London - Bristol ??????

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  • Sewinman
    Sewinman Posts: 2,131
    Do you plan to do this in one day? I did the sustrans route from putney to reading then along the Kennet & Avon canal to Hungerford and that took 9 hours. Then another six hours the next day to get to Bristol.

    Perhaps you guys know a quick route? Otherwise you must be mad!
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    Sewinman wrote:
    Do you plan to do this in one day? I did the sustrans route from putney to reading then along the Kennet & Avon canal to Hungerford and that took 9 hours. Then another six hours the next day to get to Bristol.

    Perhaps you guys know a quick route? Otherwise you must be mad!

    Yep, one day, and yes we are mad. I reckon on a reasonably flat course I can do 100 miles in 5.5 - 6 hours inc stops, so it shouldn't take more than 8 hours, and by then I'll be more than ready for a beer :lol::lol::lol:
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • Sewinman
    Sewinman Posts: 2,131
    To do that then you will probably just have to go straight down the A4. Is that pleasurable?

    I calculated on the sustrans route that we covered 160 miles, so clearly not an efficient way of doing it and some of the paths are busy, slow or a bit rough. We were averaging only 10-11 miles an hour. That said - low traffic and pretty in parts (particularly Itboffins neck of the woods).
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    So hang on, what distance is this and is it there and back in one day?

    I could be up for it, not sure what's on that weekend though.
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    I think the A4 will be the prefered route, it shouldn't be too bad, although I'm always open to other suggestions. I'm sure it will take longer than I think, but hopefully we'll get a good reception from the Brizzle contingent.

    I might even see if I can arrange a reception from Bike Radar, a friend of a friend is an editor for the same publishing group and is an ace blagger. Seeing as they're based in Brizzle I think they should do :lol::lol:
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    Rich158 wrote:
    I think the A4 will be the prefered route, it shouldn't be too bad, although I'm always open to other suggestions. I'm sure it will take longer than I think, but hopefully we'll get a good reception from the Brizzle contingent.

    I might even see if I can arrange a reception from Bike Radar, a friend of a friend is an editor for the same publishing group and is an ace blagger. Seeing as they're based in Brizzle I think they should do :lol::lol:

    I'd rather take a more scenic route that the A4 though...
  • mudcovered
    mudcovered Posts: 725
    Il Principe wrote:
    Rich158 wrote:
    I think the A4 will be the prefered route, it shouldn't be too bad, although I'm always open to other suggestions. I'm sure it will take longer than I think, but hopefully we'll get a good reception from the Brizzle contingent.

    I'd rather take a more scenic route that the A4 though...

    Well from Bristol->Bath there is the cycle path. A hell of a lot more scenic than the A4 but somewhat busy at the weekends. There are probably enough back roads running parallel to the A4 to be able to come up with something more scenic without racking up the distance too much.

    When I did the Action 100 Bath->London run (to Windsor actuallly) a good chunk of that route was on B roads running parallel to the A4. I'm just wondering if I've still got the route somewhere.

    I'd certainly meet up with you guys for the final run into Bristol that weekend.

    Mike
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    How about something like this:

    London to Bristol
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    Il Principe wrote:
    How about something like this:

    London to Bristol

    That looks good to me, I'm open to all suggestions on route etc

    I'm just the ideas man, I throw them up in the air and let somebody else sort out the logistics :wink:

    I'm looking to blag a bed for the night (or local park bench if all else fails) and then see what state I'm in Sunday morning for the ride (train/bike dependant upon hangover) back.
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    There's always London Brighton London - that's a very doable one day ride...
  • risi
    risi Posts: 231
    Il Principe wrote:
    How about something like this:

    London to Bristol

    <sucks teeth> The A420 between Chippenham & Bristol (well, Warmley) is not pleasant. The lanes are not that wide & traffic goes very fast along it, including some large lorries. I would be tempted to stick to the A4 to Bath (its wider & traffic speeds actually seem lower. More villages I think) - possibly go through Batheaston to avoid the dual carriageway for the last part into Bath & then take the A431 towards Bitton. (There's an old station there with a Cafe that has featured in C+ a few times, btw).

    As I said in a previous post, my Gin Deck would be open to anyone who made it...
    Specialized Allez
    Trek 6500
  • mudcovered
    mudcovered Posts: 725
    Il Principe wrote:
    How about something like this:

    London to Bristol

    That's a good route to Chippenham. The A420 route to might be a bit dicey as Risi suggests. The A4 between Chippenham and bath is fairly good (scenic with a few challenging climbs). The Bitton road (A431) is quite undulating but nothing big and the views on that stretch of road are superb. You can also bail out onto the Bristol-Bath path if the legs are giving out with that route as well. ;)

    I'd still join up with you around bath even if you went with the A420 route though. :)


    Mike
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    Not sure I'm up for this though. If it involves a night away then I'd rather take the bike off somewhere more suitable for a decent ride.
  • hisoka
    hisoka Posts: 541
    I'd be up for it, depending on dates of course. As I forgot I might well be in the manchester 100 on 6th of September so that weekend may well be a no go.
    Then again, Nottingham to London train, get to people at starting place, 100+ on Saturday, get train up to Manchester, sleep in station, meeting friends for ride first thing in morning, 100 miles, back to Nottingham.
    Sounds a fun weekend, not at all tiring :lol:
    "This area left purposefully blank"
    Sign hung on my head everyday till noon.

