Biking Groups London

Wisley by Pyrford Lock

London to Canterbury Cycling Adventure

# London to Canterbury: A One-Day Bicycle Adventure ## Leave London in the morning. Arrive in Canterbury by bike that evening. 80 miles / 130 km · 4,175 ft climbing · Mixed surface · Gravel/MTB only · 6 riders * Meet: London Bridge, 7:00 am * Briefing: 7:00 to 7:30 am * Depart: 7:30 am * Estimated Canterbury arrival: 8:30 pm * Train home ## This is not another Sunday loop. It is a proper point-to-point cycling adventure. We will meet at London Bridge station at 7:00 am, brief, leave at 7:30 am and spend the day cycling all the way to Canterbury, leaving London behind and watching the landscape gradually change around us. From the Thames and Greenwich, we will head east through London and into Kent before continuing through countryside, villages, woodland, quiet lanes, gravel tracks, natural trails and the picturesque landscape of the Kent Downs. By the time we reach Canterbury at around 8:30 pm, we will have ridden approximately 80 miles / 130 km and climbed around 4,175 ft / 1,270 m. But the distance is only part of the experience. ### The point is that we will have travelled somewhere by bicycle. ## A taste of bicycle travel I created UK Cycling Adventures after returning from a 2,000 km solo unsupported cycling journey from London to Oslo, Norway. One of the things I came to love about travelling by bicycle was the experience of leaving one place in the morning and reaching somewhere completely different by evening. You experience every mile between the two. You see the city disappear. The roads become quieter. The landscape changes. You discover places you would otherwise never visit. Eventually, after hours on the bicycle, another city appears ahead of you. ### That feeling of arrival is very different when you have earned the journey yourself. London to Canterbury is designed to give you a one-day taste of that experience. Think bicycle travel. Think bikepacking. Think adventure. Without needing to disappear for a week. ## The route The ride combines road and off-road terrain. Expect cycleways, quiet roads, gravel, woodland tracks, natural surfaces and some more adventurous sections as we make our way across Kent. Along the journey we will encounter historic landscapes, villages, countryside, sections around the Pilgrims Way, viewpoints and places that make this more than simply riding from A to B. I have personally recced the complete route before the event, confirming the final line, difficult sections, planned food and water stops, railway escape points and any access issues. You will receive the final route and essential rider information before the adventure. ## Six riders only This adventure is limited to six riders. A small group allows us to ride socially, keep track of one another, deal with problems more easily and actually experience the journey together. ### We are not racing and this is not a performance ride. However, we do have a destination to reach. We will maintain a steady, sustainable pace throughout the day that allows us to reach Canterbury at approximately 8:30 pm, regrouping regularly and stopping for food, water and interesting places along the way. Some off-road sections and steep climbs will require us to dismount and walk. You should therefore be comfortable riding for several hours and capable of completing a substantial long-distance ride. ## What does the £60 include? Adventure: £60 per person, limited to six riders. Your place includes a carefully researched, planned and personally recced route, small-group ride leadership, GPX route, planned food and water stops, railway exit planning, weather and transport checks, rider briefing, group leadership and reasonable assistance throughout the journey. Food, drinks and your train ticket from Canterbury back to London are not included. You will need to cover your own train journey home. Further information about the recommended train options will be sent to participants before the adventure. ## How difficult is it? This is a challenging full-day adventure. You do not need to be a racing cyclist, but this is not suitable as your first long ride. You should already have experience of longer-distance cycling and be confident riding on mixed terrain. ### If you have comfortably completed a 40 to 60-mile ride and are confident on mixed terrain, this could be a natural next challenge. There will inevitably be tired legs. There may be mud, mechanical problems or a hill that looks considerably less attractive