Cycling the whole of the Chilterns Cycleway

Living in St Albans I have been cycling quite a lot in the section of the Chilterns around Ashridge and Tring. Over the years I have done a few local sportives which have taken in the hills around Princes Risbrough and further west towards Reading. Many times my route has intersected or run along the Chilterns Cycleway and therefore its been a long held ambition to try and cycle the entire route over a few days. I never got around to it for a couple of years but in 2019 I got my act together and rode the circuit over three (half) days in a long weekend.

https://flickr.com/photos/anderew/albums/72157710473020076

Almost 200 miles (by the time cycled to YHA)
2.5 times up Ben Nevis
Three days
Contemplated doing it one day, once would have been within my capability.
Couple of hours on the Saturday morning
Set off late Sunday to avoid avoiding too early at Streatley, turned out not to be a problem
Back by lunch time on third day
Wanted to do it for few years
Met lady who was featured in guide

Highlights

Going down the hill to Streatley day 2
View from the top day 3 across to didcot towers, a few days before demolition


Low points

double puncture wendover
cloud burst day 3
what to wear!
always going up the hill

Day 1
includes extension you cant do on a road bike
so some weird loops
nice weather
luton airport
familar stomping ground
real sense that reached the end of the Chilterns (not the same on other end)

Day 2
long old day
busy around henley, too many cars
too many hills
stop at pub for sugary drinks and peanuts, heart burn

Day 3

breakfast at YHA
cloudy and cloud
cloud burst
had to walk up kop hill
ice cream
almost hit car, skid
fast down hill


Logistics
Apidura
GPX links

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