Northern end of the Chilterns

Second post, due to being a numpty and not checking for auto corrects. Here we go again…

Living in Reading, I’ve ridden everything between home and the M40 times beyond number but really venture north of the motorway as it requires a car drive and I don’t know the best bits. Does anyone have some good loops to share?

Something like this.

https://strava.app.link/Wl0gdBneFMb

I got this from some one on here. I think it makes good use of what’s there

Is this too close to you? I’ve only ridden this once so I’m less confident it’s the best use of the area.

https://strava.app.link/CVQ6FNxeFMb

This is a chunk further from you

It’s not as good as the top one but still with while

https://strava.app.link/8wagK4LeFMb

Obviously these are all tracks of rides and will really need cleaning up before following. I have routes the other side of Luton too

Strava heatmap is probably a good start, and then where there are segments you can click on a rider and see the whole ride they did.

That could give you ‘loops’ to investigate.

FWIW there are trails from Whipsnade right down to those you know already south of the M40.

@ampthill

Aha! I now get the username. Bedford way.

North of me. Barton Le Clay(originally)

Yep that’s me. Surprisingly good riding from the door. Barton is probably better in summer but less good in the winter?

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/34445472 – One end of the Ridgeway to the other using more bike-suitable trails along the way, one of my summer favourites (well anything round there is better in summer than winter..). Though mapped W to E, ride it the other way. The best stuff is E of Wallingford.

Gets you past the M40 anyway

Cheers folks. Somewhere to start. I fancy it’s going to be a case of doing the hard work of riding and seeing what works.

I would suggest starting in Princes Risborough and taking one of the Komoot routes from there.

Happy to guide you round some time if it helps

@andos – if you’d be happy to play guide at some point, that would be great. Can’t beat some local knowledge.

NP, I normally do a 2 hr loop most weekends from my house in Risborough, dm me when when you are around.

wont go far wrong with that first strava link, conditions are pretty good right now too

or do the second one and factor in a stop at the

https://www.thespireandspoke.co.uk/

My usual bacon bap stop is buckmore end farm shop.

https://buckmoorendfarm.co.uk

And this is why I need to expand my trail repertoire. For the alt cake stops.

Is this the Ivanhoe beacon area? I have a few routes from previous group rides and bike launches

I fancy it’s going to be a case of doing the hard work of riding and seeing what works.

That’s what I did when I lived in Aylesbury.

Pretty much rode every trail in The Chilterns from Dunstable to Pishill in the end – some proper cracking XC routes, and the ability to link together all-dayers.

+1 for the first Strava link and Buckmorend Farm shop (where a bike repair place has just moved to).

I would try to find a dry-ish period if possible as after rain it’s a fun mix of deep mud and slippery chalk.

There’s also Lotts wood near Amersham where there are a few features and talk of opening up Aston Hill again but wouldn’t expect much for a while there

 would try to find a dry-ish period if possible as after rain it’s a fun mix of deep mud and slippery chalk.

I use to reckon on two seasons in The Chilterns; the first is where an Ardent has too much tread, the second requires skinny mud tyres (my choice use to be 2″ Mud X’s).

This thread has been useful, I think I’ll try that first Strava link ride. I did a few rides in the Chilterns quite a few years back and loved it so have been lazy in not going back for so long

and factor in a stop at the…

It wasn’t that long ago the the Spire and Spoke was the Carriers. They had a sticky carpet and a meat raffle on Thursday evening that was the highlight of the night ride. They did look at you funny if you had a bike though.

There’s some great XC riding from Wendover as well.