Kenton to the Flourish Bakery

Ride Type

Ride suitability

Ride title

Start Postcode

Introduce your route

Describe the kind of roads you'll be riding

Describe any stops on your ride

Include details of anything your riders should bring with them

Include a friendly note for first-timers

Route description

Starting point description

Ride distance in miles

Estimated riding time in minutes

Ride level (Easy going, Steady, Challenging)

Estimated overall duration in minutes

Bike Type

Road, Hybrid (all tyres), E-bike

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Participant capacity

Organised Rides

This post lists a number of bike rides and contains some of the information required to advertise scheduled rides. It can be used to provide the draft text that can then be published on British Cycling's Let's Ride platform or other sites. If using Let's Ride then have the necessary text, photo and .GPX file ready to copy in because at the time of writing the platform can clear text fields when updating the photo or .GPX file. 

Image from Freepik

Index of Rides

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Standard Advisory Text

New riders are especially welcome and no one is left behind. If you have questions or concerns speak to the Ride Leader or contact them before the ride. We ask that you read the details of the ride including the distance, terrain and planned speed to ensure the ride will be enjoyable for you. 

Arrive at least 10 minutes before the published start time to allow for introductions, bike checks and any briefing to ensure a prompt departure at the stated time. 

Please check your bike at home before the ride leaving yourself time to remedy any issues such as brake adjustments and repairing punctures. Bring a spare inner tube of the correct size and valve type for your bike, the tools to repair a puncture, a bike lock, water and a snack. Money for the café or unexpected circumstances such as taking the train home is advised. Please be mindful that not everywhere takes cash payment.

Consider the duration of the ride, the time of day you will be riding and the weather forecast. Dress appropriately ensuring no loose clothing or laces that could get entangled in bike parts.

The time for the ride is a best estimate by the Ride Leader. Sometimes this can be affected by factors such as the weather, mechanical issues and the queue at the cafe. We have a policy of leaving no rider behind so if anyone is struggling we will adjust the speed and take rest stops if necessary.

Start Locations

Start locations are often in parks so what3words references are provided as well as a postcode.

Pinner Rides

One of the entrances to Pinner Village Gardens (PVG) nearest the roundabout where Rayners Lane meets Marsh Road. Postcode HA5 5NS. what3words ///ranges.tame.boot

Harrow Rides

By the Seva Park Café in the middle of Harrow Recreation Ground. There are multiple access points to the park including one off Cunningham Park, Harrow HA1 4QW. The park has a free car park accessed off Roxborough Road where that roads run next to the park. There is parking on some local streets though look for any parking restrictions. what3words ///toward.winks.sticks

Kenton Rides

The pump track in Kenton Recreation Ground between the playground and the bowls club pavilion. This is 100 metres into the park from the car park which is at the end of Carlton Avenue. There is parking on local streets though do look for any parking restrictions. Postcode HA3 8AX. what3words ///fleet.jeeps.sends

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 relatively flat 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: 08:06

Start Time: 08:15

Route: Tring to Bicester to Tring

Route Alt: Tring to Bicester to Tring (ALT)

No. Days: 2

Day 1: 72km

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 Chiltern Hills. 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 can book their own accommodation in Bicester such as the 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 though sometimes they don't open.

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

Twigs Nurseries, divert onto A421 from Thornborough (43km)

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

Cornwall Place Kitchen, Buckingham (46km)

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

Many other cafés, Buckingham (46km)

Bicester (72km)

Base Coffee + Kitchen, Long Crendon (95km)

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

The Old Red Lion, Tetsworth (110km)

The Biker Bean Coffeehouse, Chinnor (121km), closed Monday 

Millie's Deli, Chinnor (121km)

Tring Station (151km)

Shorten the outward leg:

1) Take the train to Cheddington 

2) Cut a corner to get to Buckingham earlier 

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. 

Alternative route:

The alternative return route comes back to Thame, follows the Phoenix Trail to Princes Risborough 44km into day 2. Then on to Great Missenden at 58km before arriving back at Tring at 76km. This route ducks into the Chiltern Hills so has a harder finish and sting in the tail but options to cut short so good for a mixed group.

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. This route doesn't have the smoothest road surfaces. 

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 

Carry lights if there is any likelihood of riding in the dark

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

Kit List for a short break

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 large enough 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 and these cycle paths are perhaps 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.

Use the cycle infrastructure around Bicester Village Shopping then use the road. As you leave Bicester the road gets bigger and busier so as you approach the first large roundabout use the dropped kerb to rejoin the cycle path and stay on that until it dissappears.

It's a steady climb as you approach the Brill hill so when you leave the main road maybe take a water break and peel off a layer ready for a demanding climb.

Just as you feel you are leaving Long Crendon the route has a short spur which gets you close to the Base Coffee café which is a one-minute walk off the main road heading to a new housing development called The Stables at Crendon Manor. 

As you leave Crendon do pause to peek inside the gates to Crendon Manor. Equally, do keep your eyes open as you pass through Waterstock. 

Just past Waterstock on the return there is an option to branch off on a right turn to Waterperry Gardens for coffee or you can continue to Tetsworth which is another 10km. Even if you're not ready for a coffee take the 1km bridleway up to Waterperry Gardens; though not inviting at first it's a delightful ride and the cakes are a treat.

Entering Chinnor the Biker Bean café is on your left closely followed by another café on your left just before the left turn.

Kit List and Accommodation 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

Accommodation Options 

Premier Inn

Travel Lodge 

Warm Showers

https://www.warmshowers.org/

Church camping 

https://champing.co.uk/

University Rooms https://www.universityrooms.com/en-GB/

Nearly Wild Camping

https://nearlywildcamping.org/

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 there are 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

Kit List for a short break

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 (via Tring)

This post describes a 2-day cycle tour from Rickmansworth to Cublington and back staying over in Tring. 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

Kit List for a short break

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.