This year I thought I would combine a bike pack with a visit to a cousin whom I haven’t seen for a long time.
I drove to Melksham where I left my car at a friend’s house and then cycled south to join the Kennet and Avon Canal and National Cycle Network 4 which I would follow to Aldermaston.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3 – reverse of Day 2
Day 4 – reverse of Day 1
The trip would be over 4 days there and back, camping for two nights and staying at my cousin’s for one night.
I intended to go sometime in June or early July. Eventually my diary and weather conditions gave me a window from 4/7/2017 to 7/7/2017. If I was being picky the weather was really too hot for the ride but at least better than a wet windy one. The total distance was about 110 miles.
My camping spot for the first and third day were spent at the Bruce Arms situated on the B3087 between Easton Royal and Littleworth. I can recommend this site but worth telephoning to ensure it is not fully booked, a probability during holiday periods. Clearly the pub is a bonus but food is not served during the week.
I found the Cycle Travel web site a useful resource and together with the OS Landranger maps 173, 174 and 175 route finding was not difficult. It is also well signposted as NCN 4.
The route is both on the canal tow path and quiet lanes through pretty villages with more thatched cottages than I had seen in such a short time. There were some hills but all manageable and short lived.
Pictures of my trip follow.
Vale of Pewsey
A skillful job.
My beast of burden.
Bruce Arms campsite
Compare and contrast!
Beware low hanging branches!
bobsoutdoors 