Valley view near Flowers Bottom Lane

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Start & Finish: Bradenham National Trust Car Park, Bradenham, Princes Risborough, HP27 0PR
Distance: 7.4 km (4.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 125m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): N/A
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East and OS Explorer Map (181) Chiltern Hills North
Links: Bradenham National Trust Estate, Speen, Lacey Green, Loosley Row

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This pleasant, short Chiltern walk starts with a steep climb through the woods from Bradenham National Trust Car Park. Unlike a lot of our recent Chiltern walks it doesn’t follow or cross any of the well marked trails such as the Chiltern Way or Ridgeway. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

Start at the Bradenham National Trust Car park on Smalldean Lane and take the path in the woods that runs to the south of the lane in a north easterly direction. You’ll re-join Smalldean Lane after 450m then take the first path on the left heading north. When you reach New Road cross over and follow Slad Lane in an easterly direction. Take a left onto Flowers Bottom then next left to follow the path onto an unnamed lane. Just before the end of this lane take a right to follow the footpath to Highwood Bottom. Take a left to follow Highwood Bottom in a northerly direction and continue as it curves to the west onto Kiln Lane. At approximately the 4 km mark in the walk and just before Kiln Lane enters Lacey Green take a right onto a path that connects to Goodacres Lane. Keep an eye out for the sculptures on display in the garden of the large house on the north side of Kiln Lane.

Follow Goodacres Lane to the western edge of Lacey Green then take a right to follow the path to Lowe Road. Take a left to connect to the junction with The Foundry (road). Leave the road to follow a footpath heading south all the way back to Smalldean Lane. Take a left to return to the car park.

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Including the London Borough High Points of Brent and Ealing

View to Wembley and the city from Sudbury Hill

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Start: Harrow on the Hill Station, Station Approach, Harrow, HA1 1BB
Finish: Perivale Station, Horsenden Lane North, Perivale, Greenford, UB6 8AE
Distance: 7.9 km (4.9 miles)
Elevation change: +96m /- 146m. Net -50m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Capital Ring, Grand Union Canal Paddington Arm
Other routes touched (cycle): N/A
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several on Harrow on the Hill High Street and around Sudbury Hill stations
Map: OS Explorer Map (173) London North, The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford
Guidebook: Capital Ring (National Trail Guides) by Colin Saunders
Links: Harrow on The Hill, St Mary’s Church Harrow on the Hill, Sudbury Hill, Horsenden Hill

This route mostly follows the Capital Ring with a couple of short diversions to bag the high points of the London Boroughs of Brent and Ealing.

The map and route details above describe a route from Harrow on the Hill to Perivale Stations. A return trip by public transport would take you to from Perivale to Northolt by train then a bus to Harrow on the Hill. We had 2 cars for the trip so we were able to park one car at by St Mary’s Church, Harrow on the Hill and another at Horsenden Farm, both free at the time we went. This reduced the trip distance by about 1 km.

From Harrow on the Hill Station, walk south along Station Approach, taking a left onto Lowland’s Road (A404) and then cut south across The Grove Open Space. At the south end of the park you’ll follow the Capital Ring Link up to Lord Byron’s view in the grounds of St Mary’s Church. This is the top of Harrow Hill at 124m. It’s not the high point of Harrow, though as that’s Bushey Heath to the north. The name is thought to come from the Old English for 'heathen temple'. Its remains may well stand beneath St Mary's church, whose spire can be seen for miles around (source: How London’s Hills Got Their Names).

When exiting St Mary’s Church, walk south down Church Hill to High Street. You’ll now be on the Capital Ring which you’ll follow for most of the trip. When the Capital Ring leaves Sudbury Hill road at South Hill Avenue, keep walking down Sudbury Hill. At the intersection of Sudbury Hill, Greenford Road, Harrow Road and Sudbury Court Drive, take a left onto Sudbury Court Drive. Take the first right onto Sudbury Court Road then the footpath into Sudbury Hill Park. You can’t miss the tree that marks the (alternative) highest point in Brent.

Take a moment to rest on the benches that are strangely turned away from the view before retracing your steps to the intersection. Continue south-west along Greenford Road, rejoining the Capital Ring at Sudbury Hill Harrow Station. Continue along the Capital Ring to the bridge over the Grand Union Canal, bagging the Trig Pillar at Horsenden Hill along the way. The car park at Horsenden Farm, next to the Grand Union, was our end point for the trip. If you’re finishing at Perivale station, cross over the Grand Union and keep walking down Horsenden Lane South for ~600m.

