Oxford Routes Database

I thought it would be useful to have a place for all Oxford people to post routes in and around/to/from Oxford that we've done. The idea being to share good routes and advice on routes. Hopefully this will be useful for anyone wanting a bit of inspiration for routes.

The more info the better in your posts, so if you can include crib sheets, instructions, locations of pubs, etc that would be great, but please post a link to the map of the route as a bare minimum. Also if you have any link to external sources (e.g. someone else's route that looks good) whack it in here.

So, what you got?

I am aware that there is already a routes database in the main rides and Races forum, but I thought an Oxford specific one would be useful for keeping everything Oxford related in one place.

Some of the links/routes I've posted below have been posted elsewhere by others so I'll try to give credit where it's due. I'm merely collating it to make reference easier.

I'll start with the ride I did yesterday evening with ali0sha:
[ame]http://ridewithgps.com/routes/158623[/ame
[/ame]
Directions from Carfax Tower:

1. Head along High St towards **The Plain
   **2. Take first exit at the roundabout - towards **Headington
   **3. **LEFT **at traffic lights onto Marston Road (B4150)
   
2. **LEFT **then **RIGHT **dog leg to stay on B4150
   
3. Cross over A40 (overpass) then RIGHT (towards Elsfield)
   
4. **RIGHT **at **B4027 **(towards Forest Hill)
   
5. 2nd LEFT towards Horton-cum-Studley
   
6. **LEFT **towards Boarstall
   
7. **RIGHT **onto B4011 towards Brill
   
8. 1st LEFT towards Brill
   
9. RIGHT at crossroads towards Brill
   *** Pub on the right hand side of the road - The Pheasant ***
   
10. **Right **towards Oakley
    
11. **RIGHT **onto B4011
    
12. **1st LEFT **towards Oakley
    
13. **RIGHT **onto **B4027 **then **LEFT **(dog-leg)
    
14. **LEFT **at T-junction towards Headington
    
15. Go straight over roundabout towards Oxford city centre
    
16. Take 3rd exit at the Plain roundabout towards Oxford centre
    
17. Arrive at Carfax Tower.
    
    

No massively steep hills, so comfortable on a fixed gear. Some nice quiet roads that would be even nicer in the sunshine. The pub we stopped at was nice, beer wasn't overpriced and the food looked good.

This blog has some good looking routes, but I haven't done any of them yet. Will report back if and when I do!
Thanks to sas for the link to that blog.

There's also a dedicated section of Squarewheels.org.uk just for the route between Oxford and Cambridge. It has comprehensive instructions for both directions, stories, photos etc. This is on my "to do" list of rides.

Yes, O -> C is definitely on the to do list.

Don't know how to embed maps but here is the GPS track of a 100mile jolly round the Cotswolds I did a couple of weeks ago. All on quiet lanes and through some beautiful villages.

http://connect.garmin.com/player/44712885

This is the GPS track of our actual route so includes a small detour to a local coop and one or two minor mistakes where we doubled back on ourselves but it'll give you the gist.

That looks like a good route, another one to go on the to do list!

Oxford Uni CC also have some good looking routes on their website. Again, I haven't done any of these yet but will update as and when I do.
Thanks to soperRiva for that link.

Here's a nice ride out to Marlow that I did earlier with ewanmacdonald and ali0sha. It's a bit of an "out and back" ride but plenty of opportunities to stop for drinks and food, and see some Red Kites.
There is a pub at Christmas Common that's quite nice, but aparrently get quite busy and will refuse to serve you food if they are fully booked (as they were today!)
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/183018

Sorry to resurrect this old thread. Anyone got a good route from london to oxford?

Yeah there was a forum ride from Richmond Green to Oxford last summer, let me dig out the route...
Here you go:http://ridewithgps.com/routes/79255

The route takes a bit of a detour through Marlowe, but you can just continue straight along the High Street, then Left onto A4155, then 1st right onto Oxford Road if you'd rather just cut straight through.

No worries about ressurrecting an old thread, it's reminded me to put up some more routes!

I've been riding a bit with Oxonian CC recently, so here are a couple of their routes. They tend to take the scenic route out to a cafe/garden centre and then a bit more of a direct route back. Rides leave just before 9am and aim to return to Oxford by 1pm, with a cafe stop at the half way point, so they aren't too long.
These were plotted from memory after the ride so are probably a bit wrong but here you go:

**Oxford - Burford - Oxford **http://ridewithgps.com/routes/221843

Oxford - Henley - Oxford http://ridewithgps.com/routes/227589

Oxford - Buckingham - Oxford http://ridewithgps.com/routes/237320

I didn't start in Oxford but this area is nice to explore.

If you look on a map, Witney, Chipping Norton and Burford form a triangle in the middle of which are lots of nice small roads and picturesque villages.

bloody hell that ramp up on the oxford/henley ride looks like a killer

The good news is there is no way around, you have to get over that ridge! Means there's loads of good climbing to be had :)

Hi all! Just wondering, has anyone ever cycled from London to Oxford along the canal? (or following the canal/towpaths for as long as possible, and quieter roads in between)...I've heard there is a 'classic route' like this but haven't been able to find it online...Anyone ever done it?
Was thinking of starting from the canal in the Kensal Rise area..
Any advice about good routes???

Hi all! Just wondering, has anyone ever cycled from London to Oxford along the canal? (or following the canal/towpaths for as long as possible, and quieter roads in between)...I've heard there is a 'classic route' like this but haven't been able to find it online...Anyone ever done it?
Was thinking of starting from the canal in the Kensal Rise area..
Any advice about good routes???

Are you thinking of the Thames Valley Sustrans route? It's about 100 miles via Reading, follows parts of the River Thames, and there's some rough bits but doable on a hybrid. It's a nice ride but not the most direct route.