Moutain biking in Oxfordshire?
Discussion
When I was based at Brize my moutain biking habit was served by hiring a van and driving to Wales or Scotland :lol:
I'd say heading towards Stow-on-the-Wold armed with an OS map with the bridleays highlighted would be your best bet, certainly plenty of rolling hills in that area although Inever did hear of any particular trails, it would be a lot more 'old skool' in the the just getting out on your bike sense.
I'd say heading towards Stow-on-the-Wold armed with an OS map with the bridleays highlighted would be your best bet, certainly plenty of rolling hills in that area although Inever did hear of any particular trails, it would be a lot more 'old skool' in the the just getting out on your bike sense.
Fetchez la vache said:
Depending on where you are in oxfordshire... is Swindon an option? (yes I know, it doesn't immediately spring to mind...)
MB Swindon have a great friendly social, their own (rather good imho) volunteer maintained route and are away most weekends round the country.
It's the northern tip of Oxfordshire, so Swindon is still quite a trek (no pun intended).MB Swindon have a great friendly social, their own (rather good imho) volunteer maintained route and are away most weekends round the country.
According to Google Cwm Carn is about 2 hours' drive away and Aston Clinton about an hour and a quarter, but I could do with somewhere closer. Used to be able to get onto the bridleways literally from the end of my drive when I lived in Devon and I'd love to be able to do that again even if it's just local footpaths.
Oxfordshire's quite flat on the whole, though, I believe? At least the roads look fun.
Head due west out of Banbury, through Hook Norton (grap a beer as you pass), skirt Chippy, and keep heading west, your about 50mins from the Forrest of Dean ;-)
Head due East, cut through Buckingham, and into MK, Woburn is 35mins away.
And lots of good paths through the woods and fields off the "Welsh lane" that heads east west from roughly Silverstone through to Daventry area.
Head due East, cut through Buckingham, and into MK, Woburn is 35mins away.
And lots of good paths through the woods and fields off the "Welsh lane" that heads east west from roughly Silverstone through to Daventry area.
Chris71 said:
Used to be able to get onto the bridleways literally from the end of my drive when I lived in Devon and I'd love to be able to do that again even if it's just local footpaths.
Your local OS map should allow you to do the same (although footpaths 
). Certainly won't be as hily as Devon but I'm sure you'll find something.ewenm said:
Chris71 said:
Used to be able to get onto the bridleways literally from the end of my drive when I lived in Devon and I'd love to be able to do that again even if it's just local footpaths.
Your local OS map should allow you to do the same (although footpaths ). Certainly won't be as hily as Devon but I'm sure you'll find something.
Although I can't say I was entirely sure how the glorified sheep trails I used to ride on were classified. I seemed to be the only person on them most of the time so didn't feel the need to check.
IIRC there's nothing major: as said, more "out on your bike" than anything Wales/trail-centre like. The Chilterns and The Ridgeway are the two spots I hear referred to the most, although I've not ridden them myself (on an MTB). That, and of course more informal local spots. Best bet will be to join a (roadie?) club and see who goes wear.
The road scene is excellent. Plenty of clubs, TTs etc, the Cotswolds, Chilterns etc, etc. How far are you from Oxford?
The road scene is excellent. Plenty of clubs, TTs etc, the Cotswolds, Chilterns etc, etc. How far are you from Oxford?
Jimbo. said:
The road scene is excellent. Plenty of clubs, TTs etc, the Cotswolds, Chilterns etc, etc. How far are you from Oxford?
When I move I should be about half an hour north of Oxford. To be honest I've never really done much road riding outside of commuting. I cycle to work quite often, but that's mostly because driving is so crushingly boring here in the London suburbs. Woburn looks pretty interesting, but that, again, is a car journey away. Fortunate I'm buying that estate car...
The paths round here (Silverstone side of Banbury) are a bit claggy. Its usually quicker to go to Woburn and quickly rinse the bike off than to ride around here and have to pick all the bits out of the bike! In the spring once it dries up a bit you can ride the bridleways for hours. I sometimes go out at 10pm and stay out until 1am!? The I know the guys at Baines Racing do an organised ride on a weds night and the A5 Rangers in Towcester might do something.
There's plenty of XC stuff at Woburn. The freeride area is pretty small by comparison.
Re canals. I ride along the canal from Gayton to N'ton on my way to work. The first day I did it (3 years ago) I soon found out that the hedges have thorns like 1" nails. If you plan to do canals around here I'd suggest going tubeless and using Stans fluid. My first tire had at least 30 thorns stuck in it when it finely wore out.
Re canals. I ride along the canal from Gayton to N'ton on my way to work. The first day I did it (3 years ago) I soon found out that the hedges have thorns like 1" nails. If you plan to do canals around here I'd suggest going tubeless and using Stans fluid. My first tire had at least 30 thorns stuck in it when it finely wore out.
chrisga said:
What about Cannock. We are just North of Banbury and can get to Cannock Chase where there is a waymarked dedicated trail for MTBers called "Follow the Dog". While it isn't Wales or Scotland, its a good pedal round with a bit of everything thrown in.
Just Googled it and it looks good. It's a bit far afield for popping out after work by the looks of things, though. It seems if you drive for about an hour in any direction you get to some decent trails!Cannock, Woburn, Aston Clinton, Chilterns, Cotswolds ... just nothing on the doorstep. Oh well, at least I've got an estate car now.
Aston Hill? http://www.rideastonhill.co.uk/ about 30mins from Oxford.
didjerama said:
Aston Hill? http://www.rideastonhill.co.uk/ about 30mins from Oxford.
That's the place I meant by Aston Clinton. Never actually ridden them, but I've had a walk round and the trails look pretty good. Quite DH focused, though, I believe. Full of gravity defying youths in body armour.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff