Hook to Devizes to Bath to Bristol - Route Check

I am planning to ride a century later this year to a friend's house in Bristol.

Intend to start at Hook in Hampshire, doing 65 road miles to Devices for lunch before leaving tarmac and taking the canal to Bath and the old railway path to Bristol.

I'll be riding on an adventure / gravel bike with 38mm slickish tyres.

Does anyone with local knowledge ( @pdlouche ) have a view on how ride able the canal section is? And any other good info would be appreciated.

The Hook to Devizes leg currently planned as:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46456843

Canal section is absolutely fine, just make sure you have a loud bell for walkers. Once you get the other side of Bath the cycle path is wide and flat.

have a view on how ride able the canal section is?

It was a few years back, but I did the whole section and remember it being absolutely fine, bit busy in places, very quiet in others, but rideable the whole way on gravelly stones, bit of narrower path in places.

The only issue I had was some people shouting at me for riding along on 'market day'.

Very enjoyable though, stopped at a pub for a sandwich and coffee. Barge inn I think it was.

The real highlight though is the tunnels just after bath. Had a really sensory experience in there in the dark with classical music being pumped in.

Can't speak for all of it, but I like your route through Newbury and out to Great Bedwyn.

This is all very pleasing.

Now to research bells...

I road from Bath to Devizes on the towpath in 2021, no problems at all and a lovely ride

At Aldermaston you could head north, join the kennet and avon canal into Newbury.

Narrow at times, historic yobbos in some sections of canal path. If you’re in Devizes let me know I’ll show you good coffee and cake.

I'm not sure you can get all the way through Thatcham and Newbury on the tow path. You certainly never used to be able to.

West of Newbury I don't know, never ventured that far, but Newbury east to Reading is all possible on the towpath isn't it? There has been a section closed inbetween Thatcham and Woolhampton before. But that was for repairs to the canal.

I thought you had shimano?
Why do you want to get into campagnology?

Very Droll!

You should be able to follow NCN4 all the way from Reading to Bristol via Bath and Devizes. I did it a few years ago, nice route but a gravel bike is necessary.

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/route-4

from pewsey to devizes i'd recommend you go on the straight road just north of the one you plotted - it's just very picturesque, just below the wiltshire downs. white horse, lovely fields, etc. i've done it a few times on audaxes such as chase the sun, wander wye, etc.

Nice edit. Thanks.

Yep NCN4 is the plan

Coate Road is also a bit naff but not awful. Could you join the canal sooner?

Devizes -Bath ok but sometimes slow going because of doggists and walkers

There was definitely a lot of water out there a few weeks ago so be prepared to get wet or detour.

Not riding til late June...

Have you looked outside? If you think it will be dry by then I'd still pack swimming gear. :D

Great stretch this!