Team Parcours Member Jason Ayon's Top 5 Rides In London

Jason Ayon, start his cycling journey, with a friend by building a bike together. It was a single speed ‘frankenbike’, and so he then decided to buy a road bike that had 9 gears! From there is interest and passion grew. He started buying kit and learning about the sport and industry, getting into group rides and meeting people. 

Jason then went one step further and started his own club “Too Much Carbs”, and started hosting weekly rides. 

Jason lives in East London, and we asked him for his top 5 rides in or around the Capital! There’s no surprise that they involve…yes you guessed it, Carbs.

Regent’s - Benchmark Cafe // Fortitude

This one is a London classic. Whether you’re doing pre work laps during the week or doing laps whenever you get the chance, Regent’s is a great place to spin the legs (or push if you’re up for it!) Regent’s is pan flat which is why it makes it a great place for any rider.

For the cafe there’s so many choices - you can pretty much go to any cafe around central London. My personal pick would be Benchmark - it has indoor bike parking to allow riders to come and hangout for a post ride coffee and have a browse of their running and cycling kit.

Benchmark https://benchmark.cx

 

Richmond - Clubhouse // Dynamo

Another London park classic. This park is great for training. Some elevation can be achieved here too. The park is massive (10ish km per lap) allowing for some decent distance to be covered in Richmond alone. Riding there first thing in the morning is the best part. There are barely any cars and there is amazing scenery and wildlife out there.

Clubhouse cafe (Raptor bikes on google) or Dynamo are great choices for a post ride coffee or bite. Clubhouse serves great coffee and pastries with views of the Thames. Dynamo also serves coffee but serves great pizza with cycling inspired flavours - perfect for refueling after training.

Clubhouse https://theclubhouseputney.com 

Dynamo https://www.the-dynamo.co.uk

 

Bakehouse loop - Bakehouse Café, Essex

This is one of the best routes I have ever done. I introduce you to the famous Essex lanes. This does take a bit of commitment to get to if you aren’t based around East London but once you get out to the lanes, it’s nothing but unreal views. Rolling lanes, quiet villages and a mid ride coffee stop, what more could anyone ask for!

The bakehouse is a cafe around Brentwood and is rated as one of the best cafes in the country to go to. The cakes I find are the best part. They welcome cyclists and with the space they have, you can plop your bike in the outdoor garden.

Bakehouse café https://www.bakehousecoffeeshop.co.uk

 

Velopark - Roasting Shed // Beer Merchant // Hackney Bridge

This is a very local one for me. Velopark. This is located in Stratford and is a great closed circuit if you want to get some fast laps in or some chill Zone 2 without any interruption. You do have to pay a small fee to get in but what you’re essentially paying for is the smooth, grippy and car free environment which is basically what we all ask for. Plenty of swooping corners to also help with handling skills, so it ticks all the boxes you could want.

There’s so many choices when it comes to places to chill post ride. Roasting Shed around the Hackney Wick area is a great place to grab a post ride flat white. If you’re doing evening laps there’s Hackney Bridge and Beer Merchant which both serve a great brew and great food.

Roasting Shed https://theroastingshed.com / 

Beer Merchant https://beermerchantstap.com / 

Hackney bridge https://hackneybridge.org

 

Archive Works Loop - Archive Works Café, Sussex

This ride is a good day out. The Archive is based in Sussex and the route there has some unbelievable views to soak in along the way. You start at Cycle Exchange in Kingston where you can grab a great pre-ride coffee before heading out. Once you’re clear of London, the Sussex roads have a completely different feel. Nice greenery, a few climbs thrown in, and that kind of quiet you just don’t get closer to the city.

Archive is another cyclist friendly café with unreal mid ride food and coffee. Plenty of bike parking for everyone which is also another plus. The Archive especially has some cool vintage bikes on show with plenty of space for even the biggest of cycling groups to hangout in.

Archive works

https://thearchive.works/?srsltid=AfmBOooKjnHSKmwuktrxQ3i_ZosRirA3FeyiHgE_tbTe2UUZlG0nmW5X