[andystow]

I’m coming back over to the UK in late September to visit some family. Just a week this time, and no long tour planned. I’ll be heading to Corsham (between Chippenham and Bath) and am considering cycling there on my Brompton. I know I’ll have to use a shuttle or something to get out of Terminal 3 at the moment, but other than that is it a reasonable thing to do? I’ve had good luck using cycle.travel as a route planner, and it looks like right at 100 miles with no crazy hills. I could maybe stop in Didcot overnight if I wanted to break it up.

Any suggestions welcomed, even any bicycle or beer festivals or anything in that area that I shouldn’t miss any day between 17th and 21st September, not including Saturday the 19th.

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[HoarseMann]

It looks like it’s routed you along the canal towpath between Reading and Newbury. I cycled this a couple of years ago and I think it would be doable on a Brompton. It has tarmac sections near the major towns and there are good stretchs of smooth gravel, but there are a few bits of dirt ‘singletrack’ out in the sticks, which might not be fun if it’s been raining. Will be slower going than on the road, but flat and away from motorised traffic.

[andystow]

I was just there one night in 2024, unfortunately. I had a great meal and a pint at the aptly named LoveBeer Brewery.

[andystow]

Thanks, I appreciate it! I’ll post back here once it gets closer and I know what I’ll be doing. I have no plans to hire a car, but my brother and my father will both be over for the same event, so I may be offered rides.

I just ordered a Vincita Sightseer 4.0 Padded Travel Bag for my Brompton.

[Mr Grumpy]

Hey Andy. I’m pretty familiar with this route to beyond Newbury (I live near Heathrow) but there is plenty you can do to avoid what looks like you riding on the A4 which can get busy in places, but it will involve a bit more elevation gain.
I recommend you go to the old control tower at Greenham Common. It’s on the site of an old air base that was used, primarily by US forces, from WW2 until the 90s. There’s a good café there and a museum on the upper floors. If you are routing near Marlborough, it will be well worth going via the massive stone circle at Avebury – some people consider this more significant than Stonehenge.
I’d be happy to offer suggestions on an alternative route for you.

[mdavidford]

Ah, well, Abingdon’s a whole different story!

OK – if I suspend local chauvinism for a moment, I’d have to admit that large parts of Abingdon are a dormitory wasteland as well, but at least its got some historic touristy bits in the centre, and some riverside to enjoy. All Didcot’s got is Thomas the Tank Engine.

[andystow]

Undoubtedly true, but a cousin lives there (actually, I think Abingdon) and has let me crash overnight before.

I’ve been to Oxford once and enjoyed a few pubs, so I could do that again.

[mdavidford]

I’d say the only unreasonable thing about that plan is there are much nicer places to stop than Didcot. ;o)

[andystow]

Ooh, maybe a short version of the New Forest Tour on Sunday if I can catch a ride down there from my brother.
https://www.ukcyclingevents.co.uk/products/the-new-forest-tour-2026-sunday

[Author]

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