Over 60s tfl and National Rail travel

Check the latest situation from official websites. There are lots of savings to be had if you are 60 or over. You need:

✅ 60+ Oyster Card (free off-peak)

✅ Senior Railcard (1/3 off rail and TfL)

✅ Standard Oyster Card (yes, for peak travel when 60+ isn't valid so you get a Senior Railcard discount)

You can’t link your Senior Railcard to your 60+ Oyster photocard, because the 60+ Oyster is effectively a free-off‑peak season ticket for those aged 60 or over in London and adding a railcard discount to it has no effect .

What you can do instead

1. Keep using your 60+ Oyster photocard for completely free travel on TfL services and qualifying National Rail journeys after 09:30 on weekdays (and anytime at weekends/holidays) within its zone coverage .

2. For TfL and rail journeys outside those free zones or before 09:30, get a separate standard Oyster card (or convert it online to a standard adult Oyster).

– Visit a Tube or National Rail ticket office and ask staff to link your Senior Railcard to this standard Oyster. They'll scan your railcard and card number to add your ⅓ off discount for off‑peak pay-as-you-go travel and for Off‑Peak Day Travelcards .

– Staff at stations like Euston, Paddington, Watford Junction can do it—though not all staff have the system access, so be ready to ask someone else .

3. What that gives you on the standard Oyster:

⅓ off off‑peak pay‑as‑you‑go on the Tube, DLR, Overground, Elizabeth line, and eligible National Rail within London

⅓ off Off‑Peak Day Travelcards (e.g. a pay-as-you-go Day Travelcard covering zones 1–6) .

Example Scenario

You want to catch a train from London to outside Zone 6 on TfL after 09:30:

Use your 60+ Oyster from Zone 1 to Zone 6 — it's free.

For the trip beyond Zone 6, you need a paper ticket or the standard Oyster with railcard.

That way, you'll only pay for the journey outside TfL’s free zones — and thanks to your Senior Railcard, you get ⅓ off for that portion.

Summary

Card Free travel on TfL & Zones ⅓ off off‑peak PAYG & Day Travelcards

60+ Oyster photocard

✅ (after 09:30 weekdays)

❌ (discount doesn’t apply)

Standard Oyster + Senior Railcard

❌ (no free travel)

✅ (can link discounts)

What to do next

1. Continue using your 60+ Oyster for free within the zones.

2. Get a standard Oyster card, ask staff to add your Senior Railcard discount, and use it for pay‑as‑you‑go or Off‑Peak Day tickets when your 60+ card doesn’t cover it.

That way, you get the best of both: free zone-limited travel and railcard discounts on other journeys.

Tour: Tring to Bicester to Tring

This post describes a 2-day cycle tour from Tring out to Bicester via Buckingham then coming back to Tring via Chinnor. Just add a start date and book your hotel!

Start Point: Tring Station

Finish Point: Tring Station

Meetup Time: 08:05

Start Time: 08:15

Route: Tring to Bicester to Tring

No. Days: 2

Day 1: 71km

Day 2: 79km

Elevation: 910m of total climb over 2 days which is moderate. The only real climb is up to Brill early on the second day as the route always keeps you north of the Chilterns. If you wanted a more demanding route you could avoid Marsworth and instead drop down to Cholesbury on the return as this takes you into the Chilterns. 

Overnight: Individuals book their own accommodation in Bicester such as a Premier Inn or Travelodge. Bicester is approximately halfway. 

Hotels 

Bicester Premier Inn, in 2025 a room on a Sunday night was £47 though prices vary. 

Average Speed: 10mph

Stops: Every 15 miles (24 km) on average.

Suggested Café Stops:

[Recommended stops in bold]

Nanna's Cakes café, near Mentmore (13km), Opens 10am on Saturday and Sunday only and they sometimes don't open.

Mursley Farm Shop, Mursley (28km). Opens 9am every day.