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The tree at the top of Sudbury Hill

Sudbury Hill

Significance: (alternative) Highest peak in London Borough of Brent
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Haddington Hill. NHN = Wakeman’s Hill Avenue (the other high point in Brent)
Historic County: Middlesex (of which Bushey Heath is the County Top)
Elevation: 91m
Date “climbed”: 24th April 2021
Coordinates: 51° 33' 45'' N, 0° 19' 29'' W
Nearest Station: Sudbury Hill Harrow (Chiltern Railways): 1.9 km
On route of: N/A. The Capital Ring is 1.1 km to the south-west
Map: OS Explorer Map (161) London South, Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham
Links: Wikipedia (Brent), Wikipedia (Sudbury Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

This may be 1 metre lower than the official high point of Brent but it’s likely the most interesting. The higher point is in the middle of a residential street and looks tedious. I’ll confirm that soon when I get round to visiting it. At last this one feels like a summit and has some views of the city.

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Horsenden Hill

Significance: Highest peak in London Borough of Ealing
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Haddington Hill. NHN = Sudbury Hill
Historic County: Middlesex (of which Bushey Heath is the County Top)
Elevation: 85m
Date “climbed”: 24th April 2021
Coordinates: 51° 32' 46'' N, 0° 19' 34'' W
Nearest Station: Sudbury Town (Piccadilly Line): 1.6 km
On route of: The Capital Ring is 0.1 km to the north
OS Trig Pillar: TP4023 - Horsenden Hill
Map: OS Explorer Map (161) London South, Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham
Links: Wikipedia (Ealing), Wikipedia (Horsenden Hill), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Signs of an Iron Age settlement from 2500 BC have been found on and around the hill. Its present name can be traced back to Saxon times and probably refers to a hill fort controlled by a chap called Horsa (source: How London’s Hills Got Their Names).

Unlike Sudbury there’s no disputes about this being the highest point in Ealing.

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When: April 18th 2021
Where: Loseley Park, Guildford, GU3 1HS
Course: Hilly trail route around the Loseley Park estate with a short section along the Hog’s Back
Other routes touched (walk): North Downs Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 22
Finish time: 58:00

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Start & Finish: Goring Station, Goring, Reading, RG8 0ES
Distance: 8.9 km (5.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 155m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Chiltern Way Southern Extension
Other routes touched (cycle): N/A
Pubs / Cafes on route: None, although there are several in Goring Town Centre close to the start & finish
Map: OS Explorer Map (171) Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford
Links: Goring-on-Thames, Goring & Streatley Station

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For the latest in our series of ~10k walks from Chilterns Railway Stations we went to the far west to Goring. Goring & Streatley is the only station on the GWR mainline that’s within the Chilterns. Both the stations either side of it, Pangbourne and Cholsey are on the other side of the Thames and outside of the AONB. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

From the start at Goring and Streatley Station, walk north toward the road bridge over the railway and take a right onto Farm Road. From here you’ll follow the Chiltern Way Southern Extension through housing, then wooded paths, steadily climbing away from the river. Shortly after Wroxhill Woods, take a right hand footpath off Beech Lane at a farm entrance. You’ll now leave the Chiltern Way and will be heading south across farmland.

At a path intersection take the left hand path and continue down to Elvendon Lane. Take a left onto the lane, following it easterly for 100m before taking a right hand path. Follow this path in a south-easterly direction, carefully crossing Reading Road. Continue south until you meet Blackbird’s Bottom (a lane). Take a right onto Blackbird’s bottom and follow it in a westerly direction until you meet the Chiltern Way again. Follow the Chiltern Way until you arrive back at Goring & Streatley Station.

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Crossing the River Nene in Fenland

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The Prime Meridian, also known as the Greenwich Meridian, is the line of longitude defined as 0°. It’s the line that divides East and West. It’s also a line that I asked myself: “can that be cycled"?”. The answer is “no” as it’s a dead-straight line with buildings inconveniently built along it's path. You can cycle quite close to it though, so that’s what we did.

If you want to walk it, there’s a well-signed path called the Greenwich Meridian Trail. The Trail is also very well described in a series of 4 books by Graham and Hilda Heap. The cycle route that I designed stays as close to the Prime Meridian as possible but avoiding footpaths and opting for quieter country roads over busy main roads. Even if you’re cycling I highly recommend the Greenwich Meridian Trail books as they’re a great guide to the interesting things to see along the way.

It had been 9 months since Brian and I cycled the first part from Peacehaven to Waltham Abbey. There had been 2 Covid-19 Lockdowns since then and we were eager to get out on the road. So, as soon as we were able to travel again we picked up an additional cycle buddy and headed to Waltham Abbey.

Day numbers below are for the total Prime Meridian trip starting in Peacehaven.

