route from Bristol to taunton
route from Bristol to taunton
Hi all,
I have a morning meeting in Taunton (The Holiday Inn) next week and I was planning to ride there.
I will be leaving from Nailsea.
So plan was to take the strawberry line and then get on the road from the other side of the tunnel and head towards Bridgewater. this is where I start running into trouble with uncharted territory. The crossings over the river Perritt seem a little sparse, and my alternatives appear to be a canal path, which I am dubious about as I haven't ridden it before, or the A38 from Bidgewater to Taunton.
So bearing in mind this is about 70 ish Km, I am riding fixed and starting off at around 0530am, so most of the route will be dark
I would wish to average around 25kph, this is well within what I can normally accomplish, but this is "road" speed.
Any advise on the state of the canal path or route choice would be appreciated, as I suspect that the A38 at that time of the morning is going to be a miserable experience.
Many thanks
Martin
I have a morning meeting in Taunton (The Holiday Inn) next week and I was planning to ride there.
I will be leaving from Nailsea.
So plan was to take the strawberry line and then get on the road from the other side of the tunnel and head towards Bridgewater. this is where I start running into trouble with uncharted territory. The crossings over the river Perritt seem a little sparse, and my alternatives appear to be a canal path, which I am dubious about as I haven't ridden it before, or the A38 from Bidgewater to Taunton.
So bearing in mind this is about 70 ish Km, I am riding fixed and starting off at around 0530am, so most of the route will be dark
I would wish to average around 25kph, this is well within what I can normally accomplish, but this is "road" speed.
Any advise on the state of the canal path or route choice would be appreciated, as I suspect that the A38 at that time of the morning is going to be a miserable experience.
Many thanks
Martin
Re: route from Bristol to taunton
Another option would be Strawberry Line, Blackford, Bawdrip, Burrowbridge and small roads just south of the Tone into Taunton.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
Re: route from Bristol to taunton
Planning something similar as part of a longer trip - this thread might help:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=125952
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=125952
Re: route from Bristol to taunton
I have cycled the Bridgewater-Taunton canal several times, most recently in July this year. The surface is generally very good. Some sections are paved. It’s a fast ride. I recommend it.
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Re: route from Bristol to taunton
The cycle path which leads from Cossington to Bawdrip takes you under the A39, instead of having to cross it. The cyclepath has a sealed surface, but may be slippery in places with leaves, it is used by the local dog ealmers.
The cycle path which follows the southern bank of the kingsedgemoor drain from Bawdrip to Parchey bridge is unsealed gravel and rough in several places, and again is heavily used by dog walkers
The cycle path which follows the southern bank of the kingsedgemoor drain from Bawdrip to Parchey bridge is unsealed gravel and rough in several places, and again is heavily used by dog walkers
Re: route from Bristol to taunton
cycle tramp wrote:The cycle path which leads from Cossington to Bawdrip takes you under the A39, instead of having to cross it. The cyclepath has a sealed surface, but may be slippery in places with leaves, it is used by the local dog ealmers.
The cycle path which follows the southern bank of the kingsedgemoor drain from Bawdrip to Parchey bridge is unsealed gravel and rough in several places, and again is heavily used by dog walkers
Good reminder about the drain bank. Would crossing the A39 between Chilton Polden and Stawell have any problems? It's a mile shorter than through Bawdrip, too.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
Re: route from Bristol to taunton
Stick to the A38. It will be busy in Bridgwater but not a problem. At Bathpool stay on the Bridgwater road (old A38 before it was diverted around a new housing estate) and use the bus gate. When you reach the A358 go straight across and turn left at the traffic lights onto the Ilminster road. Go through the bus lane then turn Left to the Holiday Inn.
I would not take the canal path, it's too wet, muddy, slow and it's dark.
I would not take the canal path, it's too wet, muddy, slow and it's dark.
