The London Revolution was an annual two-day cycling event that circumnavigated the M25 motorway. Starting from Stratford in East London, the race took riders to Windsor on the first stage before heading back to Stratford in a clockwise direction. Whilst the event is currently on hold, the route is a London cycling classic that’s perfect for a long weekend.

The route follows the arc of the motorway, utilising the best roads nearby to make for a memorable cycling experience. It’s a stunning route that takes in many of the Home Counties via the Green Belt, on quiet country roads, either side of the M25.

I’ve also used my own experience of riding the route and the wider area to further improve it, by diverting off the ‘official’ route when I think a more pleasant or interesting option is available. I’ve extended the official 155-mile (249 km) route into a four-stage loop of 161 miles (259 km), which affords ample time to explore the area.

Starting in Stratford, as the official route does, you’ll head directly south through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel and out to the Kent countryside, meeting up with the M25 for the first time. From here, you’ll follow the motorway into the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and then around to Berkshire hotspots Windsor, Eton and Dorney.

Heading north alongside the most western stretch of the M25, you’ll enjoy rolling Berkshire lanes as you cross over into Buckinghamshire and enter the fantastic Chiltern Hills AONB. The final stage traverses the Green Belt above North London, passing commuter towns and villages, before crossing the M25 for the final time and following canal and bike paths through Walthamstow and back to Stratford.

The official London Revolution route requires riders to camp at Windsor, so I’d highly recommend bikepacking the route and camping along the way. However, I’ve provided accommodation options at the end of each stage if you don’t want to camp. There are also fantastic cafe and lunch stops provided for you to refuel and relax during each stage.

I’ve included the full route in this Collection so you can adjust it to your requirements. You may wish to extend the route to encompass the entire M25, but keep in mind that cyclists are unable to ride across the Dartford Crossing over the Thames. To cross, use the yellow telephones located on either side at Essex Point or Kent Point to request a free pick-up service.