Our store rides, events and local route inspiration
Whether you’re new to the local area and looking to explore or a seasoned rider with lots of experience and knowledge, we’ve got you covered for all your riding needs. From wild ride outs and full gas chain gangs, to leisurely and pleasant outings to hone out your skills, we organise regular rides starting from the store or the local area.
If you’re not looking to join a group and prefer to ride solo, we have a list of local routes for your to look at and discover our beautiful local countryside.
Ashford & Folkestone Gravel Ride – Monthly Monday evening for local experienced gravel riders
Join Howard, our local trails expert, on our Activ Cycles monthly gravel rides. The rides will be a combination of roads and bridleways suited to gravel bikes, using Howard’s unrivalled knowledge of the local terrain.
The rides are suitable for experienced gravel riders and will last around 2 hrs at an average speed of 12mph. Gravel bikes are the order if the day: Howard will be on his Trek Boone and Ian on his Cervélo Aspero. Joining us on a mountain bike would be challenging as road and fast gravel sections average about 15-16mph.
If you would like to attend our gravel ride, please email us on ashford@activcycles.co.uk with your name, phone number and emergency contact so we have an idea of numbers. In case of cancellation, we will contact you in advance.
The details are:
- Second Monday of each month
- Next ride is scheduled for Monday 20th of March starting at 6.30pm
- Black horse at Monks Horton
- Average speed 12mph, experienced gravel riders only
- Helmets are compulsory, as are good lights front and rear.
- Bikes need to be in good working order (If not, click here!)
We started off in Brabourne and wound through the bridleways to Port Lympne. A challenging downhill path through the zoo (sadly the giraffes were not out) took us to the bridleway by the military canal.
Ian, Activ Cycles
British Cycling Breeze Rides with ACTiV: Women-led, women-only introduction to cycling
Ladies, would you like to get out and enjoy cycling in this beautiful part of Kent? But, for any number of reasons, feel anxious about cycling? Perhaps you are new to cycling, returning to cycling or getting used to a new bike? These rides are for you!
Led by experienced local ride leader Fiona Baker, Breeze with ACTiV is friendly, relaxed and confidence building. We do not rush or race – it takes as long as it takes and no one gets left behind! We do not worry about crunching gears: if a chain comes off, we put it back on. Puncture? We help you fix it! Hills? We go as far as we are comfortable, stop, get our breath back and even walk! We are also happy to help unload and reload your bike from your car.
There’s no need for specialist kit, just comfortable clothes and a helmet.
Sign up for future rides on the Breeze site here, and for more information on Breeze Rides head over here.
Local Riding – Our Recommendations
Whether you’re new to cycling, new to town, or simply passing through, this is your first stop on the way to the best riding around Kent. With countless years of combined local knowledge, we’re on hand to lead you straight to the highlights.
Mountain Bike Routes
Viking Trail
Oyster Bay Trail
St. Margaret’s Bay
East Coast Castle Tour (Richborough to Dover)
Rye to Lydd Loop
Chalk & Channel Way (Folkestone to Dover)
MTB from Timberbatts at Bodsham
MTB Clifftop Ride
MTB Honest Miller at Brook
MTB Pluckley Loop from Shadoxhurst
MTB Blean Woods from Dunkirk
MTB Hamstreet Woods from Warehorne
MTB Denton Loop
Kings wood (Short) (Medium) (Longer)
Warren Run
Wye Loop
Gravel Routes
Crab & Winkle Way
Wear Bay & Eagles Nest (Lower Leas Coastal Park)
Covert Woods
West Wood
Gravel Ride from Brabourne
Gravel from Littlebourne
Gravel from Hythe to Woodchurch
Road Bike Routes
Great Local trail centers and cycling venues
Hot spots for cyclists of all abilities. whether it be smooth, traffic free tarmac track or off road single track, these venues have it all!
Bedgebury Forest
Betteshanger Country Park
Cyclopark
Unmissable Café Stops
The weekly club run wouldn’t be the same without a good café stop. Here are our regular haunts – bike-friendly, and top notch refuelling!
Miss Mollett’s High Class Tea Room, Appledore
Independent Pedaler, Bridge
Shellys Tearooms, Chilham
The Coffee Cabin, Lyminge
Viking Ship Café, Pegwell Bay
Amy’s Pantry, Tenterden
Tadpole Teamroom, Bishopsbourne
Teapot Island, Maidstone
Little bull, Brenchley
Amy’s Pantrey, Tenterden
Silcocks Farm Shop and Cafe, Rye
Mermaid street cafe, Rye
Foodie’s Emporium, North Street, Headcorn
Rodmersham Coffee Shop, Rodmersham
Frankies Farmshop, Cross-at-Hand
The Old Post Office Coffee House, Marden
Hartley Coffee House and Farm Shop, Hartley Road, Cranbrook
Rare breeds centre Restaurant, Woodchurch
Waterside Cafe, Hastings Road, Hawkhurst
The Hub @ Quarry Farm, Robertsbridge
Local Kent Cycling Clubs
Joining a cycling club is a great way to find new routes, train for events, get into racing and simply rub shoulders with other people passionate about cycling. Kent has some great clubs that offer members weekly club rides, youth training (“Go Ride”), time trialling, MTB and cyclocross racing, as well as road racing.
Ashford Road CC
Ashford Wheelers CC
Ashford Tri Club
Bedgebury CC
Canterbury Bicycle Club
CT1 Canterbury Triathlon Club
Deal Tri
Folkestone CC
Folkestone Velo Club
Club Grappa
Hythe Cycling Club
K20 CC
Medway Velo
Rye & District Wheelers
San Fairy Ann CC
Southborough & District Wheelers
Thanet RC
VC Deal
Wigmore CC
