Heists, Batman and a Brompton: Cycling the Chilterns

Join me on a Brompton adventure through the Chilterns as we visit the infamous site of the Great Train Robbery and the cinematic home of Batman (Mentmore Towers). In my new series exploring Jack Thurston’s ‘Lost Lanes South’, we are taking the Brompton 43 miles on the Chilterns Rendezvous Route through the heart of the Chilterns.

Starting in Harpenden, we head toward the serene Whipsnade Tree Cathedral before a fast descent toward Bridego Bridge. This is the spot where, in 1963, a gang of 15 men used nothing more than a glove and a battery to stop the mail train and pull off the Great Train Robbery.

After diving into the history of the “Heist of the Century,” we climb toward the magnificent Mentmore Towers. You might recognise this 1850s masterpiece—it doubled as Wayne Manor in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins.

We finish the day with a golden hour climb up Ivinghoe Beacon and a sunset ride through the Ashridge Estate, eventually navigating the dark country lanes back to Harpenden.

Ride Stats:
* Bike: Brompton C-Line
* Distance: 43 Miles
* Route Source: Lost Lanes South by Jack Thurston – https://amzn.to/3Zpz40F
* Key Landmarks: Whipsnade Tree Cathedral, Mentmore Towers, Ivinghoe Beacon.

🚵‍♂️ Thanks so much for watching 🚵‍♂️

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🚲⛺️ GEAR LIST
The gear list below is what I use on my Brompton adventures and contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that Adventures and River make a small commission at no cost to you.

BIKE 🚲
Brompton C Line: https://c.c8.io/ehc8G9Q

BAGS 💼
Brompton Borough Bag Large: https://amzn.to/4lGVd3T
Vincita Frame bag: https://amzn.to/3G6GpfL
Vincita Big Nash Bag: https://amzn.to/403JJip

BROMPTON ACCESSORIES: 🚲
• Brompton Rear Rack: https://c.c8.io/oC5bq1E
• Easy Roller Wheels: https://c.c8.io/HOyL2Br
• Brooks C17 Saddle in Black: https://amzn.to/4mp0Un2
• Brooks Carabina Ergonomic Grips: https://amzn.to/46r44k3
• Beeline Velo2 Navigation Display: https://amzn.to/3KvNCaM
• Leather Luggage Pull: https://amzn.to/4grwa3a
• Bee Seen Lights: https://c.c8.io/bgxhyQC
• Brompton Tool Kit: https://c.c8.io/e5r8KN1

PUMP/PRESSURE GAUGE ⭐️
Leyzne 160 PSI Pump: https://amzn.to/3HUS5mt
AstroAI Tyre Pressure Gauge: https://amzn.to/4emfI3p

#BromptonAdventure #Chilterns #GreatTrainRobbery #CyclingUK #FoldingBike #BatmanLocations #AdventureCycling #BromptonLife

Chapters:
0:00 Highlight Intro
0:18 Intro to The Chilterns Rendezvous
2:58 First Obstacle
4:21 Whipnade Tree Cathedral
5:26 Dunstable Downs
6:09 All the Flags
6:59 The Great Train Robbery: How they did it
8:08 Mentmore Towers: Visiting “Wayne Manor”
9:02 Arriving at Ivinghoe
9:39 Climbing Ivinghoe Beacon at Golden Hour
10:42 Sunset in Ashridge Estate
11:23 The last leg
18:30 Night riding back to Harpenden