London Orbital Gravel Challenge

Join the Hidden Tracks Cycling Club for a unique take on a gravel event that allows you to tailor it to your riding preferences and fitness level. The London Orbital Gravel route is almost exactly 360 km long, with approximately 70% of the route off-road and running through some of the most beautiful countryside in England. The event starts and finishes on the Greenwich Meridian line at the Old Royal Naval College, circling London clockwise on a network of bridleways, cycle paths, converted railway lines, byways, and quiet roads.

For those ultra-fit riders, completing the entire route within 24 hours is a serious challenge! But for the more normal riders who don’t want to punish themselves so thoroughly, there are several options to choose from. Consider the 90 km Enduro, Reigate is 90 km along the route, it's a great ride through the Dareneth Valley and along the Greensand Way. Reigate, with 4 trains an hour back to London makes it an easy day ride.

For the fitter, why not target getting to Guildford with the 120 km Enduro? At 120 km it's a satisfying full-day ride, following the North Downs ridgeline and with at least 4 trains an hour back into London from Guildford making it an excellent day on the saddle. The more hardcore will want to consider the 180 km Enduro, its another 60 km across the Surrey heathlands through Swingley Forest to join the network of excellent gravel paths that crisscross Berkshire to get to Maidenhead the halfway point.

For those attempting to complete the route in the 24 hours, it will be a magical night ride through the Chilterns, or you could ride the Weekend Bikepacking Challenge either camping overnight or catching a train home and returning to continue the next morning. Once you left the Chilterns at Hemel Hempstead the route becomes flatter with easier riding on an excellent set of well-maintained gravel paths and converted railways that cross the top of London, major bail points at Hemel, Harpenden and Hatfield, all of which have 3 to 4 trains per hour back into town. Finally, the route passes through the northern end of Epping Forest, across the flattish parts of Essex to join the River Roding path to the Woolwich Ferry and back to Greenwich.

This is a ‘flexible’ event - ride in one go within 24 hours, take it more slowly over the weekend and do a spot of bike packing, or just ride one day, the choice is yours. Join the Hidden Tracks Cycling Club on Strava, and make sure you record your ride, you never know, you may win a prize! Whatever you do, don't miss out on this unique gravel event.