Watford Cycle Hub: Denham Via Colne Valley Mtb & Virtually Traffic-Free

This one's for the mountain bikers and has been designed in response to the requests we’ve had for longer rides. It's suitable for riders who want a virtually traffic-free ride, 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 and enjoy the views of the Colne Valley.

This is definitely a mountain bike specific route, due to the trail sections and the rocky, broken up sections of the Grand Union Canal towpath. 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 relatively slow ride (c. 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.

Teens and children, who are strong riders, are welcome to come with you on this route, if on mtbs with suitable knobbly tyres.

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.

Please also bring layers and perhaps a backpack so you can put on / 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.

Please check your bike is in good working order before the ride - especially that your brakes are working & your tyres are pumped to the correct pressure. We can help you with this pre-ride, if you come 15 minutes early.

If your bike might need a little more TLC or hasn't been ridden for a while, you can always bring it in for a free assessment; we're a Not-For-Profit, Community Enterprise and promise to give you an honest price if your bike needs fixing, fine tuning or a full service. :)

This one's for the mountain bikers and has been designed in response to the requests we’ve had for longer rides. It's suitable for riders who want a virtually traffic-free ride, increase the distance they are cycling, but stay more or less on the flat with just a little hill practice.

Mostly off road and canal towpath