View in Just Go Ride
Download the GPX file.
Download the Google Earth tour.
Please note the 12:30pm Cut-off time at the A34 Underpass.
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 you reach a lane. Leave Route 544 (grid ref 460878) and continue straight on, on the newly surfaced “Icknield Greenway”. After another 1.5km the West Hendred to Ginge lane is reached. Cross this continuing on the Icknield Greenway and over the new bridge that now spans the once infamous Ginge Brook!
After the bridge (grid ref 444876), climb out of the trees and then leave the Icknield Greenway (which turns right), continuing straight on up through a tricky rooted section and on to Lockinge. On reaching the tarmac of Well Street (grid ref 433875) on the outskirts of Lockinge, turn left and continue towards Betterton. At the T Junction turn left and then after a 100m right through Betterton (grid ref 436866).
The first of 5 climbs now lay ahead. Follow the Gravel track “gravelly hairpins” up to join the Ridgeway (grid ref 443850). Turn left onto the Ridgeway for a short breather before taking the next left and heading straight back down to Ginge. This is a fast and narrow decent so take care (if you are in need of help, do not turn left off the Ridgeway here, but continue straight on until you reach the car park at Scutchammer Knob where there will be marshals that can help you).
On reaching Ginge (grid ref 445866) turn right onto the road. Here we have made a change to the route. Do not turn right at the post box as with previous years but continue on the road for a further 100m before turing right onto a wide farm track to start the second climb to regain the Ridgeway . Turn left and follow the Ridgeway of 500m over Cuckhamsley Hill, past Scutchammers Knob to the car park at grid ref 458850.
We’re leaving the Ridgeway now heading for the wooded beauty of Old Street. Turn right at the Car Park for the swooping decent down towards Lands End Cottage (grid ref 447833). On reaching the road turn right and then 350m later left. This is Old Street. Head up Hernehill Down, after a kilometre you start to head down hill and enter woodland. As you enter the wood there is a fork in the track. Take the left fork and keep heading straight on, ignoring any other turnings. A kilometre after the fork you will reach Catmore Road (grid ref 4538112). Continue straight on along the road for 250m, then at a right bend in the road turn left and continue across a field and back into woodland. Continuing straight on, a left turn will be reached after 250m (grid ref 459803). Take this and follow for 1.5km until a T-Junction is reached with Woolvers Road (grid ref 474806). Take care, this section is often deeply rutted.
At the T-Junction turn left and left again at the next opportunity (170m). You are now headed for West Ilsley. Bear right after 100m and follow the track, up at first and then down to West Ilsley Stables. On reaching a gravel track follow this around to the right to the main drive. Turn left and follow out to the main road in West Ilsley (grid ref 476823).
Cross the road and start your third accent of the Ridgeway. In 200m take the right hand fork and follow this all the way to the top (GR487836). Turn Right and follow the Ridgeway until the start of the A34 underpass (300m). If you reach this point before 12:30pm turn right here and follow the track around a few bends before the long flowing descent of Hadcott Down. After 12:30pm you will be requested to return to Upton via the underpass, re-joining the route on the other side. This is to ensure the route is cleared in good time and enable our volunteer marshals to stand down. You will only need to average 7 mph to avoid this.
On reaching the road, turn left and then right to enter “twisty gnarly”. Follow for 1.5km to re-join Woolver Road just yards from where you last left it. Turn left and follow for 1.5km uphill at first and then down to East Ilsley.
On reaching the road pass under the A34 (grid ref 490810) and enter East Ilsley where there will be a feed station outside The Swan pub. The route now changes from previous years. Continue on Cow Lane taking the left-hand fork sign posted to Compton. After a short climb out of the village take a left turn off the road and back on to Bridleway. Climb gently now of about 1km before reaching a juction and taking the left turn. Shortly after you will regain the Ridgeway, crossing straight over to decend to the old railway bridge at the top of Boham’s Road. 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. 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 beer (other refreshments are available)!
