Water, Salts and Horses
Date: Sunday 12th May
Ride Level: Blue - Moderate
Gravel/CX | Guided | Natural, Gravel and Single Track | 67 km/41 miles | All day
In association with the London Cycle Workshop and Where My Wheels Go, I'll lead this gravel bike tour around the hidden gems of Southwest London.
There are a load of sneaky little tracks and trails that lead you unexpectedly out of London, this incorporates 2 of my favourite hidden escape routes discovering Bronze Age forts, 17th Century grottos, the most underwhelming tourist attraction imaginable and a preview of the Derby racecourse.
Ride Description
Heading from the shop we'll head south into Richmond Park before some Womble hunting en route to Wimbledon.
Dropping into the Wandle Valley the ride follows the well-marked Wandle trail, through Morden Hall Park, once home to Nelson and one to London's least-known Bird Reserve at Beddington Farm.
Follow the ornamental canal, past London's first folly built around 1720 the ride heads out of the Valley, past a Bronze Age Fort to Banstead Common and onwards towards Burgh Heath, after which we reach Epsom Downs, home of the Derby (other horse races are also available).
That the source of the Epsom Salts is so very underwhelming, perversely, it makes it worth a flying visit, however, the beautiful gravel paths through the wooded Epsom Common make the detour worth it.
From Epson, we follow the Hogs Mill, past the stream where John Everet Millais set his masterpiece Ophelia before moving on to New Malden returning to Sheen through Richmond Park.
Start and finish
Start:
- The London Cycle Workshop, 42 Sheen Lane SW14 8LP
- 8;45 for 9 am rollout
Finish:
- The London Cycle Workshop
- from 4 pm
The London Cycle Workshop, 42 Sheen Lane SW14 8LP
Meeting Time: 8:45 for 9 am Start
Ride Details
- Distance: 67 km | 41 miles
- Climb: 560 m | 1850 ft
- Percentage off-road: 67%
- Trail surface: Natural | Gravel | Cycle Paths | Single Track
- Technical Grade: Blue - Moderate gravel route
- Mudometer - Easy, Good all-weather gravel paths with few areas of mud
- Group size 10 rider
Is this ride for me?
Ideal for riders with some off-road experience and reasonable fitness looking for a long but non-technical day out in the saddle with few hills.
Is my bike OK for this ride?
The route is best completed on the gravel/CX bike.