At the last count:- Peugeot 531 pro, Dawes Discovery Tandem, Dawes Kingpin X3, Raleigh 20 stowaway X2, 1965 Moulton deluxe, Falcon K2 MTB dropped bar tourer, Rudge Bi frame folder, Longstaff trike conversion on a Giant XTC 840
Re: route from Bristol to taunton
Nailsea, Strawberry line to Cheddar, then roads through Wedmore to Shapwick where you can cross the A39. Then take the A361 to Burrow Bridge, hang a left after crossing the river then right through Athelney, up the small hill onto the top road to North Curry. Out the back and down the hill at Knapp to Ham, then skim Creech st Michael and take the road left to Ruishton. Through Ruishton onto the cycle path on the A358 through the motorway junction and the Holiday Inn is right there.
Re: route from Bristol to taunton
Thanks for the responses
I will plan my route given the advice. I am always a little dubious of cycle paths if I haven't been on them before, when I need to get somewhere within a time frame. Nice when you want to take the family out, but unless I know them I don't use them for commuting.
I suppose there lies the problem with cycle tracks, pleasant ride but variable commute.
Thanks
Martin
I will plan my route given the advice. I am always a little dubious of cycle paths if I haven't been on them before, when I need to get somewhere within a time frame. Nice when you want to take the family out, but unless I know them I don't use them for commuting.
I suppose there lies the problem with cycle tracks, pleasant ride but variable commute.
Thanks
Martin
Re: route from Bristol to taunton
As honesty describes that route is nice but i would use it on the way home not going when you have time pressure. And there is a nice community cafe in North Curry ( closed on Mondays), open until 5.00pm
At the last count:- Peugeot 531 pro, Dawes Discovery Tandem, Dawes Kingpin X3, Raleigh 20 stowaway X2, 1965 Moulton deluxe, Falcon K2 MTB dropped bar tourer, Rudge Bi frame folder, Longstaff trike conversion on a Giant XTC 840
Re: route from Bristol to taunton
rjb wrote:As honesty describes that route is nice but i would use it on the way home not going when you have time pressure. And there is a nice community cafe in North Curry ( closed on Mondays), open until 5.00pm
The only cycle track on honesty's route is the Strawberry line and that's probably worth using to avoid having to climb over the Mendips in the company of the fools hurrying through the bends on the A38. Going through Bridgwater is likely to slow one by more than the lanes over the levels.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
Re: route from Bristol to taunton
And it has the added benefit of not only going past the cafe at North Curry but also the lovely one at Sandford station. Not that I plan my routes by cafes or anything...
Re: route from Bristol to taunton
I don't think that stopping at cafe on this trip will be possible....
Course is 0900 to 1630,
Must remember to clean bike, if its to go in a back office!
Course is 0900 to 1630,
Must remember to clean bike, if its to go in a back office!
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- Posts: 3562
- Joined: 5 Aug 2009, 7:22pm
Re: route from Bristol to taunton
mjr wrote:cycle tramp wrote:The cycle path which leads from Cossington to Bawdrip takes you under the A39, instead of having to cross it. The cyclepath has a sealed surface, but may be slippery in places with leaves, it is used by the local dog ealmers.
The cycle path which follows the southern bank of the kingsedgemoor drain from Bawdrip to Parchey bridge is unsealed gravel and rough in several places, and again is heavily used by dog walkers
Good reminder about the drain bank. Would crossing the A39 between Chilton Polden and Stawell have any problems? It's a mile shorter than through Bawdrip, too.
The A39 is heavily trafficked by heavy goods vehicles and commuter traffic, depending upon the time you may have to wait some 5 or 7 minutes for a break in the traffic to allow safe crossing, once crossed its a great view over some unspolit countryside
Re: route from Bristol to taunton
Just noticed the road is closed near ham so may be no access between Creech and Knapp.
At the last count:- Peugeot 531 pro, Dawes Discovery Tandem, Dawes Kingpin X3, Raleigh 20 stowaway X2, 1965 Moulton deluxe, Falcon K2 MTB dropped bar tourer, Rudge Bi frame folder, Longstaff trike conversion on a Giant XTC 840