Escape to the Country

I have called home quite a few places across the UK, and the USA: from Cities to Suburbia, to Towns and Hamlets; from humid hot climates to a dry desert climate, and everything in between. Whilst I do love cities, particularly London and New York, my heart has always been in the countryside. I spent most of my school years in Thame, Oxfordshire, a small historic market town (11,500 population +/-). 

Thame dates back to the Anglo-Saxon era and gets its name from the River running to its north. The town is situated close to the Chiltern Hills (area of outstanding natural beauty), and a stone's throw from the County seat of Oxford. In 1138 Thame Abbey was founded, later demolished in the 16th century, and incorporated into what is now Thame Park house. The parish Church "St. Mary the Virgin" dates back to the 13th century, and the nearby Prebendal (Church buildings) date also to the 13th century.

Thame's 13th-century parish church

The Prebendal in the background, once the home of Robin Gibb

Gravestone from 1668

In the center of Thame stands the town hall, a relatively new building in Thame's history, built in 1888. Several other notable buildings line the high street, mostly dating from the 16th and 17th centuries; including the Six Bells and the Bird Cage pubs, the latter doubling up as a prison during the Napoleonic wars.

Thame Town Hall

Six Bells public house

The Bird Cage public house

The Chiltern Hills lie a few miles southeast of Thame, and are one of my favourite "local" areas for walking and cycling. Much of the chalk hills are designated as an "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty", they encompass approximately 300 square miles over 4 Counties.

View from the Chilterns

Chiltern wildlife - the Common Darter

On the southeastern edge of the Chilterns, close to the towns of Chalfont St. Giles and Chalfont St. Peter lies the "Chiltern Open Air museum". This museum was founded in 1976, and its purpose is to preserve buildings from the Chilterns that would otherwise have fallen into disrepair. The museum has quite a range of buildings, and you could easily spend half a day or more exploring.

18th-century barn converted into cottages in 1770

WW1 Nissen hut

1886 Tin Chapel

1826 Toll House

Chilling in the Chilterns

The weather in the UK is unpredictable at the best of times, so I did not have high hopes during my Christmas visit of getting in much quality cycling. But, the day I arrived the skies were blue, the Sun was out, and the roads were calling my name. Little did I know, that these "perfect" conditions were going to test my skills within hours of stepping foot in blighty. The clear skies and winter sun in the UK do not warm the roads as fast as in Colorado (my current home base), and I soon found myself doing a synchronized ice dance on the bike ascending a hill covered in black ice.

Fortunately, the ice dancing was a one off party trick. The crisp frosty winter air soon gave way to milder breezier weather, which in turn means the roads stay damp in the daytime, and trails become stickier and muddier. However, after Day 1's Ice dancing the next ride I decided to do was off-road (Phoenix trail aka National Route 57). Now, my last UK off-road riding was probably back in the 1990's, I had forgotten what a messy affair it can be, no piece of clothing came away unscathed!. Never before has my cycling clothing seen the inside of a washing machine this frequently :).

Fortunately the rest of my on road riding experience was a safer and much less messier affair, just a wipe down of the bike after each ride was all that was needed. The beautiful Oxfordshire scenery really stood tall and proud when the sun shone, and observing it at the pace of a bicycle really made you appreciate it even more. The view in this image is from Brill Windmill, built in the 1680's, and restored in the 2000's. The views from here extend to Oxford and beyond.

The Chiltern hills are a chalk escarpment that lie to the southeast of Thame, the town I grew up in, and where I base myself when in the UK. The hills are designated as "An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty", and are a cyclists dream. The Tour of Britain even passed through the "Chilterns" during 2014, and they throw plenty of challenges at the amateur and pro cyclists alike. One loop I like to ride takes in Kingston Hill, this averages 11% for a 0.5 mile stretch, and really warms you up on a cold winters day!. I typically follow tried and tested routes when I cycle in the Chilterns, these routes follow national cycle ways, quiet roads, and pass through quaint little villages.

Sustrans is the main UK charity responsible for promoting alternative travel, and the force behind the National Cycle Network. The National Cycle Network covers 14,200 miles through the UK, and follows safe on and off road routes via route numbers (The Phoenix trail is part of Route 57, as seen in this photo). Sustrans website has an extensive shop that sells mapping and books to guide you across the UK via their routing, I have found the routes well marked and well planned. Their website can be viewed by clicking HERE.