Monthly Programme

Important message: Isis Cyclists and coronavirus

As an informal sub-group of Oxford Cycling UK, Isis Cyclists has cancelled all rides until further notice, following advice from Cycling UK.

It’s important to note that you can still go out on your bicycle, provided that you take precautions to minimise the risk to yourself and others.

However, please note Cycling UK’s message that you should go for a ride alone or with members of your household unless any of them have reason to self-isolate. Under no circumstance should you cycle or take part in any cycling activity in groups.

If you wish to go out for a ride, you can find some ideas in our selection of Isis Cyclists routes. But before you go, check Cycling UK’s Q&A on safe cycling during the coronavirus outbreak for their current advice, which is in accordance with the Government’s guidelines.

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In normal times, we say:

Welcome to Isis Cyclists, an informal member group of Oxford Cycling UK. We publish details of our rides month by month, and you’ll find the current month’s rides below this introduction. The rides are posted here shortly after the publication of our email newsletter, which is normally published on the last Tuesday of the previous month. If you’d like to receive the email version of the newsletter as well, please write to the editor through the Contact Us page.

We aim to start each ride promptly, and so we encourage people to meet 15 minutes before the advertised start time in order to welcome new riders, catch up with familiar faces and sign the riders’ list. We don’t publish the ride leaders’ contact details on this site, but if you have any queries about a particular ride, please get in touch through the Contact Us page at least a couple of days beforehand.

If you’re new to cycling with a large number of other people, you may find our Tips for Cycling in a Group and Meet the Ride Leaders pages helpful.

Isis Cyclists and Oxford Cycling UK are part of Cycling UK.

“The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one without shocking the entire community.” – Ann Strong, 1895

 

May 2020

Ellen writes…

Well, here we are five weeks into the lock-down and I hope you, your family and friends are keeping well and getting out to exercise on your bike or on foot. The weather has been glorious, and I know that many of you have been taking full advantage of your one exercise per day. Riding during lock-down has required some changes to the way we ride and where we ride. As I said to a dog walker who was getting flustered when she couldn’t get her dog out of my path, “what’s the hurry? It’s not like I’m in a rush to get anywhere”.

Anyway, riding more slowly and having the “brain space” to look around rather than computing collision avoidance with all the usual stationary and moving road hazards, has led me to make some real discoveries on my own doorstep. I’ve seen buildings and architectural details that I’d never noticed before in 30+ years of riding in Oxford, enjoyed the fantastic spring flowers and blossom and nearly been in collision with a muntjac deer running down St Aldates in the middle of the afternoon! I hope you’ve had some memorable lock-down moments too amid all the other stuff.

It’s been fantastic to see all the new riders out enjoying the quiet roads and tracks. It’s been particularly heartening to see so many families with young children. It would be great if they feel confident to continue riding once the lock-down eases. Cycling UK are running a “Campaign from your couch” encouraging people to write to their local papers demanding better facilities for cyclists moving into the future. Please do check this out and take part if you have a little spare time. It would be a wonderful thing if something really positive, like more active travel were a side-product of this horrible pandemic.

The Bike Buddies WhatsApp group has continued to be busy with photos, videos and accounts of lock-down cycling experiences. I’ve collected a small fraction (!) of photos to put into our Isis in Isolation photo album this month, so why not check it out and see how many places and faces you recognise!

The new Selection of Isis Routes page on this website has proved very popular with our members and others. The selection of routes is constantly expanding, so it’s worth keeping an eye on it.

Oxford Artweeks have been a staple of our rides every May and so I’m very pleased to be able to let you know that, although there will be no 2020 Artweeks in the “real world”,  virtual Artweeks 2020 are happening between 2^nd and 25^th May and you will be able to visit all the venues at any time of day (or night!) from the comfort of your sofa. Check out the Artweeks website for more details.

Finally, the Isis Leaders’ Group has been batting around ideas for what the group might do once group riding restrictions are lifted. How will we celebrate, are there new types of rides we want to add to our program, how might we deal with (hopefully) increased demand? We’ve had some thoughts, but would really appreciate some “blue sky” thinking from you too. Please do let us know your hopes, fears and ideas via info@isiscyclists.org.uk.

Best wishes for a healthy month and here’s hoping that restriction will begin to ease soon.

April 2020

Ellen writes…

It seems like a lifetime ago since the March short and medium Isis Cyclists rides took place, because so much has happened! I hope that this newsletter finds you, your family and friends fit and healthy. This is the strangest newsletter that I’ve ever had to write, and one in which the weather probably won’t feature at all.

Bike rides: the key message

I recently read that a study in China concluded that people who were fit when they contracted the virus were five times less likely to need hospital treatment than those who weren’t. I suspect that most of you require no encouragement at all to get outside walking, cycling, running, gardening etc. The good news is that, unless you are having to self-isolate, you can still get out for exercise once a day. I’m sure you’re sick and tired of being reminded, but…

We would like to strongly emphasise the message from Cycling UK (which has oversight of Isis Cyclists) that you should only go for a ride alone or with members of your household unless any of them have reason to self-isolate. Under no circumstance should you cycle or take part in any cycling activity in groups.