Twigs Nurseries, Thornborough (43km)

Coffee#1, Buckingham (46km)

Meadow Row Tea Rooms, Buckingham (46km), closed Sunday

Buckingham's Tea Room, Buckingham, (46km), booking recommended at this high class establishment 

Many other cafés, Buckingham (46km)

Bicester (71km)

Base Coffee + Kitchen, Long Crendon (94km)

Waterperry Coffee Barn, near Waterstock with an off-road diversion (104km)

The Old Red Lion, Tetsworth (110km)

The Biker Bean Coffeehouse, Chinnor (120km), closed Monday 

Millie's Deli, Chinnor (120km)

Tring Station (150km)

Shorten the return route:

1) Cut south-east from Long Crendon to Emmington then Chinnor.

2) Cut down to Thame and pickup the Phoenix Trail from Thame to Princes Risborough. 

Suitable Bikes:

Any, though bare in mind distance, pace and your abilities. 

Surface:

Tarmac, though there may be gravel, rough surfaces and potholes on lanes

Mechanic:

None

Support Vehicle:

None

Broom Wagon:

None 

No Drop Ride:

Yes, no-one gets left behind, though note the rider requirements.

Rider Requirements:

Be responsible for your own safety 

Follow the highway code

Carry equipment to repair a puncture 

Dress/pack for the forecast conditions 

Be comfortable maintaining 10mph for about 15 miles of continuous cycling

Be self-sufficient with regards hydration and fuelling; on hot days this means drinking on the bike and possibly eating on the bike as well

Organiser Tips:

Premier Inn and other chain hotels typically do lower Sunday and Monday night rates, higher Saturday rates. Local events can elevate prices so check costs for your dates. Check café opening times for your chosen dates and timings.

The organiser might sensibly pack:

- Power bank for any charging 

- Toolkit to deal with some non-puncture related mechanicals

- First Aid kit 

Rider Tips:

Pack light. Packing should be the same as for a day ride plus any overnight essentials. Seriously, pack light. If you have any questions ask the organiser. 

In contrast to shorter rides the person navigating may not be familiar with the whole route, there may be roadworks and diversions so be aware and look after your own safety.

Premier Inn, for example, allow clean bicycles in rooms though some don't have lifts so phone ahead and request a ground floor room if this might be an issue for you.

Dining Options:

There are some options as you are in Bicester. Places close to the Premier Inn are listed here with Sunday closing times.

Brewers Fayre 10:30pm Sunday

The Bosphorus Turkish and Mediterranean 11pm Sunday

Grand Village Imperial 9pm Sunday

McDonald's 24-hour

Bicester Shopping Village restaurants are generally open until 9pm Monday to Saturday and 7pm on a Sunday. 

It is a 20-minute walk to Bicester centre where there is a wide choice and the following may suit vegetarians:

Copper Kitchen closed Sunday 

B. C. Thai Restaurant 10pm Sunday

Bicester Premier Inn logistics:

Bicester Premier Inn benefits from both a lift which is just suitable for a bike and a suitably broad staircase.

Route Guidance:

The route and associated .GPX file includes some turns as prompts to stop at the suggested coffee stops.

As you approach Bicester there are some poor cycle paths alongside roads which are best avoided until you get close to Bicester Village Shopping where there is good quality cycle infrastructure which you should use to avoid the multi-lane complex road network on the approach to the Premier Inn.

Just past Waterstock on the return there is an option to branch off to Waterperry Gardens for coffee or you can continue to Tetsworth which is another 10km.

Past Waterstock the A40 was closed to cars (July 2025) due to road works but pedestrian access is still possible do don't be put off by earlier "Road Closed" signs.

Kit List for a short break

Heading off for an overnight stay is a great way of avoiding the local roads and trains you may get all too familiar with. Compared to a month-long tour you can travel lighter as you will have an accurate weather forecast. The following assumes a hotel stopover. 

