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.

Strava Route Link

 

DV Easter Bunny Route

Overview – Distance: 92 km, Climbing: 1050 m
Café stop – Peaslake

This route was our Easter Egg Hunt with a twist!

The various twists and turns create an Easter Bunny Strava art!

Coffee is in Peaslake before heading towards Dorking. The only challenging climb is Pebble Hill.

Upload your activity and imprees your friends!

Strava Route Link

 

Chobham Ripley Social Route

Overview – Distance: 44 km, Climbing: 250 m
Café stop – Ripley

Head to Chobham via Weybridge and Addlestone.

From Chobham negotiate the Woking 6 ways roundabout and descend to Ripley.

The return is via Ockham.

Strava Route Link

 

Box Via Bocketts Social Route

Overview – Distance: 49 km, Climbing: 500 m
Café stop – Box Hill

Head out to Fetcham past the Chelsea training ground. Now your legs have woken up, climb up to the Bocketts roundabout.

Descend at speed to Givons Grove roundabout and turn right to Box Hill.

Coffee at the Box Hill café and head home via Epsom and the Horton Roundabouts.

Strava Route Link

 

Through The Park Social Route

Overview – Distance: 53 km, Climbing: 270 m
Café stop – Old Windsor

This route follows the usual Weybridge, Addlestone, Virginia Water route to Windsor Great Park.

Exit the Park down Crimp Hill and stop for coffee just outside the Park. Flat out along the Runnymede then home via Laleham and Walton.

Strava Route Link

 

Around Chobham Common Social Route

Overview – Distance: 41 km, Climbing: 220 m
Café stop – Old School Café

This route loops around Chobham Common.

Head out via Weybridge, Addlestone and Ottershaw. Do a gentle climb up to the common and reward yourself with an all day breakfast at the Old School Café!

The return leg is the reverse of the outward route.

Strava Route Link

 

The Olympic Ripley Social Route

Overview – Distance: 43 km, Climbing: 220 m
Café stop – Ripley

Relive the 2012 Olympic road race as you head out from Hampton Court via West Byfleet to Ripley!

A flat route with cake in Ripley and back via Cobham for beers. 

Strava Route Link

 

Down the Ups Social Route

Overview – Distance: 41 km, Climbing: 350 m
Café stop – Walton on the Hill

This social ride goes via Epsom, a long climb up the Downs, to the racecourse. Coffee is by the pond in Walton on the Hill then downhill to Epsom. Up West Hill and a blast along the Horton roundabouts. 

Strava Route Link

 

Windsor-Fairoaks Airport Route

Overview – Distance: 65 km, Climbing: 310 m
Café stops – Fairoaks Airport

This is a classic DV ride. Only 40 miles with one gentle (long) hill up from Windsor to the Park. It can be either a fast ride or a gentle leg stretcher with it’s detour through Windsor Great Park!
Coffee and cake at Hanger Café, and then it’s only 12 flat miles until home!

Strava Route Link

 

Send Hill via Ripley Route

Overview – Distance: 50 km, Climbing: 300 m
Café stop – Ripley

This is a nice easy 30mile/50km route with no big hills.

Head out via Cobham and the Cricketers Green to Ripley (potential coffee stop). Up Send Hill (not steep) and back via Ockham.

Strava route link