Thursday 2nd April 2026
The London to Leigh-On-Sea night ride, which replaces the original London to Southend ride, and is an ideal ride for those who have been thinking of doing a night ride but are daunted by the thought of riding through the night. Starting from Fridays Central (The National Theatre on Southbank) at midnight, but please arrive by 23:30 for rider registration and safety briefing.
At only 85km, just over 50 imperial miles, the ride to Leigh-On-Sea, is the shortest of our night rides and also one of the flattest, with less than 640 meters of elevation. The route misses everything that could be remotely classed as a hill (until a short climb near the end) and is a ride really suitable for less experienced riders.
We'll run through the tranquility of East London before arriving in the Essex countryside along gently rolling lanes towards our new “Bring Your Own” halfway stop at Tipps Corner. Your non-refundable £5 refreshment fee covers hall hire, hot drinks and cake, but please bring your own picnic - sandwiches / sausage rolls etc.
Suitably refreshed, we'll set off into the dawn toward wonderful Leigh On Sea, with its cobbled street, cockle sheds, boats and the seaside. We'll aim to arrive in Leigh On Sea between 08:30 and 09:00 for breakfast, maybe a beer or two and to sit in the warm sun content with our achievements and to plan future adventures.
You'll be supported on the ride by a team of very able Tail End Charlies (TEC’s) who on the whole can fix the most bizarre mechanicals, so nothing to worry about as we roll through the Essex lanes chatting among ourselves and watching the countryside wake up.