Rider Kit List

- Dress for the forecast weather

- Toolkit to facilitate puncture repair including the means to remove the wheel

- Bike lock suitable for a café stop though check that your hotel can secure your bike

- Water and snacks appropriate for the weather and the planned café stops

- Extra clothing to deal with heat, cold and wet such as arm warmers, a light rain jacket, a sun cap, sun glasses, spare dry gloves 

- Minimal spare clothing such as underwear, a clean shirt for the evening and spare shoes if you use clippers pedals and plan to walk

- Minimal toiletries 

- Any medication, suncream 

- Means to charge any devices such as USB plug and charge lead

- Devices to be charged, such as phone and cycle computer 

- Cash and card

Additional Organiser Kit

- Power bank for any charging needs

- Basic toolkit to deal with non-puncture mechanicals

- First Aid kit

- Electrolyte tablets

- Spare lightweight rain jacket 

- Arm warmers

Tour: St Albans Abbey to Saffron Walden

This post describes a 2-day cycle tour from St Albans Abbey Station to Saffron Walden going via the delightful Emily's Tea Rooms at Whitwell and coming back through Bishop's Stortford and Hertford. Just add a start date and book your hotel!

Start Point: St Albans Abbey Station

Finish Point: St Albans Abbey Station

Meetup Time: 09:20 (second train arrival on a Sunday)

Start Time: 09:30

Route: St Albans Abbey to Saffron Walden 

No. Days: 2

Day 1: 81 km

Day 2: 73 km

Overnight: Individuals book their own accommodation such as the Premier Inn.

Hotels:

Saffron Walden Premier Inn, in 2025 a room on a Sunday night was £55 though prices vary. 

Average Speed: 16km/h

Stops: Every 25 km on average. As this is designed to be a comfortable tour extra stops are possible and even encouraged.

The Day 1 Stages:

Stage 1, St Albans Abbey Station to Whitwell (21km), Emily's Tea Shop. Opens 10am. Closed Monday's. 

Stage 2, Whitwell to Buntingford (50km), Buntingford Coffee Shop (closes 3pm on Sunday). Sainsbury Local is open.

Stage 3, Buntingford to Saffron Walden (81km), Kim's Coffee House in Saffron Walden (closes 4pm on Sunday). Park and public toilets adjacent if you want a stroll around town and the Costa is open until 7pm.

The Day 2 Stages:

Stage 4, Saffron Walden Premier Inn to Bishop's Stortford (104km), Terrace Park Café. Opens 8:30am daily.

Stage 5, Bishop's Stortford to Hertford (128km), Hertford Coffee Lab on Bull Plain in Hertford though plenty of other options.

Stage 6, Hertford to St Albans Abbey Station (153km), 

Suggested Café Stops:

See Stages above. 

Suitable Bikes:

Any, though bare in mind the distance and pace.

Surface:

Tarmac, compacted gravel, rough surfaces and potholes on lanes.

Mechanic:

None

Support Vehicle:

None

Broom Wagon:

None 

No Drop Ride:

Yes, no-one gets left behind, though note the rider requirements.

Rider Requirements:

Be responsible for your own safety 

Follow the highway code

Carry equipment to repair a puncture or two

Dress/pack for the forecast conditions 

Be comfortable maintaining 10mph for about 15 miles of continuous cycling

Be self-sufficient with regards hydration and fuelling; ask for a stop if you require one

Organiser Tips:

Premier Inn and some other chain hotels typically do lower Sunday and Monday night rates, higher Saturday rates. Check café opening times for your chosen dates. Premier Inn allow bikes in rooms. 

The organiser might sensibly pack a few additional items and this Kit List is a starting point. 

Rider Tips:

Pack light. Packing should be the same as for a day ride plus any overnight essentials. Seriously, pack light. If you have any questions ask the organiser. 

In contrast to shorter rides the person navigating may not be familiar with the whole route, there may be roadworks and diversions so be aware and look after your own safety.

Premier Inn, for example, allow clean bicycles in rooms though some don't have lifts so phone ahead and request a ground floor room if this might be an issue for you. Keeping your bike in your room means you don't necessarily need your heavy Gold Secure bike lock.

Tour: Rickmansworth to Cublington

This post describes a 2-day cycle tour from Rickmansworth to Cublington and back. Just add a start date and book your hotel in Tring.

Start Point: Rickmansworth Station (Metropolitan Line and Chiltern Railways)

Alternative Start: Chesham Station, or one of the cafés on the High Street with a pickup at 9:30. Caffé Nero is recommended as it is on the route with public seating outside. 