    FCN: 11 (apparently)
  • medicbiker
    medicbiker Posts: 30
    My family live in Bristol and I am up for it if I do not have to work on the weekend that you choose. If I can't make it could someone send me your route so I can ride it another time? :-)
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    Looking at the route posted previoulsy I'd suggest a few changes.

    Maybe follow the A420 to A4175 Bath Road, follow this all the way to the end and turn right and hit the A431 and follow this into Brizzle or pick up the cyclepath at Bitton Station. The ride along the river at Welsh Back would have been nice on 25 tyres after 118 miles as its cobbles! and would mean an illegal bit of riding on the pavement, tut tut.

    As before, follow the A420 into the centre of Brizzle but turn right down Midland Road and into the houses and across the river though there isn't a path shown there is a bridge available.

    www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=12976
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • symo
    symo Posts: 1,743
    Up for it but will have to check my diary for when I am back from my holidays,
    +++++++++++++++++++++
    we are the proud, the few, Descendents.

    Panama - finally putting a nail in the economic theory of the trickle down effect.
  • symo
    symo Posts: 1,743
    September 5/6 good for me.
    +++++++++++++++++++++
    we are the proud, the few, Descendents.

    Panama - finally putting a nail in the economic theory of the trickle down effect.
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    Rich158
    Brun
    Symo

    Any more takers, or anyone I've missed?
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • gtvlusso
    gtvlusso Posts: 5,112
    I can do Brizzle to London! Or meet halfway.

    I would suggest going north of the M4 as opposed to just bailing down the A4.....Much nicer route with some nice climbs and intricate bits.

    Takes about a day - 6 to 7 hours in the saddle.

    For the record, don't want to teach people to suck eggs - do a trip to Marlborough first! Allot further than it looks on a map to get to Brizzle.
  • shoulder_of_orion
    shoulder_of_orion Posts: 529
    Rich158 wrote:
    Rich158
    Brun
    Symo

    Any more takers, or anyone I've missed?
    Rich158
    Brun
    Symo
    Shoulder of Lamb (50/50)

    I have to get permission from THE BOSS as well as sort out timings with friends in the West Country. Also will have to book time off work as I will most probably take the train back on the Monday. Also the little people are back at school by then so it may or may not be possible.

    Basically I have quite a few obstacles to clear just to get to the start line, hence the 50/50...
  • hisoka
    hisoka Posts: 541
    Shoulder of Lamb wrote:
    Rich158 wrote:
    Rich158
    Brun
    Symo

    Any more takers, or anyone I've missed?
    Rich158
    Brun
    Symo
    Shoulder of Lamb (50/50)

    I have to get permission from THE BOSS as well as sort out timings with friends in the West Country. Also will have to book time off work as I will most probably take the train back on the Monday. Also the little people are back at school by then so it may or may not be possible.

    Basically I have quite a few obstacles to clear just to get to the start line, hence the 50/50...

    Add me into the mix deepending on day of course. 50/50 sounds good but can firm up the answer alot more with dates in mind :D
    "This area left purposefully blank"
    Sign hung on my head everyday till noon.

    FCN: 11 (apparently)
  • symo
    symo Posts: 1,743
    OK will book the 7th Spetember off for recovery.

    Might do this as a Charidee thang.
    +++++++++++++++++++++
    we are the proud, the few, Descendents.

    Panama - finally putting a nail in the economic theory of the trickle down effect.
  • symo
    symo Posts: 1,743
    I think we should discuss logistics.

    Where are we to meet, I will more than likely be staying at either hammersmith or streatham.

    Richmond Tube/Rail station may be a good idea (the number of entrances to the park always confuses me.
    +++++++++++++++++++++
    we are the proud, the few, Descendents.

    Panama - finally putting a nail in the economic theory of the trickle down effect.
  • Rich158
    Rich158 Posts: 2,348
    I'll be pretty much on Wanstead Common thanks to little bruv. Anywhere in the general Richmond area will be good for me.
    pain is temporary, the glory of beating your mates to the top of the hill lasts forever.....................

    Revised FCN - 2
  • symo
    symo Posts: 1,743
    SO Richmond station could be a good meeting point. Either that or Krispy Kreme's bakery Shaonnon Corner in New Malden :twisted:
    +++++++++++++++++++++
    we are the proud, the few, Descendents.

    Panama - finally putting a nail in the economic theory of the trickle down effect.

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