Biking Groups London

Cutty Sark to Crawley on NCN21

The return of an old favourite challenge - make your own way to The Cutty Sark and then ride on NCN21 through quiet backstreets, city parks, linear wildlife corridors, quiet residential streets and open spaces to escape London. A gradual climb up into the South Downs is rewarded with a pub lunch, some offroad climbing, glorious views of the Weald and fast offroad tracks through Surrey before we get onto familiar territory and pass Gatwick Airport to finish at Three Bridges station. I’ll be catching the 08:50 train from Three Bridges to Blackfriars (arr. 09:41). n.b.the London Bridge services seem to all involve changes. Meet me at the South entrance to Blackfriars Station (on the river walk opposite the coffee shop) at 09:45 or outside Evans Cycles at London Bridge (Duke Street Hill) at 09:55. Back streets and a cycle Superhighway will then get us over to Greenwich for the final meeting place opposite Starbucks by the Cutty Sark. Please let me know where you will be meeting me. The intended start time from the Cutty Sark is 10:30. This ride is about 45 miles long and will use a mix of tarmac, stony paths and bridleways - your tyres will need some grip and your bike will need to be robust enough to deal with a bit of the rough stuff - Gravel bikes, MTB’s and hybrids will all be ideal.

Frensham Ponds and The Devil's Punchbowl

South Downs & Beachy Head - FREE RIDE: 22 Miles

As the Autumn Equinox occurs on the 23 September this is a fitting end to 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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5qvWbGWEho 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. 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

Two hills and a vineyard - Steadies + 70k/43 miles 600m/1800ft

Four hills and a vineyard - Inters and above - 90k/60 miles 900m/2800 ft

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

Two hills and a vineyard - Steadies 70k/43 miles 600m/1800ft

Spitfire Cafe

Club ride - all levels

New Members Wednesday Park laps

🌈 🍻 Whinstable - Key Date Placeholder

New Members RP Park Laps & Cobham loop