Grand Union Canal Social Route

Overview – Distance: 55 km, Climbing: 60 m
Café stop – The Malt Shovel pub Cowley

The Social Group decided to explore the Grand Union canal. It’s full history is on Wikipedia but the stretch starting from Brentford was built between 1793 and 1805. At Social Group pace it takes about an hour to get to Brentford from Hampton Court, via Bushy Park, Twickenham, Isleworth and Syon Park.

The towpath is a good surface the whole distance we went, which was about 14 miles up the canal past Hanwell Norwood, the Paddington Arm to Cowley Peachey Junction. The canal begins to climb the valley of the River Colne into the adjoining town of Uxbridge. We passed 5 Ducks. Ducks are the symbol on the canal map for nature reserves. As it’s a towpath, you see lots of boats, narrow otherwise, in a range of different conditions, but you are totally unaware of that you are in London. However, the presentation of the boats improves as you get out of London!

We stopped at the canal side Malt Shovel pub at Cowley for lunch. Time constraints dictated we turn back at this point, so we had a down hill run back to Brentford. Mostly. From Brentford, down Syon Lane, Isleworth and over Richmond Bridge to return to Surrey.

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Jill’s Hills

Overview – Distance: 72 km, Climbing: 1000 m
Café stop – Coldharbour

A nice sample of Surrey hills created for Jill, as her neighbourhood in Canada is flat!

It takes in Staple Lane, Sandy lane, Radnor Road, Pasturewood Road, Leith Hill Road and Box Hill.

Lots of other little ups and downs along the way.

 

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Kirdford Stores Route

Overview – Distance: 105 km, Climbing: 1050 m
Café stop – Kirdford Stores

As there is no longer any indoor café at the stores, this is best done when you can sit outside.

Head out on the usual roads to Whitedown and then head on through Holmbury St Mary. Enjoy the quiet lanes through Forest Green and Ellens Green to Rudgewick. More lanes to Loxwood and past the intriguingly named Spy Lane. Turn left towards Wisborough Green and then right down Skiff Lane (the road surface used to be dire, but some repairs have been made). Turn right at the very lonely post box towards Kirdford.

Kirdford stores usually has a good selection of pies and cakes. There is ample seating outside.

Head back via Dunsfold to Rowley and through Albury. The only big climb lies ahead at Combe Lane, then it’s downhill to a beer!

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Faster, Flatter Milk Churn Route

Overview – Distance: 96 km, Climbing: 830 m
Café stop – Milk Churn

A faster route to the to Rudgewick with less climbing.

Take the lanes to Ripley and then up the drag to West Clandon. Climb Newlands Corner and take the right to Albury and Chilworth. A flat-ish road to Cranleigh to keep the speed up! Right into Knowle Lane, next stop cake at the Milk Churn.

We then take the fast Guildford Road with its rollers towards Horsham. Power up them to keep the speed up! At the Rowhook roundabout, head north along the A29 towards Ockley. Cross the A24 at Capel and at Newdigate take the usual road back via Dorking and Leatherhead.

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Classic DV Brighton Run

Overview – Distance: 159 km, Climbing: 1950 m
Café stops – Listed below

This is the DV Classic route to Brighton and back. Some will choose to take the train back after their fish and chips!

The route heads via Ewell and Banstead to Chipstead, where it joins with the BHF L2B route at the top of Hazelwood lane. From there the milestones are Mersham, Nutfield, Smallfield and Crawley Down to the first big climb, Turners Hill.

Next village is Ardingley, where you may want to sneak a coffee stop or perhaps wait until Lindfield at 56km. To avoid the busy roads in Haywards Heath, we peel off left to cross the main Lewes Road (A272) down Slugwash Lane. We are getting closer to Ditching Beacon climb. Time for a gel and a drink. Some cyclists stop in the garden centre on the gentle drag up to Ditching.

Look ahead and take in the Beacon up ahead. The centre of Ditchling is a bottleneck and usually jammed. Start the Ditchling Beacon climb gradually. It has numerous ramps to sap your legs! Pace yourself. After the long climb, stop briefly for the obligatory photo. The descent is nice and fast to the A27 main Lewes road. Cross over and there is yet more climbing before descending into Brighton. The numerous sets of traffic lights are a nuisance, as is the 20mph speed limit.

Fish and chips on the beach is usually the order of the day, along with plenty of fluids.

The return leg starts up West Street, heading towards the railway station. Peel off left at the clock tower up North Street. There is a crazy bus stop/bus lane and strange priority junction just ahead. Start the Dyke Road climb and we keep on climbing and climbing! There is handy Esso/Tesco Express for supplies if required after 2km. Negotiate the roundabouts over the A27 and thankfully the road gets quieter and the view is improving. Keep climbing before a short descent and sharp climb up the rest of the Dyke to Saddlescombe. Take in the views and the paragliders.

