Ride Level: Red - Challenging 

Gravel / MTB or CX Bike | Fully Guided and supported | 71 miles | All Day

We’ve teamed up with Landrace Bikes and Cyclefit to offer this bucket list gravel bike challenge, a day in the saddle riding to London cyclist’s default destination, Brighton, and to make it special, we’re doing it off-road.

And I mean off-road, just over 70% of this route is on gravel tracks and bridleways, we’ll cross the North Downs at Leith Hill, then follow the Downs Link across the Weald before tackling the South Downs into Brighton  

It will be an all-day adventure, fully guided throughout, supported by a mobile mechanic from Cyclefit and Landrace Bikes. 

Ride Description

We’re aiming to set off from Cycleift after a quick coffee by 7:30 to beat the traffic as we ride through London to Wimbledon Common thence on the trails proper near Malden. 

It’s a couple of hours riding on easy well-made gravel tracks to Leatherhead where we’ll stop for coffee and cake to fortify you for the next stage across the North Downs and up to the Leith HIll for some classic views across the weald and if we’re lucky you’ll be able out a faint line of the South Downs, far far away! 

Stopping for lunch for lunch at The Milk Churn Cafe - cheese toasties made with the cheese they make on the farm are a must here. 

We’ll carry on along the Down Link path for another hour or so, stopping briefly for a quick break at Hensham before tackling the South Downs. 

Can’t hide this one, the climb up the South Downs is brutal, but the sense of achievement is TOTAL along with the comfortable knowledge that bar the odd pimple,  it’s pretty much all downhill to Brighton across the wide open grassy chalklands with sensational views across the English Channel.

Meeting Point 

• Cyclefit, The Fire Station, 14 West Central St, London WC1A 1JH 
• Meet time 07:30 am 
• Return to London - late evening 

Ride Details 

• Duration: 10-12 hours.
• Distance: 121km | 75 miles.
• Clmb 1250m | 4100 ft 
• Estimated average speed: 10-12 kmph.
• Trails: This a ‘gravel ride’ predominantly off-road trails of differing quality linked together by quiet lanes.
• Technical Grade: Red/Challenging  – Moderately intense physical challenge taken at a sensible pace to suit regular cyclists who have some experience of off-road riding
• Group Size: 8-10 riders.

Is this ride for me? 

This ride is a moderately intense physical challenge suitable for regular riders with reasonable levels of fitness and some off-road experience

The pace of the ride will be adapted to suit the cyclists on the day and the route may change to meet the group's capabilities, the leader will make sure that no one is left out or behind!

Is my bike OK for this ride? 

The ride is suitable for well-maintained mountain, gravel or CX bikes.

There will be a basic bike check before each ride to ensure riders' safety, so please make sure your bike is in good condition with working brakes and gears, along with pumped-up tyres and an oiled chain.

If in doubt, please get your bike checked over by Cyclefit before you join the ride 

You can rent one of Cyclefit’s awesomely excellent  Landrace Gravel bikes for this ride.

What do I need to bring?

• Helmet (wearing helmets is a must on our rides)
• Spare inner tube
• Water
• Rain jacket (if required)
• Suitably warm/cool clothing for the weather
• Sunscreen (as necessary)

What's included in the price?

• Guide for the entire ride
• GPX Route 
• Cyclefit’s Mobile mechanic and van to support 
• Coffee and croissants at Covent Garden