Bike ride
Where to go bike riding in Surrey
Getting started with cycling needs know how, but never fear there are plenty of ways to get it. Surrey County Council has compiled some very helpful information in its Interactive Cycling Guide. It tells you all the cycling facilities, recommended routes of travel and legal rights of way across the county. If you want to take it on the road, it’s available in hard copy for only £2 in many of Surrey’s libraries.
The National Cycling Network includes a number of routes travelling through Surrey. For example, the Thames Valley Cycle Route – National Route 4 – which stretches from London to Fishguard (South Wales) via Elmbridge:
Crossing the Thames at Hampton Court, the route follows the river down to Weybridge. It splits into two routes just beyond D’Oyly Carte Island. One crosses the river, heads north and eventually rejoins the Thames at Chertsey Bridge whereas the other goes through Weybridge, up Woburn Hill and alongside the A320 to Staines Bridge where the routes reunite. Before long, Egham and then historic Runnymede are reached.
You can also try National Route 222 or the Downs Link, which avoids the traffic while linking the North and South Downs. It follows a disused railway track in perhaps one of the most scenic places to cycle in the county. It’s a good place for families to start out away from the pressure of the road. For more information on these and more of the National Cycling Network in Surrey, visit sustrans.org.uk.
Another track worth opting for is the Rural Ways Cycle Route. This is made up of two separate routes to the south east of Dorking following quieter roads in the area. They go past some great scenery and plenty of pubs and tea rooms, making for a wonderful day’s ride. Visit: surreycc.gov.uk.
However, to get the true low down on cycling in the area you will have to ask the experts regularly riding through the county.
Cycling in Guildford
For Guildford denizens, we most heartily recommend visiting Nigel Burke’s excellent resource on “Cycling from Guildford”, in which he recommends destinations that can be cycled to from Guildford in a day (visit: cyclingfromguildford.co.uk). You could also check out the Surrey Cycle Festival (details at the bottom of the page) which will inform you how to cycle and – importantly – stay safe in the county.
Experts' guide to cycling in Surrey
Moore’s Cycles is an independent bike specialist with stores in Twickenham, Teddington and Isleworth. Ben from the Twickenham store gives his overall view on cycling in the Surrey Hills
"The Surrey Hills offer amazing opportunities for both on and off road cycling.
Box Hill is the centre of road cycling especially since its inclusion in the Olympic route, you can do a lovely ride through Hampton Court, Esher and Dorking."
"As far as mountain biking is concerned Leith, Holmbury and Pitch are the favourites and because they are controlled by the Hurtwood Trust cycling is permitted away from the standard bridleways. Becoming a friend of Hurtwood is a good idea if you ride the trails frequently.
Contact: 020 8744 0175 (Twickenham store). Visit: moorescycles.co.uk.
Cycling clubs in Surrey
Team Velo Sportif, based in Woking, was founded in 2007 and offers cycling to both competitive members and those simply looking to improve their cycling ability. They meet for club rides starting in Pirbright at 9am every Saturday and Sunday. They let us in to this little fact about Surrey’s cycling past:
"Cycling became a popular activity in the South of England during the 1870s. Ripley near Woking was used by many cyclists as a rest stop due to its close proximity to London down the Old Portsmouth Road. The Dibble sisters, Annie and Harriet, who ran the Anchor Inn around that time were keen to encourage cyclists to stop for some refreshment. Their visitor book logged over 6000 signatures, thanks to the many followers of the cycling trend."
Visit: teamvelosportif.co.uk
Farnborough and Camberley Cycling Club is for all levels of cyclist. Its members include both beginners and those entering cycling sportives. They let us know about three of their favourite routes:
"FCCC suggest three great rides in Surrey. Hardest is the 115km Tour of the Hills Audax. (2300m of climbs) through wonderful scenery in the Surrey hills – including part of the Olympic road race route. See aukweb.net.
"Second, a 60km route starting and finishing at Seale, and taking in loops around Elstead, Tilford, Rushmoor, Shackleford and Puttenham.
"The easiest is along the Downs Link disused railway line starting south of Guildford taking you past Cranleigh. Visit: fccc.org.uk
Dorking Cycling Club started out in 2011 and they are very welcoming to all new members, whether beginners or experts.
Based in Dorking, they are right near the heart of the Olympic route at Box Hill and run monthly introductory rides for new cyclists. They very helpfully let us know four things motorists don’t (but should) know about cyclists:
- Cyclists ride away from the kerb to avoid dangerous drain covers and pot holes, which can puncture tyres, damage wheels and cause personal injury.
- An average cyclist will ride between 10mph and 15mph.
- Wednesday mornings in June are the deadliest time of year for cyclists, according to statistics (source: Surrey County Council).
- On a bicycle you can travel up to 645 miles on the energy equivalent of a single litre of petrol.
Visit: dorkingcycling.co.uk
