London Cycling Guide
Wiggins, Cavendish, Hoy, Pendleton. The U.K. is home to the world’s best cyclists, and London has caught the fever, especially for road riding.
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London to Brighton Return
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Distance 114.3 mi
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Elevation 7,769 ft
From the city, through the suburbs and into the countryside, with the testing climb of Ditchling Beacon just before the beach below, the London to Brighton route is full of action. Many riders choose to take the train back into the city after filling up on fish and chips along the coast. However, those looking for serious mileage can point their bikes north and head back through quiet lanes to the bustle of the city.
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London to the Chilterns
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Distance 83.8 mi
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Elevation 4,883 ft
The Chiltern Hills lie north-west of London, and it's surprising that more London cyclists don't head out this way. Rural and beautiful, and full of picturesque villages, they can feel remote from the bustle of city life. The green folds of the hills are always lush, and the narrow, quiet lanes are typically shrouded by trees. Escape from London to the landscapes where the Red Kite flies.
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Hell of the Ashdown
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Distance 82.5 mi
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Elevation 7,048 ft
The Hell of the Ashdown follows the route of the annual Hell of the Ashdown sportive course, a tough early-season fixture in the London sportive calendar. It winds through the North Downs taking in the best climbs in Kent and Sussex – Toy's Hill, Kidd's Hill, Star Hill and Ide Hill to name just a few. This is a serious leg-tester in some of the most picturesque countryside in southern England.
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Kent Grimpeur
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Distance 64.8 mi
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Elevation 5,248 ft
Based on one of Audax UK's classic rides, this is a tough loop around Sevenoaks in Kent. It's full of classic North Downs climbs like Exedown, Bayleys Hill and the infamous Yorks Hill, the site of the Catford Hill Climb which, it is claimed, is the oldest continuously run race in the world. There are plenty of tea-rooms and pubs on the way round, but you'll need to make sure you don't load up too much for the steep, steep climbs and technical descents of the Grimpeur. In the actual Audax events the real hard men do the loop from Otford both ways… feel free to take the train back to London afterwards if you decide to join them.
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London to Box Hill
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Distance 85.6 mi
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Elevation 6,187 ft
Starting at the Rapha Cycle Club, this route takes cyclists out of the city, through Richmond Park, to two of Surrey's famous climbs, Leith Hill and Box Hill, on a route inspired by the London Olympic 2012 road race. There's plenty of opportunities to stop for coffee and cake, and beautiful scenery in the Surrey Hills around Peaslake.
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The Surrey Hills
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Distance 42.0 mi
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Elevation 4,533 ft
Hit the hills hard with this shorter loop – it will test what your legs are made of, and you'll see why the Surrey Hills are one of the favourite destinations for London cyclists. You'll wind in and out of forests and catch beautiful views as you dip and dive on quiet lanes. Reward yourself with coffee and cake upon reaching the top of the final climb, the famous zig-zag road of Box Hill, at the National Trust Cafe.
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Surrey 100
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Distance 102.5 mi
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Elevation 7,615 ft
Are you ready for 100 miles in the Surrey Hills? This ride, starting in Ashtead on the edge of the North Downs, will test your resolve with some of the classic Surrey Hills – Leith Hill and Beacon Hill included. Through the Devil's Punch Bowl near Hindhead and the climbs get short and steeper, so you'll breath a sigh of relief as the route takes you north again. The famous Box Hill road is a sting in the tail!
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Easter Classic
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Distance 87.1 mi
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Elevation 3,857 ft
This lengthy route takes riders into the wide open spaces of north Essex, passing through rolling hills and quaint villages on quiet country lanes. It's based on a popular sportive organised by the London Phoenix Cycle Club, and is so named because it takes riders through the villages of High Easter and Good Easter. It is also particularly nice to ride in the spring!
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London to Windsor Loop
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Distance 75.9 mi
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Elevation 2,876 ft
A London to Windsor ride is perfect for winter training and many local clubs and cyclists do some variation on this loop. It's long, flat and doesn't take you down tiny lanes, so you can accumulate base miles without fear of overexertion or icy conditions. Take the road through Richmond Park, dodging stags as you go, and then through the tranquil Surrey countryside to the majestic Windsor Great Park, behind the royal residence of Windsor Castle. The return leg is shorter and faster, so you'll be home in no time. Don't forget to stop at Cinnamon Café in Windsor for one of their huge cinnamon buns – there's 10% off for cyclists.
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A northern 75km
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Distance 47.2 mi
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Elevation 3,127 ft
Take in some of London's cyclists' favourite training roads north of the city. After a couple of short, sharp shocks on the way out (yes, we are taking you up Swain's Lane!), you'll appreciate the gently rolling hills and quiet lanes. Have a coffee stop half-way at Hertford, perhaps, and then head back in to central London, and maybe a pint and some lunch at the picturesque Flask pub in Highgate.
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