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Day 3: Waltham Abbey to Barton

Start: Waltham Abbey Church, 4 Church St, Waltham Abbey EN9 1DJ
Finish: The White Horse Inn, 118 High St, Barton, Cambridge, CB23 7BG
Distance: 76 km (47 miles)
Elevation change: + 517m / -517m (Net 0m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Greenwich Meridian Trail, Lea Valley Walk, New River Path, Hertfordshire Way, Icknield Way, Harcamlow Way,
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 1, 61, Icknield Way Trail, National Byway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots, but I recommend The Heath Cafe Bar at Royston
Maps:
- OS Explorer Map (174) Epping Forest & Lee Valley Map
- OS Explorer Map (194) Hertford and Bishop's Stortford
- OS Explorer Map (209) Cambridge, Royston, Duxford & Linton
Guidebook: Greenwich Meridian Trail Book 2: Greenwich to Hardwick
Links: Wikipedia: Prime Meridian, The Greenwich Meridian, Greenwich Meridian Trail, Waltham Abbey, Lea Valley Park, Ware, Royston, Barton

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Day 4: Barton to Peterborough

Start: The White Horse Inn, 118 High St, Barton, Cambridge, CB23 7BG
Finish: Peterborough Railway Station, Peterborough, PE1 1QL, United Kingdom
Distance: 88.9 km (55.2 miles)
Elevation change: +246m / - 253m (Net -9m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Greenwich Meridian Trail, Harcamlow Way, Wimpole Way, Pathfinder Way, Ouse Valley Way, Rothschild Way, Nene Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 12, 51, 63, National Byway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Lots, but I recommend The Nook at Swavesey, The Rose and Crown Somersham and Nanas Team Room Chatteris
Maps:
- OS Explorer Map (209) Cambridge, Royston, Duxford & Linton
- OS Explorer Map (225) Huntingdon and St.Ives, Grafham Water
- OS Explorer Map (227) Peterborough
Guidebook: Greenwich Meridian Trail Book 2: Greenwich to Hardwick and Greenwich Meridian Trail Book 3: Hardwick to Boston
Links: Wikipedia: Prime Meridian, The Greenwich Meridian, Greenwich Meridian Trail, Barton, Hardwick, Swavesey, St. Ives, Somersham, Chatteris, Peterborough

As you can see from the map below, both Barton and (especially) Peterborough are a bit off course for the Prime Meridian. The choice of Barton was really down to post-Lockdown availability of hotels. In normal times there would likely be more options. Given the choice we would have stayed in Hardwick where the 2nd Greenwich Meridian Trail book ends.

Peterborough is actually a long way off course at 22 km away from the final Meridian marker of the trip. This was our end point as we were taking the train from there back to the start. We took a Thameslink train to Potters Bar via a change at Hitchen. From Potters Bar, Waltham Abbey is a 50 minute cycle ride or, as we did a 20 minute drive as we left a car at Potters Bar and another at Waltham Abbey.

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The Missing Link: March to Fleet

If you’re not taking the Peterborough diversion to end the section there, here’s how to continue up the Meridian. This section starts at the last Meridian marker on Day 4 and picks up the Day 5 route at the first Meridian marker. You’ll save ~20k by taking this route rather than going via Peterborough. There’s not much to see though and few options for food and accommodation.

Start: Turves Millennium Marker. Grid Ref TL 35692 97021
Finish: Fleet Obelisk. Grid Ref TF 35123 15538
Distance: 28.7 km (17.8 miles)
Elevation change: +91m / - 89m (Net -2m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Greenwich Meridian Trail, Nene Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 63
Maps:
- OS Explorer Map (227) Peterborough
- OS Explorer Map (235) Wisbech and Peterborough North

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Prime Meridian markers on the route

Bottom Row (left to right)

• Orwell Obelisk

• Comberton Road Sundial

• Somersham Pavement Slab

• Doddinton Post

• Turves Millennium Milepost

Top row(left to right):

• Waltham Abbey Pavement Mosaic

• Meridian Walk Sculpture 1

• Meridian Walk Sculpture 2

• The Isabel Christie Park Obelisk

• Cross Road Bollard

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Previous section: Peacehaven to Waltham Abbey

Next section: Peterborough to Sand Le Mere

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Ascent from Smalldean Lane

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Start & Finish: Saunderton Station, High Wycombe, HP14 4HX
Distance: 9.1 km (5.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 125m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Way, The Ridgeway, Risborough Blue Route
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Golden Cross, Saunderton at start and finish.
Map: OS Explorer Map (171) Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford and OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Saunderton, Saunderton Station, Loosley Row

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For the latest of our Chiltern Rail based walks we visited Saunderton. Once a Victorian-era industrial town, it’s now a quiet village in a scenic Chiltern valley. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

From the train station cross the A4010 Wycombe Road and walk north-west up Smalldean Lane. As you pass the back entrance to The Residence on the right hand side, take a footpath that runs along the field edge parallel to Smalldean Lane. At the end of the field there’s a small gap in the hedge where you can get back onto the lane. Walk back along the lane for ~100m and take the right hand footpath up the hill to the north-east.

Continue along this path, following the ridgeline for nearly 2km until you reach Little Lane. Cross over and take Foundry Lane into Loosley Row village centre. Shortly after passing the old Foundry, take a right up Loosely Hill to the crossroad with Lower Road. Take a left onto Lower Road to join the Chiltern Way. After 100m take a left off Lower Road, continuing to follow the Chiltern Way through a farm. Follow the Chiltern way for another 1.5 km until you meet The Ridgeway next to the railway line. Carefully cross the rail line via the level crossing and continue to follow the Ridgeway south. Here you’ll leave the Chiltern Way which heads north next to the rail line.