Before you set off on a ride, check Cycling UK’s Q&A on safe cycling during the coronavirus outbreak for their current advice, which is in accordance with the Government’s guidelines. Do revisit the Q&A regularly, as the advice may change.

It’s been hard to keep up with the fast pace of change over the last couple of weeks. Hopefully, we will now have a few weeks of stability before the rules change again.

Keeping your social distance on a bike

If any of you are at all worried, my experience has been that as long as you avoid places such as the river and canal towpaths at popular times, you will meet very few people indeed and almost everybody is being very sensible and maintaining at least the 2-metre recommended distance.

Social distancing has thrown up some interesting challenges such as how to get across the cycle track on the Botley Interchange if there is a cyclist approaching from the opposite direction. What is the etiquette? I’m not sure! Yesterday, I encountered a group of people in Wolvercote trying to herd five sheep while social distancing (with each other, not with the sheep!) which looked like even more of a challenge.

Keeping in touch through Bike Buddies

Riders who are part of the Bike Buddies WhatsApp group have been out and about this first week of the lock down.  The group was set up to help members find friends to ride with in those now far-off days when such things were permitted. However, with the more stringent restrictions Bike Buddies has morphed into a morale-boosting-cum-support group. There has been a steady trickle (and sometimes a positive gush) of encouraging messages and photos of what people have seen when they have been out exercising. So if you would like to keep in touch, do ask to join. All you need is access to WhatsApp and to email info@isiscyclists.org.uk or use the Contact us page to let us know your name and your mobile phone number, and we will sign you up.

If you are unlucky and are self-isolating, and would appreciate a cheery wave from a passing bike buddy, please let us know and we will do our best to arrange it!

Where individual riders have been – and some ideas for you

Why not check out our new Google Photo album Isis in Isolation to see where in and around Oxford we’ve got to and what we’ve seen in our first eight days of lock-down? Or if you are in need of inspiration about where to ride, our new selection of Isis Cyclists routes can help with outings of all shapes and sizes, guaranteed to fit anyone!

 

I wish you all the best for April and if you see me out and about on my daily exercise, please do give me a wave!

Happy cycling!

March 2020

In this issue:

• Ellen writes…
• Saturday 7th: short & steady ride
• Sunday 9th: Oxford Cycling UK half-day ride
• Saturday 14th: medium ride
• Saturday 21st: long ride
• Sunday 29th: social tea ride (mixed)
• Women-focused bicycle events in Oxford this month

Ellen writes…

Sunnyhill, sunny day!

We hope that the definite signs of spring will tempt you out to join us on one of our rides in March. Also, don’t forget about the car/van assist ride on Sun 5th April. I will be checking the route out in the middle of March and will send an email around to the group shortly after that with full details and arrangements for co-ordinating travel.

Bike Oxford 2020

For those of you who would like to take part in the Bike Oxford event this year, the organisers given Isis Cyclists a discount code that will give you 15% off the ticket price. Provisional routes for this year’s event can be seen on the Bike Oxford website. The discount code is BOISIS152020.

The Oxford Greenways Project

I attended the initial workshop organised by the Oxford Greenways Project (its current title) on behalf of Isis Cyclists. It is a project that is jointly funded by the County Council, City Council and Oxford University, in order to identify and propose a series of routes linking the towns and villages within about 8 miles of the edge of Oxford, to the City. The idea is for these routes to plug into routes created and improved as a result of the Oxford LCWIP (Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan), which is currently in the final stages of approval by the City Council.

This project is following in the footsteps of, and learning and adapting ideas developed in, the Cambridge Greenways Project, which is a few years ahead of ours(!) and has just secured funding for the first two of its proposed routes. It was very heartening that there was huge support for the Oxford project across the political parties, from cycling organisations, the local district councils, both Oxford Universities and some employers. So, if you have any ideas for links, improvement to existing routes or entirely new ones which will help us to get access to the countryside, and those living in the countryside to get access to Oxford, why not have a chat with me on a ride or drop me an email through the Contact Us page (or to my personal email address if you know it).

Check our photo site for pictures taken on our rides in February: https://photos.app.goo.gl/eVNFAbp8UxYk7m19A

SATURDAY 7th MARCH: SHORT & STEADY RIDE: “THE WAYS WE SEE”

Meet outside the Sheldonian theatre from 12.15 pm for a prompt 12.30 start. We will take cycle route 5 to Wolfson College to see “The Ways We See” Oxford Photographers Exhibition. It’s open daily in the Private Dining Room and the Florey Room from 10am until 7pm, subject to College commitments.

We’ll then continue to Summertown and Wolvercote in order to try out the newly resurfaced canal towpath. We will finish our ride in Jericho for tea and cake at the Branca food cafe. The ride is short (less than 10 miles in length), flat and suitable for all types of bicycles (including e-bikes). The ride leader is Lilia Bonacorsi.

