Oxford Cycling UK

Details of our rides are emailed to subscribers each week. Click here to subscribe.

We organise recreational Sunday rides (usually leaving from Broad Street at 9.30am), occasional social events and special rides including trips away, e.g. France, Rebellion Way, Isle of Wight. Once a month we aim to have an “away-day” ride, starting outside Oxford: Wantage, Chipping Norton, Banbury, Witney, Princes Risborough etc. This allows us to explore places which would be inaccessible from the centre of Oxford. Our average pace is about 12mph (20kph) and one of our experienced riders acts as a “sweeper” at the back to make sure no one gets lost and to help with any mechanical problems. Our Sunday rides are a social occasion, and while some may enjoy the odd burst of speed up a hill, and we will wait for slower climbers, it is less stressful if you can comfortably ride at the pace and distance specified. Electric bike riders are welcomed.

Social riding means enjoying the 3 Cs: coffee, cakes, and chat.

Flexible Sunday rides to suit you – half day or full day

Our Sunday rides start (usually at 9.30am) outside the Campus Store in Broad Street, Oxford. However, depending where you live, you can choose to join us at coffee, or along the route instead of at the start. It is helpful if you let the ride leader know that you plan to do this.

Riders have the option of returning home from coffee or joining for the whole ride which includes a lunch stop. If returning from coffee we may not have a leader to guide you so it is important that you have a map / know a route home.

We always try to vary our rides from week to week and our loops go out in all directions from the centre of Oxford. We avoid main roads as far as possible, stopping for coffee after 12 to 15 miles and then lunch (Pub or Garden centre) where there are a variety of choices.  Distances range from 35-45 miles in winter to 50+ miles in summer, when the longer and warmer days provide an opportunity to explore more distant routes, perhaps stopping for ice cream on the way home.

It is important, before coming on the ride to make sure that your bike is in good working order. We recommend carrying 2 spare inner tubes, a bicycle pump, plenty of water and extra clothing and waterproofs if the weather is changeable. We also ask you to carry an emergency contact number for use by medical services in the event of an accident. New riders do not have to be a member of Cycling UK to come on the rides as their first 3 rides with us are covered by Cycling UK’s individual third-party liability cover. You do need to join CUK to ride with us after that.