Here the Ridgeway cuts through Princes Risborough Golf Course and meets Lee Road. Here continue south along Lee Road rather than taking the Ridgeway to the east. When Lee Road curves to the left, continue south along the footpath through a farm. Keep to the main path on a south-westerly direction, eventually returning to Saunderton.

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Following the River Wey at Farnham

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Start: Farnham Station, Farnham, GU9 8AG
Finish: The Good Intent Pub, 60-62 The Street, Puttenham, Guildford, GU3 1AR
Distance: 10.6 km (6.6 miles)
Elevation change: +118m / -100m. Net +8m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): North Downs Way, Puttenham Walk (SCC)
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 22
Pubs / Cafes on route: None on route but several in Farnham plus the Good Intent Pub at the end
Map: OS Explorer Map (145) Guildford and Farnham
Guidebook: The North Downs Way National Trail from Farnham to Dover (Cicerone)
Links: Farnham, Farnham Railway Station, Puttenham, LDWA: North Downs Way, National Trails: North Downs Way, northdownsway.org

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This is the first of a series of short point-to-point walks along the North Downs Way. The full trail is a long distance path stretching from Farnham in Surrey to Dover in Kent. Our walks took in short sections of 10 km to 13 km which we did with a friend over the course of a couple of years when our schedules coincided. The North Downs Way is well signposted however I highly recommend taking a map or GPX route to keep you on track. The Cicerone book on the trail is a great guide to the points of interest along the way.

For this section we left one car in the car park behind Farnham Railway Station and the other outside the Good Intent Pub in Puttenham. From the Farnham Station car park it’s less than 100m to walk to the large sign that marks the official start of the North Downs Way at Hickley’s Corner on the A31. It struck me as an odd place to start the trail as this is a very busy junction and not representative of the rest of the trail.

The trail follows the right hand side of the A31 for 100m in a northerly direction before you take onto Darville Lane. Follow this onto Snailslynch and you’ll soon be walking next to the River Wey. At the 4km mark you’ll enter into the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) after crossing Crooksbury Road. From here the trail keeps to the northern edge of the National Landscape through to Tatsfield in Kent.

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Next Section (east): Walking The North Downs Way Part 2: Puttenham To Newlands Corner

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View to All Saints Church, Bisham from the Thames Path

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Start & Finish: Higginson Park, High Street, Marlow, SL7 1AW
Alternative Start & Finish: Marlow Railway Station, Station Approach, Marlow, SL1 1AN
Distance: 8.8 km (5.5 miles) or an additional 1.5 km if starting from the Railway Station
Elevation change: +/- 37m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, Shakespeare’s Way
Other routes touched (cycle): N/A
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Marlow High Street, also the café in Higginson Park and the Bull Inn, Bisham
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Marlow, Marlow Bridge, Hurley, Temple Mill Island, Bisham, Bisham Abbey

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This is a scenic and very easily navigable loop of the Thames from Marlow, picking up where the Marlow Donkey route leaves off. If you’re arriving by car there’s a large car-park at Higginson Park. If you’re coming by train the walk to and from Marlow station adds an extra 1.5 km to the total route distance. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

From Higginson’s park take the Thames Path south for 3.5 km to Hurley Lock. This is a very busy part of the National Trail and you’ll soon see why. Just after Hurley Lock, cross a small wooden footbridge and down an alley into Hurley Village Centre. Depending on the time of year you can get refreshments either at Hurley Lock or in a small shop in Hurley village.

From Hurley, take a left onto Mill Lane, now heading east parallel to the Thames. You’ll pass through a static caravan park, then fields and eventually Temple Lane. Follow Temple Lane as it snakes around Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre and joins Bisham Road. This is a busy section of the route as this is one of the main car routes into Marlow. It’s safe enough with a good pavement, just a little less peaceful than the rest of the route. Soon you’ll get back to the Marlow Suspension Bridge with Higginson Park on the north side.

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• Previous Thames Path Section (west): Hurley & Ashley Hill

• Next Thames Path Section (east): Bourne End & Marlow (The Marlow Donkey)

When: April 2nd 2021
Where: Highfield Park, St Albans, AL4 0DY
Course: P-shaped route starting in Highfield Park, following the Alban Way and a loop out to the North Circular/A1 around Sleapshyde
Other routes touched: Alban Way / NCN 61
Finish time: 53:12

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This was the first organized 10k event of 2021 and my first since Newbury Racecourse in February 2020. It was great to be back with other people and in a well organized Covid-secure event.

Having completed my Zwift Masochist badge, the obvious one to do next was the 100 kph Extra Credit badge. I already knew that the best place to do it was on the descent down from the Radio Tower. I’d tried it a few times before but could never get over 97 kph. As it turns out, you need a little help and the Aero Boost Helmet Power-up is the best way to do it.

Top Tips to get the 100 kph Badge

• Select the Mountain 8 Route in Watopia.

