Hi Guys n Gals.
I’ve arranged to meet up with my mate in Oxfordshire for a good days cycling in June. He’s only got a hybrid so looking for any off-road routes like sustrans routes, gravel paths, river paths or old railway lines, that sort of thing. I see national route 5 goes straight through Oxford so is there any cool places along that line? Thinking about 50-60 miles and we’d like to incorporate any outside areas of historical significance like battlefields or old cool churches or pubs, any lakes in the area? anything like that we’d consider. We’re going to be camping too so if you any suggestions for campsites near pubs would be great, the more rural the better.
thanks all.

If you start in Oxford you can follow the canal towpath, its pretty easy going and quite nice. So long as its not raining or wet.

Ive ridden from Banbury to Oxford via the tow path, its a nice ride and twists and turns a bit.

The Ridgeway would be the obvious answer.

Or the Thames towpath. Lots of pubs on the way.

Phoenix Trail from Thame. It’s an out and back, but pleasant. I’d second the canal option and possible train back (or vice versa).

Scutchamer Knob obviously. Loads of Grims Ditches, hill forts at Castle Hill and Uffington, long barrow at Wayland Smithy. All on The Ridgeway plus loads more to the north and south. Aim for Barbary Castle?

Some gorgeous villages and churches in the Chilterns. Stonor Park is well worth a visit but you need to check the opening times as it is a home, really interesting place in a beautiful setting.

Excellent, thanks for quick responses, a few ideas to go at there, thanks.

Ridgeway- I went exploring. Originally fancied a 1 hr ride then ended up 22 miles and 3 1/2 hrs later back at home. Great ride. Nothing challenging with lovely views. I joined it in Compton.

The ridgeway looks a winner, nice pictures: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ridgeway

Here’s a couple from my little outing. I didn’t have a map so I had no clue where I was. Just guestimating really. Turned out to be a great ride. Just measured the route- 29.5 miles.
http://instagram.com/p/Y965wpS1qC/
http://instagram.com/p/Y9-pEeS1tH/
http://instagram.com/p/Y97i4Cy1qf/
http://instagram.com/p/ZAaLvrS1tz/

ska-49 – Member
Ridgeway- I went exploring. Originally fancied a 1 hr ride then ended up 22 miles and 3 1/2 hrs later back at home. Great ride. Nothing challenging with lovely views. I joined it in Compton.

Lovely village 🙂

The Ridgeway is believed to be the oldest road in Europe. 8)

I’ve walked the length of it and have mtb’d much of it.

Cinnamon girl, say we’d camp at one place, cycle say 35 miles up it, have lunch & some beers then cycle back. Where would be the best village/place to start, what section is the most interesting?
thanks

Section from Avebury towards Swindon/Didcot really i guess. Nice views, nice hills.

jekkyl – a cursory glance at the map would suggest there’s no camp sites in the vicinity. I don’t camp so haven’t a clue and I believe, but not certain, that the youth hostel closed down.

Wild camping would definitely be a risk and perhaps not a sensible one. Probably the best thing to do is research camp sites first of all.

As regards what’s interesting, close together are Wayland’s Smithy (long barrow), Uffington Castle (hill fort) and the Uffington White Horse. Also there is Ashdown House that definitely used to be open to the public.

On the other hand, the start at Overton Hill means that opposite is the West Kennett long barrow then Avebury is close by as is Fyfield Down that has the best preserved Grey Wethers.

There’s loads of tracks that run off the Ridgeway, ie plenty of gallops around Lambourn so that means springy riding!

As I said above, checking where the camp sites are located would be a good starting point.

I feel quite envious!

Cinnamon girl, just as a conclusion to your previous post, it appears there is a campsite directly on the ridgeway at uffington, next to the horse. http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=4476
It’s a winner. & thanks everyone else

Perfect, well done for finding one in such an ideal location. 🙂

We will of course expect a full report with pics. 😀