Berkhamsted to Amersham

Please read the ride description carefully, especially the travel arrangements.

Remember to bring your lights for your homeward journey.

Overview

This is a train-assisted ride, following parts of the Chilterns Cycleway. (Those with long memories might recognise this route as the second part of a longer day ride in summer 2021.)
Most of the ride is on quiet country roads, with some short sections on busier/faster roads. There is approx. 3km on canal towpath at the start of the ride and another 3km on a woodland trail towards the end, both of which can be muddy after wet weather.

Road bikes will not be suitable for this ride; hybrid or gravel bikes with good tyres are most suited.

The road sections are undulating, with a couple of challenging climbs. We will ride at a steady pace, with time to regroup and recuperate after the climbs, and you are welcome to get down and walk when you need to. It is a relatively short ride (28km/17 miles), but the hills do make it feel quite challenging!

We will have the option of a refreshment stop after approx. 12.5km/7.5 miles. Bring enough water and snacks with you to keep you going if we decide not to stop.


Travel Arrangements

We will get the 10.36 West Midlands Trains service from Harrow & Wealdstone, arriving in Berkhamsted at 10.55.

Harrow & Wealdstone can be reached on London Overground services from Willesden Junction, Acton Central, Stonebridge Park, etc.

Our return journey will be from Amersham, where we can take the Metropolitan Line towards Central London via Wembley Park, or Chilterns Railways towards Marylebone.

The Ride

From Berkhamsted, we have an easy going start along the Grand Union Canal towpath, through Northchurch Locks to Dudswell. Here we leave the canal and climb steeply out of the Bulbourne Valley, swinging around to the south west of Berkhamsted on undulating country roads.

We have the option of a refreshment stop at the Glebe Café in Ashley Green http://www.ashleygreen.org.uk/playgroundcafe.html , which offers warm drinks, savoury and sweet snacks, but only outdoor seating.

Riding on, we have a short stretch on shared path alongside the busy Chesham Road, before turning into more quiet country lanes and descending into the Chess Valley at Latimer. A sharp climb out of the valley brings us to a woodland trail to the outskirts of Amersham. We have the option of a refreshment stop in Amersham before taking train services home.

Train-assisted ride on the Chilterns Cycleway.

Quieter country roads where possible, some short sections on busier roads. Short sections on canal towpath and off-road woodland track, which could be muddy in places.

Refreshment stop at Glebe Cafe in Ashley Green and/or at end of the ride in Amersham.

Money/card for train fares and cafe. Lock for your bike. Water and snacks. Lights for your homeward journey.

First-timers welcome!