• After around 400 metres you’ll pass through the Downtown start/finish arch. This normally gives you a Power-up. If you get the Aero Boost Helmet, carry on. If you don’t get it, stop the ride, start again and keep trying until you get the helmet. I got it on my 6th attempt.

• At 12km into the Mountain 8 route you’ll get to the top of the Radio Tower. Stop here and have a rest.

• For the descent you’ll need a heavy bike. I chose the Zwift TT frame with the Zipp 808 wheels.

• Continue round the loop at the top of the Radio Tower loop, gradually picking up speed. Keep accelerating down the first part of the descent. When you get to the bend (at 12.8 km) hit the Power-up button and give it everything you’ve got. This will give you the boost you’ll need to get you over 100 kph.

Other Notes

• Check your own weight in your profile before starting off. I discovered that my Zwift weight was showing lower than my real weight. I hadn’t updated it after Christmas :-). Be sure to correct your weight if it’s understating it.

• When I first attempted it using the tips above I pressed the Power-up button too early and just missed the badge. I’ve heard of different people pressing it at different points on the descent. It’s probably also related to how much power you’re putting though too.

• You notice that my cadence is going crazy for the first few seconds in the video. It always does that after I’ve stopped and re-started and likely a faulty cadence monitor. It doesn’t affect the speed on the descent though. The horrible cranking sound is what my bike does since the Mascochist badge. Time for a service I think.

Comment below if you have other tips for breaking 100 kph.

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More Zwiftery

• Alpe du Zwift Tracker

• Zwift Everested! Extra Credit Badge

• Zwift Watopia and (not)parkrun Mash-up

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Significance: Highest peak in London Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Botley Hill. NHN = Clock House
Historic County: Surrey (of which Leith Hill is the County Top)
Elevation: 90m
Date “climbed”: 27th March 2021
Coordinates: 51° 19' 49'' N, 0° 19' 39'' W
Nearest Station: Chessington South (South Western Railway): 3.4 km
On route of: N/A. Chessington Countryside Walk is 2.2 km to the north-east
OS Trig Pillar: TP5774 - Rushett Common (Missing)
Coal Duty Post: 115
Map: OS Explorer Map (161) London South, Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham
Links: Wikipedia (Kingston-upon-Thames), Peakbagger

After the under-whelm of visiting High Holborn, this went one step further by both lacking in elevation and being inaccessible. The summit of Telegraph Hill is in private property so you can only get within a few hundred metres of it. You can either pull in by the blue gates on the A423 for a nice view of discarded waste on the shabby driveway or access it via the woods off The Avenue. The latter option gets you slightly closer and at least gives you a walk there from The Star pub on the main road. Look out for the Coal Duty Post in the pub car park.

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View to Rushett Farm airstrip from the Coal Post on the north edge of Ashtead Woods

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Start & Finish: Chessington South Station, Chessington, KT9 2JR
Distance: 9.1 km (5.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 92m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Down Link
Other routes touched (cycle): N/A
OS Trig Pillar: TP2145 - Chessington
London Coal Duty Posts: 117, 118, 119, 120
Pubs / Cafes on route: N/A
Map: OS Explorer Map (161) London South, Westminster, Greenwich, Croydon, Esher & Twickenham
Links: Explore Surrey - Chessington Countryside Walk Leaflet, Chessington, Chessington South Station, Chessington World of Adventures, Ashtead Common, Epsom Common, Horton Country Park

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This is an easy, scenic walk in countryside to the south of Chessington. It was our latest walk in the Explore Surrey series whose website is a rich source of information about getting out and about in the county. As with all of their routes, their PDFs have all the details so I won’t cover them again here.

Our walk was a slight variation on the route described in the PDF in order to bag an OS Trig Pillar and 4 Coal Duty Posts. You’ll pass 2 of the Coal Posts on the Public Bridleway through Ashtead Woods. It’s a minor diversion off the trail to visit the other 2 which are on either side of the B280 Christ Church Road near the Epsom Common Car Park.

The OS Trig Pillar is right at the end of the walk before returning to Chessington South station. It’s an unloved pillar sitting in a vacant patch of land at the end of a residential cul-de-sac. From the footpath off Green Lane look out for the wooden information sign for Huntingate Walk. Take a right here, through a gate and descend a short, steep bank to cross Hunting Gate Drive. Walk up Vivien Close, keeping to the right to find the Trig Pillar is at the end of the road.

