From Oxford – Page 2 – Cycle routes in and around Oxfordshire

Hilly Brill

Distance: 47km, altitude 474m.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29642575

Short dash to Brill, with some additional hills on the way and back.

Cog Cafe and Phoenix Trail

Distance: 133km, altitude: 1277m.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29624905

This route takes in Brill, to warm you of for some more bumps on the way to the Chilterns. The return journey follows the Phoenix Trail, an abandoned train track, which is partially paved, and partially crushed limestone. When riding it early April, it was absolutely fine on a road bike. It may proof more of a challenge in the winter.

Chilterns 110 [reverse]

Distance: 111km, 934m.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29156526

This route is the reverse (how did you guess) of Chilterns 110. I wanted to ride the original route in the winter, but as my winter bike (CX bike with road tyres) didn’t have the gearing to do steep climbs, I decided to go the other way round. I refer to this alternative as “the easy way round”.

Chilterns 110

Distance: 111km, altitude: 933m

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29156547

Credit for this route should go to Matt Wicks. If I remember correctly this route was born out of a discussion amongst volunteers for the traffic count on Aston Hill (required to be able to host the Condors’ hill climb here). Cycling out to Aston Hill, and posting on Strava would lift the cloud of mystery surrounded the new location of the hill climb. Cycling out, and not posting on Strava is of course a big no-no, so a route was born taking in all of the best climbs in the Chilterns.

Tea in Buckingham

Distance: 90km, altitude 592m.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29222172

Great ride for those rare days the wind comes from the North. Brill on the way back, just because you can!

Malmesbury (flat century)

Distance: 160km, altitude: 614m.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29255195

This is a great route if you are looking to do your first century. Do check the wind direction though, you wouldn’t want a headwind all the way back to Oxford. The route also passes Aston Pottery, in case you want to add a cheeky coffee stop on the leg back.

Turville Heath via Aston Hill

Distance: 69km, altitude: 632m.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28960000

Who doesn’t like Aston Hill? After climbing the Chilterns for a second time you can reward yourself with a delicious bacon bap at the Barn at Turville Heath.
This route has a tricky descend, see the Ride-with-GPS link for more details.

Stonesfield Loop [reverse]

Distance: 52km, altitude: 372m.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27642510

This is a blatant steal from the Cowley Road Condors routes published on their website. I just prefer to go round it the other way! Great loop for a summer evening!

Oxford to West Norwood (south London)

Distance: 110km, altitude: 837m.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28582063

Nice alternative to London, staying south of the M40. Taking as much green as is possible through London (including Richmond Park). Great little coffee hut half-way.

Oxford to Covent Garden (central London)

Distance: 102km, altitude: 752m.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26861382

My commute to work. Lovely ride to London, taking in Aston Hill as you cross the Chilterns. This route follows the Great Union Canal path for about 12km up to Paddington, cutting out a lot of the traffic in the capital. This tow path is great, and relatively quiet, but not the smoothest surface in the world. Don’t ride with 100+psi.