Easiest way to cycle to Oxford from Birmingham and vice versa

[con3131]

Hi all,

I'm starting university in Oxford this month, and as a keen cyclist, I was wondering what the best route is to cycle back to birmingham and vice versa. It may only be £5 on a coach but hey you can't just go whenever you want on a coach.

I was thinking that a canal route may be best just because its flat but I'm open to cycling on the road. Any help is appreciated.

Cheers

 

[Richard Fairhurst]

Don't follow the canals unless you have a full suspension mountain bike. I'm serious: much of the Oxford Canal towpath is really very bumpy. I've done parts of it on a hybrid and wouldn't repeat the experience.

NCN 5 is a very pleasant route (I'm a volunteer ranger for part of it) but a bit indirect in places, and briefly muddy just west of Banbury.

Overall, though, there's plenty of pleasant country lanes between the two. Punching Oxford and Birmingham into a competent route-planner (like the one in my signature, ahem) should get you a decent route.

 

[con3131]

Ok, thanks for the great reply! NCN 5 looks ideal, but I've not done a ride like this before (usually i know the way). Any help on actually following the route? I don't want to get lost as I will probably die.

 

[Black Country Ste]

Searching Strava and ridewithgps.com are good bets for finding others' routes.

I did Birmingham to Oxford last year. The route was a little meandering but comfortable with few busy roads (it was a Sunday, YMMV) and only one big climb, near Hook Norton. http://www.strava.com/activities/65725882