Training Ground London:
The Great Escape
Blazing a trail in the big smoke with Harri Finley Martin, acting as your guide to the best routes in London and the surrounding rolling hills of green belt beauty England’s capital has to offer.
Currently based in the inner southwest of the city, Harri's not one for spending all her time dealing with Zone 1 London bus dodging and usual commuter mayhem. Instead, stretching out beyond the ring of the M25 lies many a ride that serves as the perfect tranquil escape route from the inner city rat race. As the song goes, England has some green and pleasant land out there, and it's certainly worth venturing out for. From the classic short hit of a Richmond Park loop to Box Hill and beyond, Harri gave us the laydown on her favourite rides in and out of town.
Balancing work and training can be tricky. How do you mix up your weekly sessions?
A typical week consists of a real mix, from chilled cafe rides to race simulations and everything in between. I try to fit in 10-15 hours a week whilst juggling work and racing.
One of my favourite sessions of the week is ‘Wednesday Worlds’ or ‘Sat Smash’, where I head out early doors before the traffic gets crazy for a race simulation with my training club. The 2-3 hour route usually takes us down into the Surrey Hills, where we hit up some of the best climbs the immediate countryside has to offer whilst ripping each other’s legs off! All fun and games that end in a race to Local Hero, a coffee spot in Kingston for a ride debrief - usually involving excuses as to why someone was dropped, along with plenty of pats on the back!
At the less intense end of the scale, you will regularly find me on the 'Walton Loop' before work with a group of friends. This is a 50km flat route that takes us out through Richmond Park and along the Thames to Walton and back. It happens to be one of the first rides I was introduced to when I first started cycling, and I remember repeatedly asking Fergus (a close friend) every time we rode if we could do Walton. Only now do I realise there are plenty of better routes, but this does the job for a 90-minute spin before work.
Of course, Richmond Park is iconic. It's the spot to catch a beautiful sunrise and ideal for any structured interval training. Pretty much every ride involves passing through the park to get anywhere else, so it's safe to say I am a regular.
And if it's raining (which it often is!), a Zwift turbo session gets the heart pumping - 90 minutes in the pain cave!
London has such a variety of rides. Where do you start?
If you are looking for a hillier route, people love to head out to the Surrey Hills (Box Hill being a popular choice) or to Kent, which is known for its steep climbs.
The Windsor ‘bun run’ is often the choice for people looking for a flat 100k loop on a Sunday. Where they’ll grab themselves a cinnamon bun or a bacon sandwich. Those looking for a flat route further afield will head out to Henley on Thames (140-160km, depending on the route) and stop at Velolife for one of their amazing toasties.
Regents and Richmond Park are favourites of many, particularly commuters who can do a few laps before heading into the office.
Those after some fish and chips and epic scenery should do the London to Brighton ride and complete the loop back too. It's a 200km day if you want to skip the train on the return leg.
A 90k version of our regular ‘Sat Smash’ loop, taking on a number of the Surrey Hills climbs Newlands, Box Hill and ‘mini’ Leith Hill.
130km with a stop at Velolife for a cheese and ham toastie. Long, flat and fast!
Best described as an ‘elite cafe’ stop. Slightly further afield than usual so makes for a really nice change of scene with some spicy climbs thrown in.
Our ‘Wednesday Worlds’ training loop
I’m currently the fourth Woman out of 24,000 and I’m determined for a crown with a solo effort!
It’s a love-hate relationship with Box Hill. A real power climb, which is not my forte!
Riding in London, why’s the scene so special?
As cliche as it may sound, it's the community around bikes. I've met some of my best mates through the cycling scene, and there is genuinely something for everyone. There's also plenty of riding variety, whether you want to join a club to get into racing or have a group to ride out with on the weekend. Everyone knows everyone, so you can count on running into someone every time you head out, which I love.
Give us your pre-ride routine - what gets you cooking?
Without fail, my pre-ride breakfast is two Weetabix, a banana, and an oat latte. I’m not much of a faffer, so it’s up, out of bed, breakfast, a quick foam roll, and jumping on the bike. Most of my riding is done pre-work, so it’s a quick shower, change, and off to do a day in the office!
Heading out for a ride, what’s never left behind?
A wheel to chase - usually Monte, my boyfriend! Plus, my hair scrunchie, and if I'm heading out to train alone, I'll always have my Shokz OpenRun headphones for some tunes to get me through the intervals! And last but not least, a Kellogg's Square Bar, my favourite snack on the bike.
Fave place for a quick caffeine pick-me-up en route?
The Clubhouse, a new spot on the Putney Embankment, has become a new favourite of mine to start and end a ride. Outdoor seating overlooking the river with delicious coffee and baked goods - what’s not to like?
And post-ride eats?
The Pear Tree Cafe in Battersea Park is on my doorstep and happens to do a great brunch and lunch. My usual choice is the avocado and feta on toast, or if it's later in the day, a burger. London Dynamo in Putney is also a firm fan favourite for a lot of cyclists in London. Best known for its pizzas and a post ride cold pint.
Your soundtrack to London. What’s playing? Firing up The Clash? Dua? Something else?
No, that's an easy one. It has to be 'It's Raining Again' by Supertramp.
Finally, if you were to sum up for an out-of-towner what makes riding in London so special, give us your best elevator pitch.
Well, it's often raining, hence the above!
London has a unique energy—the morning commuters race into the centre of town, dodging the traffic. It's amazing how competitive backpacks make people; they are pretty speedy off the red lights!
But really, it's the abundance of green spaces such a short ride away from the city. Richmond Park, for example, is a stone's throw from central, providing Londoners with a 10km loop right on their doorstep, surrounded by the iconic deer and a view of the skyscrapers—the best of both worlds. It's a breathtaking place to ride.
Harri Finley Martin was shot on location in London, England by George Marshall. The latest MAAP Training Collection is available now at MAAP.cc. Harri will also be appearing in MAAP’s Radical Women of Cycling program for a summer season of rides, learn how you can get involved right here.
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