The Ferny Hill Farm Loop cycling route climbs steadily up from Regents Park through Belsize Park, Hampstead and other leafy suburbs before heading into the green belt, with some relatively fast straight roads, before turning back towards London over Muswell Hill, down through Highgate and back to the park.
Starting Point: Espresso Bar, Regent’s Park, London.
Suggested café stop: Ferny Hill Farm Tea Rooms (43 km).
This fast-flowing Leith Hill Circuit cycling route starts in Hampton Court before heading to Shere via Newlands Corner, before heading further south. It turns the corner in Leith Hill Wood before climbing Leith Hill from the south. After ascending to Ranmore common the route heads back to base.
The Chartwell Loop cycling route heads over the north ridge of the Downs and, once through Westerham and up Hosey Hill, the route follows a forested loop around Chartwell and Toys Hill. Brasted Hill adds some further spice on the return leg back to London.
The Devil’s Punchbowl cycling route offers up a longer ride with some of the most spectacular views in the Surrey Hills. The route has two notable climbs: the climb up Chalk Lane and Combe Lane through Effingham Forest and a longer climb up Punchbowl Lane to Hindhead Common and the Devil’s Punchbowl.
The Wendover Loop cycling route takes a steady climb out of West London, leaving London north of Uxbridge before heading into the heart of the Chilterns.
This gravel route heads up past the lakes and marshes of the Lee Valley before looping back down through Epping Forest. The route up the valley passes the Walthamstow Wetlands, Waltham Abbey, Lee Valley Country Park and the River Lee Navigation canal. The return leg heads first out into open farmland before heading right through the heart of Epping Forest before back into London.
The Kentish Kraken winds its way across two ridges of the Downs (crossing the southern ridge four times!). Climbs include Crockham Hill, Brasted Chart (the steadier but longer north side of Toys Hill), and Ide Hill.