I made it. Over one and a half days I covered 150miles of busy A roads, quiet B roads, very wet puddle filled roads, segregated cycle paths, shared pedestrian/cycle routes and canal towpaths. Unfortunately I did not manage to outride the brooding skies on the first day and spent 4 hours in fairly heavy downpour. I arrived at my Warm Showers accommodation dripping and frozen (with hands so cold I could not turn off my lights!) and I was met a very warm welcome, hot shower and delicious dinner. Thanks Pip & Bill.

Although a cool 10c when I left the next morning, the weather soon became perfect – all sun and clear skies. Taking Pip and Bill’s advice I headed to the canal and followed it from Devises all the way to Bath. From there I followed the Bath to Bristol cycle path. Being car free it was a longer route but I still managed to arrive in Bristol early afternoon and I got to marvel at canal boats negotiating 26 lock gates at Caen Hill Flights in Devizes in order to float uphill, listen to birds, eat handmade chocolate chip biscuits and say hello to lots of walkers. More to add about the experience in following posts. Since my GPS decided it was too wet to work properly I can’t add pics to my route, so instead I clump them here.

We’ve noticed that cars, buses and lorries tend to be largely respectful of the ASLs in Bristol (motorbikes are an exception). This is in comparison to London where it is often difficult, as a cyclist, to even squeeze into an ASL.