SUNDAY 8th MARCH: OXFORD CYCLING UK HALF DAY RIDE: OTMOOR LOOP TO WATERPERRY GARDENS

As usual, we are invited to join the Oxford Cycling UK half day ride which this month will be led by Steve Tuohy. Meet in Broad St, Oxford (outside Oxford Campus Stores) for a prompt 9:30 departure on a clockwise loop of Otmoor with coffee at Waterperry Gardens. The route will leave Oxford via Marston before riding through Woodeaton, Islip, Charlton-on-Otmoor, Fencott and Murcott. From there it will climb Pans Hill before heading for the coffee stop via Oakley & Worminghall. The return from coffee will take us through Wheatley, Littleworth and Horspath.

The entire trip is 29 miles long and will include two hills before coffee and one after. (This is the ride that was cancelled in February due to bad weather.)

SATURDAY 14th MARCH: MEDIUM RIDE: SOUTH HINKSEY, ON OR OFF-ROAD

Meet from 10am in Radcliffe Square, Oxford for a prompt 10.15am departure on a ride that gives you a choice of an on or off-road approach to our refreshment stop at The Oxford Garden Centre, near South Hinksey. Our route will begin by heading through the quiet leafy streets of North Oxford and Jericho to pick up the canal and river towpaths to Osney. We will then pick up Willow Walk to arrive at North Hinksey. This is followed by the main climb of the day, Cumnor Hill. This can be taken at any pace and walked if you wish.

We will then turn down Hurst Lane where decision time looms, because this ride has two leaders and so will split into two groups here. One group will head back to North Hinksey via Raleigh Park Rd, ride through the village and then turn onto the ring road cycle track for the short hop to South Hinksey. The other group will take the off-road Chilswell track, with its fabulous views back towards Oxford. The track emerges on Hinksey Hill, so we will cross the interchange on the cycle track and ride the half mile along the ring rd cycle track to South Hinksey. The groups will meet at the Garden Centre café. We will return to Oxford via Redbridge and the side streets of South Oxford.

The ride will be approximately 13 miles long and the only significant hill is Cumnor Hill. The two ride leaders are Sarah Twine and Ellen Lee.

SATURDAY 21st MARCH: LONG RIDE: BRILL & BACK

We did this ride two years ago and it was most rewarding.  Meet inside Jacob and Field (on Old High St, Headington, near Waitrose) from 9:30am for a coffee, before departure at 10am prompt.

We will head off under the underpass onto the Bayswater road towards Stanton St John. We will then ride past the church and down the hill and head for Boarstall via Bernwood Forest.  We may have a short stop to admire Boarstall Tower, which is just off the road.  After a short stretch on the Thame Road we turn for Brill, climbing the hill that brings us out by the Windmill and the Pheasant Public House, where we will have lunch.

If you are planning to come, it would be very helpful if you could tell the leader, Jane Carlton Smith, and also let her know what you would like to order from the menu. You can pay on the day.

The return route starts with a long freewheel down the hill to Oakley, then on to Worminghall. We then turn for Wheatley, Littleworth and Horspath before the ride concludes at Horspath Driftway (on the ring road). The ride is approximately 25 miles long and hilly, but will be taken at a moderate pace. It is expected to take about 5 hours, including stops. There is the option to have tea at Waterperry if enough people want to make a day of it.

The ride leader is Jane Carlton Smith, and you can view the route on Mapometer.

SUNDAY 29th MARCH: SOCIAL TEA RIDE, A POTTER TO THE POTTERY

Meet in Radcliffe Square, at the back of the University Church for a 13:30 departure for this social tea ride where male friends and partners are very welcome. This ride will take us through Botley, Farmoor, Swinford, Stanton Harcourt and on towards Aston, where we will stop for coffee at Aston Pottery. The (mostly flat) return route will be through Brighthampton, Newbridge, Appleton and Cumnor. The leader is Leonor Barroca, and you can view the route on RideWithGPS.

Women-focused bicycle events in Oxford this month

Book event at Broken Spoke – Friday 20th March

7pm, Broken Spoke, Osney Lane, OX1 1NJ

Broken Spoke is hosting a really exciting book talk event with two cycling superheroes: Jools Walker and Emily Chappell, focussing on women’s cycling. They have both published new books in the past year so we will be hearing a discussion between the two of them, followed by a Q&A panel and book signings.

The tickets are priced on a sliding scale to make the event accessible to people on different incomes. Further information and tickets on Broken Spoke’s website and/or  Facebook.