after 60 miles than it did on the map. That is part of adventure cycling. ## Gravel and technical sections There will be loose gravel, uneven surfaces, potholes, mud, roots and potentially slippery sections. Ride within your own ability. Nobody is expected to ride a technical section they are uncomfortable with. Getting off and walking will be necessary at some points. * 40.1 miles asphalt * 14.1 miles paved * 11.7 miles unpaved * 9.07 miles gravel * 6.39 miles natural ## What bikes are suitable? The route contains substantial off-road sections and is not suitable for road bikes. Therefore this adventure is for gravel bikes and mountain bikes only. The recommended minimum tyre width is 40mm, but riders should expect surfaces including gravel, unpaved tracks, woodland and natural trails. ### Please note that e-bikes are not suitable for UK Cycling Adventures. We love the simplicity and rhythm of traditional bikes, and part of what makes our adventures special is the direct connection with the landscape, travelling together at a shared pace, and the rewarding effort of reaching each destination under our own power. ## What happens if I cannot finish? We help each other. If someone has a puncture or manageable mechanical problem, we are not going to simply disappear into the distance. However, this is also an adventure built around self-sufficient cycling. Each participant is ultimately responsible for their own bicycle, food, hydration, equipment and journey home. The route is carefully planned with several exit points close to railway stations along the route. If you become unable to continue, we will help you reach an appropriate exit point where reasonably possible, but you must be prepared to arrange and pay for your own onward journey. That is part of being prepared for a point-to-point adventure. ## Train home Southeastern currently permits standard bicycles on weekend services, and there is no charge or reservation requirement. However, bike space is first come, first served. Southeastern explicitly says groups of cyclists may have to spread throughout the train and might not all be able to board the same service. ### Our aim is to return together, but bicycle spaces on Southeastern trains cannot be reserved. We may need to split between carriages or, if necessary, between services. ## Weather and cancellation This is an outdoor adventure and normal British weather is part of the experience. Rain alone does not necessarily mean cancellation. However, if conditions are sufficiently poor that we consider the ride unsafe or unreasonable to run, the adventure will be cancelled and your £60 will be refunded. You may cancel up to 48 hours before the scheduled start and receive a full refund. Cancellations made within 48 hours of departure are non-refundable. If UK Cycling Adventures cancels the event, your £60 will be refunded in full. ### Safety comes before reaching Canterbury. ## Before you join Please make sure you are comfortable with what this adventure involves. You will need: * A well-maintained gravel bike or mountain bike * Helmet and front and rear lights * Two spare inner tubes * Tyre levers * Pump * Puncture repair kit * Multitool * Chain quick link compatible with your drivetrain * Suitable clothing, including waterproofs and additional layer(s) appropriate to forecast * Enough food and water to remain self-sufficient between planned stops * Emergency snacks * A charged mobile phone * Money or payment card for food, trains and emergencies * The fitness and experience required for an 80-plus-mile mixed-surface ride ### Important: Do not arrive with a new saddle, new shoes, new bike setup or other major equipment that you have never tested on a long ride. A complete preparation guide will be sent before the event. ## Why do it? Because there is something wonderful about looking at another city on a map and thinking: Could I actually get there by bicycle? And then doing it. We will leave London together at 7:30 am. We will watch the city give way to Kent. We will ride through countryside, villages, tracks and woodland. We will stop, eat, talk, take photographs and keep moving east. And sometime around 8:30 pm, tired and probably very ready for food, we will roll into Canterbury knowing that the entire distance between London and Canterbury passed beneath our own wheels. ## Think adventure, not cycle club. ### One city in the morning. Another city by evening. More than 80 miles of England between them. London to Canterbury. Six riders. One proper adventure.

