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
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.