Cycling UK Wantage | Programme of Rides and Events

Past Ride

We send details of upcoming rides in a weekly email newsletter. If you would like to be added to our mailing list please contact [javascript protected email address].

Sat Aug 19th 2023

1* Saturday Half Day Ride - Oxford Urban Safari	1*

Leader: John Tranter	Start Time: 1:30 pm	Start Location: Redbridge Park & Ride, Abingdon Rd, OX1 4XG
Description: Please pre-book for this ride by contacting the ride leader. Monthly 16-32km (10-20 miles) family and social rides, usually with a tea stop, at a riding pace of 13-16km/h (8-10mph). Occasional short or gentle climbs. This is a very special opportunity to use tracks, riverside paths and quiet streets to do a 13 mile 'urban safari' around the south and centre of Oxford. This ride really gives a remarkable insight into some hidden corners of this complex city and is mostly traffic free. This is an away-day ride, run at a beginner 1* pace. Parking is in the Redbridge Park and Ride at the southern end of the Abingdon Road (bring 2 pounds 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. We head north through the strange sliver of a suburb known as Grandpont, cross the river on the fascinating Gasworks bridge and then head into the centre of town. A mini-tour of Jericho leads to a coffee stop on St Giles. Then I will give you the insider gossip as we pass through the epicentre of Oxford, under Hertford College's Bridge of Sighs, and eventually down to the river at Folly Bridge. From there we head along the Thames towpath past the College boathouses and pop up into the lovely Iffley village and Rose Hill before continuing along the river to Sandford. We then have a couple of miles back through Kennington before some unexpected underpasses get us back to the start. I'm really pleased with this one - don't miss it! 13 miles at a leisurely pace - 10 or 11 mph.
Riders: Carin Tranter Caroline Atkin Diana Whidborne John Tranter Nick Portsmouth Roger Postbeschild Simon Atkin Tim Waite Riders = 8 Weather: Report: Always fun to welcome new people on this ride - as much a tour guide experience as it is a bike ride. It was particularly good to welcome Caroline on her first ride with the club. We all assembled in good time at the P&R and headed off into the quiet streets of North Hinksey and Grandpont before crossing the river and heading into the thronging centre of town. Having struggled through it was good to be back in the peaceful setting of Wellington Square before a circuit around some of the sights of Jericho brought us to St Giles and a welcome cafe stop at Taylors. We then had a quick peek inside my old College, St Cross, before heading for 'peak Oxford' with the Sheldonian, the Hertford bridge, the High, Oriel Square and St Aldates. Another fun stretch along the river towpath followed, with the bonus of a rowing regatta going on, before we explored Iffley, Rose Hill and the lovely Sustrans route from the river to the back of Kennington. A final detour down to the river at Sandford Lock before heading back to the cars through Kennington.
Distance: 20.92 km (13.00 mi)
Oxford Urban Safari ride on the Gasworks bridge
Proposed Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30407342"
Comment on this ride

Ride Filter

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