Highs and Lows in the Chilterns

Sunday 6th July at 10.00am This is what time the ride will set off. It’s best to get to the starting point at least 15 minutes beforehand to avoid missing the start.

This table shows information about the ride
Cycling time Ride distance Suitable for Distance from me Ride level
150 Mins 25 Miles 11+ (children 11-15 with adult) Not all rides are suitable for everyone. This will tell you if the ride is suitable for you and/or your friends and family. ? Miles
Challenging You don’t have to be the next Bradley Wiggins, but you’ll need to be fairly fit to take part in Challenging ride. As well as covering a good distance, there may well be a few hills along the way! If you fancy a fresh challenge, these rides are perfect for you.
Starting Point & Postcode
Queensway car park Gadebridge Park HP1 1HR
Overall Duration On a long ride, it’s sometimes good to have a little break in the middle, or maybe a catch up at the beginning or end to keep it sociable. This means that the overall ride duration may be longer than the actual cycling time.
3 hours 30 mins  (2 hours 30 mins cycling)
Bike Type You probably don’t want to drag your road bike across bumpy trails. Maybe you want to make the most of the suspension on your mountain bike. This helps you match your ride to your bike.
Mountain Bike, Hybrid (off road tyres), Hybrid (road tyres), Road 
Sky Ride Local
Guided Rides Great routes and support from trained leaders

Hemel Hempstead

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Sky Ride Local in Hemel Hempstead

This ride will take you out of Hemel and into the Chilterns to explore the wonderful countryside and some of the lovely villages. It will take you high enough for some stunning views over the downs. The ride is a challenging, hilly route but the views repay the effort. You'll leave Hemel, heading for Potten End before cycling past Martin's Pond on the green. After losing some height, the route will take you through the lovely National Trust Ashridge Estate and past Ashridge House. The route then climbs to its summit, just before the Ivinghoe Beacon, where you'll have wonderful views across the downs and across to Whipsnade and the carved white lion. After cycling past the Pitstone Windmill, you'll arrive at the village of Aldbury which has been used as a shooting location in many films. You then gain height to re-enter Ashridge Estate before a gradual descent to Northchurch and Berkhamsted. The route then climbs back to Potten End where you retrace some of the outgoing route to return to Hemel.

You don’t have to be the next Bradley Wiggins, but you’ll need to know your way around a bike and be fairly fit to take part in our Challenging rides. If you’re comfortable riding with other people and fancy a fresh challenge, these rides are perfect for you. They start at around twenty miles long, and are paced at between 11 and 12 miles an hour.

Additional Information

Helmets must be worn by all under 18's regardless of ride level.
Please make sure your bike is in good working order and bring equipment with you to repair punctures, Ride Leaders are there to help but are not responsible for your bike.
All rides leave at the time stated you must arrive early Ride Leaders will not wait. 

Enlarge Map
Car Parking
Yes, at Gadebridge Park car park off Leighton Buzzard Road. Charges apply.
Nearest Train Station
Hemel Hempstead Station approximately 2 miles away. 
Toilet Facilities Available?
Yes, at Queensway Car park next to play area  

Meet the Ride Leaders

  • Assaf Flatto Assaf Flatto
  • Michael Swietochowski Michael Swietochowski Keen Cyclist, Cycling trainer and bikeability instructor.
  • Sarah Whitehead Having previously been a tow path to pub leisure cyclist, last summer my partner Michael and I cycled to Paris with six friends over 4 days. It was an amazing experience - there is nothing quite like being outside, travelling under your own power with a group of like minded people supporting and encouraging each other. We have both become Sky Ride Leaders and I hope we can instil the same enjoyment in you when you ride with us.

Rider Comments on the Route

  1. Jason Fernandez Saturday 12th July
  2. Matt Glass Sunday 6th July
    Great ride, well led by the leaders. Ups and Downs is the right name but great fun. Looking forward to the next one!
  3. Kate Gillett Monday 24th June
    I joined this ride on Sunday 23rd June not knowing what I had been signed up for. This was my first sky ride and although as it suggests in the title of highs and lows, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. This ride is very challenging especially for the occasional cyclist, even though I couldn't keep up with the more seasoned riders I did make it! A massive thanks to Chris one of the ride leaders who stuck with me and my other half the whole ride and at my slightly slower pace. Thank you again to Chris who made my first sky ride memorable and I will definitely look into the more moderate rides before I approach this ride again which I will do!
  4. Joe Paradas Sunday 23rd June
    As the title suggests, a challenging but excellent route.. great views and lovely countryside.