Guy Barber was a member of CTC Northampton and did charity events using either a butcher’s bike or an Ordinary (penny farthing).
Using his road bike, he had two favourite rides from Northampton; one to Cambridge and one to Oxford. On one occasion he rode both routes on the same day!
For 11 years we have ridden the Cambridge / St Neots route. This year we are riding to Oxford for the second time. A donation of £5 to Cynthia Spencer Hospice is requested.
To enable everyone to lunch together in Oxford we have 2 start points.
The long ride (98m) starts at East Hunsbury Library,Northampton, with registration at 8.15am. The other two options, 58m and 35m, start in Buckingham at 9.45am and join the group from Northampton to ride on to the first coffee stop at Green Dragon Eco Farm café, Claydon Rd,Hogshaw, MK18 3LA.
Lunch is in Oxford at Café Couscous, 19-20 Saint Clement’s Street, Oxford, OX4 1AB.
This serves a wide range of sandwiches, baguettes and Mediterranean dishes, including Vegan options. Good coffee and tea is served as well.
Bikes can be left outside in view of the seating, or one can sit outside with them. Of course, good coffee and tea is served as well. Within 50mtrs there is a pub serving lunches, or nearby there is a Subway franchise.
From the outskirts of the city there are good cycle paths into the centre, some separated from the main road. Most of the route is on fairly quiet country roads and is undulating rather than hilly. See the routes on the RidewithGPS links below.
For more details please contact Peter Bayles on 07979850096 or Brian Tunbridge on 01604 622073 or text 07722 055149.
Link to the CyclingUK Event page: https://www.cyclinguk.org/event/annual-charity-ride-memory-guy-barber
This year we will have a CTC marshal at Buckingham from 9.30am with maps etc.
Many thanks and look forward to seeing you.
The Route Options
Route 1, 98 miles
Registration at 8.15am for an 8.30 start from East Hunsbury Library. 98 miles.
Route is EH, Stoke Bruerne, Lekhampstead, Buckingham (20m). Meet others. Gawcott, East Claydon,Green Dragon Farm, Hogshaw (Coffee 31m), Boarstal, Oxford (51m)
Return. Islip, Kirtlington, Upper Heyford, Somerton, Croughton, Brackley (tea 78m) Helmdon, Greens Norton, Tiffield, Northampton.(98m). (Farthingstone Café 77m)
Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27921852
Routes 2 and 3 below start at Buckingham Market square (parking at Cornwalls Meadow Car Park-free on Sundays-situated on road from A508 near the centre of Buckingham, CP signed)
Route 2, 58 Miles
Meet 9.45am. 58m (follows 1st half of Route1 to lunch stop)
Route is Buckingham, Gawcott, East Claydon,Green Dragon Farm, Hogshaw (Coffee 10m), Boarstal, Oxford (30m)
Return. Beckley, Horton-cum-Studley, Boarstall, Piddington, Twyford, Gawcott, Buckingham (58m). This is a very flat route, easy going.
Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27921892
Route 3, 35 miles
Meet 9.35am. 35m ( Follows routes 2 & 3 to the coffee stop at Hogshaw ).
Route is Buckingham, Gawcott, East Claydon,Green DragonFarm, Hogshaw (Coffee 10m),
Return Ludgershall, Piddington, Twyford (café opportunity at 27m) Gawcott, Buckingham. (café 33m)
Link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27921897