Frensham Ponds and The Devil's Punchbowl

South Downs & Beachy Head - FREE RIDE: 22 Miles

This is the end of our season of summer rides, it's a **FREE** ride and a very popular one to boot! Starting at Eastbourne Station and incorporating a number of trails including part of the South Downs Way and the Seven Sisters Trail. With 2250ft of climbing this is an ideal route for the gravel enthusiast. You will need a gravel bike or MTB to cope with the off-road terrain. For those taking the train I would suggest the 8.31 from Clapham Junction arriving at 9.53am for a 10.00 start. For the return to London I suggest you book after 5pm from Eastbourne. There's various car parks in the area but should you wish to park at Eastbourne Station Car Park, the weekend daily rate is £5.40 and the address for your GPS is Commercial Road, BN21 3XE. The car park is operated by APCOA and can be paid for using the App. We should met at The Foundry coffee shop which used to be the old ticket office and is just outside the station. The ride starts from Eastbourne Station and we pedal out of town and onto the South Downs. We then head to the village of Wilmington to visit its church and the famous 1600 year old Yew tree. We then head up to the Long Man of Wilmington and its mysterious barrows. Wilmington is well known for its Druid community as Folklore treats the site as an energetic "epicentre" or crossing point of ancient trackways and ley lines, with some traditional beliefs associating the giant's staves with dowsing rods or cosmic alignment. Here's a short video on Wilmington in case you are interested in such matters. https://orbific.com/hunting-the-wilmington-ley/ After the uphill trek to the Long Man we cycle through the Lillington Nature Reserve to East Dean where we stop for lunch at The Tiger Inn. A lovely old pub with a great outside space for the bikes and delicious Appleshed Cider on tap. I highly recommend having some of their thick triple cooked chips. Interestingly enough The Telegraph recently published a short feature on East Dean as it's a hot spot for celebrities although it fails to mention which celebs live there. One local online publication, Bournefreelive, is more forthcoming: https://bournefreelive.co.uk/celebrity-spotting-whilst-rambling-polegate-ramblers/ With lunch over there's a lovely downhill dash to the Birling Gap where we join the Southdowns Way to pedal up and along the cliff tops to Beachy Head. From Beachy Head it's a short ride to Eastbourne. We aim to arrive at Eastbourne around 4-4.30. CYCLING CAN BE DANGEROUS, YOU JOIN THIS RIDE AT YOUR OWN RISK

Windsor - all levels

Hiking the Iconic Lake District

One of the most picturesque parts of the UK Hosted by the *HOFNAR team,* this is going to be EPIC! Make your own way, or join the HOFNAR minibus on Friday morning out of Hammersmith (or anywhere en route) We’ll meet up at the 4\* [Crow Park Hotel](https://www.crowpark.co.uk/en-GB/homepage) on the Friday afternoon / evening and (depending on what time everyone gets there) head for a stroll into Keswick and get dinner in a local hostelry. That evening we’ll put together our final plan of action, depending on the weather and what our guides suggest. But this is what we are currently thinking… – We are looking to do a fairly chunky hike on the Saturday. Route suggestions are welcome, but we are thinking of taking on England’s highest peak – Scafell Pike. It’s a classic, but it’s so good; we’ll be looking to avoid the crowds, find some spectacular views and go wild swimming in remote tarns. – After breakfast on Sunday morning we’ll do the slightly easier going, yet super rewarding Catbells hike. (*We don’t have a qualified guide for this low level hike. Please do bear this in mind before booking.*) In the afternoon, we might grab SUPs and go for a cheeky paddle on Derwent water before heading home. – We’ll leave the Lake District at about 4pm, looking to be back in London for last trains. It will be a weekend of adventure, laughs, fitness, exploring, new friends… just so much fun, and definitely something to talk about come Monday morning when people say to you, ‘get up to anything interesting this weekend?!’ **Included in the price:** – 4\* [Crow Park Hotel](https://www.crowpark.co.uk/en-GB/homepage), 2 person private ensuite twin room – if you are travelling solo, we’ll match you with somebody of the same sex) – Breakfast each morning – Fully qualified mountain guide for the Scafell Pike hike – HOFNAR host **Extras to pay:** – if you’d like to join the HOFNAR minibus from London (leaving at 11am on Friday) the price is £100pp. You can jump on the bus anywhere along the route. – SUP hire (£25) – lunch / di**o Bring:** – Waterproofs (if you do not have the guide may not let you hike with us) – Suitable footware with good grips (if you do not have the guide may not let you hike with us, if you are not sure have a chat with us in advance) – *NO JEANS / DENIM ON THE HIKE* – Rucksack – Swimsuit – Trainers you don’t mind getting wet / slightly beaten up in the lake

Club ride - all levels

New Members Wednesday Park laps

New Members RP Park Laps & Cobham loop

🌈 🍻 Whinstable - Key Date Placeholder

New Members - Wisley/Ripley

🌅 🔠 🦌 ☕ 7am Richmond Park morning laps & coffee🦌 🥐 🔠 🌅