Watford Cycle Hub: Best Bridleways: Langleybury, Flaunden & Sarratt

One for the Mountain Bikers! This is a Challenging Route in terms of the amount of climbing, but we'll take it on at a Steady Pace, averaging 8-9 mph over the route. Cycling off-road is like running on sand - you'll need to have the fitness level of cycling a Challenging Road Route to take this one on.

So the route itself! We will cut through Whippendell Woods & enjoy a road descent to the Grand Union Canal. After a brief roll along the towpath we cut up through the public bridleways traversing the grounds of The Grove Hotel. At Langleybury we off-road it through some picturesque farmland where we then have our first real challenge with a descent on loose gravel. Following the valley we then take on a challenging off-road climb heading up & over via Penman's Green to Belsize. Then it's a lovely country lane section along to Flaunden where we cut off-road again and descend down to the Chess Valley - the descent through the woods is exhilarating and the last bit on chalk is a good challenge. We follow a bridleway along by the River Chess, climb to Chenies on road, then descend to Sarratt Bottom to the idyllic Crestyl Watercress Farm. We then face the challenging Dawes Common Climb up to Sarratt Green before cutting back off-road down a gravel descent back to Chandlers Cross, Whippendell Woods and The Cha Cafe. All in all, hopefully an exhilarating ride with lovely scenery right on your doorstep! :)
Please wear clothing that is suitable for the weather conditions, gloves are recommended, and check that your bike is in good working order before the ride - especially that your brakes are working & your tyres are pumped.

Please bring two spare inner tubes with you & money for the Café/Pub if you want anything. Changing an inner tube is faster than getting out the rubber glue, should anyone suffer a puncture on the day & our Ride Leader team are happy to help fix it should you need it.

If your bike might need a little more TLC or hasn't been ridden for a while, you can always bring it in for a free assessment; we're Not-For-Profit and promise to give you an honest price if your bike needs fixing, fine tuning or a full service. :)

One for the Mountain Bikers! This is a Challenging Route in terms of the amount of climbing, but we'll take it on at a Steady Pace, averaging 8-9 mph over the route. Cycling off-road is like running on sand - you'll need to have the fitness level of cycling a Challenging Road Route to take this one on.

On road, off road, tow path, cycle paths, fields and bridleways