A collection of recommended rides, to point out the pick n' mix n' match potential of the London Cycle Orbital.
These are 15-30 mile rides, most about 20 miles, ideal for a day's excursion plus picnic or stop-offs. Also don't forget that apart from truncating (or extending) any of them, they can be reversed (pay attention to wind direction and micro weather forecasting in general, widely available these days (Accu Weather, Dark Sky, etc).
26 miles. En route stations: Hertford N and E, Broxbourne, Cheshunt; and places: Hertford & Ware town centres, New River Source, Amwell NNR, Lea Valley Park, Waltham Abbey. Two routes and GPX passes:
31 miles. En route - stations: Theydon Bois, Harold Wood, Upminster; places: Epping Forest, Rainham Hall, Rainham Marshes RSPB. Three routes and GPX passes
Enfield Lock Spin-off 2 Take the shortcut on Church Road 14.3 to Noak Hill, staying inside the M25
25 miles. En route stations: Limehouse, Greenwich, Woolwich Arsenal, Slade Green; and places: Olympic Park, Victoria Park, Limehouse, Canary Wharf, Isle of Dogs, Mudchute Farm, Greenwich World Heritage Site, O2, Thames Barrier, Woolwich Arsenal, Crossness Southern Outfall Works. Two routes and GPX passes:
Olympic Park Arc 2b
37 miles, but many en route stations to shorten the route and attractions to lengthen the day: Eynesford, Shoreham, Sevenoaks, Leigh, Hever; and places: Eynesford & Shoreham villages, Lullingstone Villa, castle, park, Knowle, Penshurst, Chiddingfold, Hever, Chartwell. Three routes and GPX passes:
Swanley Swanley links
23 miles. En route stations: Coulsdon South, Epsom; and places: Gangers Hill, Mogador, Walton-on-the-Hill village, Epsom racecourse, Epsom Cluster, Horton Country Park. Four routes and GPX passes:
Woldingham Spoke 3
Winders Hill Arc 6
27 miles. En route stations: Box Hill & West Humble, Clandon; and places: Epsom Racecourse, Box Hill, Optical Telescope Netley Heath, Hatchlands, Clandon Park, Wey Navigation. Three routes and GPX passes:
Ewell West Spoke 5W Taking the Epsom Bikepass will speed you on your way, but omit the off-road section through Epsom Racecourse and Downs
That's almost too much to see and do! 30 miles. En route stations: Hampton, Staines, Egham, Windsor Central & Riverside; and places: Hampton Court, Bushey Park, Runnymede, Windsor Great Park, Dorney Lake, Jubilee River. Four routes and GPX passes:
Hampton Court Spoke 6
27 (32) miles. En route stations: Slough, Uxbridge; and places: Grand Union, Langley Park, Slough Arm Canal, Burnham Beeches, (Cliveden), Black Park. Three routes and GPX passes:
West Drayton Spoke 8-10 link
Cowley Bridge Spoke 8N
16 miles. En route stations: Great Missenden; and places: just fine Chilterns riding! Three routes and GPX passes:
Amersham Amersham Link to Arc 10
26 (22) miles. En route stations: Watford Met, (Chorleywood), King's Langley; and places: Grand Union, Cassiobury Park, Whippendell Woods, Bricket Wood, Aldenham village. Four or five routes and GPX passes:
28 miles. En route stations: St Albans City, Hatfield; and places: Bricket Wood Picture House, Verulamium, St Albans Abbey, Hatfield House. Three routes and GPX passes:
Bushey Spoke 10N
St Alban’s Arc 12 inner