The Lovely List of Extra Loops (10+ miles)
- Heth Miller
- Jan 1, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
So, this list is a little bit short at the moment as I've been a bit busy finishing the book.
However, I've started it (just) and and the plan is to keep on going until we have lots more Loops across West Berks and Oxfordshire.
As you'll see there are lots of loops starting and ending in trainlines (I've started locally but will be working my way further afield). And of course - EVERY ride - has plentiful coffee & cake.
So consider this the tip of the iceberg and lets keep adding as we go. If you have a favourite loop (with a cake stop) then please do email the GPX file to me with a short description and I'll add it to the list.
That way, we can all share in these quiet country lanes and perfect village pitstops. Frankly, what's not to love?
Summary Table of Extra Loops
Train Station Start | Train Station Finish | Miles | Route Name | No. of cafes |
Goring & Streatley | Goring & Streatley | 35 | 35 Miles Idyllic Summers Day Loop | 5 |
Goring & Streatley | Goring & Streatley | 19 | Countryside lanes to The Pantry in Yattendon | 4 |
Goring & Streatley | Goring & Streatley | 19 | Ipsden Woods and The Makers Space | 3 |
Didcot | Goring & Streatley | 23 | Didcot to Goring via the villages | 4 |
Didcot | Goring & Streatley | 13 | Didcot to Goring via the Ridgeway | 3 |
Didcot | Didcot Train Station | 16 | Up the old railway line to a lovely little tearoom | 1 |
Didcot | Reading | 36 | Didcot Station to Reading station with plenty of village pitstops | 6 |
Reading | Pangbourne | 8 | Wind in the Willows from Reading to Pangbourne | 1 |
Pangbourne | Pangbourne | 18 | Up into the hills above Pangbourne | 3 |
Aldermaston | Aldermaston | 18 | Little villages of West Berks & a bit of the Kennet & Avon Canal | 2 |
Cholsey | Cholsey | 18 | Wittenham Clumps & Wallingford (with a few llamas chucked in) | 3 |
Oxford | Reading | 37 | Oxford Station to Reading Station via the little villages | 2 |
Inkpen | Inkpen | 27.4 | Mel's Mixed Terrain through two of her Favourite Valleys | 1/2 |
More coming soon..... |
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The 35 Mile Idyllic Summers Day Loop
Starts & ends at Goring & Streatley Station
A circular loop starting and ending in Goring on Thames this 35 miler is through idyllic countryside, a dozen villages and with half a dozen coffee shops to choose from. There are tracks up on The Downs, paths close to the River Pang and you dip over the River Thames twice. Its a great long and lazy morning out on a bike.
Countryside lanes to The Pantry in Yattendon - 19 miles
Starts & Ends at Goring & Streatley Station
This is a very pretty loop taking in first the the Ridgeway (offroad but easy riding), and then the pretty villages of Aldworth, Hampstead Norreys and Yattendon. With quiet lanes and two lovely little cafes its a great ride to do with a friend. There is usually little traffic so you can chat all the way....
Ipsden Woods and The Makers Space - 19 miles
Starts & Ends at Goring & Streatley Station
This is a ride of two halves. The first half, lots of uphill on quiet roads all the way to Nuffield (where the Maker Space is located). The second half - predominantly down. With some offroad through Ipsden woods, a lovely tootle through the Stokes (North, Little and South Stoke - three very pretty villages) at the end its a nice ride in quiet countryside.
This ride works for both summer (when The Maker Space has a large garden) or winter - when you can tuck inside infront of the log burning stove which is always on. That's a plus in my book!
Up the old railway line to a lovely little tearoom - 23 miles
Starts & ends at Didcot Train Station
This loop takes you up the old railway line to Upton, briefly up onto the Downs (glorious on a summers day) and then back through the old villages of North and South Moreton. With good cycle track leading you in and out of Didcot its not too taxing on the legs. With one tiny tearoom about half way round (The Style Acre tearoom in Blewbury) its an enjoyable loop for all abilities.
Didcot Station to Reading station with plenty of village pitstops - 36 miles
Starts at Didcot Station & ends at Reading Station
This is a beautiful 36 mile ride, although if you want to do less distance you can easily just hop on the train at Goring & Streatley or Pangbourne (cutting out many miles). It follows quiet cycle track out of Didcot and then a number of tracks and quiet roads through small Oxfordshire and then West Berks Villages. With masses of cafes to choose from it makes for a great day out.
Didcot Station to Goring Station via the villages - 23 Miles
Starts at Didcot Station & ends at Goring & Streatley Station
A cycle path leads you out of Didcot and into the country lanes and villages. The first two thirds are very flat, the last third more hilly but definitely doable. With a couple of really great little coffee shops on the way (The Snug at Bishop’s Court Farm and Ewelme Village stores) I personally find it a relaxing and pretty ride. Nothing too challenging and great for a morning out.