Train like a woman: How to adapt your cycling training to your hormones – Friday 24th April

Organised by Cowley Road Condors
7pm, Florence Park Community Centre

Join Level 3 cycle coach and experienced bike racer Jasmijn Muller for an evening talk on ‘how to train like a woman’. Listen to some of the key things she picked up from Dr. Stacy Sims’ inaugural “women are not small men” course, which she completed in November and December 2019, as one of just 50 lucky people in the world.  Learn how to adapt your training for optimal performance through the various stages of the menstrual cycle. Find out how different anti-conception methods impact your training and performance. Discover how to mix up and change your training and nutrition once (peri)-menopause hits and your hormones are all over the shop.

Further information and tickets (£8): Cowley Road Condors website and/or Facebook.

February 2020

In this issue:

• Ellen writes…
• Saturday 1st: short & steady ride
• Saturday 8th: medium ride
• Sunday 9th: Oxford Cycling UK half-day ride
• Saturday 15th: long ride
• Sunday 23rd: morning mixed social ride

Ellen writes…

We do use our feet for other purposes – here, to climb Jarn Mound on Boars Hill.

What a fantastic start to Isis Cyclists’ 2020! Not only did all our three regular rides and one “pop-up” ride (to Boars Hill) go ahead unimpeded by the weather, we also saw record numbers of riders joining us. It was wonderful to see so many faces, familiar and new sharing the joy of cycling in the winter. If you haven’t managed to join us on a ride yet, why not do so in February?

January also saw the opening of booking for our 2020 weekend away at St Katharine’s, Parmoor. Sixteen cyclists have already booked places in the retreat house with more planning to camp nearby. Space is still  available in the house if you would like to take part. If you aren’t on our mailing list and are interested in taking part, please get in touch through the Contact Us page.

I would also like to give you advance notice of another “special” cycle ride: a car-assisted ride on Sunday 5th April, starting in Pangbourne in Berkshire and visiting The Living Rainforest in Hampstead Norreys. The ride will be a fairly challenging 19 miles, with several climbs and several descents down narrow, twisty roads. However, by then spring should have well and truly sprung, and the countryside should look wonderful. Full details will appear in the March newsletter.

Happy cycling!

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 1st: SHORT & STEADY RIDE – SMOOTH TARMAC TO SANDFORD

Respectful cyclists always dismount at a lock.

Meet from 10.00am in Bonn Square at the end of Queen Street for a prompt 10.15am departure. We will ride down St Ebbe’s to the river Thames and pick up the South Oxford cycle route and continue south along the Thames Towpath, enjoying the most recently resurfaced section along the railway line. Then we will head towards Sandford Lock to cross the Thames and take refreshments at Sandford Village Hall cafe. There is also the weekly food market for a bit of shopping. You can order food by email to collect on the day if you wish.

From there we will return to Oxford via Littlemore, Rose Hill, Iffley village and Meadow Lane. This ride is 8 miles long and fairly flat. It will be taken at the pace of the slowest rider. The ride leader is Clare Farley.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 8th: MEDIUM RIDE – A (HOPEFULLY) SUNNY RIDE TO “SUNNY HILL”

Meet in Radcliffe Square, at the back of the University Church from 10:00am for a 10:15am departure for coffee at the Sunny Hill vineyard in Horspath. We will start by taking the University Parks cycle track to Marston before riding through East Oxford, past the Cowley Centre and on to cross the ring road by subway on Long Lane, Littlemore. We will then take an interesting route, mainly on surfaced tracks and quiet roads through Greater Leys to emerge on Grenoble Rd and then onto the B480 for a short distance. We will then turn towards Garsington and start what is the only substantial climb of the ride; it can be taken at any pace and even walked. This will take us up through Garsington and onto the Wheatley Rd with potentially fine views over to the Chiltern Hills. We will then descend the long, straight hill to Horspath for coffee, cake and, who knows, maybe a taste or two of the products of the vineyard. Their own wine, sparkling cider and cider vinegar (all organic) are on sale, so it may be worth bringing an extra pannier. After coffee, it’s just a short two-mile hop to the ring road, where we will go our separate ways.

The route from the centre of town to the ring road (at the end of Horspath Road) is about 12 miles and back to the centre of town via Barracks Lane, a further 3 miles. If you live in East Oxford, we can pick people up on Rymers Lane, opposite Florence Park at approximately 10:35am. Please let the ride leader know (via the Contact Us page) if you will be at the pick-up point, so that we can wait if we arrive early. There will be some surfaced tracks on the route and one substantial hill as mentioned above. The ride leader is Ellen Lee.

SUNDAY 9th FEBRUARY: OXFORD CYCLING UK HALF DAY RIDE – OTMOOR LOOP TO WATERPERRY GARDENS

As usual, we are invited to join the Oxford Cycling UK half day ride which this month will be led by Steve Tuohy. Meet in Broad St, Oxford (outside Oxford Campus Stores) for a prompt 09:30 departure on a clockwise loop of Otmoor with coffee at Waterperry Gardens. The route will leave Oxford via Marston before riding through Woodeaton, Islip, Charlton-on-Otmoor, Fencott and Murcott. From there it will climb Pans Hill before heading for the coffee stop via Oakley & Worminghall. The return from coffee will take us through Wheatley, Littleworth and Horspath. The entire trip is 29 miles long and will include two hills before coffee and one after.

