Off road easy trail around Henley/Marlow

[Tiggsy]

Just got MTB's for me and her.....want to find routes in the countryside (bit road/bit off road) where we can enjoy a sunday afternoon - nothing too redbull.

Is the strava app the best way to go? Do plenty of walking but not too sure what footpaths/trails are ok to MTB on???

[Justin S]

Plenty of bridleways from Mill End car park, although a bit lumpy climbs, you cant beat the chilterns this time of year.
Also, you have the southern chilts, from Pangbourne, Woodcote, Checkendon, Nettlebed and Henley to play in.

Edited by Justin S on Tuesday 28th April 22:16

[Tiggsy]

how can you tell which trails are ok for bikes? I assume you cant ride on footpaths??

[Justin S]

Orange OS map will show you the network of bridleways. Also you have the Ridgeway, which is a simple start and cant really go wrong, maybe from Watlington and Christmas common. Many loops around there.

[Tiggsy]

be handy if i could just load a route into my iphone apps - found some strava routes but not sure how I follow those?? May have to use the OS map and plot my own.

[ewenm]

Tiggsy said:

how can you tell which trails are ok for bikes? I assume you cant ride on footpaths??

The rules are no riding on footpaths. Bridleways and byways are legal. Plotting routes on OS maps and exploring the area that way is a great way to do it. I much prefer navigating by map rather than device as the map gives me a much better overall impression of the landscape I'm passing through and the local features just off-route. Perfect for leisurely rides.

[SixPotBelly]

As above.

You have no right to take a cycle (not even walking it) on a footpath. However if you got the land owner's permission there's no reason you couldn't still ride it.

You do have the right to ride on Bridleways, Restricted Byways and Byways Open to All Traffic (BOATs). Some BOATs may still be signposted as RUPPs (Road Used as Public Path)s and are the same as BOATs.

I understand that it goes like this:

Footpath: Pedestrians.
Bridleway: Pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists.
Restricted Byway: Pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists, horse drawn carriages.
BOAT/RUPP: Pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists, horse drawn carriages, motorised vehicles.
Road: As BOAT but the local authority or Highways Agency has a duty to provide and maintain the surface.

Each are marked differently on OS maps. (In orange on 1:25k and green on 1:50k)

1:25k Legend
1:50k Legend

The 1:25k also shows "Traffic free cycle routes", with widely spaced large orange dots, which are things like disused railway lines along which you may ride.

[Justin S]

Some footpaths are 'sort off' rideable. I live on the Kennet Canal and is marked and listed as a footpath. But it is also listed as a Sustrans Cycle route, but the footpath signs are still at every junction . Footpaths as a rule are a total no no. But sometimes there is an exception to the rules

[SixPotBelly]

Justin S said:

Some footpaths are 'sort off' rideable. I live on the Kennet Canal and is marked and listed as a footpath. But it is also listed as a Sustrans Cycle route, but the footpath signs are still at every junction . Footpaths as a rule are a total no no. But sometimes there is an exception to the rules

Yup, as my post above, if you have the land owner's permission you may take a cycle on a footpath, just as you could on any other part of their land with permission. In this example the Canal and Rivers Trust have given blanket permission for cyclists to use their tow paths.

FWIW, they're still footpaths rather than bridleways which just means we have no irrescindable right of passage with a cycle, such that we would have on a bridleway, and that permission could be withdrawn should they ever wish. It also means they can prevent horse riders from using them.

edit- It would probably be marked as a "Traffic Free Cycle Route" on the 1:25k, with those widely spaced orange dots I mentioned.

Edited by SixPotBelly on Thursday 30th April 11:55

[MadDad]

Here is a nice little route around the back of Marlow starting at The Prince Albert pub in Frieth. It is a mix of country roads and bridleways - a few 'grunty climbs' and a couple of short but sharp descents but nothing too scarey;

https://www.strava.com/activities/164278049

This is another little route that starts in Binfield Heath and takes you through Henley mid-ride, so you can stop for a coffee and cake if you are that way inclined!;

https://www.strava.com/activities/110729016

I have quite a few MTB/XC rides around Marlow/Henley/Watlington, I will try to find them and post the links up. Don't forget the Ridgeway, some nice easy riding (out and back) from Streatley.

[Tiggsy]

thats perfect! any more would be great!

[SteveSteveson]

Few things I thought might be worth adding:

Take maps over sign posts every day. If a map says it is a bridleway or BOAT take that as correct. It is happening less, but it is not unknown for some people to deliberately miss sign routs as footpaths, especially way markers.

I find these sites useful for getting an idea of where to go:
www.bridlewaymap.com
www.bywaymap.com

Then follow it up with a map. If you don't know the area take an OS map. GPS is useful as long as you are following it. It gets rather less useful when you come to something uncrossable, such as a muddy field, broken bridge or path in need of clearing.

Talking of which, put the Fix My Street app on your phone. Everyone should have it anyone IMO, but it is very good for reporting blocked or unusable rights of way, be that intentional or not. Also good for reporting pot holes. You take a photo, add a little text and it sends it off with location details, using the GPS on your phone, to the correct local authority to deal with.

[5678]

Lots of nice riding around Woodcote/Checkendon. Plenty of it is bridleway, but a lot of footpaths. It doesn't stop me though and I've never had any complaints. Most people are sensible wrt. bikes on footpaths.