This post describes a relatively flat 2-day cycle tour from Tring out to Bicester via Buckingham then coming back to Tring via Chinnor. Just add a start date and book your hotel!
Start Point: Tring Station
Finish Point: Tring Station
Meetup Time: 08:06
Start Time: 08:15
Route: Tring to Bicester to Tring
Route Alt: Tring to Bicester to Tring (ALT)
No. Days: 2
Day 1: 72km
Day 2: 79km
Elevation: 910m of total climb over 2 days which is moderate. The only real climb is up to Brill early on the second day as the route always keeps you north of the Chiltern Hills. If you wanted a more demanding route you could avoid Marsworth and instead drop down to Cholesbury on the return as this takes you into the Chilterns.
Overnight: Individuals can book their own accommodation in Bicester such as the Premier Inn or Travelodge. Bicester is approximately halfway.
Hotels
Bicester Premier Inn, in 2025 a room on a Sunday night was £47 though prices vary.
Average Speed: 10mph
Stops: Every 15 miles (24 km) on average.
Suggested Café Stops:
[Recommended stops in bold]
Nanna's Cakes café, near Mentmore (13km), Opens 10am on Saturday and Sunday only though sometimes they don't open.
Mursley Farm Shop, Mursley (28km). Opens 9am every day.
Twigs Nurseries, divert onto A421 from Thornborough (43km)
Meadow Row Tea Rooms, Buckingham (46km), closed Sunday
Cornwall Place Kitchen, Buckingham (46km)
Buckingham's Tea Room, Buckingham, (46km), booking recommended at this high class establishment
Many other cafés, Buckingham (46km)
Bicester (72km)
Base Coffee + Kitchen, Long Crendon (95km)
Waterperry Coffee Barn, near Waterstock with an off-road diversion (104km)
The Old Red Lion, Tetsworth (110km)
The Biker Bean Coffeehouse, Chinnor (121km), closed Monday
Millie's Deli, Chinnor (121km)
Tring Station (151km)
Shorten the outward leg:
1) Take the train to Cheddington
2) Cut a corner to get to Buckingham earlier
Shorten the return route:
1) Cut south-east from Long Crendon to Emmington then Chinnor.
2) Cut down to Thame and pickup the Phoenix Trail from Thame to Princes Risborough.
Alternative route:
The alternative return route comes back to Thame, follows the Phoenix Trail to Princes Risborough 44km into day 2. Then on to Great Missenden at 58km before arriving back at Tring at 76km. This route ducks into the Chiltern Hills so has a harder finish and sting in the tail but options to cut short so good for a mixed group.
Suitable Bikes:
Any, though bare in mind distance, pace and your abilities.
Surface:
Tarmac, though there may be gravel, rough surfaces and potholes on lanes. This route doesn't have the smoothest road surfaces.
Mechanic:
None
Support Vehicle:
None
Broom Wagon:
None
No Drop Ride:
Yes, no-one gets left behind, though note the rider requirements.
Rider Requirements:
Be responsible for your own safety
Follow the highway code
Carry equipment to repair a puncture
Carry lights if there is any likelihood of riding in the dark
Dress/pack for the forecast conditions
Be comfortable maintaining 10mph for about 15 miles of continuous cycling
Be self-sufficient with regards hydration and fuelling; on hot days this means drinking on the bike and possibly eating on the bike as well
Organiser Tips:
Premier Inn and other chain hotels typically do lower Sunday and Monday night rates, higher Saturday rates. Local events can elevate prices so check costs for your dates. Check café opening times for your chosen dates and timings.
The organiser might sensibly pack:
- Power bank for any charging
- Toolkit to deal with some non-puncture related mechanicals
- First Aid kit
Rider Tips:
Pack light. Packing should be the same as for a day ride plus any overnight essentials. Seriously, pack light. If you have any questions ask the organiser.
In contrast to shorter rides the person navigating may not be familiar with the whole route, there may be roadworks and diversions so be aware and look after your own safety.
Premier Inn - for example - allow clean bicycles in rooms though some don't have lifts so phone ahead and request a ground floor room if this might be an issue for you.
Dining Options:
There are some options as you are in Bicester. Places close to the Premier Inn are listed here with Sunday closing times.
Brewers Fayre 10:30pm Sunday
The Bosphorus Turkish and Mediterranean 11pm Sunday
Grand Village Imperial 9pm Sunday
McDonald's 24-hour
Bicester Shopping Village restaurants are generally open until 9pm Monday to Saturday and 7pm on a Sunday.
It is a 20-minute walk to Bicester centre where there is a wide choice and the following may suit vegetarians:
Copper Kitchen closed Sunday
B. C. Thai Restaurant 10pm Sunday
Bicester Premier Inn logistics:
Bicester Premier Inn benefits from both a lift which is large enough for a bike and a suitably broad staircase.
Route Guidance:
The route and associated .GPX file includes some turns as prompts to stop at the suggested coffee stops.
As you approach Bicester there are some poor cycle paths alongside roads and these cycle paths are perhaps best avoided until you get close to Bicester Village Shopping where there is good quality cycle infrastructure which you should use to avoid the multi-lane complex road network on the approach to the Premier Inn.
Use the cycle infrastructure around Bicester Village Shopping then use the road. As you leave Bicester the road gets bigger and busier so as you approach the first large roundabout use the dropped kerb to rejoin the cycle path and stay on that until it dissappears.
It's a steady climb as you approach the Brill hill so when you leave the main road maybe take a water break and peel off a layer ready for a demanding climb.
Just as you feel you are leaving Long Crendon the route has a short spur which gets you close to the Base Coffee café which is a one-minute walk off the main road heading to a new housing development called The Stables at Crendon Manor.
As you leave Crendon do pause to peek inside the gates to Crendon Manor. Equally, do keep your eyes open as you pass through Waterstock.
Just past Waterstock on the return there is an option to branch off on a right turn to Waterperry Gardens for coffee or you can continue to Tetsworth which is another 10km. Even if you're not ready for a coffee take the 1km bridleway up to Waterperry Gardens; though not inviting at first it's a delightful ride and the cakes are a treat.
Entering Chinnor the Biker Bean café is on your left closely followed by another café on your left just before the left turn.