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Yes, the farmer has given verbal permission for cyclists to use the track to get to the Campus.
His main concern is that he has had problems with illegal hair coursing so does not want cars, walkers or dogs using the path.
I don’t know whether he would have a problem with CTC using it but is it suitable? The gates on the White Lane side (nearest the campus) are usually locked and the fence has been mended which will mean a struggle getting cycles onto the track. The track is suitable for touring bikes and off road bikes but not for road / racing bikes.

Yes, the last piece of track into the Campus from the Wanatge direction is in a bad state and needs re-surfacing.
HarBUG has been trying to get funding for this work. We have several ‘irons in the fire’ and whichever becomes available we will take. Most recently the County Council has put a bid into the Government’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund and one of the projects in the bid is to re-surface this stretch with Tarmac. However it is a bid and their is a chance it will not be awarded and the money does not become available until March 2015. Fingers crossed.

Have a look on the HarBUG website on the News & Links tab and then Reporting Problems:

Reporting Problems

You will find a link to Vale of White Horse D.C. street cleaning page where you can report this slippy patch.
If a repair is needed follow the link to the County Council’s street maintenance page.
If the patch in the Campus there is also an email address to Goodman who deal with Campus roads

I don’t think we need to get health and safety or site security or the police involved with this. If we encourage others to enforce this we are opening the gates of compulsory helmet wearing and use of cycle lanes. Lights are a legal requirement but hi viz clothing is not. I think it is a case of raising awareness and the poster idea is a good one.

Cheer up Mike, things are not that bad in fact they are quite good.
If you look at the Campus facilities tab on the website you will find there are plenty of shower facilities on the RAL site ( http://www.harbug.org.uk/?page_id=307) and, as far as I know, all facilities are available to everyone on site, so try some out. You are right the amenity block is a very good facility and is usually quiet in the mornings. If you want some privacy use the disabled shower.
Is there any competition; getting stuck and frustrated on the A417 with speed restrictions, other idiots using your piece of road, somebody having the audacity to turn right in front of you etc. or you could be cycling along quiet country lanes and tracks at whatever speed you like. On a bike you can smell the trees and flowers, cycling through nice villages and countryside and being able to appreciate it. You may think you cannot face the ride home but once you get home you will feel a lot better than if you had driven.
Are your neighbours angry or jealous? It sounds like you have the perfect Sunday.
As for clothing, try looking at Mountain bike shorts, you can get baggy shorts with padding so you still get the comfort of Lycra shorts. Theres nothing wrong with cycling in any old T-shirt. Forget cycle chic, wear whatevers comfortable and you feel happy in.
My solution would be for you to get back on you bike, cycle along the Sustrans route 544, take your time and enjoy your journey. In this weather it cannot be beaten for lifting your spirits.

In the HarBUG submission to the local transport plan we did put forward a plan to have advisory cycle lanes on both sides of this road. When the road was re-surfaced a few months ago we sent an email asking them to do this when they re-painted the lines. We did not receive any reply but they have not re-painted the lines yet.
Yes, this is a fast bit of road and vehicles will overtake you, and why shouldn’t they? Are you cycling too close to the edge of the road allowing vehicles to pass close to you? You should be around 1 to 1.5m away from the edge, this way vehicles will not be able to overtake if something is coming in the other direction and will have to slow down and wait until you go round the bend before overtaking.