Harlington to Harpenden

* Please read the ride description carefully, especially the travel arrangements.*

This is our last Saturday ride of 2023, and it’s a lovely excursion into the quiet countryside on the borders of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Although our route is officially part of the Chilterns Cycleway, the hills are not as challenging as other parts of the Chilterns. There are some short sections off-road, which might be muddy, depending on the weather.

We will take the ThamesLink service from West Hampstead to Harlington. For those from Ealing area, we will take London Overground from Acton Central to West Hampstead Overground, and then walk the short distance to West Hampstead ThamesLink. It might be more convenient for others to connect with the Overground at Willesden Junction or to meet us at West Hampstead ThamesLink. The return journey from Harpenden to West Hampstead is on the same service, so we should be able to buy day return tickets to/from Harlington. Please buy your tickets in advance if possible.

From Harlington, we ride on country roads through Sharpenhoe and on to Pirton. After ascending Pirton Hill and Deacon Hill, we turn onto an unsurfaced track which is likely to be muddy and in some sections too slippery to ride on safely. We can expect approx 30 mins of needing to walk our bikes. After reaching Little Offley, we descend to the Offley Hoo Farm Barns https://www.offleyhoofarm.com/copy-of-jo-s-loaves for a welcome refreshment stop (21 km/13 miles).

Riding on, we descend to Whitwell, where there is another refreshment stop possibility if Offley Hoo was too busy, at Emily’s Tea Room https://www.emilysteashop.com/?fbclid=IwAR2dGCbNl_Dg9yWttShm-98IqZKGXffu4lO4ZV73EqsZGN4q0obRxTpzVx4 .

A short climb on Horn Hill out of Whitwell leads us into undulating roads through Kimpton and Blackmore End, before we come down to an easy off-road track along the River Lea. Then we turn up to Harpenden for the train back to West Hampstead.

Train-assisted ride on the borders of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

Quiet country roads. Some short off road sections, which might be muddy in places. A couple of sharp hills.

Refreshment stop at Offley Hoo Farm Barns.

Please buy rail tickets in advance if possible. Money/card for refreshment stop. Lock for bike. Snacks & water. Lights for your return home.

First-timers welcome!