SATURDAY 15th FEBRUARY: LONG RIDE – SNOWDROPS IN SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE

We will meet at the Beirut restaurant (on the corner of Osler Road and London Road in Headington, OX3 9BJ) at 9:45am for a 10am start, heading out to Stanton St John and cycling through Forest Hill and the outskirts of Wheatley. As much as possible, we will follow country roads and quiet lanes through the rolling Oxfordshire countryside searching for snowdrops and other spring flowers that might be waiting for us. We will pass through the rural villages of Great Milton (of Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons fame), Great and Little Haseley before stopping for a break at the community run Little Milton Village Shop where we can have coffee and cake or a bacon or sausage bap – perfect sustenance for a cycling brunch as we tend to arrive about 11.30am. Once refreshed, we will return via Cuddesdon where we will pass Ripon College (a centre of theological training and research), before descending to Horspath and back to Oxford. This ride is about 22 miles and has several hills or undulations, which will be taken at a gentle pace or can be walked. The ride leader is Lucy Wright.

SUNDAY 23rd FEBRUARY: SUNDAY MORNING MIXED SOCIAL RIDE TO THE MILK SHED

Meet from 10:15 for a 10:30 departure at the junction of Norham Gardens and Parks Road, by the entrance to University Parks, for this mixed social ride to the Milk Shed at Weston on the Green. We will head off through North Oxford and Summertown following route 51, cross the bridge to Cutteslowe Park then take the cycle path along the Banbury Road for a short stretch before turning off to follow the route across the fields to Water Eaton. From there we follow quiet lanes through Hampton Poyle and up the hill to Bletchingdon, then downhill to Weston on the Green, taking a late coffee or early lunch at the Milk Shed. Our return route takes us back through Bletchingdon via an alternative road, and across the fields to Kidlington church. From there we’ll head straight back to Oxford along the Oxford Road. The ride is 23 miles long, and there are a couple of hills (which can be walked). As this is a mixed social ride, male partners and friends are welcome to join us. The ride leader is Karen Wolff.

January 2020

In this issue:

• Ellen writes…
• Saturday 4th: short and steady ride
• Saturday 11th: medium ride
• Sunday 12th: Oxford City Cycling UK short ride
• Saturday 18th: long ride

Gathering for the ride to the Bothy Vineyard on 21st December

Ellen writes…

We had plenty of gentle and mild weather in December so that (unusually) all our rides went ahead on schedule. We even managed to avoid any encounters with flood water!

The new year is always a time for taking stock; thinking both about the year ending and the one to come. 2019 was another great year for Isis Cyclists, as you can read in our annual report for 2018-2019. We have continued to enjoy our usual mix of confidence-building explorations in and around Oxford and more challenging rides into the countryside beyond. Obvious highlights were another wonderful weekend away based in Charlbury, a 50 mile challenge ride that explored villages at the base of the Berkshire Downs and a car/van assist ride from Lechlade that visited Kelmscott Manor on the very last day it was open for two years. However, no ride is “ordinary.” Each one is a sociable exploration in which the familiar can sometimes be magically transformed into something new by the seasons, the weather, the company and any number of “happenings” along the way. Let’s hope for plenty more in 2020!

2020 weekend away: 17th-19th July

We are returning to the Chilterns, this time at St Katherines, Parmoor, which is a retreat house near the village of Frieth. There is a campsite nearby for those who want to enjoy the full outdoor experience. There will be a separate mailing with full details later this month. If you haven’t joined us for some or all of one of these weekends, why not go for it in 2020? I think that anyone you talk to who has taken part in one will thoroughly recommend it.

Happy cycling in 2020!

Check our photo site for pictures taken on our rides in December: https://photos.app.goo.gl/2LgRyqDTJJcENtYK8

SATURDAY JANUARY 4th: SHORT & STEADY RIDE – A SHORT RIDE TO BREAKFAST

Meet at 10am for a prompt 10.15am start at the bottom of Walton Street (where it meets Worcester Street and Beaumont Street) and we’ll take advantage of the closed road and ride up through Walton Manor to Wolvercote, around to Wytham and then along to North Hinksey where we will take refreshments at The Fishes (see its breakfast menu).  Breakfast is served until 11.30am.  We will then return via Willow Walk and the tow path back to the city centre where the ride will finish in St. Ebbes Street (by St. Ebbes Church).   The ride is a fairly flat 9 miles and will be taken at the pace of the slowest rider. The ride leader is Natasha Williams.

