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Just going through ideas for a bikepacking trip next month, one idea is to ride down the Grand Union from Brum, along the Thames then back up the Oxford canal... I’m wondering if there is a towpath/cycle route along the Thames between the two canals? Any locals who can offer some advice?
Thanks
I considered that 30 years ago. There is a book about walking the Thames Path. And one on the Grand Union.
The canal apparently goes through some unfriendly tunnels in less than attractive city areas in places. You do need good local intel on that.
Plenty of them around here in the Black Country
Oxford
I do a section of canal and Thames from Thrupp to Wolvercote and onto the Thames there.
I’m pretty sure going North all the way to Banbury is okay. I’m happy to try it out if necessary.
Thanks for the offer but can’t ask you do that! I’m sure there’ll be someone who can answer
The bit from Heyford down towards Thrupp was not great when we did it the other week. Only went about 3 miles down then turned around and came back. Overgrown, bumpy, and bits collapsing into the canal. Rideable but with family it wasn't fun.
From Thrupp you can cut across to Woodstock where there's an off-road route up to Barton, then cut across to Heyford.
Thames path around Oxford/Abingdon is very rideable, cycle route mostly I think.
The Oxford Canal's not so great. I live in Banbury, and the path along there is unmade, just grass/mud. Pretty narrow and collapsed in places. It's not unrideable, but can be slow going. Can't comment on all of it, but Heyford north to Cropredy is as described, 20 miles-ish.