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Level Crossing on the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway near the start of The Phoenix Trail

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Start & Finish: Princes Risborough Station, Princes Risborough, HP27 9DD
Distance: 10.7 km (6.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 83m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Risborough Blue, Orange, Green and Pink Routes, Outer Aylesbury Ring, The Ridgeway, Chiltern Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 57, Phoenix Trail, Chilterns Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Princes Risborough High Street, including The Crepe Escape
Map: OS Explorer Map (181) Chiltern Hills North
Links: Princes Risborough, Princes Risborough Station, Watlington and Princes Risborough Railway, Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway

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For the latest in our Chiltern Railways circular walks we visited Princes Risborough. It’s a market town on the north edge of the Chilterns and a meeting point of current and disused railway lines. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

From the station take the B4444 Summerleys Road north, passing under 2 railway bridges. After the 2nd bridge, take a right onto a small road, also called Summerley’s Road (but leaving the B4444). Pass under another railway bridge then take a right onto Mount Way. Carefully cross over a level crossing and continue to the T junction with Stratton Road. Take a left onto Stratton Road, then onto Church Street and take a right at the end onto the High Street. You’ll now be on the Outer Aylesbury Ring. Follow this along the High Street, left onto the A4010, right onto New Road. Continue up New Road, climbing the hill until you get to the Ridgeway. Take a right onto the Ridgeway.

Follow the Ridgeway for ~2.5 km in a south-westerly direction. Be careful on the section that follows the A4010. There’s a wide pavement but it’s a very busy road and you’ll need to cross over it. At the end of this Ridgeway section you’ll join the Chiltern Way and cross over the railway. Take a right onto the Chiltern Way and follow this north. Cross over a level crossing again and continue north towards Horsenden. After the level crossing make sure you follow the Risborough Blue route and not the Chiltern way which takes a turn to the left.

When you get to Horsenden Lane, take a left and pass Horsenden Parish Church. Keep on Horsenden Lane as it turns right. You’ll now be on the Risborough Pink Route and NCN 57. Follow this in a north-westerly direction until you meet the B4009. Just before the main route you’ll have passed over a level crossing on the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway and then the start of the Phoenix Way.

Take a right turn on the B4009, passing under the old railway bridge that’s now the start of the Phoenix Trail. Take a right hand footpath immediately after the bridge and follow the path parallel to the still abandoned rail line that connects the Phoenix Trail to Princes Risborough Station. The path will connect with Summerley’s Road where you can take a right and return back to the start.

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Significance: Highest peak in the City of London
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Haddington Hill. NHN = Primrose Hill
Historic County: Middlesex (of which Bushey Heath is the County Top)
Elevation: 22m
Date “climbed”: 13th March 2021
Coordinates: 51°31'05.3"N 0°06'49.5"W
Nearest Station: Chancery Lane (Central Line): 0.2 km
On route of: City of London Boundary Walk, Jubilee Walkway
Map: OS Explorer Map (173) London North, The City, West End, Enfield, Ealing, Harrow & Watford
Links: Wikipedia (City of London), Wikipedia (High Holborn), Peakbagger, Hillbagging, Jubilee Walkway

No great adventure, or even a micro-adventure, for this one. The Wife had an appointment in Central London, so needing something to fill 30 minutes after I dropped her off, I headed over to the City to bag this one. It’s one of the lowest London high points both in terms of elevation and (probably) excitement.

The best way to bag High Holborn is on the route of the City of London Boundary Walk where you can also visit the 14 dragons that guard the city.

Note that The City of London is actually a Ceremonial County, not a London Borough. See The English County Tops for details.

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View to Conway’s Bridge from the Thames Path

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Start & Finish: Shiplake Station, Lower Shiplake, Henley-on-Thames RG9 3NU
Distance: 8.8 km (5.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 80m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Thames Path, The Wokingham Way, The Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Henley Town Centre and The Baskerville at Shiplake Station
Map: OS Explorer Map (171) Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford
Links: Shiplake, Shiplake Station, Henley-on-Thames, Henley-on-Thames Station, Harpsden

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This short walk continues both our Thames path based circulars and is the latest in the Chiltern Rail based walks. You’ll pass both Henley-on-Thames and Shiplake Stations. I’ve started the walk at Shiplake Station but it can just as easily be started at Henley. Both are on the same train line and have good parking close by. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

From Shiplake station pick up the Thames Path and follow it north to the north-western end of Mill Meadows park in Henley. Follow the paths that route by Henley-on-Thames Station and onto Station Road. Take a left onto Station Road, another left onto Reading Road, then a right onto Hamilton Avenue. At the end of Hamilton Avenue take a left onto Vicarage Road, heading south-east. Just after passing Singers Lane on the left, take a footpath between houses on the right. This path cuts diagonally through housing in a south-westerly direction for 600m before reaching Peppard Lane. Take a right onto Peppard Lane then the first footpath on the left. This path will take you steeply downhill to Harpsden Village.

Take a right onto the road through Harpsden, then first left onto Chalk Hill, then a left onto a footpath. Follow this steeply uphill until you join Upper Bolney Road and the Chiltern Way Berkshire Extension. Take an left onto Upper Bolney Road and follow it for 1.5 km until the A4155 Reading Road. Cross the main road and take a footpath that runs diagonally through a farm to the south-east. The path will take you onto Northfield Avenue to the junction with Station Road and Mill Road. Follow Station Road back to Shiplake Station.

