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Over the last few years I've done a number of long day rides mostly off-road:
SDW a couple of times
South Peak Loop
Peddars way to Norfolk
and a few long road rides.
So, what's next? Where is a good long, challenging, mostly off-road ride. Preferably a loop because it makes the logistics easier. FWIW I'm based in Essex, so this probably rules out Scotland and the South West.
LR
Ridgeway double? Or just half of it?
King Alfred Way?
If you can do two full days, there is the Cantii Way in Kent. 145 miles.
See cyclinguk website for details
King Alfred and Cantii way are both > 1 day long which, whilst appealing, adds a level of complexity.
Something along the Ridgeway might work, but it would be nice if it didn't have to just be out and back.
Off road round London? I bet someone has mapped it out but you could build it yourself easy enough
Make a long weekend of it - ride anyone of the South Wales trials centres or several in one day, then nip over and ride the Quantock Hills ride up and down every Combe would be an epic days riding. Then ride the Mendip Hills if you have some spare energy on the way home!
Lord of the Loops is good, did that over two days many years ago - but doable in one.
Seen that Bike radar video before, those two are quite entertaining...
Cantii Way is surprisingly quick as it's very flat and is predominantly on hard packed ground. So yes, 145 miles is a long day, but it's not impossible to get done. Just don't do it when it's windy.
For the off-road around London, search for the Smoke Ring route.
There's due to be another "long distance" route released by Cycling UK this month covering Norfolk/Sufolk but no idea how long that will be.
There are options to use the Downs Link between Guildford and the coast and then to loop back up, or perhaps a lollipop route with some of the North Downs Way (west) then Surrey Hills, HogsBack, Tunnel Hill, Swinley etc and back to the NDW?
FWIW I’m based in Essex, so this probably rules out Scotland and the South West.
Trains are available.
The Peak 200 is an obvious suggestion, others available.
The new Calder Dale divide could be another.
But look at planning your own, that's half the fun. Being Manchester based I have done a ride over to Hayfield, Edale, then a variation on the pennine bridleway up to Littleborough, then bury then canal back to Manchester. A fabulous 13 hour loop.
I did another,the 4 towers. Winter hill, Turton tower, peel Tower, stoodley pike and back.
Split the KAW In half.
Ride Winchester to Reading, about 100 miles, then train back to Winchester. There are direct ones or Change at Blasingsmoke.
Then go the other way, its 120 miles on the Salisbury leg.
Half the climbimg of the sdw and more tarmac so 11 to 12mph average should be achievable
BOTH London to Brighton routes... on road UP to London.... off road back...
Great for a gravel bike..
I've done it a few times and really like it..
DrP
Morning DrP, good times! Been fancying giving it another go recently...
Ooh… let’s get planning…
I’m pretty busy in September… October??
DrP
Bookmarked
Same. 2nd half of Oct for an Autumnal circuit?
Take a look at Just Riding Adventures on YouTube, he's based out of Bournemouth so lots of southern-based stuff.
He's bonkers though - see his latest, 370 miles with only a break near the end as he'd to wait for the ferry to start.
Watching, I have been looking for a challenge for 2023. I was considering a coast to coast but some of the suggestions above could work.
There's the Yorkshire Dales 300 if you're prepared to come this far north. Most people wouldn't do it in a single day though.
https://www.komoot.com/collection/903458/roman-roads-sublime-singletrack-the-yorkshire-dales-300