London’s hidden paths

I had been given a bike as a birthday gift and now I was worried for my life. Was I going to be safe on it?

The very thought of cycling London’s busy streets frightened me.  Even with the aid of a helmet protecting my head I simply couldn’t get enough will power to join all those cars and trucks.  London’s busy roads did not resemble the empty country roads I grown up cycling on.  I really wanted to cycle again and I needed to start somewhere.

Camden by the canal

So I did a spot of research and discovered a whole network of paths that run along the canals.  They weave themselves like snakes amongst London’s structures.  I felt like I had found a treasure trove waiting to be explored.   This was my chance to see a part of London that I didn’t even knew existed and to get back into cycling again.  So I did.  I started with a small section of the Regents canal.  With camera in hand off I went on my new bike.

Beginning at Angel I was greeted with endless graffiti which is forever being changed and updated.  I cycled west towards the hustle and bustle of Camden town with all its colourful market stalls.  The path can be bumpy at times and you can get quite close to the water’s edge and the thought of falling in the murky depths of the canal will give you goosebumps. What lurks beneath always has me curious…

Past Camden and you head towards the out skirts of Regent’s Park.  The path becomes lush green with big trees looming overhead.  Some of London Zoo soon surrounds the canal and animal spotting can be done for free.  Giraffe, hyena and wild dogs all looking down at me cycling by and wondering.

Little Venice London

The Regent’s canal comes to an end when you reach the picturesque Little Venice.  A lovely spot to marvel at the beauty of a canals and also a chance to quench one’s thirst.

It was a short cycle ride, but it was enough for me to want to do another one.

How it all began!

What began with a ‘surprise’ birthday purchase of a bicycle in an east London shop has resulted in, what I would say a never-ending urge to explore the United Kingdom on two wheels.   I have fallen in love with the network of cycle trails which weave their way all over a landscape that residents tend to escape from.  A cheap flight to Europe always seems a better option for most, but I have discovered that what is on your back doorstep can be just as rewarding if not better…

When I was a child, I remember the day my training wheels were removed from my beloved chopper bike.  My older siblings had remarked that I had wobbled about on trainer wheels long enough.  Even though I was secretly worried about falling off and grazing parts of my body I was thrilled to think I might be able to finally cycle around town on two wheels.

Cars were few and far between in our street so we decided to practise on the road. My older sister held the metal bar on the back of my seat as I pedalled slowly and she began to jog behind me to keep me steady.  ‘Faster, faster!’ she shouted.  I listened to her advice and began to push those pedals with all the strength that my little legs could give. The street became obsolete with my concentration and I felt the breeze hit my face, my hair rise off my neck riding the waves of air.  An overwhelming sensation of freedom came over me and I was brimming with excitement.

I turned back to tell my sister how much fun I was having, but she wasn’t there.  She was way off in the distance jumping up and down and shouting with glee, words I couldn’t hear.  In that instant I felt my heart racing as my brain told my body that I was cycling all by myself ! I continued pedalling as a smile stretched from ear to ear.   I opened my mouth and squealed with delight.

And so my love for cycling began…