The Chilterns provide an excellent setting for long rolling rides out of London with the occasional steep climb and fast descent.
Note the West and Central routes go out of West London while the East route goes though Hampstead and North London before heading west – hence they have different starting points.
The Chilterns West route heads west out of London via Uxbridge, crossing the Thames at Marlow, through the western end of the Chillterns and on to Watlington and Chinnor.
After a steep climb up Whiteleaf Hill, the route is on a general descending trend back to London.
Starting point: Costa, Brentford.
Suggested café: The Potting Shed, Thrift Farm, Askett (85km)
The Chilterns Central route takes a steady climb out of West London, leaving London north of Uxbridge before heading into the heart of the Chilterns.
The routes includes a few short steep hills such as Chinnor Hill and Woodway Hill before ultimately returning for the long steady descent back into London.
Starting point: Costa, Brentford.
Suggested café: Whitewaters Cafe, Wendover (91km).
The Chilterns East route heads north out of Regents Park and Hampstead and skirts south of Watford, out into the countryside and the eastern – Hertfordshire – end of the Chilterns.
It’s a generally rolling route with the occasional steeper climb like Flaunden Hill.
Start point: Espresso Café, Regents Park.
Suggested café stop: Church Farm Café (75km), just before Aldbury.