The route is available at  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31650835

SATURDAY JANUARY 11th: MEDIUM RIDE – CIRCUMNAVIGATING OXFORD

Meet by the statue of the ox opposite the entrance to Oxford main rail station from 10:00 for a 10:15 departure. This ride takes us in a circle right round the city of Oxford using tow paths, cycle lanes and quiet roads. We will exit the station at the back and drop down to the canal where we’ll follow the towpath, as far as we can in a northwards direction. We’ll then go up onto quiet roads when the tarmac runs out and on towards Wolvercote. From there we wiggle our way through Summertown, then join the Marston Ferry cycle path before heading up Harberton Mead, then along Hilltop Road and back down the hill to Barracks Lane cycle path, then Florence Park. We’ll then cut through to ‘Sylvie’s’ on the Iffley Road where we’ll take refreshments. After coffee it will be straight back to the city centre along the Thames towpath. The ride is 12 miles long and will be led by Karen Wolff.

SUNDAY JANUARY 12th – OXFORD CITY CYCLING UK SHORT RIDE TO YARNTON NURSERIES

Meet outside Oxford Campus Stores on Broad St for a prompt 9:30am start on a leisurely ride to Yarnton Nurseries organised by the Oxford Cycling UK group and led by Stephen Lee.

The route will wind its way north on minor roads and paths and cross the ring road using the Cutteslowe bridge. It will then take the Water Eaton track to Kidlington and will cross the railway and canal to pick up Begbroke Lane. This will bring us out on the A44 cycle track, a little way to the north of the Yarnton Nurseries. After coffee we will return to Oxford directly using the A44 cycle track and, if it is dry enough, the canal towpath to Wolvercote. The pace will average about 10mph and the ride is flat (apart from a couple of bridges near Water Eaton) and approximately 15 miles in length. Please note that this is a mixed ride and so male friends and partners are welcome.

SATURDAY JANUARY 18th: LONG RIDE – CIRCLING OTMOOR

Meet by the Vaults café entrance at the University Church in Radcliffe Square at 10.45am to set off at 11am. We will head out through Marston and over the ring road to Elsfield, from here circling  Otmoor via villages including Horton cum Studley, Murcott and Charlton on Otmoor. In recent months, the fields have been flooded and the River Ray has burst its banks in low lying areas of Islip, where we will stop at the Red Lion pub (now part of the Jacobs Inn group) for bar snacks or lunch about three quarters of the way round. Bring a flask or drink and a snack to keep you going.

You can take a look at the pub menu at https://www.redlionislip.com

We will be cycling on roads throughout, and hopefully the later start means it will be free of ice. However, I will adjust or shorten the route if we have unfavourable weather The 22 mile ride is gently undulating with a couple of hills which we won’t rush.

The ride will be led by Lucy Tennyson. You are welcome to wait for the group just over the ring road by the Woodeaton turn at around 11.15am.

December 2019

In this issue:

• Ellen writes…
• Saturday 7th: short and steady ride
• Saturday 14th: medium ride
• Saturday 21st: social long ride

Ellen writes (or rather, asks)…

Our high-vis jackets compete with the autumn colours on November’s long ride

Welcome to the December newsletter. This month, instead of mentioning the weather(!) I’m going to make a plea for help with designing a new logo for Isis Cyclists. Those of you who have been riding with us a long time may remember our previous logo, featuring a woman riding a bike in a dress and high heels(!) with a cape billowing out around her. It comes from a 1920s poster which you can see on the Poster Corner website. We can’t reproduce the poster here as we’re not sure of the copyright situation – which is one of the reasons why we can no longer use a cropped section of it as a logo. Also, is uses several colours and is quite “fussy”, not ideal for reproduction.

We like to refer to it as “the flying woman”! We think it does a great job of saying what the group is about. To me it suggests things like:

• We really enjoy our cycling.
• We aren’t “sporty.”
• You don’t need to be a cyclist already to join in.
• You don’t need expensive equipment or specialist cycle clothing.
• Cycling makes us feel good.
• Cycling gives us freedom.

Isis Cyclists have so many diverse talents that there must be one of you with a knowledge of/interest in/experience of graphic design who has a bit of spare time to create a new logo for us. As we like so many of the messages that the “flying woman” makes us think of, what we probably need is a more stylised, simplified and perhaps more modern version of her. We imagine that a monochrome image will be simplest and it should fit in with the style and colours used on our website. Oh yes, the flying thing is not actually compulsory!

If you think you’re the person for the job, please could you get in touch with me (if you don’t know my email address, use the Contact Us page on this website). We would like to have our new logo ready by the spring.

Happy cycling!

Check our photo site for pictures taken on our rides in November: https://photos.app.goo.gl/VuVc1bgUE4nX1x8JA

SATURDAY 7^TH DECEMBER: SHORT & STEADY RIDE: FEELING CHRISTMASSY YET?

This short and steady ride will help you get into the mood for Christmas by visiting a couple of Christmas related exhibitions in Summertown. Meet outside the Sheldonian Theatre on Broad St, Oxford (opposite Blackwells Bookshop) from 12:15pm for a prompt 12:30pm start. We will take Sustrans Route 51 on minor roads and tracks to Summertown where we will visit the Winter Light Exhibition at the Sarah Wiseman Gallery and the Turrill Sculpture Garden Christmas Exhibition. We will then head south towards Jericho where we will stop for tea and cakes at the Branca Food Café. If the section of the Oxford Canal that is currently being resurfaced is finished, we will give it a try. The ride will be around 6 miles in length and is flat. The leader is Lilia Bonacorsi.

