Cycling UK Logo
  • Home
  • Rides
  • Statistics
  • Route Sheets
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Cafes
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Log in

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].

Sun Aug 12th 2018
1* ride from Botley - OXFORD SPECIAL 1*
Leader:
John Tranter
Start Time:
2:00 pm
Start Location:
Botley shopping centre - bottom of Cumnor Hill
Description:
WEATHER UPDATE: 12 noon, SUNDAY
OK - I am cautiously optimistic that the worst of the rain has passed. The ride is ON!!


A very special opportunity to use tracks, riverside and canalside paths and quiet streets to do a 17 mile 'urban safari' around Oxford. This ride really gives a remarkable insight into some hidden corners of this complex city and is almost entirely traffic free. This is an away-day ride, run at a beginner 1* pace. Meet in the car park behind the shops at the bottom of Cumnor Hill. Donâᅵᅵt be put off by the building work! Parking here is unrestricted on Sundays. We use the lovely track from North Hinksey to get to Osney Mead, then up the river, across Port Meadow to the canal, up to Wolvercote and then through the exclusive back streets of leafy Summertown until we get to the Marston Ferry Road. Then there is a fascinating series of hidden tracks and roads through to the Brooks University campus (including an unexpected manor house), then a swoop down to Florence Park and a final section of beautiful riverside towpath. Some of the tracks will be rough in places, so this is not the ride for carbon super bikes. Mountain bikes would actually work as well as hybrids for this.

Really interesting - don't miss it!

17 miles at a leisurely pace - 10 or 11 mph.
Riders:
Alvaro Rey
Carin Tranter
Diana Whidborne
John Tranter
Lorna Swanton
Martyn Wigmore
Steve Swanton
Riders = 7

Weather:
white cloudblack low cloud
Report:
After a lot of anguishing over weather forecasts, it all turned out fine. No sun, but definitely no rain, which was a lot more important, The ground was a little wet and slippery in places, but on the whole the route was fine.

It was great to see a valiant group turning up at Botley, despite the weather uncertainty. All went according to plan, except for a slip and a fall for Carin along an overgrown section of the Oxford Canal towpath. Nothing too serious, although we had a bunged up mudguard to try to fix along the way.

The usual highlights were as interesting as ever - the river, the canal, the wealthy backstreets and of course the extraordinary Headington Hill Hall. The final section of river towpath was enlivened by the sight of an eights rowing boat in the colours of Wolfson/St Cross Colleges - it was nice for me to chat to some of my students as they moored by the boathouse.

Thanks to all for your company!
Distance:
27.36 km (17.00 mi)
Ride Details:
https://ridewithgps.com/trips/26585898
negotiating the bridge over the cut between the Thames and the Oxford canal.
negotiating the bridge over the cut between the Thames and the Oxford canal.
Port Meadow 1* moment.
Port Meadow 1* moment.
Leaving the Oxford canal towpath at Wolvercote.
Leaving the Oxford canal towpath at Wolvercote.
Leaving the Oxford canal towpath at Wolvercote.
Leaving the Oxford canal towpath at Wolvercote.
Headington Hill Hall selfie.
Headington Hill Hall selfie.
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/21484653"
Comment on this ride

Ride Filter
Start Locations
WMP
Wantage Market Place
OMH
Old Mill Hall, Grove
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
Ride Calendar
« Jun 2025 »
MoTuWeThFrSaSu
1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30
Recent Rides
Thu Jun 5th 2025
—Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
26km 3 riders Ride has photos
—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
38km 7 riders

Tue Jun 3rd 2025
—Tuesday Evening 1* Ride
23km 4 riders
—Tuesday evening off-road rides suspended UFN
—Tuesday Evening 2* Ride
35km 9 riders
—Tuesday Evening 3* Ride
36km 5 riders Ride has photos

Sat May 31st 2025
—5th Saturday Special
101km 8 riders

Thu May 29th 2025
—Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
30km 10 riders Ride has photos

Tue May 27th 2025
—RIDE CANCELLED - Tuesday Evening 1* Ride & Pub Night
—RIDE CANCELLED - Off Road Tuesday Evening Pub Ride
—RIDE CANCELLED - Tuesday Evening 2* Pub Ride
—RIDE CANCELLED - Tuesday Evening 3* Pub Ride

Mon May 26th 2025
—May Bank Holiday Special
84km 4 riders

Sun May 25th 2025
—Sunday Off Road Ride. Icknield Way, The Ridgeway, Wilts & Berks Canal.
34km 2 riders Ride has photos

Sat May 24th 2025
—2* All-Day Ride to Marlborough
99km 3 riders
—Ad hoc 3* Saturday Afternoon Half Day
61km 4 riders

Thu May 22nd 2025
—Daytime 1* Thursday Ride
29km 6 riders Ride has photos
—Daytime 2* Thursday Ride
52km 11 riders

Tue May 20th 2025
—Tuesday Evening 1* Ride
16km 4 riders
—Off Road Tuesday Evening Ride
—Tuesday Evening 2* Ride
—Tuesday Evening 3* Ride
34km 11 riders Ride has photos

Sat May 17th 2025
—1* Saturday Half-Day Ride - Awayday from Standlake
31km 11 riders
—Regular Wantage Ride
92km 6 riders

Ride has photos Ride has photos
Ride has comments Ride has comments

Ride Archive

*

© Cycling UK Wantage 2025, PHP v7.4.29

Our Facebook Group Blog RSS Feed

Valid XHTML 1.0 Strict