuck are you? I thought you were in the states. Shouldn't you be working?! I'm telling Google.
Independence day in London = ironic dissonance.
When I arrived many years ago to to spend a year in England, I rented a car to get out to Cambridge and promptly drove head on into traffic. I can't imagine being on a bike in London. You are a brave man.