Breeze on the Met Line: Hillingdon to Harefield & CSG 15-25 miles

This ride is a mixture of cycle tracks and quiet roads. The whole ride is approx 25 miles but there is an option to shorten to 15 and take the tube home.
- We will meet outside Hillingdon Underground station UB10 9NR for introductions and brief bike check.
- It is amazing how many delightful quiet country lanes are so close once we get out of the suburbs. We will cycle on cycle routes and tracks up to Harefield (some hills), then on quiet roads to the Muddy Boots Café, outskirts of Chalfont St Giles (approx 13 miles). If people are tired and want to want to go home on the tube then Little Chalfont is only 2 miles further (where the Chalfont and Latimer station is also on the Metropolitan Line). Otherwise we will cycle back to Hillingdon: we will either take the easy route downhill to Denham, or if people want more challenge we can go via Gerrards Cross, Fulmer and Iver Heath.
- Since there are a few off road sections it will probably not be suitable for road bikes with skinny tyres - hybrids would be better. There won’t be any “killer” hills, but it will be undulating. We will aim for 5 mph up hill and 13 mph on the flat. But we will ride at the pace of the slowest rider and always wait so that no one is left behind. If you walk a hill or want to stop, that's ok, we will always wait for you.
- Please ensure your bike is road worthy, with tyres pumped up. Bring money, oyster / contactless card for emergencies, water, snacks (e.g. banana, cereal bar), appropriate clothing for the weather (sun cream or waterproof?) and a lightweight bike lock (to use as a deterrent while at café) (remember that everything feels much heavier when you are cycling uphill!). Also tyre levers and a spare inner tube in case of punctures - even if you don’t know how to change them, someone in the group will. I would prefer that you wear a helmet for your own safety. As we will also be riding on the road consider adding flashing lights to your bike and wearing high visibility clothing.
- The ride is weather dependent and if I think it could affect our safety and dampen our enjoyment, I will cancel. I am keeping the number of riders small so we can all easily stay together while riding. If you need to cancel please do so in good time to give others a chance to sign up.
- You can take your bike anywhere on the Metropolitan Line anytime on weekends and off-peak Mon-Fri (peak hours are 7:30-9:30 and 16:00-19:00). For info see
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/cycling-in-london/bikes-on-public-transport
There is free parking in roads a little way from the tube station e.g. Merton Avenue UB10 9BN.