The cycling Tour of Britain is passing through the county on 9 September, the day of our Ride and Stride. To mark the event we have planned special “Ride the Tour” circular routes each incorporating a section of the Tour route. Participants are invited to follow these in their own time and at their own pace after the Tour has passed through.

The tour enters the county at Horton cum Studley shortly after noon, will pass through Islip, Bletchingdon, Charlbury and Shipton under Wychwood before leaving the county west of Milton under Wychwood at about 1.45. The police will operate a rolling road block. Some roads will be blocked for up to an hour before the ride passes through but should clear rapidly thereafter. The detailed timetable is here

We have planned shorter rides starting from  Islip, Bletchingdon, Charlbury and Milton under Wychwood and a longer ride starting from Charlbury and following the Tour route through to Milton and back. You can of course start at other points on these routes if you wish.

These maps include brief notes about some of the churches on the way which are waiting to welcome you. These maps will be available for future riders as well. We suggest a donation of £3 per map for an individual or £5 for a family. All these routes can be downloaded to a smartphone but are designed to be printed on two sides of A4 folded. Maps can be purchased here

In addition at about 2pm after the cycle Tour of Britain has passed through Charlbury there will be a cycle rally for children covering some of the Tour route through the town calling in at the town’s churches and chapels. This junior ‘Ride the Tour’ event is organised jointly by the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust and the Windrush Bike Project. There will be different age categories, and balance bikes and scooters will be eligible for the youngest. All children who complete their route will receive certificates and prizes.

You can find out more about this event here