Wandsworth to Reading commuting ...
Kanga
Posts: 131
Hi,
Need to start cranking up my bike mileage for this years IM campaign, so looking for a reasonable road cycle route from Wandsworth to Reading. Used to ride out to Bracknell last year via Kingston, Sunbury, Chertsey, and Ascot, so thinking I'll just do the same route to there and stay on the A329 into Reading. Usually catch the train to work so not really sure of any better/quicker bike routes out that way.
Happy enough to mix it up with the traffic, so not looking for a scenic or towpath route given I'm training for a 112 mile road ride, but not keen enough to take on the A329(M) !
Any and all suggestions welcome.
Thanks !
Need to start cranking up my bike mileage for this years IM campaign, so looking for a reasonable road cycle route from Wandsworth to Reading. Used to ride out to Bracknell last year via Kingston, Sunbury, Chertsey, and Ascot, so thinking I'll just do the same route to there and stay on the A329 into Reading. Usually catch the train to work so not really sure of any better/quicker bike routes out that way.
Happy enough to mix it up with the traffic, so not looking for a scenic or towpath route given I'm training for a 112 mile road ride, but not keen enough to take on the A329(M) !
Any and all suggestions welcome.
Thanks !
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Comments
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The most straightforward is Putney-Sheen-Kew Bridge to the A4, then follow that to Reading. Not scenic (unless you like watching planes and cars), but OK.
An alternative is this: aim for Datchett (whether from the M4 Jcn 5/A4 roundabout) or otherwise). Follow to Windsor. Go backwards round the Windsor Tri bike course to pick up the Drift Road (A332/B383/Drift Road). Go straight through the turnaround point on the course, across the roundabout, and follow that road. It will (eventually) lead you to Reading. That's a much nicer ride (at least from Windsor).
A further variant is to pick any route you want SW out of London to aim for the B383, then turn right onto that and follow it to the Drift Road.
Lots of options. Nice summer rides, but quite long for commutes.0 -
I'd recommend the Drift Road / Binfield etc as it will avoid a lot fo the traffic lights / one way systems etc through Bracknell & Wokingham.<a>road</a>0
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+1 for via Dachet/Windsor.
Thats my commute almost exactly.
I would add that from windsor you should pick up the B3024, and take it all the way through twyford, and pick up the A4 briefly after that. Its not brilliantly signposted, and there are a few junctions that might catch you out, but if you've got a map printed out and watch the milage, there should be no problem.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=Goswell+Rd+to:B3024+to:A329%2FKing%27s+Rd&hl=en&geocode=FfSwEQMdcrn3_w%3BFeiUEQMd5Kz2_w%3BFS6aEQMdIEH0_w%3BFbMdEQMdL3Tx_w&mra=mr&via=1&rtol=0,1,2,3&sll=51.487049,-0.790501&sspn=0.097699,0.209427&ie=UTF8&ll=51.462136,-0.782089&spn=0.195506,0.418854&t=h&z=12
I've marked parley street just after the M4 crossing. When you're going home, take care with this junction, and do so in the strong primary - most traffic goes straight on at speed and accross your path! The last thing they expect is a cyclist to be sharing the road with them. Otherwise its a pleasent, flat and fast route with polite drivers. You'll enjoy it... watch out for me and give a wave if you see me. I'm the tall guy on the black bike, going at scalping speed obviously. Good luck0 -
c12345 wrote:+1 for via Dachet/Windsor.
Thats my commute almost exactly.
I would add that from windsor you should pick up the B3024, and take it all the way through twyford, and pick up the A4 briefly after that. Its not brilliantly signposted, and there are a few junctions that might catch you out, but if you've got a map printed out and watch the milage, there should be no problem.
That is nice road to follow, I quite often ride it on the weekends. The A4 in to reading can be a bit nasty though. Where in Reading are you heading for?Short hairy legged roadie FCN 4 or 5 in my baggies.
Felt F55 - 2007
Specialized Singlecross - 2008
Marin Rift Zone - 1998
Peugeot Tourmalet - 1983 - taken more hits than Mohammed Ali0 -
What a timely thread - I commute 1-2 days a week to Thames Valley Park, Reading from Tooting but I ride to Paddington, stick my bike on the train and then cycle the rest of the way from Reading station.
However with the weather getting better, I thought I might up the ante and try the commute all the way to Reading every so often. I will look into the options people have suggested but this is the route that I plan to tackle:
The planned route"Come at the king, you best not miss." - Omar, The Wire
FCN 4: Willier Izoard XP
FCN 7: GT Legato 4.0
*GAME* competitor0 -
You can cut a little off that by going directly across from windsor to Oakley Green and not do the very busy Maidenhead road. I think it is sign posted to Twyford as well, B3024. From Windsor it is a nice ride all the way to the A4. The section from under the M25 to Windsor isn't too bad either because the road is nice and wide especially the Runnymede section. The roundabout under the M25 is another matter, very chaotic.Short hairy legged roadie FCN 4 or 5 in my baggies.
Felt F55 - 2007
Specialized Singlecross - 2008
Marin Rift Zone - 1998
Peugeot Tourmalet - 1983 - taken more hits than Mohammed Ali0 -
Short hairy legged roadie FCN 4 or 5 in my baggies.
Felt F55 - 2007
Specialized Singlecross - 2008
Marin Rift Zone - 1998
Peugeot Tourmalet - 1983 - taken more hits than Mohammed Ali0 -
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Cheers guys, thanks for the options
An answer to various questions I'm heading for Kings Road, thankfully just looking at rather than working in the prison !0 -
Si/C12345 - give me a yell if you fancy some company on the ride out/back, safety in numbers and all that 0
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I go in the opposite direction to you 'mafraid. I've been looking out for you though: you don't have a 'hump' rucksac cover by any chance? If not theres some scalping material doing your route 0
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I do have a 'hump' as it happens, but haven't ridden out yet so can't be me !0
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<Copy from SCR thread>
So I decided today would be the day of reckoning and do the full on Tooting to Thames Valley Park, Reading commute (rather going via Paddington and the train). I left fairly late as I had an early morning call and headed off down Garratt Lane.
I would say at pace but I my path was impeding by as previous mentioned, a westerly rather blowy headwind. I thought to myself...hmmm, perhaps today is not the best to do my first attempt at this and I could turn back and do my normal route. I thought, nah, MTFU, head down and get on with it.
Long story short...3 hours 10 mins, 45 miles, Av. 14.2 mph. A couple slight diversions and stops to check Sat Nav on my phone. Headwind pretty much constant the whole way! No scalps to report. Powered by porridge at 6.45am and For Goodness Shakes Chocolate and a banana at half-way at a great spot by the Thames. How nice is it round Runnymede and had my first proper look at Windsor Castle....Also, lost count of the number of pubs en route as well...I was sorely tempted by a pint (easy ITB!)
Not bad for a hybrid with 16 stone of weight (me + 2 x panniers).
My longest ride yet...enjoying a celebratory piece of succulent ginger and lemon cake right now!"Come at the king, you best not miss." - Omar, The Wire
FCN 4: Willier Izoard XP
FCN 7: GT Legato 4.0
*GAME* competitor0 -
Did some one say beer?
I'll have a Guinness please
What out Reading commuters I might very well be within scalping distance some time soon :twisted:Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.0 -
Well done Si ! I'm still hunting around for somewhere to get a cheeky shower given our building doesn't have any ....0
