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Meet the founder
Chris Abbott
The “brain” behind BrakeAway
Chris has always been somewhat of a vagabond, having spent large parts of his adult life in just about every continent other than Europe! So it’s testimony to how much he loves London, and cycling, that he set up BrakeAway 16 years ago and has been here ever since.
Founded
BrakeAway, 16 years ago
Home turf
London – via almost every other continent
Off the bike
Cinema, spy dramas & exploring London’s taverns
Supports
Tottenham (for his sins) & cricket
His story
A life in tourism
Tourism is the only sector that Chris has known – he has channelled his passion for exploring into researching new tales about London and sharing this knowledge with visitors from all around the globe.
Having always worked in tourism – but never in London – Chris came back to the city in 2009 to complete a master’s degree, and fell in love all over again with the place he had known so well as a youngster. He bought a bike, realised just how accessible so many of London’s attractions are on two wheels, and BrakeAway was born.
Outside of London, Chris loves the sea, cycling (obviously!) and spending time with his family. He’s a Tottenham Hotspur fan, for his sins, and a huge cricket lover.
Q&A
Ask Chris
We asked Chris some questions that should help you find out a little more about BrakeAway – but also, just as importantly(!), how to make the most of your time in London.
Q1
Why did you set up a bike tour?
I’ve always worked in tourism but never in London. In 2009, I studied in London and fell in love with the city that I knew so well as a youngster. At that time, I bought a bike and realised how accessible so many London attractions are on two wheels!
Q2
What is your favourite sight on the tours?
It would have to be the Houses of Parliament. The best view is from across the Albert Embankment, where there are fewer crowds and you can take in the iconic building in all its splendour.
I love stopping there: it’s relatively peaceful, the architecture is beautiful, and the building’s history is full of fascinating stories about the people who have spent time there.
Q3
What should visitors bring to a cycle tour of London?
Dress for the weather! Although London gets less rainfall than people expect (Paris, New York and even Rome get more rain annually than London!), visitors should still dress with the changeable weather in mind.
It’s a good idea to bring a water bottle, although there are opportunities to buy snacks when on tour.
Q4
How safe is cycling in London?
London’s cycle infrastructure has really improved in recent years, and huge parts of the city are now covered by cycle lanes. Motorists in inner London are subject to 20mph speed limits, which makes cycling journeys safer. The main thing to remember is to ride on the left!
It is not obligatory to wear a helmet when cycling in London, but it’s a good idea (which is why we provide them on our bike tours). If you’re nervous of cycling in London, the best way to do it is to follow someone who knows what they’re doing – like one of our wonderful BrakeAway guides!
Q5
What’s your main piece of advice for first-time visitors?
Give yourself plenty of time! I don’t mean that you must stay for six months, but do make sure that you allow yourself plenty of time to get to wherever you want to go. Good ol’ smartphones and maps will give you an estimate of how long a journey will take but, in my (considerable!) experience, add on another 20%.
+20%
on top of any journey time your phone gives you
7 mins
from street level to an Underground platform
10 mins
to change between Tube lines
The BrakeAway Take Away
Chris’s tour picks
Grand London Bike Tour
If you want to see London’s main highlights, then look no further. London is a medieval city, with a labyrinth of streets and paths – but this is the best way to get from one world-famous landmark to another with minimal hassle.
Secret London Bike Tour
Combining the City of London with East London offers a fascinating look at how the city has evolved – from the financial district’s economic heart to Brick Lane’s cultural diversity and culinary know-how, the peace of Wapping Canal and the rich social history of the Cable Street Mural.
