After all your excellent advice about Swinley and Peaslake.....
I'm traveling down Tuesday and was going to come early and do Peaslake before dropping the bike at the caravan and heading off to the night shift on the M4
However, that's going south to come back up north (a little bit)
Thinking now that the Chilterns might be a good stop on the way down from Derbyshire - will do Peaslake later in the week
Chuck your best Chilterns tips and advice at me
Cheers
15 years since I rode there. Park in Watlington and head towards Henley and back again. Nettlebed. Stoke Row.
To the locals: when did the spire and spoke appear? I remember (showing my age) it being a very "traditional pub..."
I can’t picture your route but I think this would be on the way.
I don’t know this area well and this based on combining a couple of rides from a book. I enjoyed the ride. Is old School xc
https://strava.app.link/30gKh1UEFpb
This end of the Chilterns I know better so I’m more confident it makes the best of what there is. Possibly a bit more technical but still very much old school xc. Not sure if it’s further off your route
https://strava.app.link/HokD3EkFFpb
If Strava links aren’t what you need I can probably figure out a way to link a pdf map. But it’s an area where gps navigation is a big benefit
The first loop that ampthill has linked to some decent riding, it misses a couple of good trails around Hedgerley Wood and Spriggs Holly but I've not ridden the section around Bledlow so that may be better.
The second route around Wendover is somewhere I've not ridden at all so I've nicked that and plan on riding it on Tuesday when I'm off work 👍🏻
I've done a few xc rides in the Chilterns mostly around Wendover/Tring area. I think it's fantastic (if the weather is good as it's very claggy in the wet). It's not the most gnarly riding but you can just follow bridleways around and have a great ride. This time of year will be fantastic with all the flora bursting into life
What time? I could be persuaded.
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">What time? I could be persuaded.</span>
Not sure yet mate, would depend what time I get away from Derbyshire. Probably about mid day to start pedalling.
I'll be on the ebike though
Bit early due to work I'm afraid
The Spire and Spoke appeared a year or so ago. Seems decent, with good coffee, beer, cakes, pizza (sometimes) and nice outdoor seating (some covered, some with heaters).
Ampthill’s second link is a great one. Old school XC but some rapid descents and dry as a bone currently.
Word of caution though. The section / road called Small Dean Lane, just after it crosses the London Road / A413 roundabouts is permenantly closed now (HS2).
The best alternative is take the previous turning up and over the railway bridge to Balcombe Lane and follow the paths into Dunsmore from there.
Yep, the Spire and Spoke used to be very much a local old man type pub. Converted round about the start of COVID I think. Tis very handy for coffee and cake!