Finish Point: Rickmansworth Station

Meetup Time: 07:45

Start Time: 08:00 (or 9:30 approx. from Chesham). Start at 8am if you want to catch Nanna's Cakes café before it closes at 3pm.

Route: Rickmansworth to Cublington 

No. Days: 2

Day 1: 70 km (51km if starting from Chesham)

Day 2: 51 km

Overnight: Individuals book their own accommodation in Tring such as the Premier Inn. Alternatively individuals could take the train back to Harrow and Wealdstone returning for a 10:10 start from Tring Station on day 2 if you want the off-peak fare.

Hotels 

Tring Premier Inn, in 2025 a room on a Sunday night was £42 though prices vary. 

Average Speed: 9-10mph

Stops: Every 10 miles (16 km) on average. As this is designed to be a comfortable tour extra stops are possible and even encouraged.

The Day 1 Stages:

Stage 1, Rickmansworth Station to Chesham Station (19km), Chesham cafés such as Caffé Nero or the Burger Inn Cafe and Restaurant which may be best for bike parking and they have outdoor public seating and café seating. The route passes Chesham Station, the Burger Inn and Caffé Nero so they are all possible pickup points.

Stage 2, Chesham Station to Wilstone (34km), Mead's Farmhouse Kitchen. 

Stage 3, Wilstone to Wing (51km), Londis supermarket or Cock Inn in the village or wait for Nanna's Cakes café (closes 3pm!) just before the Great Train Robbery bridge. Otherwise, from Wing you could divert 600m along the A418 to the National Trust Ascot property which has toilets and the Pavilion café by the car park.

Stage 4, Wing to Tring Premier Inn (70km)

The Day 2 Stages:

Stage 5, Tring Premier Inn to Aldbury (90km), Church Farm café

Stage 6, Aldbury to Ashley Green (103km), Glebe Café

Stage 7, Ashley Green to Rickmansworth Station (121km), though as Ashley Green isn't far enough to justify a stop there is a Simmons café in Chorleywood just off the route.

Suggested Café Stops:

See Stages above. 

Shorten the outward route:

Miss out the two upper route stage (3 and 4) from Tring back to Tring. The route from Rickmansworth to Wilstone (stages 1 and 2) is 34km then it isn't far to navigate from Tring to the Tring Premier Inn. 

Shorten the outward route using the train:

Start from Chesham Station where the route passes by. This reduces the day 1 distance by 19km and, if we go imperial for a moment, means two 32-mile days.

Shorten the return route using the train:

Branch off to Berkhampstead rail station. 

Catch a train from Chorleywood as we pass that station.

Suitable Bikes:

Any, though bare in mind the distance and pace.

Surface:

Tarmac, though there may be gravel, rough surfaces and potholes on lanes.

Mechanic:

None

Support Vehicle:

None

Broom Wagon:

None 

No Drop Ride:

Yes, no-one gets left behind, though note the rider requirements 

Rider Requirements:

Be responsible for your own safety 

Follow the highway code

Carry equipment to repair a puncture or two

Dress/pack for the forecast conditions 

Be comfortable maintaining 9-10mph for about 10 miles of continuous cycling

Be self-sufficient with regards hydration and fuelling; ask for a stop if you require one

Organiser Tips:

Premier Inn and some other chain hotels typically do lower Sunday and Monday night rates, higher Saturday rates. Check café opening times for your chosen dates. Premier Inn allow bikes in rooms. 

This Kit List provides suggestions though consider the weather and the nature of the ride.

Rider Tips:

Pack light. Packing should be the same as for a day ride plus any overnight essentials. Seriously, pack light. If you have any questions ask the organiser. 

In contrast to shorter rides the person navigating may not be familiar with the whole route, there may be roadworks and diversions so be aware and look after your own safety.

Premier Inn, for example, allow clean bicycles in rooms though some don't have lifts so phone ahead and request a ground floor room if this might be an issue for you. Keeping your bike in your room means you don't necessarily need your heavy Gold Secure bike lock.

Save some strength for the final quarter though the main hill is at the start of the second day.

