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Your ride starts on the Lynch Way (also known as Gypsy Lane), a by-way to the left of the George and Dragon Pub (GR512867). This beautiful stretch of by-way is followed for about 2km before turning right to head for Chilton village. Pass through the village to cross the A4185 and head North to join the Sustrans National Cycle Network Route 544.
Turn left onto Route 544 and follow, crossing the A4185 again and heading into the Harwell Science Campus following the diversion signs. Re-join Route 544 and follow West towards Lockinge. After 3km Route 544 turns left on to a quite lane. Caution – the other routes continue straight on. Follow the lane for a kilometre or so and then take a right turn onto a tree lined track, continuing on Route 544. At the end of the track turn left leaving Route 544 behind. After a little while the other routes re-join you ahead of the sweeping curves up the Ridgeway.
When you reach the top you’re on the Ridgeway proper. Turn left and follow the Ridgeway for 500 metres over Cuckhamsley Hill, past Scutchammers Knob to the car park at grid ref 458850 where there will be drinks available for the thirsty. The Leisure and Endurance rides turns right here but you carry straight on, sticking to the Ridgeway. After a mile you reach the car parks of Bury Down. Taking care, cross directly over the road and continue on the Ridgeway. The other routes join and leave you again just before the A34 underpass. Take the underpass and continue along the main Ridgeway track for a further one and a half miles before turning left on to the main track down the hill to the old rail bridge at the top of Boham’s Road (this is a different decent than that used in the past). There will be drinks here if your hanging! Turn left after the bridge and follow the tarmac of Boham’s Road. After 1km there is a fork, with the Boham’s Road bearing right as it heads down to Blewbury. Your route continues straight on, turning into another concrete road as it does so. Follow the concrete to just beyond The Kennels when again the road bears right and you continue straight ahead, this time on a grassy surface. Follow this for 1km and regain the shelter of the hedgerows for a while before joining the tarmac of Hollow Way. Care should be taken here as it is a fast decent and the road can have debris after heavy rains. At the bottom of Hollow Way just before the main road, there is a left turn onto a gravel track. You’re now back in Upton. Make your way back to the recreation field and sign in before heading for a well earned refreshment!
