Thames Loop…

[KiterStu]

 

[KiterStu]

Has anyone cycled it? I’ve done the bit from Brentford to Kings Langley and now I’m thinking about doing the whole thing over a couple of weeks

 

[T4tomo]

Has anyone cycled it? I’ve done the bit from Brentford to Kings Langley but I’m thinking about doing the whole thing over a couple of weeks

is it all tow paths?
I'm familiar with Watford / Ricky road up to King Langley and then up and beyond Tring, which is Ok in some places and rough in others. I haven't ridden it all (as I generally avoid towpaths) but did a few sections on some gravel rides and I've gone over it etc as far up as Leighton Buzz. A lot of it is on google street view as some chap has uploaded it. Its just a grassy path in places....

 

[KiterStu]

A lot of the bits around Watford and Ricky and further south have been resurfaced over the past few years so they’re pretty good. That’s a good idea tho, I’ll take a look on Google

 

[ianrauk]

What is the total mileage?

 

[KiterStu]

247 but that’s if you’re doing it in a boat

 

[ianrauk]

247 but that’s if you’re doing it in a boat

aha right. You didn't say that and the map isn't clear. I did think the daily distances were small.
Though looks like a good cycle route over a couple/few days.

 

[Juan Kog]

My suggestion do it during the coarse fishing close season . You won’t have to contend with grumpy anglers with there very expensive tackle spread all over tow path .

 

[Richard Fairhurst]

The Oxford Canal has a dire towpath. Most of the Thames Path is not legally cyclable. I’d recommend using a bike route planner for bike routes rather than a canal one

 

[KiterStu]

The Oxford Canal has a dire towpath. Most of the Thames Path is not legally cyclable. I’d recommend using a bike route planner for bike routes rather than a canal one

Dire as in a bit overgrown or completely impassable?

I suppose I could take a machete along if needs be.

I’ve cycled the Thames Path in London between Imperial Wharf and Brentford. Some of that section is off-limits to cyclists but I did it anyway and I didn’t encounter any problems.

 

[figbat]

Much of the rural Thames path is footpath. There’s a bridlepath section from Goring to Pangbourne but after that it’s footpath again, although there are parallel bridlepaths and other cycle trails that track the river.

 

[Drago]

I'll wave as you ride past.

 

[Richard Fairhurst]

Dire as in a bit overgrown or completely impassable?

Passable but bumpy and very narrow! There are several times when it’s a 1ft strip which is literally right next to the canal - the rest of the bank has eroded away, so one twitch and you’re in the water.

 

[T4tomo]

Much of the rural Thames path is footpath. There’s a bridlepath section from Goring to Pangbourne but after that it’s footpath again, although there are parallel bridlepaths and other cycle trails that track the river.

to be fair no-one will argue with him if he's carrying a machete

....although I have been approached by a lock key wielding septuagenarian yelling "dismount, dismount" on a tow path that was cycling allowed. the conversation went something like:

"you do realise were allowed to cycle on here?"
"yes but you putting my life in danger"
"er you're the one waving a heavy metal lock key around..."

 

[Drago]

"You're putting my life in danger."

"No gramps, your gobby attitude is the only thing doing that."