If day 2 starts at 10am then it's easy to get an off-peak train to Tring from Harrow and Wealdstone. Just negotiate a 10:10 start from Tring Station with the organiser. 

Route Guidance:

As the leave Rickmansworth the road cycle lane paint disappears and you slide left onto a rough cycle path. 

As to enter Maple Cross and are 30 metres from the right turn onto Chalfont Road you cross the road via a central reservation follow a cycle path and use the cycle path traffic lights to turn right onto Chalfont Road. 

The right turn onto Deadhearn Road is rough with potholes. 

After Little Chalfont you are on a busy road into Amersham; though a rough cycle path exists on the opposite side of the road keeping in a tight bunch on the main road us preferred. 

On the 14% descent after Amersham moderate your speed as there are lights at the bottom followed by a narrow bridge and bends. 

Coming into Chesham approaching a roundabout with the tall flint and wood Neptune building you go straight on at the roundabout. Komoot says 4th exit when in practical terms it is the 2nd; this is due to the 2 extra small exits. 

Entering Chesham old town you cross a road at pedestrian lights turning right then left onto what looks like a no through road but is NCN 57, follow this then look out for the ramp up to the station.

The first time you exit out of Tring crossing the busy Icknield Way you keep left at the next fork, the second time (day 2) you turn right onto Wiggles Lane.

Icknield Way is busy but rideable, however, it is better to wriggle through the streets and using the cycle path at the double roundabout will help heading to Aston Clinton for the Premier Inn. See image below, because Komoot mapping hasn't caught up with reality you can take the middle path and avoid the top and bottom main roads.

There is a footpath for the 10-minute walk down to the Indian Restaurant from the Premier Inn. 

Tour: Rickmansworth to Bicester

This post describes a 2-day cycle tour from Rickmansworth out to Bicester coming back via Marlow. Just add a start date and book your hotel!

Start Point: Rickmansworth Station (Metropolitan Line and Chiltern Railways)

Finish Point: The same as the start

Meetup Time: 07:45

Start Time: 08:00

Route: Rickmansworth to Bicester

Alt. Route: Rickmansworth to Silverstone 

No. Days: 2

Day 1: Circa 100 km

Day 2: Circa 100 km

Options: If 100km +100km is a bit much why not do 62km + 50km by starting at Cheddington and finishing at Chinnor. Though more realistically subject to the Chinnor train times (a tourist line) you would need to do the 45km from Bicester to Aston Rowant then make your own way to Princes Risborough which is another 12km. See below for other options. 

Overnight: Individuals book their own accommodation in Bicester (or Buckingham for the alternative route) such as a Premier Inn or Travelodge. Bicester is exactly halfway. 

Hotels 

Bicester Premier Inn, in 2025 a room on a Sunday night was £47 though prices vary. 

Average Speed: 10-11mph

Stops: Every 20 miles (32 km) on average. As this is designed to be a comfortable tour extra stops are possible. 

Suggested Café Stops:

[Bold distance markers indicates suggested stops for a relaxed tour)

Glebe Café, Ashley Green (18km)

Curiositea Rooms, Pitstone (32km)

Daisychain café, Ivinghoe (33km)

Nanna's Cakes café, near Mentmore (41km)

Twigs Nurseries, Thornborough (72km)

Meadow Row Tea Rooms, Buckingham (75km)

Many other cafés, Buckingham (75km)

Bicester (100km)

Base Coffee + Kitchen, Long Crendon (121km)

Waterperry Coffee Barn, near Waterstock with an off-road diversion (132km)

The Old Red Lion, Tetsworth (142km)

Coffee on the Green, Stokenchurch, closed Mondays (147km)

Marlow (164km)

Daisy Love, 23 Station Parade, Cookham near Cookham Station. (167km)

Parea Artisan Cafe & Delisserie, Cookham, near the river, closed Mondays (168km)

Shorten the outward route using the train:

Start from Chesham Station and pickup the route at Lye Green which is a 10-minute bike ride. This reduces the day 1 distance by 14km. Lye Green is about 16km from Rickmansworth so the pickup time is an hour after the start time. The precise Lye Green pickup is at the bottom of Two Dells Lane where it meets the B4505, this road is also named Ashley Green/Orchard Leigh/Rushmere Lane. You could ride on to Ashley Green village if you want to wait at the café.

