reading to bristol - kennet and avon
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mickdoyle
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28 Jan 13:43
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Joined: 03 Jan 2011
Posts: 3
Bike:
| looking for some tips on riding the above.
hope to do this with some friends in may 2011 over 2 day weeknd but I am a novice and will be on a hybrid.
any idea if 4-5hrs riding per day will achieve this ?
any recommendations for overnights stops ... B&Bs / camping / pubs etc. May head for Marlborough or Pewsey as this looks about half way.
cheers
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Talisman
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29 Jan 04:50
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Joined: 18 Oct 2010
Posts: 6
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| Two of us did this route last August, on hybrids. Totally feasible in 2 days. A hybrid is OK but the canal path between Newbury and Devizes not good, hence the Sustrans Route 4 diverting away from it around country lanes. In places an MTB would be more comfortable but a hybrid is adequate, you just have to take it carefully.(Please see my Post on the Kennet and Avon, Bristol to London).
I estimate we took 11 hours actual cycling time, ie. not including stops, for Bristol to Reading. Devizes to Hungerford alone took about 4 hours actual cycling. So 4-5 hours seems like it should be more like 5-6.
We had an excellent lunch at The Bridge Inn at Horton, about 2 miles the Reading side of Devizes. It's on the canal so you can't miss it. Real ale and the biggest beef burger I've ever had.
We thoroughly enjoyed the ride, including the rough bits. You will too.
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mickdoyle
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31 Jan 06:35
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Joined: 03 Jan 2011
Posts: 3
Bike:
| Talisman; thanks for this useful info.
Just one more question .. just curious to know if anyone thinks its better to
do this route Bristol > Reading or Reading to Bristol ??
Dont know how busy this will be in May, although it doesn't matter to us much which way we do this, but we didnt want to fight against the canal path traffic either - so is there a recommended way or is it the difference between six and two threes ?
thanks
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oldbiker
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31 Jan 15:40
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Joined: 31 Jan 2011
Posts: 2
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| A group of us did Bristol to Reading in October 2009 and 2010 on 1950's lightweights (27inch x 1 1/4 inch tyres) with no trouble. It would be easier to follow Sustrans route 4 signs onto quiet roads between Devizes and Pewsey. This will lead you nicely to Easton Royal where we stayed at Follets 01672-810619. They gave us a lift by car to a nearby pub for an evening meal, and the landlord took us back. They are CTC registered I believe.
There is a Sustrans route map available,use it as a guide and you will get a good experience of the canal and a good ride.
best of luck
old biker
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Talisman
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03 Feb 15:29
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Joined: 18 Oct 2010
Posts: 6
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| Mickdoyle. I reckon it's six and two threes. Rough bit first or last? Whatever best suits you and your planning. On the subject of traffic, and therefore times, - my ride was midweek with few pedestians.
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powelly
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06 Feb 09:06
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Joined: 06 Feb 2011
Posts: 4
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| I'm doing Penzance-Norfolk in April and hoping to include Bath-Reading along the canal. Using my Garry Fisher hardtail with narrow road tyres. I will have full panniers with camping equipment. Looking forward to it.
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sven
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20 Aug 17:32
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Joined: 20 Aug 2011
Posts: 1
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| completed this route mid august this year, the path along the canal was ok for the entire route Reading-Bath. we stopped at bath, cheap bed at the YMCA but a great buzz... a long day not helped by my road slicks on a Boss MTB, fell three times, all very impressive.......... lol
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Pinkie2002
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14 Sep 08:34
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Joined: 12 Sep 2011
Posts: 2
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| Sven,
I'm looking at doing this as part of a longer London-Bristol route - over 3 days in October. The part of the path, near Devizes where the SR4 takes you to lanes - how bad was it do you think? I don't have a full on MTB, so do you think I'd be chancing it? I'll be fairly lightly loaded, just a couple of changes of clothes - will B&B/hostel as necessary....
Cheers
P.
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DaveyQ
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17 Jul 11:16
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Joined: 17 Jul 2014
Posts: 1
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| I've just cycled it in one day and I'm not a "serious cyclist". I went from Bristol to Reading and there are a couple of things to note. Firstly, Devizes is the highest point so whichever way you approach it, it gets a little easier once you get past Devizes. Secondly, the path is more than 50% pretty terrible, overgrown with whipping vegetation and exposed tree roots, so a solid (not expensive) mountain bike seems the best bet. Mine cost £95 second hand - an Optima Storm if that means anything to anyone - as I said I'm not really up on these things. My "bike computer" and Smartphone both died, but the bile didn't have any problems at all, so chunky seems good. Thirdly - the most important bit of kit? A bell. The path is really narrow and you'll annoy a lot of walkers if you creep up on them. And linked to that go on a week day if possible as certain sections will be very busy with walkers. I'd say it took about 10 hours cycling with the middle section being the hardest. Well worth doing though
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seomind 
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23 Feb 06:56
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Joined: 07 Mar 2021
Posts: 6010
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| I feel really happy to have seen your webpage and look forward to so many more entertaining times reading here. Thanks once more for all the details. Winners Ecom Workshop
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