Long(ish) distance cycling and more – it’s all about showing up (not showing off!)
We’re back in style in 2024! As well as our cake-powered rides, we’re laying on a day of cycling related fun at Woodoaks Farm for anyone who wants a bit of fresh air, to explore new ways to get active and, most importantly, drink tea.
If you ride a bike of any kind you should be heading over to Maple Cross through the day. The team from Watford Cycle Hub will be on hand to take a look at your bikes and talk about training and skills. SPOKES, the South West Herts cycling group will explain how to get involved in campaigning for better infrastructure and services as well as how to join one of their amazingly welcoming local rides.
Freewheel and Ridgeback Kids will be demonstrating the latest kit and bikes (which you can buy through Watford Cycle Hub) and we’ve invited a number of local fitness organisations to come down and run taster sessions. It could be the day when you discover inner yogic bliss, get hooked on nordic walking or find an activity that could change your life
With the amazing Tea Shack and the legendary Creative Juices Brewery on site, why not join us for a day of friendly, supportive activity and help support community organisations?
Three audax rides – take your pick
We’ve made a few tweaks for 2024 – we hope you like them…
200km
It’s about getting round in great company
Starting at Woodoaks Farm, we’ll head north on country roads from Rickmansworth up to Silverstone before looping south to the Thames at Benson. The triangle is closed by a run through the Chilterns via Marlow. Less than 2,000 metres of climbing.
One for people who love the Chilterns. The route takes us to Amersham, Tring, and Stewkley before taking in the iconic climb up Ivinghoe Beacon on the way home via Chesham and Latimer. There’s a couple of hills to talk about but with up to seven hours to get around, there’s time for cake, ice cream and a snack or two .
100km
Check out the views
50km
Be part of the fun
A simple run out on quiet roads towards Prestwood and Great Missenden. Shoot around in two hours or take your time, have a cake and a natter. And we’re going back for the homemade elevenses at the church of St Peter and St Paul so you need all of the four and a quarter hours to make new friends.
Try a guided ride
1 June isn’t just about long distance rides.
SPOKES, the cycling group for South West Herts is planning a series of shorter rides led by experienced and knowledgeable local cyclists. Starting from 10 am, after the audax rides have gone, experienced leaders will take groups out and about.
You don’t have to be a member of SPOKES to join but you will need to sign up in advance via the website (where details of the rides will be posted nearer the day).
Best of all, you don’t need to wait until June to get involved – SPOKES rides happen all year round and you’ll get a warm welcome whatever your appetite for pedalling!
Watford Cycle Hub – the start of many cycling journeys
On 1 June there’s a chance to meet Watford Cycling Hub – but you may know them already!
You may be one of the vast numbers of adults and children who they have taught to ride over the last ten years. Perhaps you have bought one of their great value reconditioned bikes or you have grown to love their no-nonsense approach to maintenance or repairs.
Or you might have joined one of the guided rides which they run all over the Hertfordshire and beyond.
And if you haven’t met them, they’ll be at Woodoaks Farm on 1 June – come and say Hi!
They’ll give your bike a free check and tell you all about the support they give to the community. Be that training you or your children to ride, helping build your confidence on two (or more) wheels or simply providing authentic TLC when you or your bike needs it – they’ve got you covered.
…but beware! It all starts with a day on the bike but before you know it, you could soon be tackling one of our other events like London Wales London and it’s not too late to sign up for 2025’s biggest ride to Scotland and back...
Audax cycling
A different type of cycling
The Tour de Ricky series of cycling events are audax rides – and audax cycling is different. You’re given a route and a set of control points to visit with a maximum and minimum time; there’s no racing or much posing.
Rides are self supported although if you see another rider in trouble it’s traditional to offer help. “Supporters” on the road are specifically banned (and will get you disqualified) although your friends and family are very welcome to join you at the finish for a cake and a beer!
So, it’s Just a great day out in great company in great country. And at the end you have great memories and perhaps a few new friends.
Woodoaks Farm – our hosts for the day
We’re being hosted on 1 June at the Soil Association’ s Woodoaks Farm in Maple Cross. It’s a community friendly venue close to great transport links and with an onsite cafe for that vital coffee before the off and a microbrewery for a celebratory tipple at the end.
The Tea Shack
If you haven’t discovered The Tea Shack yet you are in for a treat. They serve great coffee and handmade cakes that are every cyclist’s dream. They’ll be open to set you up for the day.
Creative Juices Brewing Company
There’s a beer awaiting you when you get back at the end of your ride. Trade tales of daring and dawdling over an award winning ale.
Getting to the start
It’s just a short ride from Rickmansworth Station – parking is very limited so try to come by public transport if you can
Woodoaks Farm is at Denham Way, Rickmansworth, WD3 9XQ.
Rickmansworth station is just 22 minutes from London Marylebone on the Chiltern Line. It’s also served by the London Underground Metropolitan Line and there are links to Aylesbury and Watford.
Denham Station, with its links to Oxford and Birmingham is under four miles away.
It’s barely a mile from the Grand Junction Canal if you fancy sailing up from London or Birmingham.
If you’re coming from farther afield, there is very limited parking at the Farm which is close to Junction 17 of the M25.
Get involved
If you can’t ride or have other commitments you can join in the fun by volunteering. Even just an hour or so of your time could be invaluable and ensure the success of the day. We need marshals at the start and controllers to greet our riders at Mursley, Wilstone and Benson as well as welcome them back into the evening at Woodoaks Farm.
If you’re interested, email Liam, the organiser, using the contact form below.
Tour de Ricky 1 June 2024 – Brought to you by Willesden Cycling & Woodoaks Farm
1 June 2024 - A chance to get active 