Oxfordshire & west oxfordshire rides

xone

Hi, new to the site. Anyone know of any decent rides in and around west Oxfordshire? Mainly XC or downhill. Been out of the scean for a while and don't know anyone or anywhere near to me thats any good.

forgotrafe

What about the Ridgeway? Or is that too far? Or too obvious a suggestion?

I'm in South-West Oxfordshire (nr. Faringdon).

Rafe

daniel_b

Is the Ridgeway any good?

I had heard it was flat and exposed to the wind......

I have no personal experience though, so would like to hear a first hand encounter!

Dan

forgotrafe

The Ridgeway is long (65 miles from memory) and the terrain varies quite a lot. Some of it's compacted tarmac scalpings, other bits are mud on chalk, some is just mud and there's also grass and gravel.

There are no massive hills (it's a ridge remember) but its not "flat". If you did want some hills then there are plenty of opportunities to drop down to a local village (some great pubs en route) and back up again. In fact that's a big plus - there are so many byways, bridleways and RUPPs (I mean Restricted Byways shooting off it, the permutations are endless. The views are stunning.

I've driven lots of it (when it was legal to do so), cycled about 20 miles worth and I like it

Rafe

forgotrafe

Should add that I'm not mega-fit or a very experienced MTBer.

Let me know if you want to know any more - like what pubs are good

Rafe

Morty_Oxon

I'm in South-West Oxfordshire (nr. Faringdon).

I'm just outside Faringdon, thought I was the only one!

As you may have guessed the Thames Valley is mostly as flat as a pancake. I ride up the Ridgeway quite a bit - been up to Pangbourne and down to Marlborough so I've seen a fair portion. It's actually 87 miles in total. Did nearly 40 miles door to door yesterday on and off the Ridgeway. As forgotrafe said, whilst the route itself isn't exactly challenging, there are loads of routes down either side into Oxfordshire or West Berkshire (though I defy anyone to say the road climb up to White Horse Hill is easy on a mountain bike). The views are good. Also, it's much easier going now they've banned cars from certain sections at certain times of year but still very muddy yesterday.

For more challenging riding, I'm afraid you'll mostly have to go farther afield. Forest of Dean is good and not too far. Also Cotswolds, Quantocks, South Wales.....there is some secretive stuff going on in a small wood nearby off a fairly minor road out of Faringdon with some fun bits but I've already said too much. Not sure the guys who've built the trails there would be too pleased with me broadcasting it. You'll have to find that one out for yourself....

forgotrafe

Hi Morty,

I'm actually in Watchfield - let me know if you ever fancy a cycling partner. Though I'm a mere beginner and not overly fit

87 miles? I was a bit out then! Perhaps it's 65miles cyclable? 65 is lodged in my head for some reason or other.

Cars are now banned for almost the entire length now, regardless of time of year. Though I perhaps disagree that recreational motoring was responsible for the bulk of the change in surface. The worst comes from agricultural traffic which is still permitted. Anyway, that's all by-the-by now coz the law has changed and that's that.

Rafe

Morty_Oxon

Hey Rafe,

Must admit that I didn't know the length exactly, just googled it You're right that recreational traffic is banned now (though I did see a couple of cars yesterday that def weren't farmers) - my mistake - and probably quite true what you say about agricultural traffic being most damaging but I suppose you can't limit access to someone's land when it's their livelihood. Can remember a couple of years ago on a Boxing Day walk up there seeing a group of Mitsubushi 4x4s merrily wheelspinning away. Green-laning is a lot of fun but not so much when it makes sections impassable for other users.

Anyway as a rider of horses as well as bikes I would guess that hooves churn it up as much as anything.

Always good to get a different perspective with a new riding buddy so give me a shout if you fancy a meet - I can assure you I'm barely competent!

Morty

gnasher5

Myself and a mate were up on the ridgeway yesterday and it was a lot better than I expected it to be in terms of the conditions very windy though. It was only my 3rd ride out on a MTB and I didn't struggle too much and we ended up doing about 40 miles by the time we got back to Swindon.

Morty_Oxon, was that you on the silver Kona we saw at Barbury my mate was chasing his hat down the hill at the time. like I said very windy!

forgotrafe

Hiu Morty,

The eastern most section of The Ridgeway is footpath so you can't cycle it. Probably why we came up with different numbers. Hope to cycle it all (that I can) one day. Well maybe 2 days

Yep - everyone that uses a public right of way disturbs the surface - walkers, riders, vehicles, horses. In case you hadn't guessed I used to be quite involved in PRoW. Got very fed up with people not appreciating that everyone has a right to use the countryside and it's big enough for everyone. Of course, there are idiots in everything that chose to ruin it for everyone...

Anyway, when I've got a bit more free time I'll give you a shout re going for a ride sometime. In fact been meaning to post a Ridgeway post on this very forum for a while

Rafe

xone

I only ever been on the ridgeway when I had to get to a party or ten, mosly it was at night and coming round in the mornig and having to drive home you don't generally remember much. Even so, It's still a car ride away for me as I live in Witney, just west of Oxford, Faringdon isn't so far, still a car ride though, Secret trails?? Interesting stuff, may have to investigate, any ideas on length terrain and so on? Which minor road? Does anyone know of any local ride outs? Or is it a case of forming our own as we are flat land people!! LOL.

strodey

I live in Lambourn and cycle up to the ridgeway at white horse twice a week, it can get busy in the summer and walkers don't hear you in the wind! i'll be the only xc bike with a bell soon!
Its a great bit of riding, watch out in the mud though as it gets really sticky!
Your best bet is to buy a map of the area and start doing some of the bridleways running off it, due to the horsey people everywhere there are loads of bridleways and these offer some much better tracks tend to be quieter too.
I'll be going up there for night rides as soon as the weather improves.

www.trailbreak.co.uk do some organised rides in that area

mega9

Hi just outside faringdon as well
The ridgeway is fine not much else to choose from close
maybe see you up there?