Denham Via Colne Valley Mtb & Virtually Traffic-Free

This ride is being put on in response to the requests we’ve had for longer rides which are suitable for adults and children who want to stay traffic-free & increase the distance they are cycling but stay more or less on the flat with just a little hill practice.

We hope this ride fits the bill. At just under 20 miles, the route is virtually flat along the Grand Union Canal towpath towards Denham with a little hill and gear practice on the way back as we take on some trails on National Cycle Route 6.

We recommend mountain bikes (mtbs) for this route due to parts of the canal towpath being quite bumpy in places – though great for developing control on a mtb. Watford Cycle Hub can hire out mtbs. Call 01923 223994 if you would like to hire a mtb for this ride if you don’t own one. We are Not-For-Profit and our rates are very reasonable.

This will be a slow ride (c. 7-8 mph average pace) partly to give people a chance to ride further at a comfortable pace, partly because routes involving the canal towpath and trails need a little more care, as well as consideration for other people out on a Sunday morning.

Children & teens are welcome to come with you on this route, if on mtbs with suitable knobbly tyres. We do not set an age limit, as we respect parents know their own children’s abilities and whether this ride would be a good stretch or a little too much at this stage…

Please bring layers and perhaps a backpack so you can put on or take off layers as needed. Bringing a drink and a snack is always good practice, as is bringing two spare inner tubes in case of punctures - as changing an inner tube is faster than getting out the rubber glue to mend a puncture. The Ride Leaders can help if anyone in the group has a puncture on the day. Watford Cycle Hub sell inner tubes from £4 new, or recycled ones for 50p patched, £1 with no patches.

We can stop at Fran’s Tea Room at Denham Deep Lock or ride a little further round to the Colne Valley Visitor’s Centre…so bring money if you would like to buy refreshments.