Download the GPX file. Download the Google Earth tour.
Please note the 1:00pm 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 (grid ref 512867). 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 Route 44 of the Sustrans National Cycle Network.
Turn left on to Route 44 and follow, crossing the A4185 again, skirting around the Harwell science park and heading out towards Lockinge. After 3km you reach a lane. Leave Route 44 (grid ref 460878) and continue straight on. After another 1.5km the West Hendred to Ginge lane is reached. Again you head straight on across and prepare for Ginge Brook!
Negotiate the steep rutted slope down to the bridge (grid ref 444876), across the brook and work hard up the other side, over 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 13:00pm turn right here and follow the track around a few bends before the long flowing descent of Hadcott Down. After 13:00pm 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 marshalls to stand down.
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. Resisting the temptation of the two pubs and the delights therein, take the first left and after 100m turn right back onto bridleway. You’ll be glad to hear this is the beginning of your final climb. Climb steeply for 100m and then turn left and follow the track for another 1.5km to regain the Ridgeway at Several Down (grid ref 503825). Turn left and follow the main Ridgeway track for about 500m before turning right to follow a track to the left of the gallops, down the hill 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. Your now back in Upton. Make your way back to the recreation field and sign in before heading for a well earned refreshment!
