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Sun Aug 11th 2024

Oxford Special - Urban Safari away day ride	1*

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 1:30 pm	Start Location: Seacourt Park and Ride, OX2 0HP
Description: A very special opportunity to use tracks, riverside and canalside paths and quiet streets to do a 20 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. New this time - the mysteries of Binsey! Parking is at the Seacourt Park and Ride on the Botley Road (bring £2.50 in coins or pay by card). Note there is a 2m height restriction on the entrance so let me know in advance if you have bikes on a roof rack for further instructions. I suggest parking in the newly opened far side of the car park, beyond the waiting room/ticket machine area - plenty of space and a nice car free exit. Note you need to pay within 10 minutes of arrival. We use the separated bike track on Botley Road initially, then we take the fascinating Binsey Lane up into the heart of Port Meadow with the Perch pub and lonely St Margaret's church with its mysterious Treacle Well. This is followed by a track to the Thames at Bossoms Boatyard, across Port Meadow, the canal towpath 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 Oxford Brookes University campus (including an unexpected manor house), a swoop down to Florence Park and Iffley Village and a final section of beautiful riverside towpath. Some of the tracks will be a little rough in places, but all bikes should be OK. Optional coffee stop in the new development at Botley to finish. Really interesting - don't miss it! 20 miles at a leisurely pace - 10 or 11 mph.
Riders: Anke Otto Calum Clark Carin Tranter Diana Whidborne John Tranter Nick Portsmouth Patrick O'Leary Pauline Clark Riders = 8 Weather: Report: A baking hot afternoon, so thanks to those brave enough to join. In the event we were quite often in shade and generating our own breeze, so not too bad. This was a new version of a classic ride, and we started with an exploration of Binsey and in particular the churchyard of the ancient church of St Margaret of Antioch with its mysterious treacle well. We then took a great track across to the Thames and traversed Port Meadow to Jericho before a lovely run north on the canal towpath. Unfortunately in Wolvercote Calum had a bad mechanical problem and decided to limp back to the car. The rest of us explored Summertown, the wonderful Marston Ferry cyclepath and the exclusive quiet roads up the side of Headington Hill. An emergency stop at Oxford Bookes for shade, drinks and ice cream didn't entirely work as the shop's freezer had broken, but it certainly helped! We then headed across South Parks, down past Florence Park to Iffley Village and back along the river paths to the cars. A lot packed into a short ride! Thanks to all for joining me.
Distance: 28.97 km (18.00 mi)
1* urban safari at Binsey church and the treacle well 1* urban safari at Binsey church and the treacle well 1* urban safari ride crossing the Thames at Port Meadow 1* urban safari ride at Headington Hill Hall 1* urban safari ride at Iffley Lock 1* urban safari ride by the College boathouses 1* urban safari ride crossing the Oxford Canal
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/47813664"
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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