Start from Cheddington Station and get picked up there or arrange a pickup at the Daisychain café in nearby Ivinghoe or Nanna's Cakes near Mentmore. Cheddington Station reduces day 1 by 38km. 

The Daisychain café is 33km into the ride which means 2 hours of riding plus a 30 minute break meaning a 10:40am pickup if it was an 8am start.

Nanna's Cakes is 41km into the ride which means 2 hours 30 minutes of riding plus a 30 minute break meaning a 11:20am pickup if it was an 8am start.

Shorten the return route using the train:

Chinnor (50km) which avoids the Chilterns

Princes Risborough (57km), 13km off route 

Marlow (64km) is convenient 

Cookham (70km) shortly after Marlow 

Gerrards Cross (88km) near the finish

Suitable Bikes:

Any, though bare in mind distance, pace and your abilities. 

Surface:

Tarmac, though there may be gravel, rough surfaces and potholes on lanes

Mechanic:

None

Support Vehicle:

None

Broom Wagon:

None 

No Drop Ride:

Yes, no-one gets left behind, though note the rider requirements.

Rider Requirements:

Be responsible for your own safety 

Follow the highway code

Carry equipment to repair a puncture 

Dress/pack for the forecast conditions 

Be comfortable maintaining 11mph for about 20 miles of continuous cycling

Be self-sufficient with regards hydration and fuelling; on hot days this means drinking on the bike and possibly eating on the bike as well

Be self-sufficient with regards to navigation

Be prepared to take a turn up front navigating

Organiser Tips:

Premier Inn and other chain hotels typically do lower Sunday and Monday night rates, higher Saturday rates. Silverstone events can elevate rates dramatically in Buckingham so it's worth checking the rates for your dates. Check café opening times for your chosen dates and timings.

The organiser might sensibly pack:

- Power bank for any charging 

- Toolkit to deal with non-puncture mechanicals

- First Aid kit 

- Spare lightweight rain jacket 

- Arm warmers

Rider Tips:

Pack light. Packing should be the same as for a day ride plus any overnight essentials. Seriously, pack light. If you have any questions ask the organiser. 

In contrast to shorter rides the person navigating may not be familiar with the whole route, there may be roadworks and diversions so be aware and look after your own safety.

Premier Inn, for example, allow clean bicycles in rooms though some don't have lifts so phone ahead and request a ground floor room if this might be an issue for you.

Save some strength for the final quarter.

Dining Options:

There are some options as you are in Bicester. Places close to the Premier Inn are listed here with Sunday closing times.

Brewers Fayre 10:30pm Sunday

The Bosphorus Turkish and Mediterranean 11pm Sunday

Grand Village Imperial 9pm Sunday

McDonald's 24-hour

Bicester Shopping Village restaurants are generally open until 9pm Monday to Saturday and 7pm on a Sunday. 

It is a 20-minute walk to Bicester centre where there is a wide choice.

Bicester Premier Inn logistics:

Bicester Premier Inn benefits from both a lift which is just suitable for a bike and a suitably broad staircase. 

Suggested Timings:

08:00 Depart from Rickmansworth Station

09:10 Pickup from Lye Green for Chesham Station riders, though they could ride on 10 minutes to the coffee stop

09:20 Coffee stop at Ashley Green (30 mins)

11:20 Coffee stop at Nanna's Cakes near Mentmore and pickup point for Cheddington Station riders.

Route Guidance:

The route and associated .GPX file includes some turns as prompts to stop at the suggested coffee stops.

As you approach Bicester there are some poor cycle paths alongside roads which are best avoided until you get close to Bicester Village Shopping where there is good quality cycle infrastructure which you should use to avoid the multi-lane complex road network on the approach to the Premier Inn.

Just past Waterstock on the return there is an option to branch off to Waterperry Gardens for coffee or you can continue to Tetsworth which is another 10km.

Past Waterstock the A40 is closed to cars due to road works but pedestrian access is still possible do don't be put off by earlier "Road Closed" signs.

