Past Ride
We send details of upcoming rides in a weekly email newsletter. If you would like to be added to our mailing list please contact [javascript protected email address].
Sat Jul 26th 2025
| 2* Saturday All-Day Ride to Burford | 2* |
|---|
Leader:Steve Swanton |
Start Time:9:30 am |
Start Location:OMH |
Description:A longer all-day 2* ride to Burford and the Windrush Valley, one of my favourite areas to cycle in Oxfordshire. We'll head out via Faringdon and Clanfield with a morning refreshment stop at Blake's (giving the option of a shorter ride for those that can't make all-day). We'll continue along the lovely single-track Calcroft Lane to Langford and then on to Little Barrington. There we will join another lovely undulating single-track lane through to Burford. We'll have lunch at the Priory Tearoom.After lunch we'll continue along the Windrush Valley to Swinford and Minster Lovell and then return to Grove via Brize Norton, Bampton and Buckland. Optional ice cream stop in Bampton, if it's hot. A round-trip of about 54 miles to be taken at a steady 2* pace, a few ups and downs along the way, but not particularly hilly for the distance covered. Please let me know if you are interested in coming to gauge numbers for lunch. This will be an all-day ride (65-90km / 40-55 miles), with a an elevenses and a later lunch stop, at a steady 2* riding pace of 18-20km/h (11-13mph). |
||
Riders:Anke OttoBarry Stanton David Jackson Nick Portsmouth Pauline Clark Roger Postbeschild Steve Swanton Riders = 7 Weather:   Report:It was pleasing to find our series of 2* all-day rides continuing to garner good support. Seven riders set off under overcast skies into another of those irritating summer headwinds. Smooth riding across the Vale to Fernham before our first climb of the day over the hill to Little Coxwell. A brief shower warranted a pause to don rain gear, but it soon passed as we entered Faringdon via the new pedestrian/cycle crossing of the A420. Once we’d navigated our way through town, we enjoyed the lovely descent to the Thames, over Radcot Bridge, and the short ride on to Blake’s for coffee. Despite busy-ness, quick service as usual, and cinnamon buns were considerately served in paper bags as wasp protection!Our route continued into unfamiliar territory for some. We passed several groups of cyclists on the delightful Calcroft Lane (incl. Louise out with Farcycles), but no sighting of Henry Cole, today. After Filkins, the single-track road to the Barringtons was surprisingly busy, requiring us to give way at passing places on several occasions. Once over the A40, we tempered our descent into Little Barrington in anticipation of the sharp right as we entered the village. The rolling ride along the narrow lane to Upton afforeded frequent glimpses across the Windrush valley with Burford church spire eventually appearing ahead of us above the meadows and trees. Soon we were in Burford. We descended the back way around Priory Road to emerge on the High St. opposite Priory Tearooms. Sadly, their garden at the rear was closed off but there was room inside, the main issue was cycle parking. Eventually, we sorted ourselves out and relaxed over our lunches. Burford was busy. So it was rather satisfying to pass a long line of traffic as we wended our way out of town after lunch. The sun finally came out as we rode gently along to Swinbrook. We crossed the Windrush before the first of our three afternoon climbs, up to the wold, giving great views southward. From Asthall Leigh, there was a great descent into the valley before Minster Lovell. Back across the river and immediately up traversing the slopes to reach the new village. The road through Brize Norton and on to Bampton is gently downhill for most of the way, so we took advantage to stretch our legs at a higher speed. A good excuse for an ice cream/banana stop on reaching Bampton. The drama of the day came on the familiar final leg. First, Barry punctured in Buckland, which was eventually fixed with Roger’s assistance. Then rejoining the waiting group on the other side of the A420, I put my foot down onto some melted tarmac, pulling up a clod of road when pushing off. Unable to clip in, I stopped and while trying to dislodge the tar from my shoe, lost balance and ignominiously fell gently sideways onto the verge. Fortunately, a soft landing! No further incidents and we were back in Grove at 4:15pm. Thanks to a great group for a thoroughly enjoyable ride. Thanks to Roger for sweeping and to Anke for the pics. | ||
Distance:87.23 km (54.20 mi) | ||
   | ||
| Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51785517" | ||
Comment on this ride | ||
- Ride Filter
- Categories
- 1* - Suitable for irregular, social, beginner or family riders, pace will match the slower riders. Not hilly or long. Expect rides up to 3 hours. Gentle exercise.
- 2* - Suitable for regular riders who prefer to cover some distance but at a more relaxed pace. Likely to be half-day rides. Solid exercise.
- 3* - Suitable for experienced riders, may be hilly, long, quick, or any combination! Likely to be half or full-day rides. Challenging exercise.
- 4* - Suitable for athletic riders who can ride safely above the 3* standard. Quick rides for the fit.
-
More Information
- Recent Rides
-
Ride has photos
-
Ride has
comments
-
Ride Archive
*
© Cycling UK Wantage 2025, PHP v7.4.29