SATURDAY 14^TH DECEMBER: MEDIUM RIDE: WORTON ORGANIC GARDENS VIA KIDLINGTON

Meet by Costa Coffee in Summertown from 9.45am for a prompt 10am departure for a ride to Worton via the back lanes of Kidlington. We’ll ride via Cutteslowe, Water Eaton and a maze of Kidlington lanes, ways and avenues, including Begbroke Lane (if not too muddy!), over the A44 to Rutten Lane and through Yarnton to the Worton Organic Gardens for some of their gorgeous cake/puddings and maybe a little organic shopping. Back via Cassington and the A40 cycle path to Summertown. Distance is around 15 miles. No hills are involved in the making of this ride! Leader is Liz Weekes.

SATURDAY 21^ST DECEMBER: MIXED SOCIAL LONG RIDE: THE BOTHY VINEYARD

This long ride goes south-west to the award-winning Bothy Vineyard, which is open for Christmas sales from 11am to 6pm. Meet in Radcliffe Square behind the University Church at 10:00 for a prompt 10:15 departure. The outward route takes us through South Oxford, Kennington and either Sunningwell or Boars Hill, and we return via Cothill, Wootton and Cumnor. Because the vineyard doesn’t sell coffee, we will probably have an early stop at either the Flowing Well pub in Sunningwell or the Fox Inn on Boars Hill. Make sure you have room in your panniers for a bottle or two (or three!), but it’s fine simply to browse.

The total ride is about 21 miles, and will be generally flat if we go through Sunningwell, or with one short and steep hill if we go via Boars Hill. The leader is Liz Matthews. Because it’s so close to Christmas, this is a mixed social ride, and partners and friends are warmly invited to join us. And feel free to deck out your bike (and/or yourself) in festive garb.

KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR INBOX FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A POP-UP POST CHRISTMAS AND PRE-NEW YEAR RIDE!

November 2019

In this issue:

• Ellen writes…
• Saturday 2nd: short & steady ride
• Saturday 9th: medium ride
• Sunday 10th: Oxford City Cycling UK short ride
• Saturday 16th: long ride
• Sunday 24th: afternoon social ride
• Sunday 8th December: Wantage Cycling UK’s annual mince pie ride

Ellen writes…

Overcast, but at least it’s not raining!

Welcome to the Isis Cyclists November 2019 Newsletter. It feels as though the rain never stopped in October. However this can’t be true because, somewhat miraculously, all the October Isis rides were dry and at least two of them enjoyed wonderful autumn sun.  Hopefully with the change in the month, there will be a change in the weather and that all our rides will enjoy a similarly charmed life. As the temperature will be dropping, don’t forget to pop an extra layer (or two!) into your pannier. It’s better to carry more than you end up needing rather than feeling cold and not enjoying the ride.

A couple of reminders:

• To contact the ride leader before the ride (e.g. to ask a question or arrange a pick-up point), please use the Contact us page, clearly indicating who the email should be forwarded to. We will do our best to ensure that it gets to the right person.
• It’s now winter, so check out our tips for winter cycling and make sure that your lights are legal. James Dawton of Oxford City Cycling UK has published a user-friendly guide to cycle lights, and Cycling UK has recently updated its guide to cycle lighting regulations.

Happy cycling!

SATURDAY 2nd NOVEMBER: SHORT & STEADY RIDE: TOWPATHS, BRIDGES & PARKS

Meet by the statue of the ox opposite the entrance to the Oxford Railway station from 9:45am for a 10:00am departure for this short ride that takes us along some of Oxford’s loveliest cycle paths despite staying close to the city centre.

We will head north along the canal before cutting across Port Meadow and turning south along Fiddlers Island. We’ll continue along the Thames to Donnington Bridge, where we head off to South Oxford, down Marlborough Road and back to the Thames. We’ll either have coffee at the roasters in Osney Mead, or The Fishes on North Hinksey Lane, depending on the weather and the number of cyclists. The ride is flat and 8 miles long and will be led by Karen Wolff.

SATURDAY 9th NOVEMBER: MEDIUM RIDE: AN AUTUMN RIDE THROUGH ELSFIELD & BECKLEY

Meet at 09.45am for a prompt 10am departure at The South Lodge, University Parks (OX1 3JA, corner of Parks Rd and St Cross Rd) for this medium ride out into the countryside to Beckley and Elsfield. Our ride will begin by cycling through University Parks and the cycle paths and side streets of Marston. After crossing the ring road, we will venture out in a north-easterly direction riding mostly on quiet country roads, and hopefully have some beautiful autumn colours in the hedgerows and trees. We will make our way to Elsfield and may even see the resident peacocks. We will meander our way to Beckley and admire the expansive views and big skies over Otmoor and the countryside beyond from several vantage points. We will return through Barton to Risinghurst where we will stop for coffee and a Portuguese egg tart (Pasteis de Nata) and/or some other scrumptious cakes at the local Portuguese café, AKA Madeira Supermarket in Risinghurst.