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• Previous Thames Path Section (west): Shiplake, Binfield Heath and Sonning Eye

• Next Thames Path Section (east): Henley-on-Thames, Remenham and Aston

Tring Park

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Start & Finish: Tring Station, Tring, HP23 5QS
Distance: 9.8 km (6.1 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 138m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Ridgeway, Tring Park: Woodland Walk; Walter’s Wander; Parkland Walk, Grand Union Canal Towpath, Hertfordshire Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Tring Route 5
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Tring Town Centre
Map: OS Explorer Map (181) Chiltern Hills North
Links: Tring, Tring Park, Tring Natural History Museum, Tring Station, Ashridge National Trust, Dunsley Farm Trig Pillar

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For the latest of our Chiltern Rail based walks we visited Tring. As a stop on the Grand Union Canal and at the heart of several cycle and walking routes, it’s a place that’s featured in several of my trips. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

The first section of the trip follows the Ridgway for 2.5 km from Tring Station to Tring Park. As soon as you reach Tring Park, leave the Ridgeway and follow the Woodland Walk down through the park to the footbridge that crosses the A41. Cross the A41 and continue north to Tring High Street. Take a right, following the High Street to the roundabout. Take a left onto the B488 Brook Street, then first right onto Mortimer Hill. Continue for 0.5 km then take a left hand footpath between houses shortly after the school. Take a right onto Carrington Place, continue onto Chiltern Way (road). Follow Chiltern Way, through footpaths between houses via Sulgrave Crescent and onto Grove Road. Take a right onto Grove Road then first left onto Marshcroft Lane.

Following Marshcroft Lane takes you out of town and into the countryside. Soon you’ll pass over the Grand Union Canal and the railway line. After the railway line you’ll pass trough a farm and onto Northfield Road. Take a right onto the road, following it along the grass verge for ~150m before taking a footpath on the left. Follow this path into Aldbury Nowers woodland to connect with the Ridgeway. Take a right onto the Ridgeway, heading south east. Follow the Ridgway for 1 km to return to Tring Station.

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View of Bourne End Marina from the rail and footbridge

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Start: Bourne End Railway Station, 1 Station Road, Wooburn Green, Bourne End, SL8 5RN
Finish: Maidenhead Railway Station, Maidenhead SL6 1EW
Distance: 9.6 km (5.9 miles)
Elevation change: +60m / -58m. Net +2m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Shakespeare’s Way, Thames Path, Maidenhead Boundary Walk, Maidenhead Green Way, The Chiltern Way Berkshire Loop, Walking The High Wycombe to Bourne End Disused Railway
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 50
Other Pubs / Cafes on route: Costa Coffee at Cookham Station, several in Maidenhead Town Centre
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Maidenhead - Marlow Passengers’ Association History, Wycombe to Bourne End railway - looking back at the historic line (Photos)
Wycombe Railway, Bourne End Station, Cookham Station, Furze Platt Station, Maidenhead Boyne Hill Station, Maidenhead Station

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The Wycombe to Bourne End Railway was originally part of a longer section that connected Maidenhead and High Wycombe. The Maidenhead to Bourne End section is still intact but the line to Wycombe closed in 1970. We completed the disused section last year and were keen to continue the route of the original line from Bourne End to Maidenhead. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

As this is a working rail line, doing a point to point walk then returning to the start by train is pretty straightforward. We picked up where we finished last year at Bourne End Station. From here you can pick up a footpath to the south of the station. This path will connect with the Thames Path and cross over the footbridge next to the river’s rail crossing. Once over the bridge, take a left onto the Thames Path, heading south. After ~0.5 km leave the Thames Path, following a footpath to the south of Strand Water, a minor tributary of the Thames. When you meet the railway again, take the left had footpath running between the railway and the golf club. Continue walking south until you reach The Pound. Take a right onto the Pound and follow it west until Cookham Station.

Once over the level crossing at Cookham Station take a left onto High Road. Continue south along High Road, Peace Lane and the edge of Alfred Major park, keeping the rail line on your left. When you reach the B4447 take a left, following it under the rail bridge, taking the first footpath on the right. This path opens onto Bass Mead which you’ll follow to the junction with Lightlands Lane and Strande Lane. Just before that junction take a right hand track heading south. Continue walking south, picking up the Maidenhead Boundary walk until you cross railway bridge on the B4447 Gardner Road.

Leave the Maidenhead Boundary Walk by taking a left onto Queensway, a left onto Edinburgh Road, a left onto Connaught Close and a right onto a footpath leading back to Queensway. At the junction of Queensway and Harrow Lane take a left to visit Furze Platt Station. Then double back on Harrow Lane taking Bridle Road, the first road on the left. Follow Bridle Road until you meet Gringer Hill. Here you can take a westerly heading footpath to College Avenue. Follow College Avenue south, curving round to the east to cross the rail line on a footbridge. Once over the footbridge take a right onto Elm Grove and follow it until you reach the A4 at Castle Hill. Here you can see the site of the, now disused, Maidenhead Boyne Hill Station.

