A challenging 210km ride from Richmond Park out along the Thames and into Chilterns then looping south across the Thames Valley to hit the Surrey Hills and returning to Richmond and the arrivée outside the Roebuck pub on Richmond Hill. Be warned that this route deliberately includes a few sections of byway or bridlepath – all are rideable on 25mm tyres even if it has been wet and you’ll get just dirty on some of the lanes on the route – but if you don’t fancy it an alternative version of the route that avoids offroad segments is also provided.
The controls are at:
- Start: Roehampton Gate cafe in Richmond Park
- 33km / Sunninghill (info control)
- 56km / Warren Row
- 80km / Pangbourne (info control)
- 139km / Devil’s Punchbowl
- 178km / Ranmore Common (info control)
- Arrivée: Roebuck Pub, Richmond Hill
You can download a copy of the route from Ride With GPS in various formats suitable for pretty much any device and the route sheet will be available shortly. If you want to avoid bridlepaths an alternative route is available which is fractionally longer and has some busier roads (no route sheet will be provided for this alternative).
Logistics
Getting to the start
The ride starts in fairly central London and you are strongly encouraged to use public transport to get there (plus a wee bit of a riding). There are plenty of stations a short distance away with suitable connections:
- Barnes – 2km
- Putney – 4km
- Kew Gardens (District Line which allows bikes) – 4km
- East Putney (District Line which allows bikes) – 4.5km
- Hammersmith (District Line and Piccadilly Line which allows bikes if coming from the West) – 6km
- Clapham Junction – 9km
If you do want to come by car Richmond Park is free to park and gates open at 7:00am but be aware the park closes at 7:30pm (but double check this via the Royal Parks website) so you will need to finish in time to collect your vehicle. There is also on-street parking a short distance away in Barnes but you will need to check costs and timings.
At the start
There are limited facilities at the start however you will find a free set of public toilets. Please keep an eye on your bike when using them as there have been reports of cycle theft.
Getting home
Once you have finished you can of course ride home but if you want to take public transport Richmond Station is a short ride (1.5km) downhill from the pub and you can pick up normal, Overground and District Line connections.
The Domestiquated Animal 