Mini Break from Kenton (Rye)

This post provides a suggested itinerary for getting out of town for a flexible break. It assumes a mix of cyclists and non-cyclists (drivers) for flexibility. Derek Jarman' House still with the black and yellow paintwork. 

Thursday 

07:39 St Pancras - Ashford International 08:18 (cycles). I believe this high speed train has an orange band and a discrete wheelchair logo around the doors for bikes rather than a big cycle logo with the front (and rear?) carriage having one of these. Departing from St Pancras International rail station on Southeastern Railways enter the station opposite King's Cross (and the German Gymnasium) and immediately take the lift up to platforms 11-13. On the day I travelled in 2025 there was only one carriage for wheelchairs and bikes; station staff can advise which end. From Ashford you follow the NCN 18 to Singleton, Shadoxhurst and onwards. 

07:15 Depart Kenton for the 2 hour 15 minute drive to Shadoxhurst near Ashford (cars)

09:30 Drivers and cyclists rendezvous at The Kings Head in the village of Shadoxhurst (Woodchurch Rd, Shadoxhurst, Ashford TN26 1LQ) which is a 30-minute cycle ride from Ashford International and a 2-hour 30 minute drive from Kenton. From Shadoxhurst it is 64km (40 miles) for the cyclists to cycle to Rye via a circuitous route while the drivers drive.

10:30 Drivers and cyclists meet in Appledore for a late breakfast at Miss Molletts High Class Tea Room, TN26 2BX, or a similar high class establishment. 

13:00 Drivers and cyclists meet for refreshments at The Star Inn in St. Mary in the Marsh, TN29 0BX. 

An afternoon exploring Romney Marshes and Dungeness will provide interesting landscape whether by bike or car. If following the Lost Lanes route take a diversion into Dungeness towards the power station and Prospect House. 

15:00 is typically the earliest checking in time for accommodation. The beauty of Rye is that it is compact - which is code for no accommodation parking - but being small it is very easy to park up and walk to your accommodation. Bedford Place Car Park is about £6 per day and is on Fishmarket Rd, Rye, TN31 7LR just off the A259 and opposite Lucknow Place Car Park. City Centre accommodation in, say, Church Square is a 10-minute walk from Bedford Place Car Park.

18:00 is a sensible target rendezvous at the accommodation given the cycling distance.

Friday

If you don't have breakfast foodstuffs then Rye has plenty of options including the traditional Jempson's Café (45 Cinque Ports St, Rye TN31 7AD).

Those keen to pedal can look up the choice of rides from Komoot. If you want a day off then there is plenty to see and if the coast is your thing and you have already passed through Romney Marshes and Dungeness then try a 70-minute drive over to Deal, Sandwich, or Canterbury.

Saturday 

If there is a parkrun enthusiast in your group then Hastings parkrun is the closest with free car parking in Grosvenor Place, Seaside Road and Sea Road. "Continue on the A259 seafront road until you see the 'Bo Peep' pub on your right. Turn into Grosvenor Gardens and left into Seaside Road."

Cyclists may wish a shorter route after parkrun efforts. 

Non-cyclists may want a local walk, Camber Sands, Winchelsea or Rye attractions. 

Sunday

Check out from accommodation is typically 10:00.

The drive back to Kenton is 2 hours 15 minutes though check the roads especially the situation at the M25/A3 junction as that is being developed through 2024-25.

It is only 35km of lumpy cycling terrain from Rye to Ashford International rail station so some diversion/extension is possible if you have the time and energy. Trains back to London Victoria start their journey at Ashford so you would have plenty of time to find cycle space and a seat rather than getting busy Sunday trains coming up from the coast into Charing Cross or St Pancras; though the London Victoria train is slow. The 15:56 train gets into Victoria at 17:37.

The Rides

There are plenty of options on Komoot or other platforms. Maybe try and limit overlaps with the route in and out of Rye but here are some options. 

Short and flat 25km

Modest loop into the Weald 36km

Intermediate loop (45km)

The Marshes and Nature Reserve (52km)

Expert (hilly) ride into the High Weald (71km)