Mardyke

Ride Level: Blue - Moderate

All bikes | GPX Route | Gravel | 52 km / 32 miles 

This is a surprisingly good route, I admit, it looks a tad grim on the map, however, don't let that put you off, it's a great ride on surprisingly well-made gravel with some amazing fast-flowing descents, well worth the trek out there.

Any questions? Contact me 

Ride Description

Start at the modest classic 1930's styled Harold Wood Station (on the Lizzie Line) and in minutes you're deep in the woods and history on Tylers Common- remember the peasants' revolt 1381? 

Follow on past Warley, through Donkey Wood, Kents Wood, then head yonder over Scrub Hill till you get to Jury Hill, Pidgeon Mount till Cockridden Farm - don't you love the names? This section is on beautifully prepared gravel paths, fairly undulating and fast, it's an exhilarating ride. 

Join the main road and ride through West Horndean before joining the Mardyke, an underwhelming drainage ditch that runs south towards the Dartford Crossing and Thames across lonely, and when I rode it, headwind swept farmland. 

The route winds under the M2/A13 junction before running aside the M25 into a patchwork of nearly established woods, all interconnected with bike-friendly gravel paths that eventually lead you into Upminister. 

Boring bit through Upminister - if the Upminister Tythe Barn 'Museum of Nostalgia' is open, it's well worth a look, fascinating collection of, well, stuff the only word for it. 

Try this route - it's fun, avoid winter cos the Mardyde is muddy and bleak, but its a great Summer ride out.

Start and End Points 

Start and finish: Harold Wood  Railway Station

Ride Details 

• Distance: 52 km | 32 miles
• Climb: 390 m | 1270 ft 
• Percentage off-road: 63%
• Trail surface: Gravel paths
• Technical Grade: Blue, riders need some off-road experience 
• Mudometer - Summer and dry months - the Mardyke can be a slog in wet weather. 

Is this ride for me? 

Reasonable strenuous, riders should be able to ride a couple of hours at a steady pace 

Is my bike OK for this ride? 

Suitable for all off-road bikes - gravel, mountain or cyclocross bikes