This ride is about 12 miles and is hilly. All 3 hills can be taken at your own speed (at a gentle pace or walked) with regular regroupings, and of course where there is an up, there is usually a down! The ride leader is Lucy Wright.

SUNDAY 10th NOVEMBER: OXFORD CITY CYCLING HALF-DAY RIDE: A LONG LOOP TO SOUTH HINKSEY

Meet for a prompt 09:30am start in Broad Street, Oxford (by Oxford Campus Stores). We will be having a second attempt at last month’s ride that was affected by torrential rain!

The route will take us down Botley Rd and up Cumnor Hill. We will then continue through Cumnor village, Appleton and Fyfield where we will cross under the A420 to emerge in Tubney. From there we will ride through Cothill and Wootton before climbing up through Old Boars Hill. A descent of Hinksey Hill will bring us out at the A34 roundabout and we will ride a little way along the ring road cycle track before re-crossing the ring road and stopping for our refreshment break at The Oxford Garden Centre.

We will return to the Station via North Hinksey and Willow Walk. The route is approximately 24 miles in length and includes climbs of Cumnor and Boars Hills. The ride leader is Stephen Lee. This is a mixed ride, so male partners and friends welcome.

SATURDAY 16th NOVEMBER: LONG RIDE: THE FARMHOUSE BAKERY & CAFÉ, STEVENTON

Meet outside the back of the University Church in Radcliffe Square for a prompt 10:00 departure to Steventon via the South Oxford cycle route, Kennington, Abingdon and Drayton. If you are starting out from south or east Oxford, you can join the ride at Go Outdoors. Please be in position by 10:10 to make sure you don’t miss us.

The Farmhouse Bakery & Café is on the northern edge of Steventon village in a new, rustic-style building: see https://farmhousebakerycafe.co.uk/. As well as taking refreshments you might like to browse – and purchase – their breads, savoury goodies and cheeses.

This will primarily be an out-and-back route, with a couple of variations. It includes a couple of short and slightly squelchy stretches near Abingdon and on the Hanson Trail, but you are welcome to get off and wheel your bike through them. Overall, though, the route is not suitable for bikes with thin tyres.

The total length of the ride is 25 miles, but it’s mostly flat; the only really noticeable incline is just after Sunningwell on the way back. Some urban cycling will be involved in Abingdon town centre, and we will also follow the B4016 and B4017 for a few miles. See https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31448137

The ride will be led by Liz Matthews. Please could you let me know (via the Contact Us page if you don’t know my personal email address) if you are expecting to come, as it may be prudent to alert the bakery if we’re a large number. Thanks!

SUNDAY 24th NOVEMBER: SUNDAY SOCIAL RIDE TO THE MILL VIEW CAFÉ, WHEATLEY

Meet from 12:45 for a prompt 13:00 departure at The South Lodge, University Parks (OX1 3JA), corner of Parks Rd and St Cross Rd) for this, our final Sunday social ride of the year. We will start by riding along the Parks cycle track and down the Marston Rd to pick up the Cowley Rd and Barracks Lane which will take us out onto the Ring Rd. If you prefer, you can meet us at the end of Horspath Rd (where the buses turn). I would hope to be there around 13.15, but let me know if you will meet us there, so I don’t go without you.

After a couple of miles on the B480, we will turn right to climb up through Toot and Marsh Baldon. A short section of A4074 will bring us to the Golden Balls Roundabout where we will turn left along the B4015 to Chiselhampton. We will then ride another short section of B480 before turning off through Chippinghurst, Denton and Cuddesdon and to tea at the Mill View Garden Centre. We will aim to leave by 3.45pm at the latest, so that we can complete the 3 miles to the Oxford ring road before the sun sets. However, you will need lights to make your way home from there. The ride is 19.5 miles long and includes three hill climbs which will be taken steadily. As this is a social ride, male partners and friends are very welcome to join us. The ride leader is Ellen Lee.

SUNDAY 8th DECEMBER: CYCLING UK WANTAGE’S ANNUAL MINCE PIE RIDE

Cycling UK Wantage invites you to join their annual festive ride from Wantage to Uffington White Horse Hill, which again is in aid of Whizz Kidz, the children’s mobility charity.

Guests and other cycling clubs are very welcome to join Wantage CUK at Wantage Market Place by 9.45am for the start of the ride, or at White Horse Hill NT car park (grid ref SU 293866) from 11.15 to 12.00 for mince pies and mulled wine. All proceeds on the day will go to Whizz Kidz. For more details, visit www.cyclingukwantage.org.uk