Kennet & Avon canal towpath

[garryfisherbike]

Does anybody know if it is feasible to stay on the towpath from Devizes to the Thames just beyond Reading. I will be using my Garry Fisher hardtail with 26"x1.25" commuter tyres and with panniers and a bar bag. Really would like to give it a go on my way from Lands End to Norfolk.

 

[Norm]

Yes, there's several threads on here covering that section. I did it myself about 18 months ago, it's mostly good tow path surface but it does become a bit rougher past Theale, where you are basically riding through fields.

That said, I was on an MTB with 2.25" wheels. I'm not so certain I'd do it on 1.25" tyres and a weighted bike but that's just a pretty short section towards the end.

The Sustrans guide is very good, I didn't need anything more than that and there are free guides and route sheets on their site.

 

[garryfisherbike]

Thanks for that Norm, I'm game to have a go!

 

[Brains]

yep, it ridable the entire length on anything short of a slicked road bike

 

[garryfisherbike]

Great, thanks what I've been waiting to hear!!

 

[Yellow Fang]

So, did you do it? I find it just about ridable between Newbury and Reading, but wouldn't choose to do so. There are sections where you find a lot of anglers with long poles. There are quite a few hikers and joggers on the path, which at places is quite narrow. It gets pretty muddy in places. Unless it's changed, there are some wooden bridges, which are slippy when wet. There are nicer ways between Newbury and Reading IMO, e.g. Bucklebury Lanes if you don't mind hills.

 

[garryfisherbike]

Not yet, trip starts 11th April. Penzance-Norfolk 10 days cycle camping.

 

[shirokazan]

Penzance-Norfolk 10 days cycle camping.

That sounds fun, gfb. What route are you taking (other than the Kennet & Avon canal, of course!)?

 

[garryfisherbike]

Hopefully!! Sustrans Route 3, 27, 3, 4. 1 and then Cambridge to Mundford (home) I am camping at "Camping and Caravan club" sites.
I just hope Sustrans signage is better than I experienced when riding from Edinburgh last year. ended up finding my own route.

 

[Brains]

Hopefully!! Sustrans Route 3, 27, 3, 4. 1 and then Cambridge to Mundford (home) I am camping at "Camping and Caravan club" sites.
I just hope Sustrans signage is better than I experienced when riding from Edinburgh last year. ended up finding my own route.

I'm afraid Sustrans route marking even when good will still miss many turns.
The only answer is to ensure you have the map in a bar bag map pocket
It also help if you have an advanced degree in Cartography.

I teach map reading to Scouts, so I think I can read a map, however i still make mistakes when doing sustrans routes.
When leading cycle groups I usually have the Sustrans map as a guide, an O/S map beside it to actually see what is going to come up and a GPS to tell me exactly where I am. I also have a compass. Even then I recon I'll make a couple of mistakes a day.

Most important item is the bar bag/map top. I would say it's impossible to do any Sustrans route if you are relying on keeping the map in a pocket and using it when required.

 

[shirokazan]

Hopefully!! Sustrans Route 3, 27, 3, 4. 1 and then Cambridge to Mundford (home) I am camping at "Camping and Caravan club" sites.
I just hope Sustrans signage is better than I experienced when riding from Edinburgh last year. ended up finding my own route.

That'll be an interesting route. Some people knock the Sustrans routes (and occasionally they do take a winding diversion to avoid a busy road) but overall I think they're fine. I've done quite a large amount of route 3, route 27 from Plymouth to Ilfracombe, and bits of routes 4 and 1 (I did a most of the section between Pewsey and Melksham this weekend). So, you're going through London, then? I thought you might have bypassed the big city by using other Sustrans routes or making up your own route (e.g. route 4 to Reading, followed by your own route to Milton Keynes to pick up route 52 to head east).

Are you a member of the Camping and Caravan(ning) Club? I've been thinking about this given that I've stayed at quite a few of their sites over the last couple of years and will be doing so again when I do an 8 day tour later this month (some sites could be busy at Easter).

 

[garryfisherbike]

Yes, Brains I have a bar bag and you wouldn't believe the research into routes etc. have GPS (although it only shows main roads) a compass and 4" to the mile road maps. So If I deviate from the Sustrans route it wan't be for want of trying.
Shirokazan, yes, I am a member of the Camping and Caravan club and get age concession, so only costs around £5-£6 a night. You will always get a pitch if cycle camping even if it's a busy time.
Wanted to go thro' London to see the Olympic park and where I used to work in Hackney as a Designer for Matchbox toys.

 

[shirokazan]

Yes, Brains I have a bar bag and you wouldn't believe the research into routes etc. have GPS (although it only shows main roads) a compass and 4" to the mile road maps. So If I deviate from the Sustrans route it wan't be for want of trying.
Shirokazan, yes, I am a member of the Camping and Caravan club and get age concession, so only costs around £5-£6 a night. You will always get a pitch if cycle camping even if it's a busy time.
Wanted to go thro' London to see the Olympic park and where I used to work in Hackney as a Designer for Matchbox toys.

Re the guaranteed pitch if cycle camping, good to know, gfb.

Re your GPS remark: if it's a Garmin one then you might, dependent on model, be able to load the free OpenStreetMap - more particularly, an optimised version for cycling showing all of the NCN routes (and any other cycle paths/routes that have been mapped). This is what I use and it's really handy for when the signage disappears! Let me know and I'll PM you the details of what's involved.

 

[garryfisherbike]

It's a GARMIN Etrex Vista.

 

[shirokazan]

It's a GARMIN Etrex Vista.

OK, I've sent you a PM about this.