Preface
“Few have anything like an adequate idea of how rich in beauty and interest is the country comprised roughly in a radius of from twenty to thirty miles from London.”
In April 1902 Charles Harper11Charles G. Harper (1863–1943) wrote and drew a whole shelf of books about England’s old roads, from The Brighton Road to The Holyhead Road. finished the preface to Cycle Rides Round London: twenty rides out from the edge of the city, which he wrote and illustrated himself. From 2027 I’m riding all twenty again, on a Brompton, with his book in my bag.
Some of what he saw is still there. Some has gone, and something else happened in between. Each ride will get a page here, with a map, photographs taken where he stood to draw, and a film.
Follow the journey
It’s free. Each new ride arrives by email, through Patreon.
Contents
- 1Chenies and the Milton CountryHarper’s page 1Not ridden yet
- 2Surbiton to LeatherheadHarper’s page 22Not ridden yet
- 3Ightham Mote and the Vale of MedwayHarper’s page 36Not ridden yet
- 4The Darenth and the CraysHarper’s page 53Not ridden yet
- 5Croydon to Knockholt Beeches and the Kentish CommonsHarper’s page 63Not ridden yet
- 6In Old-World EssexHarper’s page 75Not ridden yet
- 7Among the Essex HillsHarper’s page 86Not ridden yet
- 8Abinger, Leith Hill, and DorkingHarper’s page 97Not ridden yet
- 9Ripley and the Surrey CommonsHarper’s page 111Not ridden yet
- 10Rural MiddlesexHarper’s page 121Not ridden yet
- 11Under the North DownsHarper’s page 131Not ridden yet
- 12The Suburban ThamesHarper’s page 155Not ridden yet
- 13The Southern Suburbs: Kingston to Ewell, Warlingham, and CroydonHarper’s page 169Not ridden yet
- 14Ewell to Merstham, Godstone, and LingfieldHarper’s page 177Not ridden yet
- 15Hever Castle, Penshurst, and TonbridgeHarper’s page 186Not ridden yet
- 16To Stoke Poges and Burnham BeechesHarper’s page 199Not ridden yet
- 17Dartford to Rochester, Aylesford, and Borough GreenHarper’s page 218Not ridden yet
- 18Middlesex and Hertfordshire BywaysHarper’s page 231Not ridden yet
- 19The Back Way to BrightonHarper’s page 251Not ridden yet
- 20Barking to Southend and SheppeyHarper’s page 260Not ridden yet
Not ridden yet. The circles fill in as the rides are done.