Many luxury hotels in London with weak gyms?
Nov 6, 2018, 4:46 am
#16
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SJJ/AMS
Posts: 4,647
Agreed with others concerning the running – there are some great routes in and around London, most definitely a cracking way to get out-&-about and indeed for sightseeing.
[OT] What I find amazing, though, are those old railway lines which have been converted to paths/cycling tracks – there are many around the Country (I did the Ayot Greenway over in Hertfordshire at the weekend) making the UK amongst the best places running-wise (considering also the countless miles of canal paths e.g. there are some breath-taking routes around the Leeds-Liverpool canal)
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[OT] What I find amazing, though, are those old railway lines which have been converted to paths/cycling tracks – there are many around the Country (I did the Ayot Greenway over in Hertfordshire at the weekend) making the UK amongst the best places running-wise (considering also the countless miles of canal paths e.g. there are some breath-taking routes around the Leeds-Liverpool canal)
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Nov 6, 2018, 9:39 am
#17
Join Date: May 2001
Location: The Wild West
Posts: 1,334
I, too, have always been mystified why some of the top hotels in London have such lackluster gyms.
Nov 6, 2018, 9:48 am
#18
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
Oh, yes, I love cycling on the old railway lines (the lack of gradient makes it rather relaxing, too). The Ayot Greenway up to Wheathampstead is a good one, as is the Alban Way from WGC over to St Albans. Closer to me, there's the old Varsity Line between Sandy and Bedford, with some lovely riverside sections.
Towpaths do vary in quality. The London ones are great, but exercise caution on some at night, and be prepared for just how many cyclists use them during peak hours. If I go to the West Midlands, I often use the canal network to get around by bike. Don't assume that it's all flat, though, those lock flights can give you quite a steep climb!
Towpaths do vary in quality. The London ones are great, but exercise caution on some at night, and be prepared for just how many cyclists use them during peak hours. If I go to the West Midlands, I often use the canal network to get around by bike. Don't assume that it's all flat, though, those lock flights can give you quite a steep climb!
Nov 6, 2018, 1:08 pm
#19
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,770
My own view - and I say this is a cyclist - is that cycles should be banned from the towpaths. Much as I like the efficiency of them when empty at night, they are simply not wide enough for sharing with pedestrians and of course their dogs. I generally cycle on the roads parallel to the towpaths instead.
Nov 6, 2018, 1:09 pm
#20
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SJJ/AMS
Posts: 4,647
[OT] ^ I ran a few miles there as well recently but started in Hatfield (next to the Galleria), I didn’t know the actual route started in Welwyn Garden City (I ran a few times from WGC to Hatfield but this was next to a busy double carriageway which lead to the A1(M) and it wasn’t that pleasant!). Over the Alban Way I loved those revamped ‘ghost stations’ (e.g. Nast Hyde Halt), absolute magic, especially for a train lover (and indeed avid runner) like myself 
Another great local route is the Cole Green Way all the way to Hertford. I’m over here on a work assignment and truly enjoying it (plus Welwyn Garden City is a gem!) [/OT]
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Another great local route is the Cole Green Way all the way to Hertford. I’m over here on a work assignment and truly enjoying it (plus Welwyn Garden City is a gem!) [/OT]G
Nov 6, 2018, 1:26 pm
#21
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,476
I know that when I travel I want to exercise to keep weight gain at bay, so I feel your pain. London running is fabulous, and you can find yourself doing some world class sights on great routes. I would highly recommend running down the River Thames, as the path there is pedestrianised and gives you great views. The Royal Parks also give a wonderful green space to relax in - its a great city for running in.
Running in London is very much about the sights - unless we’re Olympic athletes, the raison d’ętre of running is about being about to stop occasionally and take in our surroundings.
Nov 6, 2018, 6:54 pm
#22
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Southern California
Programs: AA EXPlat, 2.4MM; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 580
I second this - there is something very special about running over Tower Bridge early in the morning before people are up, along the South Bank - perhaps alternating between banks by crossing at the various bridges - and past Westminster on towards Vauxhall, or diverting into the parks depending on the distance you want.
Running in London is very much about the sights - unless we’re Olympic athletes, the raison d’ętre of running is about being about to stop occasionally and take in our surroundings.
Running in London is very much about the sights - unless we’re Olympic athletes, the raison d’ętre of running is about being about to stop occasionally and take in our surroundings.