On the east side of the rail bridge you can take a path heading south to West Road. Continue down West Road, taking a right onto High Town Road. When you meet Grenfell Road, continue heading west over the railway bridge and take a left onto Kings Grove. Just after Clare Road on your right take a footpath on the left that goes under the rail line. Take a right onto Grenfell Road, following it as it curves round to the west. Take the right hand footpath round the back of a private car park to the end of the trip at Maidenhead Station.

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Berkhamsted Castle

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Start & Finish: Berkhamsted Station, HP4 2AJ
Distance: 10.4 km (6.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 119m
Hertfordshire Way section covered: Berkhamsted Common to Berkhamsted Castle: 4 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Ashridge Boundary Trail, Hertfordshire Way, Grand Union Canal Towpath, Berkhamsted Heritage Walk
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway, Berkhamsted Route 6
Pubs / Cafes on route: several on Berkhamsted High Street
Map: OS Explorer Map (181) Chiltern Hills North
Links: Berkhamsted, Berkhamsted Station, Berkhamsted Castle, Berkhamsted Common, Ashridge Estate National Trust, River Bulbourne, Grand Union Canal

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For the latest of our Chiltern Rail based walks we visited Berkhamsted. As a stop on the Grand Union Canal and at the heart of several cycle and walking routes, it’s a place that’s featured in several of my trips. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

From Berkhamsted Station it’s a short walk along Lower Kings Road to the Grand Union. Cross over the bridge to pick up the towpath on the southern side. Follow the towpath in a westerly direction for 1.4 km until the Billet Lane Bridge. Cross over the bridge and follow Billet Lane for 200m then take a right onto Bridgewater Road then left onto Billet Lane. Be careful here as following the main road called Billet Lane from the canal will take you onto Bridle Way. Keep your eyes open at the roundabout to make sure you take on the smaller road on the right called Billet Lane.

At the entrance to Bridgewater Primary School take a left onto Bridle Way then a right onto The Beeches footpath. Follow this through woodland for 600m until New Road and an open space with a National Trust sign. Take the north-westerly footpath up the hill to a path junction where you’ll take the right hand footpath heading north-east. Continue along here for 2 km, following the Ashridge boundary Trail, until you connect with the Hertfordshire Way at Berkhamsted. Common. Take a right here and follow the Hertfordshire Way all the way back down to Berkhamsted.

If it’s open, the moat walk around the castle is well worth an additional 800m before you reach the end of the trail back at the railway station.

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Hertfordshire Way next section clockwise: Cow Roast and Berkhamsted Common
Hertfordshire Way next section anti clockwise: Berkhamsted and Bourne End

If you’re into collecting the Zwift achievement badges and all of the low-hanging ones are in the bag, you’ll probably be wanting to head up the Alpe du Zwift. There’s 2 badges for multiple climbs of the Alpe. Both are awarded for total climbs and, thankfully, not just in one session.

The Avid Climber badge for 5 climbs is fairly straightforward. If you’re also completing all of the Watopia routes you’ll automatically get it as the Alpe is part of:

• Road To Sky

• Tour of Fire and Ice

• Four Horsemen

• Quatch Quest

• Über Pretzel

The Masochist badge takes a lot more dedication as you’ll need another 20 climbs to achieve it. The shortest route to choose is Road To Sky which has a little over 5k of mostly downhill cycling before you reach the Alpe ascent.

One annoying Zwift “feature” is that there’s no way of seeing how many ascents you’ve already completed. Click on the image on the right for a printable version of a low-tech tracker to keep you sane as you approach the 25 climb target.

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More Zwiftery

• Breaking 100 kph in Zwift

• Zwift Everested! Extra Credit Badge

• Zwift Watopia and (not)parkrun Mash-up

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The Plough, Winchmore Hill

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Start & Finish: The Hill, Winchmore Hill, Amersham HP7 0PA
Distance: 10.4 km (6.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 141m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Chiltern Way, Penn House Estate Paths
Other routes touched (cycle): Chiltern Heritage Trail: Milton Route
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Plough and The Potter’s Arms, both at Winchmore Hill
Map: OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Winchmore Hill, Penn House Estate, Common Wood

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This was a return to the area following last year’s Penn Wood circular. This one takes a different route through Common Wood and covers countryside to the south of Penn Street. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

Start at Winchmore Hill village centre where there’s ample free on-street parking and a choice of pubs. From here follow the Chiltern Way for 3 km until the B474 Church Road. Rather than crossing the road to follow the Chiltern Way, take the next footpath to the west that cuts through farmland in a northerly direction. After 1 km you’ll reach Common Wood Lane and the entrance to Common Wood.

There’s several options for routes through Common Wood. We kept to the paths on the western perimeter, taking a right onto Bluebell Way. Follow Bluebell Way for 1.5 km until it reaches the Chalk Track. Take a left onto the Chalk Track and follow it for 200m then take another left onto Penn House Way. Follow this path for 1.5 km, crossing over Gravelly Way and Penn Street on the way. At the corner of Priestlands Wood, take a right onto the Chiltern Heritage Trail following this back to Winchcombe village centre.

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