Romford has a fast service - just 9 minutes from Stratford - as well as the frequent Elizabeth Line, so the town deserves a couple of link routes - especially as north and above the town lie two superb country parks; West Essex is not just about featureless suburbs and Epping Forest.
Both links require suburban rides of over 2 miles to leave the town - and to cross the A12 trunk road. In this instance it has to be at traffic lights 1.1: take care. Having left Collier Row there is a good stretch of off-road shared path, but this deteriorates once the busier A1112 Romford Road is reached - a pity. But here's a treat: at 3.6 turn left on Forest Road and in 250m lies Redbridge Cycling Centre with road and MTB circuits. Combine a session with your ride?
At 4.0 cross at pedestrian crossing and enter Hainault Country Park. By the cafe, be sure to look back at the extraordinary panorama of London - a view shared with the cycling centre and Havering Park - and then set off on a mile or two of fine off-road park and forest riding. Beyond the park, Hoe Lane takes you to Spinoff 2 towards Abridge and Epping Forest.
