Top 5 Motorcycle Routes Through the Chilterns & Cotswolds (Starting from On Yer Bike)

Whether you are breaking in a new machine, looking for a crisp Sunday morning blast, or planning a full day of sweeping bends and countryside stops, the Home Counties offer some of the best riding in the UK.

Positioned directly on the A41 at Westcott near Aylesbury, On Yer Bike serves as the perfect starting grid. You can grab a coffee, check your tire pressures, pick up any last-minute kit from our Clothing Superstore, and hit the road.

Here are five of the best motorcycle routes through the Chiltern Hills and Cotswolds, ranging from quick B-road loops to full-day touring routes.

• The Chiltern Ridge Loop (~53m)
• The Cotswold Gateway Loop (~90m)
• The Brill Hill & Bernwood Forest Loop (~30m)
• The Oxford Ring & Vale of White Horse Loop (~90m)
• The Three Counties Tour (~60m)

1. The Chiltern Ridge Loop

• Distance: ~53 miles | Riding Time: 1 hr 50 mins
• Best For: Sweeping B-roads, woodland climbs, continuous riding flow, and avoiding town congestion.
• The Vibe: A smooth, non-stop circular loop engineered for an easy-to-navigate ride, perfect for a quick weekend outing or test ride.

The Route:

Depart On Yer Bike heading east along the A41 towards Waddesdon, before turning south along countryside lanes to seamlessly skirt around the western edge of Aylesbury.

Join the B-roads down through Princes Risborough, taking advantage of open visibility and flowing tarmac along the base of the Chiltern hills. From there, take the woodland ascent up toward Stokenchurch, sweeping through tree-lined turns and elevation changes.

Looping back north-west, the route passes near Thame before picking up fast rural roads back to the A41, bringing you directly into the dealership complex without any turnaround points or tricky navigation.

• Highlight: The smooth B-road climb and tree-covered twisties through the ridge near Stokenchurch.
• Pitstop: The Cafe at On Yer Bike upon your return for a full breakfast and hot coffee.
• Route on Google Maps >>

2. The Cotswold Gateway Loop

• Distance: ~90 miles round-trip | Riding Time: 2 hrs 45 mins
• Best For:  Sweeping open farmland tarmac, historic stone market towns, and high-visibility countryside bends.
• The Vibe: A classic weekend rideout for sports-tourers, adventure bikes, and cruisers looking for a proper day on the road.

The Route:

Depart On Yer Bike heading west on the A41 straight past Bicester, picking up the B4030 through Middle Aston toward Chipping Norton. This opening leg bypasses heavy dual-carriageway traffic in favor of quiet, open farmland tarmac with excellent forward visibility.

From Chipping Norton, sweep west along the A436 into the heart of Stow-on-the-Wold—the perfect midpoint for a coffee or lunch stop in the historic market square.

Heading south on the A424, enjoy sweeping drops into Burford before cutting back east along the B4027 past Woodstock. The return leg routes you smoothly around the northern edge of Oxford and back toward Bicester, rejoining the A41 for a clean finish back at the showroom.

• Highlight: The long, high-visibility sweeping bends on the B4030 between Bicester and Chipping Norton.
• Pitstop: Stow-on-the-Wold market square or Huffkins Bakery in Burford.
• Route on Goolge Maps >>

3. The Brill Hill & Bernwood Forest Loop

• Distance: ~30 miles | Riding Time: 1 hour
• Best For: Technical twists, countryside lane views, elevation shifts, and short local blasts.
• The Vibe: A quick, technical loop right on the doorstep of the dealership—ideal for vintage roadsters, naked bikes, or a quick post-service test ride.

The Route:

Depart On Yer Bike heading west on the A41 towards Waddesdon, turning off onto the quiet back roads up toward Brill. The climb up Brill Hill brings tight bends and rewards you with panoramic rural views across Buckinghamshire, complete with the iconic 17th-century Brill Windmill.

From Brill, drop down into the technical lane network skirting Bernwood Forest, sweeping south through Long Crendon into Thame. After looping past Thame, turn north along the B4011, following smooth, sweeping tarmac past Oakley and rural farmland toward Bicester.

