Ride Around Oxfordshire (continuation)
August 16, 1998
From Chipping Norton I continued north over farmlands and encountered more rolling hills. I briefly crossed over into Warwickshire, got all turned around and got lost. For the heck of it, I decided to keep riding without orienting myself, and decided to just meander wherever my fancy (and my bike) took me. This approach, and the pleasant sunshine above had a very liberating and uplifting effect on my spirits. The beautiful roads stretched out around me are absolutely deserted; the leaves on the trees are swaying from the gentle breeze. It is times like this that I’m reminded why I force my reluctant body out of bed very early weekend mornings to go riding.
Soon I encountered a sign announcing my arrival at "Sibford Gower and Burdrop." I guess Burdrop was so small it couldn’t even afford its own sign!
(Below: View just before
Chadlington and Chipping Norton)
(Above: Meandering
somewhere near Sibford Gower)
Soon I reached the northernmost point of my route at Shenington. Just east of this hamlet, in a beatifully wooded valley is the peaceful town of Alkerton. Tucked away among Alkerton’s trees is an early 13th century Norman church of St. Michael. The church’s southern frieze has carvings thought to depict the life and times of Edward, the Black Prince. The church looked inviting. I went inside, looked around, and took in the quiet dignity of the place.
(Below: The 13th-century
Norman church of St. Michael in Alkerton)
From this point on short climbs became a constant feature of the roads and, at 60 miles, my legs started to notice every out-of-the-saddle effort. I continued riding south and, on the long road from the B4035, through Wigginton and to Swerford.
(Below: A narrow, gated
road towards Broughton)
(Below: Broughton Castle)
