Exclusive route from Elmbridge Cycle Club
Elmbridge Cycle Group out on a ride
Elmbridge Cycle Group is a not-for-profit collective running free cycle rides across some of the nicest part of Surrey. It is run by volunteers and has a ride taking place each month. George James lets us into a few of the secrets from one of their rides
There are plenty of good routes around this area whatever kind of cycling you want to do. Some are a little hard to find without good local knowledge but that’s one of the benefits of our free monthly rides. We know all the shortcuts and back ways that can make cycling a real pleasure and our monthly rides introduce new riders to all the best places to cycle.
Visit mapymyride.com for a route we did recently that includes several nice features. It’s a round trip from Weybridge to Polesden Lacey which is a superb destination for a Sunday lunch or afternoon tea. Along the route there are several sections which rely on good local knowledge.
Redhill Road through to Pointers Road is a valuable shortcut that is not marked on any maps, but cuts out the A3 and the busy parts of Byfleet Road.
The route passes through the picturesque village of Downside, with a traditional green where cricket is often played. You can spot a traditional hand operated water pump and the smallest of chapels on the edge of the green. With little traffic to disturb the tranquility, time stands still here.
Bookham Road from Downside, across Bookham Common, is not only a shortcut between Cobham and Bookham saving many miles and a few hills, it’s also a delightfully quiet route that transports you from urban Cobham to rural Surrey in record quick time.
From Bookham there’s a long but gentle climb up to the National Trust property at Polesden Lacey. This is the edge of the Surrey Hills which is a mecca for cyclists at weekends. From Polesden Lacey the views back across London are breathtaking. And lunch or tea at the cafe makes this a worthwhile place to stop for half an hour.
On the return leg, the cut through from Martyr’s Green to Wisley across the now disused Wisley Airfield is well worth knowing. Scenes from the movie War Horse were filmed here on this hidden plateau nestled so close to the busy A3.
The last secret on this route is the traffic free section from Byfleet village, through Brooklands Community Park, past Brooklands Museum, under the seven arches railway bridge and back into Weybridge. Missing out the hills and congested traffic along Brooklands Road this is a great shortcut to know about with lots of interesting points, such as the historic banked racetrack, thrown in for good measure.
Visit: elmbridgecycle.org
Guildford Cycle Festival
If George’s route gets you excited about cycling in Surrey, make sure to check out the Guildford Cycle Festival on August 19.
It’s been organised by Surrey Travel SMART to encourage more people to take up cycling.
Happening at Stoke Park, the festival will include displays from some of Surrey’s bike stunt crews as well as exhibitions from local cycling clubs and talks on how stay safe while on the road. There will also be some guided Sky Rides – free group cycling sessions – through the local area.
The festival runs between 10am and 3pm. Entry is free, but registration is necessary. Visit: surreycc.gov.uk
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