Oxford - who and what

Oxford to Didcot is a nice ride and mostly flat. Bear in mind you can often cross the river at locks on the Thames, which google maps won't mention e.g. at Sandford, Dorchester. This can provide more interesting/efficient routes. The stopping train from Reading to Didcot is a bit slow. B480 out of Oxford is a boring main road, not too busy but good for a straight fast run. A builder in a white van once threw his tea cup at me on that road.

There is a Sustrans cycle route all the way to Reading from Oxford approx 38 miles, nice and quiet. I would skip the bit around Abingdon by the river and this would cut a few miles. Great rides in that area, and some decent hills towards the chilterns.

Well we spent the weekend getting the flat sorted, and it wasn't until last night that I realised I had no idea how I was going to get to work. No internet so couldn't check train times, couldn't check the routes on google maps, but I thought I could remember one of the roads I needed to take. So I whipped out the A-Z to find out how to get onto the B480, and set the alarm for 6.

It was pretty damn icy this morning, rear wheel span out a few times and I went sideways more than once. As I approached a corner a car coming the other way span out, hit the verge and rolled into a ditch! Luckily no one was hurt so after stopping to ensure all were ok and they had someone coming to help I continued on my way.

My speedo froze up and the display is unreadable so I had no idea how far I'd gone, or what the time was. But the sun was coming up and the sky was clear. I was starting to tire a little when I see a sign - "Reading 4". Nice, almost at work, just hoping I'm not massively late.

Ended up getting to work at about half 8. 2 hours to do 30 miles isn't exactly a good time, but given the conditions and the car in the ditch, it's not too bad. There wasn't much traffic until I was almost in Reading, and no one seemed to mind me hogging the road to avoid the ice. The hills weren't massive, and there weren't that many. All in all, a good ride.

Anyone fancy an early morning train and a long ride home?
http://www.lfgss.com/thread38641.html

possibly will have too see if I'm free nearer the time.

Yo Oxford, I need an email address from one person on the Oxford team in the Manchester UK champs please

anyones?

If anyone hasn't been to polo before I'd definately recommend heading along. Everyone was friendly and welcoming and it's good fun (even if you're crap, like me!).

Was good to meet you guys, thanks!

Was really good that you came down, had a good number as well about 8 i think! Hopefully see you soon!

Yo Oxford, I need an email address from one person on the Oxford team in the Manchester UK champs please

I thought I gave you my email?

Rain forecast for this evening, will polo be on?

We've had insufficient people recently, so I doubt it'll be on.

Shame. If it's dry I'll swing by to see if anyone's about. If no one's about I'll go for a spin so it wont be a wasted trip.

You can avoid the 13 bends of death by doing a left at the Fox, then taking the second right into Gallowstree Common. In fact, you can take minor roads that run parallel to it all the way, providing you leave Wallingford a bit differently.

B480 is a very, very steep hill. Chapeau if you can do that route on a fixed gear.

I'm not commuting on the fixed, and I don't think I'd get up that hill if I was! Good fun coming back down it though :)
I tried a longer route to work earlier in the week, 45 miles and found a really nice hill to ride up. Lemme find the route...
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/59132

It's the one about 16 miles in. Just keeps on going up and around and up and up some more, but not too steep.

Very nice! I'm a Henley boy originally, there's some great riding around there.

Hey up, a wee introduction from me...

I'm mainly based out west of Oxford (Witney area) and do most of my training around the Cotswolds and Vale where there is some beautiful riding! I also commute in and out of Oxford on my fixed most days.

I ride an old two tone Ricardo frame (Black and white frame, White rear tyre, white bar tape, black and white front tyre) and can be seen attempting to trackstand up and down the Botley Road most mornings and evenings, usually wearing an orange waterproof.

Recently I've been locking up next to a gorgeous baby blue fixie: 'Bonanza' on the down tube and white wheels - belong to anyone on here?

hey, i think the bonanza is lucs, has it got a brooks saddle and two chainrings? if so it is. he isnt on here but i play polo with him.

Hi! My name is Jase and I live in Oxford. I'm tall and ginger(ish) and ride a blue Sixar. I try and acknowledge most fixed folk in Oxford but feel free to say hello if you see me about. I also work saturdays at The Oxford Cycle Workshop and tuesday evenings at the training centre on Glanville road, running the members night.
That is all ;)

Been away from the forum for a while ( my hasn't the Oxford bit grown ! )
I'm from Abingdon but have been riding into Oxford a lot recently on my days off ( riding a langster not otp tho ) to grag a coffee @Zappi's and then generally hoof about a bit .
Any events , alleycats etc going on soon ?

just moved back for the holidays from london. was wondering if anyone is up for some big rides around and about oxford? oxford - hook norton brewery?

I have no idea where Hook Norton brewery is, but I'd be up for some longer rides. Either heading out in the evening or at weekends would be good for me. I'll have to be on the geared bike though, the FG rattles a lot and I haven't got around to sorting it yet. Not sure I trust it on a long ride.

I really need to get out and explore some of the roads to the North, East, and West of Oxford. Only really ride South towards Reading (to work) and around the Watlington area. It'd be good to get some other routes under my belt.

I moved here around 18m ago. I havent explored North as much as I should. I know S in Chilterns nr Watlington too, but would be happy to show you a roughly 60-90 min adaptable loop SW via Cumnor, good for evening rides, training or a quick Sunday pootle. I have a young baby so time is limited. Let me know if you want to meet up next week post work for instance.

I'm free all of next week (except the weekend, doing the "triple crown") so an evening ride sounds perfect. When would be good for you?

The only route I know out that way is the route the Dorset Dash takes - out through Boars Hill, Dry Sandford, Frilford Heath... So it'll be good to see some more of the country side.

Great. It probably uses some of that route, so maybe you can educate me!

How about Thurs early eve? Meet 5-30 at Carfax? I work nr 24 hour Tescos by Mini Factory, if that's better for you. I want to get back by 7 to see my son off (Im so boring).

Good luck with TC. I did the Dun Run fixed a while back (when it pissed with rain all night). Surreal following those red flashing lights. 2 requiremts - 1) a pint before you set out and 2) you have to swim in the sea! ;)

Yeah that sounds good! It'll be good to get out on some different roads :)

I was just sat here thinking "mini factory, what on earth is mini factory???" ... Then I twigged. Duh. I can get over there easily enough but will be hard pushed to make half 5, so shall we stick to meeting at Carfax Tower?