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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 climb now lay ahead. Follow the Gravel track “gravelly hairpins” up to join the Ridgeway (grid ref 443850). Turn left onto the Ridgeway and continue straight on over Cuckhamsley Hill and past Scutchammers Knob to the car park where there will be drinks available (grid ref 458850).
Continue on the Ridgeway passing through Bury Down car parks after a mile and on to the A34 underpass. 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, following the Family 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 4.4 mph to avoid this.
On reaching the road, turn left and then right to enter “twisty gnarly”. Follow for 1.5km to join Woolver Road. 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 Bridgeway. 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 rail 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 refreshment!
