Hi all. Despite origins nearer to Singletrack's homeland I now find myself living in Oxford and, more often than not, getting my bike fix thanks to my roadie. Things have to change! Can people suggest places near the city good for a ride on an evening? I can make my way to the Chilterns or south of London for a day out so the question's more to do with easily accessible local riding. Thanks!
There's a few Oxford based people who meet regularly on a Tuesday night alternately in east or west Oxford to ride some local trails. It's all very informal and the rides are not too technical. There's an occasional Chilterns foray thrown in now and again and someone is usually riding somewhere most weekends. Drop me an email (in profile) if you fancy joining us and I can let you know where and when we'll be out next week?
My mate lives in Oxford and has taken me out in the chilterns a bunch of times. Most of the rides have started from around nettle bed. There seems to be loads of bridle track to link up, but we always seem to spend a good bit of time lost/ looking at the map.
Oh and the mud is soul sapping beyond beleif in winter!
Good luck:)
I'm in Headington so usually just put the bike on the car and head out to Lewknor, Chinnor or Ibstone for an evening ride. I've got a load of GPX tracks if you want some inspiration.
I've not found much more locally other than Shotover. I'd be interested to know where others ride in and around Oxford.
http://www.oucycling.co.uk/mb-routes.htm
This saturday, here:
http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/ridgeway/article.asp?PageId=3&ArticleId=59
and
http://www.trailbreak.co.uk/southern_100s/index.php?go=eventinfo&event_id=313
Ridgeway, from Wantage all the way to Dunstable
Get the 2 Chiltern 1:25000 OS maps - loads of bridleways
Northerner also.
+1 for Chilterns. Head to Watlington/Nettlebed area and get exploring.
I've got a nice 30 mile route that I really need to stick on Mapmyride or somewhere similar. If I get round to it in the next week or so, I'll stick a linky on here.
doing this, this weekend.
http://www.bhf.org.uk/get_involved/take_part_in_our_events/event_finder/view_event.aspx?ps=1000792
Good way to meet people and explore some trails!
as Dr_ Baker (waves at Rog) said there is a reasonable group of us that ride, there is masses in the Chilterns, but for the evening ride then Shotover or boars Hill are great fun. If you fancy coming along drop Dr_Baker an e-mail and you can come along. There's an ace 30 mile ride from Watlington car park too.
Thanks guys - lots to think about here. Time to invest in some maps and send out some emails I reckon...
Plenty of riding in the chilterns, it varies quite a lot between the northern part towards Aston Hill, and the riding further south towards reading. I ride a lot in the southern part, would be happy to meet for a ride sometime? There's also plenty of routes south on the downs, along the ridgeway, but this is bin in terms of mileage, not very technical at all though.