At the Ginger Fox, there is a four way junction on the bend. Beware fast oncoming traffic.  Into the quiet country lanes and we head towards Wineham. Near Slaugham, turn left by Furnace Pond into Hampshire Hill to the Ashfold Crossways junction. Cross over onto Hammerpond Road and enjoy the Hammerpond, but beware of a short, steep climb ahead. Then sharp right into Grouse Road. We are heading to Colgate, so smile! Then over the busy A264 roundabout at Faygate. There is a little corner shop in Faygate or wait until Rusper.

You’ve earned a cake stop at Tanhouse Farm Shop (it closes at 5pm) before pushing on to home to beers via Dorking and Leatherhead.

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Hammer ponds history

Milford Compton Steady Route

Overview – Distance: 102 km, Climbing: 1100 m
Café stops – Listed below

A longer medium route with some gentle climbing and great countryside!

From Cobham, we climb gently up through Effingham and Critten Lane to the top of Whitedown. Careful on the descent and head through Holmbury St Mary to Forest Green, then head west to Cranleigh and maybe a quick coffee stop.

Keep heading west towards Loxhill and turn left up the long climb of Markwick Lane. Descend to Milford (another possible café stop at “Secretts”) and over the A3 and on to Elstead. Cake at the Little Barn Cafe, anyone?

Another climb up Puttenham Common. Turn right opposite The Good Intent pub (highly recommended) and we head east to Compton. A slight detour at 63 km would take you to Watts Gallery Tea Shop.

There is one last climb on the route home. At Albury, we turn left up Halfpenny Lane to One Tree Hill before descending Tangier Road to the main Epsom Road out of Guildford.

At West Clandon, descend to Ripley (more coffee stops!) and take the lanes home via Cobham.

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Wisborough Green Steady Route

Overview – Distance: 102 km, Climbing: 1150 m
Café stop – Wisborough Green Old Mill Café

A longer medium route with plenty of climbing!

From Cobham, keep to the quiet lanes before tackling the iconic Staple Lane. Descend Coombe Lane, and it’s climbing again up to Farley Green.

In Cranleigh, take Knowle Lane towards Bucks Green. More quiet lanes to Wisborough Green for coffee.

Suitably refuelled, we retrace the route to Bucks Green. Then up through Rudgewick (Co-op Food if required) and on to Walliswood. The next climb is a steep one up Tanhurst Lane on the side of Leith Hill. Take in the views from Abinger Lane.

The Plough pub at Coldharbour could be a welcome break before descending to Dorking.  The rest of the route is flat, via Leatherhead and Stoke d’Abernon.

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Alldens Hill Steady Route

Overview – Distance: 74 km, Climbing: 750 m
Café stop – Hill Top Café

A medium route with a bit more climbing!

From Cobham, keep to the quiet lanes and then tackle the iconic Staple Lane. Descend Coombe Lane and it’s then flat to Bramley. Back into the lanes and cross a little bridge and engage your climbing gear for the steep Alldens Hill. The reward is at the top at the appropriately named Hill Top café.

Loop round back to Bramley via Munstead and head to Shalford. Get ready to climb up Halfpenny Lane to the One Tree Hill. Enjoy the fast descent down Tangier Road. Ride past the blue and white cow (why?!!) towards Merrow.

After all the climbing, there is an option for a quick coffee at Clandon Park before descending towards Tithebarns Lane and on to Cobham.

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Ascot Englefield Green Steady Route

Overview – Distance: 73 km, Climbing: 375 m
Café stop – Fieldhouse Café, Englefield Green

Another popular medium ride that heads out via Chobham and Windlesham. The route avoids most of the busy roads as you climb gently up to Ascot. If you need an early coffee stop then try Fieldhouse Café in Windlesham.

Exit Windsor Great Park along Bishopsgate Road to Englefield Green where you can stop for cake. Descend Prune Hill towards Egham and then take the flat route home for beers past Thorpe Park, through Chertsey and Walton

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Frimley Lodge Steady Route

Overview – Distance: 73 km, Climbing: 400 m
Café stop – Frimley Lodge

Looking for more than a 40km social ride? This ride weaves its way to coffee at Frimley Lodge Park café via Addlestone and Chobham.

When you have finished eating, drinking and playing in the adventure playground (maybe not!) or taking in the views along the Basingstoke Canal, it’s time to head back.

The route  exits Frimley Green and climbs up to Deepcut, then it is mostly descending to Chobham and Stonehill. From Weybridge, take the quiet road by the river and under Walton Bridge using the cycle path.

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