Riding On The A4?

As someone who rides that way regularly, the A4 might feel relatively quiet or safe to someone less familiar with the area, but you're denying yourself from nicer, quieter roads nearby. Certainly there are nicer routes around the top of Reading via Twford or drop south via Arborfield, Mortimer, Aldermaston towards Newbury.

I wouldn't do it myself. I think train to Reading, with bike, to avoid the horrible journey out of London. And then north of the M4 through the nice hills to just north of Newbury, and then B4000 to Ramsbury and then small roads down to Marlborough. Prettier. With hills.

It will be into the wind most days of the year.

Once past heathrow turn left through Longford across stanwell moor Rd at roundabout into poyle then right where the road turns 90 degrees left onto colnbrook through village back to A4/M4 junc, left takes you into Datchet then Eton over moor to A4 just b4 M/head once in M/head take left by police stn then follow signs to rly stn under rly bridge then right takes you to Twyford then A4 through Reading.
Once you get to theale go right (towards Pangbourne) then left past deer park then left past wayland's smithy into bradfield over common this then brings you down onto the A4 at Thatcham.

After then my knowledge of the roads to use ceases, I wish you well whichever way you go please post back and tell us how you got on, best wishes

I once rode from Reading to Bristol and back on the A4 and it was a great ride. This was some time ago so my opinion is a bit out of date but the bit from Reading onwards was fine. Definitely do it though (if the forum says it is still reasonably safe) you will feel bad if you give in to the lure of the car. Any chance you can report back what happens?

A4 is a terrible route. I have cycled it from London to Reading and to be honest I'd rather be in the car than on my bike. As Tommy has described, the alternative route will take you through some beautiful countryside and villages if you plan carefully, and you'll arrive refreshed and smiling, rather than just thankful you've not been hit by a car

And make sure you ride up Walbury Hill near Inkpen to get an amazing view of the Downs!

Yeah, there are lots of parts of the A4 which are not particularly dangerous. Cannot say I've ridden that distance, but since it runs parallel with the M4 most heavy traffic uses that.

I would do what Tommy says though and use the routes from town to town.

Personally, I would stay south of A4 and do something like Windsor > Twyford > Woodley > Earley > Burghfield Common > Headley > Highclere > East Woodhay > West Woodhay > Inkpen > Shalbourne > Great Bedwyn > Marlborough. Haven't got an actual route for you as did it pre- Garmin but nicer than A4 as you see a few villages and a bit quieter, Although A4 is fast riding so depends what you want really!

I cycled it pretty recently to go from London to Bristol; I avoided the A4 immediately out of London and picked it up before Slough. Some of it is dual carriageway, but not much. Never felt unsafe. I would say it's fine!

http://app.strava.com/activities/82651291