Swindon-Ridgeway-Barbury Castle | Proof There's Gravel In Wiltshire
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- Опубликовано: 14 окт 2024
- It's lockdown V2.0 and I'm not allowed to leave Swindon borough, so I'm making the most of my surroundings by exploring the outskirts of the city on my trusty Cannondale Topstone. It doesn't go to plan, but it was fun nonetheless.
While my planned trip to Avebury didn't quite work out, this 30km ride is the perfect short loop out of the city to leave you feeling like you've at least 'got away from it all'.
The Route:
Start in Coast Water, grab a coffee, then head towards Chiseldon on the Route 45 cycle path. Follow The Ridgeway (it's actually the old Ridgeway) all the way to Barbury Castle. If you have the time and the legs, The Ridgeway will take you all the way past a chalk White Horse and on to Avebury (you'll be looking at maybe 60km by the end). Otherwise, get up onto Barbury Castle and head down the Ridegeway bridalway, a fast grassy descent to Ogbourne St George. The old railway line will then take you back to the Route 45 and then to Coate Water again. Enjoy!
One of my favourite routes. There is a really nice old railway track going from old town along the hill overlooking wichelstowe and down behind the BMW garage too.
Great Video Anna, please make more stuff gravel and mtb 👍🏼
Really enjoyed watching this.
It's a great ride route
Just seen this Vid excellent. Loads of routes out of Swindon. I grew up in Swindon but see there are more routes now East and West, even out to Cotswold Water parks. I now live out towards Brinkworth and any route from home encounters at least one 20% hill :) The Ridgeway can be great fun but avoid Hackpen on to Avebury as the path erosion is beyond critical and no fun.
I have feeling, I’m going try this route today .
The bridge is hard work
nice
Awesome video, thanks Anna! Even with the storm on the way, sounds like you had some fun wind up on the Ridgeway. What bike bell you use if you don’t mind me asking? Looks super discrete on your handlebars.
Aww thank you. Maybe in the summer i'll do the full loop. In the meantime, i've got something more exciting in the works as soon as lockdown ends!
Brilliant video
I’m soon to buy a XC caliber 9
I’ve got a 4 year old Scott aspect
Coate Water doesn't seem to have changed, from when, as a 15 year old in 1962, I used to cycle around but in October that year I joined the Royal Navy and I haven't been back since. The bikes have changed though. 🙂
I think the council intentionally preserve it in history, which is no bad thing in my opinion, :)
I'm swindon based and a keen road cyclist, have seriously been considering getting a gravel bike for the real poor weather (struggling with the turbo trainer this year) so this was great to watch....does that marlborough path take you all the way to stonehenge?
The route south from Avebury to Stonhenge is mainly off road but takes you over Salisbury Plain Live Firing Range. Check your dates. Another choice is head to A|vebury and down to the Plain and just do the circumference of the range, off road. Short cuts here tend to be not short as rough and boulder strewn, it is a military traffic route dont forget. Avebury to Stonehenge and back is a feasible one day ride but check times and booking if you want to actuall visit. Also the Chiseldon track crosses the Kennet and Avon canal, tow path to Bath is excellent, other past Devizes also.
I plan on riding The Ridgeway myself this summer. Ever rode the whole route?
Not in one go, but I've done most of it on different days. From Swindon to Avebury, it's pretty chunky. From Swindon to Reading it's really fast flowing when it's dry. I would avoid doing it when it's been raining a lot as the chalk is like ice and the mud is like tar! But it dries fast, and in the Summer it runs fast too. It's very scenic being high up the whole time.
@@AnnaOnTheBike Thanks! Much like Salisbury plain, only worth riding in the dry! The old railway.....is that worth a little adventure on too while I’m up that way??
Great video! I often do this route either on my mountain bike or gravel bike, also from Swindon. I've done Avebury to Ivinghoe beacon in Buckinghamshire which is other end of ridgeway but over 3 days cycling
Lefty rear brake?