Best direction for cycling around London?

I've done a lot of cycling in kent/surrey since moving to the UK a year so. I have to say the roads, routes and cafe stop options are awesome. I went for a few rides towards herts, and it didn't really meet the same standards.

For someone who likes climbing, and some nice car free roads, what direction is best? Seems like kent/surrey has cyclists all over the place, when i've gone north i haven't see many others.

Am i looking in the wrong place? What is your favourite direction? North or South?

Any northern route suggestions?

Forwards, it's really hard to cycle backwards, some manage sideways but not for long distances.

Go Clockwise!

Kent is better than Surrey, IMO. West is boring and busy roads. Essex has nice bits, but I don't know it as well.

No no, always anti-clockwise if possible. Avoid turning right on roads.

Up and down. I've tried other ways and they're rubbish, you want to go up and down or not bother.

You could go north east following one of the audax routes out there eg.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/13065552

I think other than Surrey, most of the climbing is to the south though, in the Weald. I wouldn't know, I avoid hills where possible

That's why you always photo from the drive side.

Try spiral.
Hard work.
Been done. Ask @nick.earthloop

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Don't follow @fussballclub he always gets people lost.

No-one's mentioned north-west, out towards the Chilterns and Oxfordshire. The hills are less steep mostly, but they tend to be longer, draggier affairs.

A good way to sample some new areas would be to join the ThNRC evening rides, but they're finishing for winter now. However their modus, which is to hop on a train to get you to a good start/end point for circular rides, is worth considering.

Also, if you 'like climbing' as you claim, can I ask if you're using multiple gears? Perhaps get thee a winter SS/fixed, and marvel at how every little slope will suddenly be a hill.

Up Swains Lane, down Highgate West Hill, up Highgate West Hill, down Highgate Hill, up Highgate Hill, down Highgate North Hill, south on Archway Road to Archway, up Archway Road to Highgate station, right and down Wood Vale, right and down Cranley Gardens, left and up Muswell Hill, down Muswell Hill, left into Alexander Palace, through up and down the Palace, and back again. Cafés at Highgate. Repeat. Cafés everywhere.