Meet: Marylebone Station 09:00 for 09:27 train to Wendover map

Distance: 30 miles with an extra optional 8 mile loop at the end.

Phone: Ian 07986 872 205

A serious off road ride in the Chiltern Hills neaar Wendover. Tim who is leading the ride has promised steep climbs, tree roots, mud and wild descents.

Mountain bikes only on this ride!

Report

Tim, Rob and Ian met at Marylebone. Easy 45 minute train ride up to Wendover, out of the station, a couple of turns on the road and then onto a bridle path across the fields.

First climb was moderate, no sign of the mass of mud from my last trip in May but rutted and very bumpy instead, so still pretty awkward to negotiate. Easy shady run through the trees along the ridge for 3km, a few tree roots to weave around but nothing too tricky. Dropping out of the trees down into the next valley was a moderately fast stony descent and our first encounter with the dreaded nettles!

A couple of km on the road up to the next ridge for a pleasant run through the fields past Hampden House, a Gothic style mansion apparently used in Hammer style horror movies. At the end of this ridge we take in the glorious view across the Aylesbury plain with Princes Risborough 150m below at the foot of the escarpment.

Back into the woods for a fiddly section with a mass of tree roots, followed by a steep, weaving and narrow descent, ending in a well-deserved visit to the pub. Up the road for a km, a weave through the woods, then across the fields and a brief stop outside Chequers (smile you’re on camera!). Steady climb up the next ridge led to a handily placed pub for lunch.

Soon after lunch was the steepest climb of the circuit; very tricky, narrow, chalky and flinty and difficult to hold a line. Then a couple of km along the ridge through the trees followed by a tremendous fast funnelling descent into Wendover.

No mechanicals, punctures or injuries, only a couple of minor falls. All in all a fun day with lovely weather, beautiful countryside and some challenging and exhilarating riding. 

Tim Collingridge