Ride10
RIDE 10
Escape to the Chilterns
Distance: 128km
Difficulty: Good roads but with a lot of climbing
Time: 5–8.5 hours
A big day out for cyclists who need a break from the city, this is quite a long ride so you will want to leave in the morning and give yourself plenty of time for breaks, but it is definitely worth it. Begin with a substantial breakfast in Highbury & Islington before fleeing the city for greener lands. The lanes around the Chiltern Hills are some of the quietest and most atmospheric within reach of London. The Bridgewater Arms is a great lunch spot about halfway along the route – plus, it comes just after the hardest climb. Help yourself to a hearty portion of sausages and mash before a leisurely cycle home past fields and wooded lanes.
How to follow the route
We recommend a free app called BikeGPX (no login required).
Once installed, follow the link below to access the route.
Alternatively you can download the gpx file and use it in a cycling app.
Ride with GPS and Strava are great but you will need a subscription.
You can also view the route on Google Maps (but this option cannot be used for point-to-point navigation).
Safety tips
Make sure you can safely attach your phone to your bike – you can find holders online here - and remember to focus on your surroundings as well as the screen.
Please cycle responsibly: always wear a helmet and remember to account for the distance of the journey. It’s also good to have the map downloaded, in case you lose signal while on the road.
Make sure you can safely attach your phone to your bike – you can find holders online here - and remember to focus on your surroundings as well as the screen.