Goring Gap Cycling

The roads at the south end of the village are all on relatively flat land at the bottom of the valley. Because they are basically cul-de-sacs, with only minor links between, they do not attract a lot of traffic and so are good for cyclists learning to ride on the road. The map shows a number of mix-and-match route options.

Manor Road Loop
South on Manor Road from its junction with Station Road. At the end of Manor Road, wriggle up the paths through the new housing development (not yet shown on most maps) and ride north up Croft Road back to Station Road. It’s recommended to do this loop anticlockwise, so that the new rider has only left turns and takes Station Road in the downhill direction. Lime Tree Road and Little Croft Road provide alternative links across the middle of this loop. Neither is fully tarmacked, and can have puddles or potholes. About 1.0 mi for the complete loop.

Gatehampton Fields
Across the track from the end of Manor Road to Gatehampton, then return to the station via Gatehampton Road. The track has puddles in potholes after wet weather, but does not get excessively muddy. Currently classified as a footpath, it is under consideration for reclassification to bridleway status. See Rights of Way for an explanation of the legalities. At the station, beginners can walk their bikes and use the station lift and footbridge, exiting the station at the top of Station Road opposite Goring Hardware. Take particular care walking along platform 4, as it is often busy. The alternative is to carry on along Gatehampton Road to the bridge at the top of the High Street. This is quite a busy stretch of road and daunting to many beginners. About 2.0 mi for the loop.

Hartslock
Take Gatehampton Road south from the front of the station, keeping to the left where the surfaced bridleway forks off to Gatehampton Manor. Where the road makes a sharp left turn to climb to Upper Gatehampton Farm, take the bridleway straight ahead for 200 m to a kissing gate on the right where a footpath leads up to the Hartslock nature reserve. This makes a great destination for a little kiddie picnic. There is a bench at the top of the hill and superb views across the Goring Gap. Lock the bikes up outside the kissing gate if you’re stopping, but make sure you don’t block the walkers’ access or the farmers’ access to the field. About 1.0 mi from the station. Return by the reverse route.

South Stoke
For little legs (or older beginning cyclists) wanting to go a little further, the bridleway to South Stoke offers the challenge of riding on a variety of surfaces, with some minor changes of gradient, all with minimal traffic. Parts can be muddy after wet weather. The route is shown starting from the Gardiner recreation ground on Cleeve Road. South Stoke has a community shop on its recreation ground off Cross Keys Road, an attractive destination for children. Adults may prefer to visit the Perch and Pike instead. Return by the reverse route. The route is about 1.8 mi each way.

A shorter version of this ride would be to stop at the Withymead nature reserve, just after passing the sailing club. See withymead.org for opening times (mainly Sunday in spring and summer).