The route will follow the Sustrans London-Oxford route, which is about 90 miles long - a fairly flat route mostly away from any busy roads which follows the Thames Valley and Chilterns to Oxford - fantastic at the height of summer!   The first day will be quite long, with a distance of about 65-70 miles from the start, the second will be more leisurely at about 35 miles... but it's a pretty flat route so all quite possible.

We'll start at 09:00 from outside the Star and Garter pub, on the south side of the river to the west side of Putney Bridge [there's a map link attached to this message] from where we'll head off onto the route, eventually stopping at Streatley-on-Thames at the YHA hostel for the night - there will be drinks and food at a local hostelry, then on Saturday we'll complete our journey arriving mid-afternoon in central Oxford. You'll then have a choice of getting transport back to London [there are very regular and excellent coach services back to London which take bikes], or staying overnight in Oxford to sample the many delights that fine City has to offer [but please book your own accommodation for the Saturday if you wish to stay in Oxford the Saturday].

If preferred, an alternative plan could be to come out to Goring & Streatley by train [09:00 from Paddington /arrives 10:06] on the Saturday to join us for that days ride only - the choice is yours! 

If anyone is interested in joining this trip, please contact Trevor at the following email address:  tjh@brockley.orangehome.co.uk as soon as possible.

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The challenge was to get from the 'big smoke' to 'the city of dreaming spires' without dismounting....of course, not possible, but some had a good try!!

The gods were smiling on us weather wise, it was the hottest weekend of the year and we were heading up the Thames valley loaded with gear, and especially with copious amounts of water ... From Putney six headed towards Richmond via Barnes, then across the Park, quickly stopping to view a stag feasting on Chestnuts....we met Theresa at Ham Gate, then a slight detour by mistake away from the river [who's the navigator?!] before settling down to a fantastic riverside section between Kingston and Chertsey via Hampton Court, Sunbury and many other delights....At Weybridge we missed the foot ferry spot  [who's the navigator?!] and had to traverse busy Staines, but after being joined there by two more, the now nine cyclists climbed up to wonderful historic Runnymede and a stop and the beautiful RAF memorial - a serene and peaceful spot. Lunch was found and enjoyed just before we pedalled through Windsor great park - where we found a the speed limit was 38mph [somebody explain please!] -  2 punctures ensued....but great views of Windsor Castle.  After a circular 'tour' of central Windsor [who's the navigator?!] we found eventually located a route to Maidenhead ....along a busy road, but we got up some pace.....Decisions were made, a couple of words were exchanged and 4 went across country to Goring, 4 up through nice country to Twyford then a train the 20 or so miles [A TRAIN!!] to Goring....our long day ended at 8pm.

At Goring [ a fine spot] the whole group now gathered, and booked into the YHA, supped heartily and drank copiously at the Catherine Wheel.....you can hear the snores....

Saturday was hotter..the ride was through fine and beautiful country up to Wallingford then stopping at 'the clumps', spectacular hills overlooking the scenery, we strolled a little there, then continued through Didcot past the power station and up to Abingdon.....Lunch was at Sandford on Thames by the Isis lock and then a lovely ride into Oxford and a quick cycle through the centre before we dispersed, hot, satisfied... with mileage clocked from 100 to 130 miles ...satisfaction, and more beers, were guaranteed!!

Trevor Hughes