SQUAREWHEELS.org.uk
Alternative sections of route
for Richard’s Cambridge & Oxford cycle route

This route of mine is not “set in stone” and there are ways in which it may be gently refined and improved. In this chapter, the suggestions that I and others have made are examined and recorded.

Headington/Elsfield

Originally I’d put the route as entering Oxford via Barton (past the Crem), through Headington and down the London Road, but the extra mile to go via Elsfield is well worth it for the much quieter roads.

Of course, depending on your origin and destination and how well you know “the other place”, you may well want to choose your own route within Cambridge and/or Oxford anyway.

Sandy

It has been suggested by at least two people that the route should go through Sandy town centre instead of Beeston, to cross the A1 at the A603 roundabout where traffic nominally has to give way to you. I investigated this at half-past eight on a winter’s evening, and found it quite unpleasant in several ways; at least by crossing the A1 at Beeston (as per my route), you’re not relying on motorway-speed traffic to give way to you; and you’re not on the major roads. The alternative route is 210 metres shorter, and if you want the shops anyway it may be a preferred option; but the route will continue to run via Beeston for now.

Biggleswade and Potton (avoiding Sandy and Everton)

Richard Bryce has suggested an alternative route between Old Warden and Gamlingay:

“Rather than dropping down from Old Warden into Sandy and then climbing back up to Everton in order to reach Gamlingay, consider keeping to the high ground past the Shuttleworth Museum and [SO onto what becomes] the B658 into Biggleswade. Though crossing the A1 means negotiating a roundabout, there is a very handy Sainsbury’s store on the other side. From Sainsbury’s you follow the main northern through-route on the B1040 SP POTTON past the John O’Gaunt golf club into Potton, [Continuing] to Gamlingay. I doubt there is much in the mileage. The Sainsbury’s refuelling stop is useful as is the loss of the climb into Everton. The downsides are that it cuts out a scenic element, and being on the Sainsbury’s road has more motor traffic.”

Thanks for submitting this — it appears from Google Earth and GPS measurements of the alternative (8.17 miles) and original (9.27 miles) routes that there is 1.1 miles’ saving to be had here, as well as a perhaps flatter road; however, both versions dip down to about 24m. Definitely worth a look.

Beckley village

A suggestion was received from Gabriel to avoid the mile of B4027 between the Elsfield Road and the Horton-cum-Studley turning, by running via Beckley village. My view is that the B4027 isn’t too bad at all, whereas Beckley village has a gravelley off-camber downhill curve in both directions as well as a stiff climb in the eastwards direction; via Beckley is also 210 metres (sic) longer. So, although I’ve noted this suggestion, the route has not adopted it.

Kingswood (avoiding Ashendon hill)

David Splett has suggested a diversion between Quainton and the Brill area, via Kingswood. This has the worthwhile advantages of being much flatter than the standard route via Ashendon and its 1-in-7 hill, and of crossing the busy A41 at crossroads rather than travelling along it for nearly two thirds of a mile. The distances appear to be similar. I would expect it to be particularly useful for the Oxford-bound rider who might be tiring near the end of an increasingly-hilly ride; I, on the other hand, almost always enjoy the challenge of Ashendon and the payoff of its downhill! This diversion requires surveying, and anyone familiar with cycling on those roads — or prepared to test the diversion on behalf of this page — is encouraged to provide feedback.