Reading to Oxford using cycle route 5

Took advantage of a free day for a longer (40 mile) bike ride. Followed National Cycle Route 5 from Reading to the outskirts of Oxford (Redbridge park & ride car park). From Reading up, up, up to Stoke Row and Checkendon then first stop at Blue Tin Produce Coffee Bar. Down to Wallingford (convenient public toilets!). A road closed meant a bit of a diversion onto a main road then there was a climb up to Wittenham Clumps where I walked up a very impressive hill fort to eat my lunch. There must be views all around for 10 miles plus. Down again and a nice traffic free Sustrans route into Didcot.  Parts of the route through Didcot were quite grotty though - past the sewage works and through industrial estates. Another time I would do a short stretch of the A4130 to bypass it. Nice and flat from Didcot to Abingdon although pretty windy. I stopped in Abingdon to buy a coffee and doughnut. Unfortunately after having them I left my phone on the bench. Although I realised within a minute or two it had gone when I returned - and then it started raining. I couldn't even remember any phone numbers so carried on to rendezvous with Tony who had kindly agreed to pick me up at the end of the ride. Luckily there were enough road signs to find my way. (My phone is also my map, watch, money). Happily the person who found the phone had called Tony (his number was on the lock screen) and we were able to pick it up.

Map of route (only as far as Abingdon due to lost phone)

Rode 05/05/2021 



Abingdon pretty in the sunshine before the rain

Not sure why Blue Tin coffee bar selected this mug for me 




Stunning views in all directions from Wittenham Clumps




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