Chris Froome will cycle through London carrying with him Britain’s Tour de France hopes - but where can the budding Havering cyclist hone their skills?

Bike mechanic Richard Waterlow, 30, is one of the founders of the 45-member strong Romford Cycle Club and he shared with the Recorder his five top spots.

The flat smooth roads around the Rainham Marshes, he said, are perfect for beginners. “There’s not that much traffic that way either,” he added.

The gentle undulating hills of Upminster are a good mid-point for the more confident as well, he said.

But if you want more of a challenge head up the Orange Tree Hill in Havering-atte-Bower or Shepherd’s Hill in Harold Wood, he said.

“Orange Tree Hill is pretty long with a reasonable gradient,” Richard, of Eastbrook Drive, Dagenham, said. “It certainly makes you work a bit.”

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