Just a few pedals away from Waterloo Station, you'll see the round building of IMAX Cinema. It seems somewhat out of place sitting in the centre of a busy roundabout, but don't let it distract you from the cycling. The dozen traffic lights at the roundabout are confusing enough.
Stick to the bus lanes for directions. Press forward and onto Waterloo Bridge with breathtaking views of London. Immediately on your left you'll see the London Eye peeping at you and the Houses of Parliament with the Big Ben begging to be photographed. To the right there's the National Theatre, St Paul's Cathedral and up ahead in the distance the 'London Gherkin' (30, St Mary Axe).
Just off the bridge is a parking space for bikes, where you can leave your metallic steed and stroll around Covent Garden. It’s always busy and buzzing, what with buskers and street artists operating for your pleasure and competing for your attention.
The Jubilee and Apple markets – their peculiar shops are tourist magnets- may distract you from your original course. Re-emerge on the east side of the market and you'll land on the entrance of the London Transport Museum.
London transport has always been a big issue for the urban dwellers, so you may find something interesting or useful there. Exit through Russell Street and the first right turn will take you to Drury Lane and down a gentle slope to Aldwych. Remember to break!
Sitting comfortably between Aldwych and The Strand is Bush House – home to the BBC World Service – a quintessentially British building that was built in early 20th century.
And a few paces ahead are the Royal Courts of Justice. Built in late 19th century, this Victorian Gothic building now hosts the High Court and the Court of Appeal of England and Wales. Awkwardly positioned on one side of the narrow strip that is The Strand, the Royal Courts of Justice are a notoriously challenging subject of photography.
Avoid crossing tracks with buses and pedestrians when you take a left on to Fetter Lane where the statue of John Wilkes – Lord Mayor and champion of English freedom –greets you.
Then stop to stare in wonder at the marvellous piece of Victorian Gothic architecture that is the Maughan Library building. With a green courtyard and a red telephone booth guarding the entrance, it's picture postcard perfect. Leaving the relatively quiet New Fetter Lane, take a right turn onto Holborn.
Proceeding further West along Newsgate into Cheapside, prepare to be amazed yet again by the London Stock Exchange building with the dome of St Paul's Cathedral conspicuously protruding from above.
Cheapside flows into Poultry Street, and then Cornhill and Leadenhall. Take a left into Bishopsgate and stick to the bus lane for safety. To your right, you'll see the Gherkin proudly shining in the sun. And just a few more pedals up North will be Liverpool Street Station – our final destination.
If you still have a bit of energy to spare, check out the Spitafield Market full of exotic foods and treats. Get a fresh bagel to take away as a trophy for a job well done.
Bare essentials:
Bike rented from Action Bikes London: 02085400313
£15/day Foldable Brompton, £200 deposit and proof of ID required
Read more about Cycling in London at £1.2 million for Londoners to move greener
