A cycling event that takes riders through Oxford and the surrounding countryside is celebrating its 10th anniversary this weekend.

Bike Oxford will offer entrants a choice of three routes starting at Oxford University Rugby Club on Sunday.

The event features CyclAbility, which provides inclusive cycling sessions for people of all abilities.

Bike Oxford will also raise money for new charity partner Maggie's Oxford Cancer Care Centre.

About 700 cyclists of all abilities are set to ride through signposted routes of either 26, 50 or 75 miles from the rugby club.

Hundreds of cyclists enjoy the riding challenge through Oxford and its countryside every year

Victor Alway, from Bike Oxford, said the event has "a real community spirit".

"Bike Oxford is championed by Oxford City and Oxfordshire County councils as a way of encouraging active transport and healthy lifestyle, and supported by Cowley Road Condors, a vibrant and friendly road cycling club," Mr Alway said.

For a second year in a row, they collaborate with CyclAbilty, a community interest company that provides inclusive cycling for people with various health barriers.

Their adapted cycling event took place on Friday at the Horspath Athletics track in a safe traffic-free environment.

CyclAbility director Steve Unwin said the inclusive sessions help people "gain confidence both in themselves and in cycling".

"We have a young man whose life has to be supported by carers but when he is on the track, he can be himself," Mr Unwin said.

"People with long-term health conditions including strokes and dementia come along and their mood improves and they look forward to having a good time."

Bike Oxford will also be running an interactive 10-mile walking event called Walk Oxford.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-65986849

swldx...@gmail.com <swldxer1958@gmail.com> wrote:
> A cycling event that takes riders through Oxford and the surrounding
> countryside is celebrating its 10th anniversary this weekend.

> "People with long-term health conditions including strokes and dementia
> come along and their mood improves and they look forward to having a good time."

They would probably react the same way if you took them down the pub.

> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-65986849

--
Spike

Maggie's Oxford's beautiful Treehouse and kind cancer support specialists offer a safe and healing space for anyone affected by cancer. You can find out more about Maggie's on our blog post.

You can help support Maggie's, Oxford by adding a donation to your booking at the basket. Upon making a donation at the basket, you will be automatically entered into a raffle to be in with a chance of winning a £100 cash prize, amongst other Iconic Mystery Prizes! All funds raised will go to Maggie’s Oxford.

Or, use Bike Oxford or Walk Oxford to fundraise for Maggie’s Oxford.. Set up your online giving page here, and email oxford.fundraising@maggiescentres.org to be contacted by the Maggie’s fundraising team who will support you to raise as much money as possible for this cause.

We are very pleased to be working once again with CyclAbility Oxford to ensure Bike Oxford will be a fully inclusive sportive event. With their extensive range of adapted cycles, tandems, side-by-sides, tricycles, recumbent bikes and even a wheelchair transporter they have something for everyone. The inclusive element of the event will take place at the Horspath Athletics track in a safe traffic free environment.

https://www.bikeoxford.co.uk/

On 24/06/2023 05:04 pm, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

> A cycling event that takes riders through Oxford and the surrounding countryside is celebrating its 10th anniversary this weekend.

Blimey... they must be going slowly...

Is there a long queue of normal people behind them?

Robin Tucker, Chair of Oxfordshire Cycling Network gets ready to enjoy Bike Week.

Bike Week 2023, 5-11 June, is the 100th edition of the annual celebration of all things cycling.

There are few places better to cycle than Oxfordshire, and cycling groups will be putting on special rides and events across the county.

To celebrate, Oxfordshire Cycling Network and the Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel are launching a series of family-friendly routes in different towns across the county, and an Oxford Online Cycle Map.

The family friendly rides are routes picked to be the most accessible, welcoming and safe that we can find, drawing on the expertise of local cycling groups, to give the whole family the chance to enjoy cycling together. “These are routes where you could take a five- or six-year-old to learn to cycle, and people of all abilities can enjoy a gentle ride”, said Cathy Gaulter of Thame Green Living, who was a contributor for the Phoenix Trail route description.

All of these routes are free of motor traffic, although some have road crossings. Most have some point of interest on the ride, and a café or some other form of refreshment nearby. They are accessible for a large local population, and we note railway stations or car parking near the start for those coming from further away.

We would like to see every town, and every part of Oxford, develop at least one route where children and people of all abilities can enjoy cycling and develop their skills in safety. The Faringdon Cycle Park is a great example of how popular dedicated facilities can be, but they can also form part of routes such as National Cycle Network Route 5, heading east of Abingdon.

The Oxford Online Cycle Map has been put together by local residents and showcases connecting cycle routes across the city which are suitable for novice cyclists and people who want to find a walking route away from traffic.

Councillor Emily Kerr, who helped design the map, said “They won’t always be the most direct, but they should be the quietest. It’s on Google Maps so it can be used on your phone. We’ve split routes into car-free, low-car and walking-only; and have added a separate layer including crossings. We’ve aimed to make sure schools and other destinations are connected up, and where there are a number of options, we’ve just chosen the best one so the map doesn’t get too crowded.”

“It’s a great tool for planning a commute, a journey to the shops, or visiting a friend”, said Alison Hill of Cyclox. “We’ve aimed to make sure schools and other destinations are connected up, and where there are a number of options, we’ve just chosen the best one, so the map doesn’t get too crowded.”

Oxfordshire is a great place to be cycling. Recent data from Sport England’s Active Lives survey showed that cycling in Oxfordshire had increased from a post-Covid dip and in the year to November 2022, 44% of adults, 260,000, cycled, about 300,000 including children. In Oxford, the second highest area for cycling in the country, after Cambridge, 59% of adults cycled. Only 68% of Oxford households have a car, and while the two numbers are not directly comparable, their closeness makes it clear how important cycling is to the city’s economy and transport system.

With these extra ideas to help find your way, it’s a great opportunity to get on your cycles, with your children or friends, and enjoy the ride.

The family friendly routes can be found at: cyclingukoxfordshire.org/family-friendly

The Oxford Online Cycle Map is at: cyclingukoxfordshire.org/Oxford-map

To find other rides and events check out your local cycling group. Many of them are listed on the Cycling UK Oxfordshire website.

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/23557430.bike-week-2023---find-special-rides-oxfordshire/