This page contains a collection of our cycling routes around Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire. They all start from Great Missenden in the heart of the Chiltern Hills, where we ARCC folks meet up.
Links have a number of stars ranging from 1 to 4. Routes with 1 or 2 stars show low to moderate gradients, ideal for beginners, while routes with 3 and 4 stars are more demanding and they are suited to more experienced riders.
Although there are no mountains in the area, the local topography is characterised by short, often steep roads which can be quite challenging even for the most experienced riders.
Ashridge
Skirmett countryside
Dunstable Downs, Ashridge*** (ARCC 1) Great Missenden; Chesham; Berkhamstead; Nettlebed; Bison Hill; Dunstable Downs (Marsworth's Blue Bells cafe' optional not mapped) Ashridge; Aldbury; Wigginton; St. Leonards; The Lee; Great Missenden 90 Km including coffee break, 75 Km without (as mapped). A variation which cuts off Dunstable Downs and adds Dunsmore climb (ARCC 1B) is mapped here (75Km).
Waterperry Gardens** (ARCC 2) Great Missenden; Butlers Cross, Kimblewick; Chearsley; Long Crendon; Waterperry Gardens (coffee break); Wheatley; Great Haseley; Chalgrove; Wheatfield; Chinnor; Askett; Great Missenden. 94 Km
Windsor* (ARCC 3) Great Missenden; Amersham; Chalfont St. Giles; Beaconsfield; Cookham; Maidenhead; Windsor (Eton Bridge coffee break); Burnham; Beaconsfield; Winchmore Hill; Holmer Green; Great Missenden. 81 Km. A variation of this route leads to Virginia Waters ** (ARCC 3B) via Gerrards Cross, Pinewood, Datchet, Windsor Great Park. Back via Eton Bridge (coffee break) Burnham, Beaconsfield, Penn Street. Especially good in Spring when the rhododendrons are out. 97Km.
Amersham 50 miles sportive** (ARCC 4) Great Missenden; Butlers Cross; Dinton; Little Winchendon; Oving; Aston Abbots; Marsworth; Ivinghoe; Wigginton; St. Leonards; The Lee; Great Missenden. 84 Km.
Red Kite Ride**** (ARCC 5) Great Missenden; Looseley Row; Radnage; Chinnor; Stockenchurch Hill; Christmas Common; Russel's Water; Fawley; Hambleden (coffee break); Pheasant Hill; Fingest; Chequers Lane; Radnage; Walters Ash; Speen; Great Missenden. 87 Km.
Watlington** (ARCC 6) Great Missenden; Askett; Chinnor; Stokenchurch Hill; Christmas Common; Watlington; Stoke Tolnage; South Weston; Chinnor Garden Centre (coffee break); Towersley; Haddenham; Great Kimble; Butlers Cross; Great Missenden. 86 Km.
Hertfordshire Loop** (ARCC 7) Penn Street, Chalfont St Giles, Chipperfield (cafe stop), Northchurch. Back via Tring and Wendover Woods. 80 Km
Ivinghoe Beacon** (ARCC 8) A shortish ride to Ivinghoe Beacon via Cholesbury, Berkhamsted and Ashridge. Back via the Bluebell cafe and Wendover Woods, with a loop of Pednor to finish. 71Km
