The Ridgeway
For a brief history lesson The Ridgeway
National Trail, is 87 gruelling miles long (139km) and winds its way through
some magnificent views and ancient landscapes. The Ridgeway takes you over
rolling terrain and through open down land to the west of the River Thames.
If you were to follow the whole trail you would also find yourself weaving
through secluded valleys and woods in The Chilterns to the east. You may be
following the same routes as used since prehistoric times by travellers,
herdsmen and soldiers. A considerable length of The Ridgeway east of
the River Thames is public footpath which cannot be used by us mountain
bikers sadly. However there is a fantastic 9 mile(14km) stretch through The
Chilterns that can be ridden. This is from Britwell Hill just west of
Watlington to Bledlow, west of Princes Risborough. Those of you wanting a long and legal bike
can ride east of the Thames that uses The Ridgeway as much as possible gives
two good routes to follow. The Swans Way starts from Goring-on-Thames, just
across the river from Streatley, and travels to Bledlow where it turns north
away from the line of The Ridgeway. At Bledlow cyclists can then join the
Icknield Way Riders' Route that provides a good alternative route to The
Ridgeway as far as Pitstone Hill, just a couple of miles from Ivinghoe
Beacon. Unfortunately cyclists cannot continue to the end of The Ridgeway as
the route to it is a public footpath. Pick yourself up a copy of the OS Explorer Map 181 Map and explore for
yourself..
Map:
OS MAP
Explorer 181
Route Difficulty:μμ
Various, some technical descents to be
found and some monster climbs.
Fun Factor:μμVarious, some great descents to be
found.
Route
Time:
87miles long...
feeling fit?