Good Omens - The London Orbital 300km Audax
Date: 5 June 2027
More information to follow early 2027...
Route description (informative)
Organized by Verulam CC, the "Good Omens" 300km Audax is a formidable self-supported challenge that tests both endurance and spirit. The journey begins at 7:00 AM from the Sandridge Scout Hut in St Albans, where riders set off on a grand loop around the capital.
The Opening: From the Chilterns to the Surrey Hills
Starting from Sandridge, the route turns right onto Sandridge Road, climbing steadily away from St Albans. Riders soon trade the bustle of the city for narrow lanes, beginning the ascent into the Chilterns. After passing Hemel Hempstead, the climbing intensifies as the route traverses this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The first major milestone is Windsor, where the historic town and castle provide a picturesque backdrop for the first control stop. From here, a short transition leads to Windsor Great Park—a traffic-free haven for cycling. Entering through Ranger's Gate and exiting via Blacknest Gate, riders make their way toward the Surrey Hills, widely considered the "gem" of the ride.
The route winds through Chobham and Pirbright before crossing the Hog's Back. Here, the landscape transforms into the quintessential Surrey Hills country lanes. After a control stop in Elstead, the ride completes its crossing of this National Landscape, dropping off the North Downs into the enjoyable cycling terrain of the Weald.
The Crossing: the Weald and North Downs
The journey continues east through charming towns like Ewhurst and Hever, with an interlude at Horley where more shops and cafes are available for refuelling: be prepared to search twice for the railway underpass entrance!
On reaching the southeastern corner of the route at Leigh, the direction shifts north for a sustained ten-mile climb back over the North Downs, including the locally renowned ascent through Ivy Hatch and up Exedown Hill.
As riders approach Dartford, the environment becomes increasingly urban and technical. Navigating the M25/A282 interchange leads to the Dartford Crossing pop-up control. At this critical 210km mark, a shuttle service transports cyclists through the Dartford Tunnel.
The Final Stretch: Essex to Hertfordshire
Emerging on the north side of the Thames, the route winds through the Lakeside area before the urban sprawl gives way to rural Essex. Riders head toward the Billericay info control, marking the easternmost point of the journey.
Quiet Essex lanes guide the way into the night, skirting Harlow for a final resupply. The last major hurdle is the sustained climb from the Lee Valley at Broxbourne, passing Paradise Wildlife Park before dropping into Welham Green and Colney Heath. The circle finally closes back at the Sandridge Scout Hut, completing this audacious London 312km circuit of the capital.
