Thames Path/NCN4

[DaveReading]

OK, it's not strictly commuting ...

I'm thinking of cycling over to see son and family in Tolworth, and most of the cycle route planners are suggesting a route that includes the Thames Path between Staines and Hampton Court.

What's that like to cycle on a nice Sunday afternoon? I ask because round our way only the brave cycle the Thames towpath on a sunny weekend as it's hugely popular with walkers and progress can be painfully slow.

 

[vickster]

@jefmcg and ride those routes but she as the navigator, unlike me, actually knows where we ride. Roads are busy and full of numpties in SW London on a Sunday, even more so with Christmas shoppers now

What bike do you ride, some of the path is bumpy

 

[DaveReading]

Thanks, yes Sunday drivers are a pain round here too.

What bike do you ride, some of the path is bumpy

I've got 32s on my tourer, so the odd bumpy patch isn't usually too much of problem. If all else fails, I can always get off and push it.

 

[Aperitif]

@Davywalnuts will give chapter and verse on this part of London...when he next pops in, as I think we all chugged down there on a ride one time...and @mistral can probably add info to the bit across to Tolworth etc.
Nice ride actually, with plenty to see. IIRC there was an Elvis on a balcony somewhere, as well as the back doors of Hampton Court Palace!

 

[Simontm]

Morning. From Walton to Hampton Court, it can be very busy indeed. Not only cyclists but joggers, dog walkers and rowers taking their boats out and as @vickster said it is gravelly and bumpy the the majority of the route.

If I head that way I tend to come upriver, through Weybridge, then over Chertsey Bridge and head through Lower Sunbury - though the drivers can be aggressive, I still like the ride. I then pop through the Bushey Park gate just passed the Hampton turn-off and head down to Chestnut Avenue - it's busy but the lane's big enough normally. Then Nightingale Lane to Hampton Wick and there you're at Kingston Bridge.

I tend to pop back down the tow path or Home Park to head home but for you, follow bike path to Portsmouth Road, Brighton Road and then Ewell Road.

Hope that helps

 

[DaveReading]

Thanks, that makes sense. It would save having to hang around for the Shepperton ferry too, though I rather fancied the idea of taking the bike on the boat.

Last time I did that was here:

 

[cosmicbike]

Staines to Hampton Court is one of my regular rides. No issues on 32's, it's typical towpath terrain. Sunny Sunday afternoons will be a bit busy though less so at this time of year. Walton Bridge to Molesey Lock is probably as bad as the surface gets, though the road option through Lower Sunbury has just been resurfaced and is normally reasonably quiet. The A308 from Hampton is narrow but brief, then a decent shared cyclepath to Hampton Bridge.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I rode from Abingdon to Morden the other Saturday afternoon/evening.
Abingdon, Wallingford, Henley, Windsor, Runnymede and eventually picked-up the A308 all the way to Kingston. The A308 is not pretty but it was quick easy well-lit miles in the dark to Hampton.

 

[Simontm]

Thanks, that makes sense. It would save having to hang around for the Shepperton ferry too, though I rather fancied the idea of taking the bike on the boat.

Last time I did that was here:

Where is that? Looks estuary to me.

Though I suspect I am entirely wrong

 

[Simontm]

Staines to Hampton Court is one of my regular rides. No issues on 32's, it's typical towpath terrain. Sunny Sunday afternoons will be a bit busy though less so at this time of year. Walton Bridge to Molesey Lock is probably as bad as the surface gets, though the road option through Lower Sunbury has just been resurfaced and is normally reasonably quiet. The A308 from Hampton is narrow but brief, then a decent shared cyclepath to Hampton Bridge.

I've driven, ridden, walked on the Hampton Court Road for around 30 years give or take, I never knew it's denomination!
Take Bushey Park. It's not quicker (usually But it's a damn sight nicer)

 

[DaveReading]

Where is that? Looks estuary to me.

Though I suspect I am entirely wrong

Suffolk - Southwold to Walberswick.