Oxfordshire cyclists...

[SavageHoutkop]

My sister in law is coming to visit on the weekend and is apparently test riding a bike (I currently know no further details). She currently doesn't cycle at all; but is fairly fit and well exercised otherwise. I cycle everywhere but don't usually cycle far and am awful at hills as my usual commutes are pretty flat....

So, to the point. For her test ride, which will be this Saturday (with myself and Mr SHK along on our Bromptons), I'm thinking of Oxford -> Drayton [there is a furniture shop there I would like to visit] possibly via Abingdon [more furniture shops!].

Is this route OK (we're on the Botley side of Oxford so it's likely to be Botley -> Cumnor -> Wootton -> (abingdon?) -> Drayton)? Any horrible roads and/or hills to beware of? With her not havig cycled in a while it might be preferable to stick to the minor roads - perhaps detouring to the Kennington Road southbound to Abingdon rather than the B4017 Cumnor-> Wootton, unless the B road has a low speed limit and/or sensible drivers?

And, of course, good pub and/or cafe/coffe shop recommendations welcome!!!

If this route sounds awful, other recommendations in the area welcome as well, especially ones with good pit stops!

Thanks!

 

[Fab Foodie]

OK, some thinking... (BTW, never realised you moved, reckon I saw y0u guys on one of yiur scouting missions a whilst back in town!).

Anyway.
The route you suggest is just peachy if you want the most direct route. The climb up to Cumnor is initially steep but past the Matthew Arnold School turning gets pleasantly easier. The route down the Wooton road is not so bad either. The road IS pretty busy, but usually well behaved, there is a fair amount of bicycle traffic there during the week (I drive the kids to scool every day to MA from Abers).
Once you're under the A34 it's straight-on at the roundabout and bear left athe next mini roundabout to the town centre. Again OK, efficient, but none of it overly inspiring.
I guess the furniture shops are 1) Coxeter House and 2) Fairacres retail area, both are in a westerly direction from the town centre, Coxeter is on the 1-way system, further west, Fairacres near Tesco on the Marcham road.

Pubs in Abingdon Centre, try the Broad Face by the bridge or the recently refurbished Kings Head and Bell behind the old Corn exchange building.

Once in Abingdon, carry on past the Kings head and Bell, (lovely old streets), to the Church (St Helens?) to the river, past the Anchor (OK pub) and follow the river, you can pick-up the Cycle-route 5 (off-road) which leads to the road between Sutton Courtenay (turn Left) and Drayton (Turn Right). Sutton Courtenay has a couple of nice pubs and you may well spy Helena Bonham Carter (she's Local, Brad Pitt also spotted with herein the Fishes I believe).

NOW! The scenic route home would be...

Back to Abingdon along the river and strike-out towards Radley and Kennington. The smart way is to find Waitrose... and ask the way to Abbey Meadows, follow the cycle path along the river. Just before the lock you need to do a left over a humpback footbridge, then follow the path for a few miles to Radley Lakes and out into Radley. Head toward the college (Radley College grounds are nice)! From Radley college you can ride on the pavement/path. Just before you enter Kennington take Sandford lane to your right to Sandford Lock, just under the railway bridge is a left turning for a cycle path that takes you all the way back to Oxford with some fantastic scenery and a great pub (Isis Tavern). The path comes out at Folly Bridge. Really is a cycling 'must'!

You can get on the river path at Lower Radley, but it's just a muddy groove in a field, whereas the path from near Sandford lock is very good for bicycles, I Take my road-bike.

Hope this makes some sense!

 

[SavageHoutkop]

OK, some thinking... (BTW, never realised you moved, reckon I saw y0u guys on one of yiur scouting missions a whilst back in town!).

Thanks! The moving part is a bit complicated - hence my location is still 'south manchester-ish'

Mr SHK is down in Oxford pretty much all the time but I'm only down at weekends.
to all the other people on the 06:36 Monday morning train from Oxford to Manchester...
[sortof on that topic hope your longer-distance-commuting is working OK as well, following from your insurance thread sounds like you're doing the drive].

We're probably fairly noticable I guess, now that you mention it, seeing as we're the only couple I've seen riding Bromptons! Other Bromptons seem to be solitary animals...

We have done the cycle from Oxford central to Abingdon (and back again). The southbound leg we did along the river practically all the way which was a bit too much like hard work on the Bromptons, but I do know the bit around Sandford Lock.