From Bicester, rejoin the A41 eastbound for a straight, easy run straight back into the On Yer Bike complex.

• Highlight: The crest at Brill Windmill and the flowing B4011 stretch returning toward Bicester.
• Pitstop: The Pointer in Brill or a quick coffee back at the On Yer Bike showroom café.
• Route on Goolge Maps >>

4. The Oxford Ring & Vale of White Horse Loop

• Distance: ~90 miles | Riding Time: 2 hrs 45 mins
• Best For: Long-distance cruising, wide sweeping B-roads, countryside vistas, and varied terrain.
• The Vibe: A substantial half-day tour designed for riders looking to pack in high-mileage flow across open Oxfordshire countryside.

The Route:

Depart On Yer Bike heading south-west past Thame and through Stadhampton, skirting wide around the southern perimeter of Oxford. Pick up the fast, sweeping A417 running beneath the North Wessex Downs through Wantage, offering expansive views across the Vale of White Horse.

From Wantage, push west into Faringdon before sweeping north across the River Thames near Lechlade-on-Thames.

The northern return leg routes you east across open Oxfordshire B-roads, passing Woodstock and looping above Kidlington toward Bicester. Rejoin the A41 for a smooth, straight run back into the On Yer Bike complex to wrap up the ride.

• Highlight: The open, fast-flowing A417 section along the base of the downs between Wantage and Faringdon.
• Pitstop: A riverside coffee break in Lechlade-on-Thames or a stop at the market place in Faringdon.
• Route on Goolge Maps >>

5. The Three Counties Tour (Bucks, Oxon & Northamptonshire)

• Distance: ~60 miles | Riding Time: 1 hrs 50 mins
• Best For: Fast-flowing A & B-roads, open sightlines, historical motorsport heritage, and sweeping countryside.
• The Vibe: A spirited, open-road loop designed for sports bikes, roadsters, and fast touring across classic British motorcycling territory.

The Route:

Depart On Yer Bike heading north along quiet, scenic back roads through Winslow and up toward historic Buckingham. Join the A413 north to Towcester, enjoying wide, sweeping tarmac with excellent forward visibility.

From Towcester, cut across to pass right alongside the iconic Silverstone Circuit, home of British motorsport. After looping past the circuit, join the A43 and A422 south-west through Brackley toward Bicester.

Pick up the A41 eastbound out of Bicester for a smooth, straight-forward run back to the On Yer Bike complex to close out the circuit.

• Highlight: The wide, sweeping A-roads passing Silverstone Circuit and the open stretches through Brackley.
• Pitstop: Silverstone Museum café or the market square in Buckingham for a quick coffee.
• Route on Goolge Maps >>

Gear Up Before You Ride Out

Before heading out into the Chilterns or Cotswolds, pop into On Yer Bike near Aylesbury. Whether you need a helmet fitting from our Arai and Shoei Specialists, a new Gore-Tex riding suit from our Clothing Superstore, or a routine health check in our workshop, our team is here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is the best place to start a motorcycle ride in Buckinghamshire?

A: On Yer Bike at Westcott on the A41 is an ideal starting point. It offers ample parking, an on-site café, a full clothing store, and immediate access to B-roads leading into the Chilterns and Cotswolds.

Q: Are the Chiltern Hills good for motorcycle riding?

A: Yes. The Chilterns offer a mix of elevation changes, wood-lined B-roads (like the B4009), and technical twisties, making it one of the most popular riding regions in the Home Counties.

Q: What facilities are available at On Yer Bike Aylesbury for visiting riders?

A: On Yer Bike features a dedicated motorcycle showroom (New and used bikes), a massive apparel store featuring top brands (Dainese, Alpinestars, Ducati, MotoGirl, Arai, Shoei, Furygan), an aftersales workshop, and an on-site café (Open most days from early morning to early afternoon).

Please Note: These routes are provided solely as suggestions for inspiration. Road conditions, local traffic laws, seasonal closures, and roadworks can change at any time. Always double-check current road status, ride within your limits, and ensure your vehicle is fully road-legal before setting off. On Yer Bike assumes no responsibility for route accessibility, road hazards, or incidents encountered while following these guides. Ride safe!