Didcot Station to Goring Station via The Ridgeway
Starts at Didcot Station and ends at Goring & Streatley Station
This includes a fair bit of cycle track and off road as its up on the glorious Berkshire Downs. The Downs – when dry or sunny you can’t beat them. Open skies, vast expanses of farmland (I’ve seen lots of hares up here) and views for miles. On a wet or cold winters day? Don’t even attempt it as its as bleak as it comes – plus the chalk paths become slippery. With a lovely cycle track out of Didcot, a coffee stop in Blewbury and then plenty of options in Goring it’s a great one for a dry day.
Wind in the Willows from Reading to Pangbourne - 8 miles
Starts at Reading Station & ends at Pangbourne Station
For those of you coming out of London or Reading you can either take the train into West Berks and Oxfordshire (generally nice hoppy trains) or you can actually cycle. From Reading there is a lovely 8 mile route to Goring that is predominantly off-road. Following the river Thames pretty much all of the way you cycle the stretch that The Wind in the Willows was based on. I've done it lots of times and once out of Reading (a fairly easy 2 miles with plenty of cycle path) its a beautiful countryside ride.
Up into the hills above Pangbourne - 18 miles
Starts & ends at Pangbourne Station
This ride takes you straight up away from the River Thames and up into the hills. Exploring a series of designated 'Quiet Lanes' its particularly good in bluebell season when the woods are carpeted. With a cafe in the heart of the countryside (The Blue Tin cafe) and then a smattering near to the river in Goring & Streatley its got a bit of everything you won't go hungry.
The ride ends along the Thames path back into Pangbourne. This stretch of river has kingfishers and even a few otters so keep your eyes open and you may be lucky enough to see them!
Little villages of West Berks & a bit of the Kennet & Avon Canal - 18 miles
Starts & ends at Aldermaston Station
So, the start (from Aldermaston Train Station to Beenham) and end of this ride (along the Kennet & Avon canal) are bits of route that I haven't done for a few years. They used to be great, but please don't take it as guaranteed that they still are - if you ride them please let me know.
The remainder of the ride I know like the back of my hand and can happily give you a satisfaction guarantee. Quiet lanes, excellent cake stops and well tended farmland.
So do go, explore, and let me know how you get on.
Wittenham Clumps & Wallingford (with a few llamas chucked in) - 18 miles
Starts & ends at Cholsey Station
This is a very nice flat ride (there is basically only one hill in it and even that is do-able). Taking in the Wittenham Clumps, pretty villages of North and South Moreton, Dorchester on Thames and the old market town of Wallingford its a good ride for those just easing back onto their bike.
There is a bit of main road around Wallingford (don't worry, cycle path available), and plenty of stops its a nice ride for an easy morning out.
Oxford Station to Reading Station via the little villages - 37 miles
Starts at Oxford Station & ends at Reading Station
For those of you looking for a longer ride this one has pretty much everything. A tootle through Oxford (busy but the city is awash with bikes) takes you out of the east side (Cowley then Horsepath) and up into the countryside and the picture perfect villages of Great and Little Haseley and then Ewelme (recommended stop at the shop beside the duck pond).
If you're after more food then bung in a quick detour from Mapledurham to Pangbourne (only about a mile) where there are plenty of food options available (including Nino's, a smashing little deli with excellent sandwiches, pastries, coffee and more). From there you follow the Thames all the way towards Reading, and along the stretch that Kenneth Grahame based his Wind in the Willows on.
Mel's Mixed Terrain Ride Through Two of her Favourite Valleys (28 miles)
Starts & ends at Inkpen (no station in sight. Unless you count Kintbury 3 miles away. Which I guess isn't that far actually)
This ride was given to me by a fellow Bikeability instructor and based on her other recommendations I would say is bound to be good (I haven't done it yet). It starts and ends at the Honesty Cafe at The Crown and Garter Pub (https://www.crownandgarter.co.uk) and takes in two of her favourite valleys Hippenscombe and Buttermere. With a few bits of ruggedy track, and quiet roads its mixed terrain but not too technical.
Should you need a refuel about half way round the village shop at Great Bedwyn (just off the route) does hot drinks (from a machine) and serves up sausage rolls and pasties. With friendly staff its a good spot (but no tables or toilets).
That said, the coffee shop star of the ride is undoubtedly The Honesty Cafe in The Crown & Garter pub. Open from 8am to 4pm EVERY DAY (how good is that?) its a great place to cosy up inside (if it's raining) or sit and bask in the sun in the courtyard garden. So go, enjoy, and let me know how you got on. (And if its rubbish then blame Mel, not me).
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